And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is still shaping up, but we plan to fire up the leaf mover, promenade with the official mascots, and catch up on our reading. We also intend to escort Mrs. Pharmalot to an evening of musical treasures and hold another of our own listening parties, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? There is a holiday approaching on this side of the pond, so perhaps this is a good time to pick up a turkey or two, or make a list of family members to avoid. Meanwhile, you could enjoy the great outdoors, since the scenery can be inspiring and breathtaking. Or you could tend to more mundane matters and tackle your to-do list. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you soon. …
The Danish Patient Compensation granted payouts to four patients in Denmark who experienced vision loss after using Novo Nordisk’s popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, Reuters tells us. In June, the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee noted that the two drugs, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, have been linked in very rare cases to a serious eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION. The condition can cause permanent vision loss. Following the EMA’s findings, Novo Nordisk updated the labels for Wegovy and Ozempic to state that semaglutide may cause NAION in up to 1 in 10,000 patients. The Danish Patient Compensation association, an independent body that evaluates patient claims on behalf of the state, ruled on five of 43 claims it received regarding vision loss allegedly linked to the medications. The four patients were awarded a combined $123,253. The state funds compensation payments awarded by the association.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi, accusing the companies of failing to disclose that Plavix, which is used to prevent blood clots, does not work effectively for many patients, Reuters notes. In a complaint filed in a state court in Harrison County, Texas, Paxton said the drugmakers knew or should have known since 1998 that Plavix had “diminished effect” on Black, Asian and Pacific Islander patients, but no warning was added to the blood thinner’s label until 2010. Paxton said the lack of disclosure caused patients to be prescribed “substantially inadequate or inappropriate” medication that left them at greater risk of heart attacks or strokes. In a joint statement, Bristol Myers and Sanofi said they will vigorously defend against the lawsuit. The companies reached a $700 million settlement of similar claims by Hawaii in May.
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