July 21, 2007

Humira approved for Australia

The Daily Telegraph reports that Humira has been approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease in Australia. However, until it is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (if it ever is), its cost of $16,000 per month will be prohibitive for many people.

July 08, 2007

Traditional Chinese medicine

From the unlikely source of a new player in pharmaceuticals, Asia's largest company Hutchison, comes news of an alternative to the usual Crohn's medicines. The Independent reports that initial trials of a compound found in traditional Chinese medicine have found it to be as effective as the more common treatments in Ulcerative Colitis, and is expected to be similarly effective in Crohn's. The story is in their business section, so it's a bit sparse on details, but it's definitely an area to keep an eye on. (Image from PoYang)