Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., received an expanded indication for Velcade (bortezomib) for injection, without dose adjustments, in patients with impaired kidney function, including those needing dialysis.
Merck announced that expanded labeling has been approved for Januvia (sitagliptin), the only DPP-4 inhibitor indicated domestically as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adult type 2 diabetics.
Doribax (doripenem injection), a 500-mg IV infusion for treating complicated UTIs (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, as well as intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), has received marketing clearance.
Genzyme Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., has received approval to market Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) for the control of serum phosphorus in dialysis patients.
Two articles in this issue relay new findings on one of the most pressing and controversial issues in nephrology: increasing the number of donor kidneys available for transplantation. The solution examined in each article is the use of more kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECD).
Doctors usually get a fair shake in malpractice cases, with the quality of care determining the size of a settlement, if there is a settlement at all, according to a Missouri law professor.
Some reformers are trying to move malpractice litigation into specialized “health courts” modeled on the worker’s compensation system. Congress is considering legislation that would fund 10 pilot projects across the country.
At age 38, Dr. K was new to private practice. He had completed his residency three years earlier and formed a partnership with an established general urologist in the Northeast.
Better glucose management can reduce mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients.
Doctors affiliated with teaching hospitals should get ready to get more involved with trainees. Physician residents are “highly vulnerable to errors,” a federal watchdog agency has found, and poor supervision is a major reason.
