Asthma treatment

471. (TX) – May 10, 1999 Deja. com lets you know what rates Beginning today, it’s a whole new Deja News. The company, which began in Austin in 1995 as a Web site that archived Internet newsgroups, is changing its name to Deja. com and is billing itself as the Web site for consumers who make buying decisions. The centerpiece of the site is Deja Ratings, which offers ratings on more than 7, 200 items in 400 categories. The products are rated by Deja. com users, who fill out a scaled survey. The idea is that users will research a ….. Toronto (Ontario, Canada) – April 30, 1999 Medications help asthma patients breathe easier Health Lori Swick It is an automatic reflex for asthmatics to reach for a medication puffer or inhaler when they are having difficulties breathing. Generally, nobody needs to remind them. But one factor of asthma management that is not emphasized enough is the need to take medications on a regular basis, even when breathing is normal. In most patients, this prevents them from ever experiencing an asthma attack and getting to the point where they need to use a rescue inhaler to help ….. – April 27, 1999 Grab a tissue It began this year, as it does every year, with the carefree oak tree recklessly flinging its pollen to the wind in hopes of perpetuating its kind. The other trees, ash, elm and maple, are following suit by filling their air with billions upon billions of powderlike male sex cells. Whether you approve of it or not, the trees in your yard, and down your street are having sex, and this annual, botanical orgy known as allergy season isn’t over yet. Grass ….. (Riverside, CA) – April 20, 1999 Easing their wheezing With early identification, proper precautions and the correct medicine, children with severe allergies can lead nearly normal lives. Severe allergies and asthma don’t stop 8-year-old David Villalba Jr. But sometimes they slow him down. “I cough a lot when I play baseball and basketball, ” says David, who lives in Fontana. “And when I run I start getting out of breath. “Since David was 3, molds, pollen, cats, dogs – you name it – have sent him into fits of sneezing and coughing, says his mother, Janine. At first she thought David had normal colds and ….. Herald and the Sunday Herald, The (Glasgow, Scotland) – February 18, 1999 The Herald (United Kingdom): Business: Zeneca says merger with Astra on track: Strong pound weighs on last stand-alone results ZENECA remains confident it can achieve its merger with Astra of Sweden by the second quarter of the year, though competition authorities in the US and Brussels have requested more information. Chief executive Sir David Barnes said their concerns were on a relatively narrow front and he believed that the original timetable for the merger would be followed. It is thought the competition authorities’ concerns relate to anaesthetics. Zeneca has published its final results as ….. Sun Publications (IL) – December 16, 1998 WAITING TO EXHALE Leann Butz admits she still panics each time her 12-year-old son takes off running with his friends from one end of the block to the other. But that’s her nature as a mother, and her concerns are legitimate. She’s heard her son’s wheezing, she’s seen him gasp for air, and she’s made her share of late-night trips to the emergency room. But the memory of the day her then-toddler’s lips turned purple is one the …. Mail on Sunday, The (London, England) – December 13, 1998 The Mail on Sunday (United Kingdom): pounds 46BN MERGER FROM A NIGHT AT THE OPERA As the strains of opera wafted across the lush grounds of Glyndebourne one evening last summer, company bosses Tom McKillop and Hakan Mogren had no thoughts for business. For McKillop, Scottish head of UK firm Zeneca pharmaceuticals, and Mogren, president of the Swedish drugs company Astra, it was a social occasion with their wives. But their idyllic evening deep in the Sussex countryside was to be the backdrop for big decisions. For as the couples gave their rapt attention to Richard …. Courier Mail, The (Brisbane, Australia) – December 11, 1998 Drug groups’ marriage to spur rivals into action THE planned $37. 2 billion marriage of Britain’s Zeneca Group and Sweden’s Astra AB could prompt more mergers, or a counterbid, as drug industry rivals seek to avoid losing their market positions in an industry scrambling to rationalise. Zeneca, Britain’s third-biggest drug company, said this week it planned to buy Astra, Sweden’s No 1, in an all-stock transaction in what it described as “a merger of equals”. The ….. Evening Standard, The (London, England) – December 9, 1998 Evening Standard: Business Day: Zeneca and Astra to tie pounds 47bn knot ZENECA today unveiled the terms of a $77 billion-plus ( pounds 47 billion) merger with the Swedish drugs group Astra, in a move that will create the world’s third-largest drugs company. There was immediate speculation, however, that the deal – Europe’s largest-ever corporate move – would swiftly be broken up by a rival bidder. Until now Zeneca, under its chief executive Sir David Barnes, has vigorously declared its intention to stand aloof from the global merger ….. New York Times, The (NY) – December 9, 1998 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 2 European Drug Giants Talk of Merger Zeneca Group P. L. C. , the third-largest British drug maker, and Astra A. B. of Sweden said yesterday that they were discussing a merger that would be worth at least $30 billion and create the world’s fourth-largest pharmaceutical company. If completed, the merger would be the largest ever in the pharmaceutical industry and would transform two second-tier drug makers into a global powerhouse with $14. 3 billion in sales. The combined company would have a formidable product line, ….

461. (FL) – December 11, 1999 Dr. Paul G. Donohue ASTHMA AND ATHLETICS ARE COMPATIBLE DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an overweight asthmatic. I am trying to lose weight so that I can look better. Exercise makes it difficult for me to breathe. I have had asthma since I was 3. I seek help in finding a way to participate in normal teen-ager activiti es. My doctor is no help at all. – N. Y. ANSWER: Most people with asthma can gain an upper hand on the illness so they can exercise and participate in sports. In the 1988 Olympics games, 52 of the …. – December 11, 1999 Dr. Paul G. Donohue ASTHMA AND ATHLETICS ARE COMPATIBLE DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an overweight asthmatic. I am trying to lose weight so that I can look better. Exercise makes it difficult for me to breathe. I have had asthma since I was 3. I seek help in finding a way to participate in normal teen-ager activiti es. My doctor is no help at all. – N. Y. ANSWER: Most people with asthma can gain an upper hand on the illness so they can exercise and participate in sports. In the 1988 Olympics games, 52 of the …. – December 11, 1999 Dr. Paul G. Donohue ASTHMA AND ATHLETICS ARE COMPATIBLE DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an overweight asthmatic. I am trying to lose weight so that I can look better. Exercise makes it difficult for me to breathe. I have had asthma since I was 3. I seek help in finding a way to participate in normal teen-ager activiti es. My doctor is no help at all. – N. Y. ANSWER: Most people with asthma can gain an upper hand on the illness so they can exercise and participate in sports. In the 1988 Olympics games, 52 of the …. (NY) – December 11, 1999 MOST PEOPLE WITH ASTHMA CAN PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS Dear Dr. Donohue: I am an overweight asthmatic. I am trying to lose weight so that I can look better. Exercise makes it difficult for me to breathe. I have had asthma since I was 3. I seek help in finding a way to participate in normal teenager activities. My doctor is no help at all. – N. Y. Most people with asthma can gain an upper hand on the illness so they can exercise and participate in sports. In the 1988 Olympics games, 52 of the 667 athletes suffered from asthma. They had the illness ….. – November 1, 1999 FINDING ROOM TO BREATHE NEW DRUGS, EDUCATION ARE KEYS TO NORMAL LIFE FOR THOSE WITH ASTHMA Until about three years ago, Dawn Bosquez, a 30-year-old resident of Denver, was getting most of her medical care for asthma in emer- gency rooms. About once a month, she would wake up unable to breathe and would frantically call an ambulance or friend to rush her to the hospital, where she would be given oxygen and inhale medications to bring the attack under control. Then, a doctor would prescribe a short course or “burst” of prednisone tablets, a powerful ….. The Herald Dispatch – September 2, 1999 PEIA adds 21 brand name drugs Move helps, but many public employees say higher costs of prescriptions hurt By EDWARD TERRY The Herald-Dispatch Don Watts of Huntington considers himself and his wife, Mary, lucky. Both are in good health and, unlike many other state employees and retirees, Watts, a retired state worker, will be able to keep his prescription medicine costs low. In July, the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency increased co-payments for prescription medication, prompting ….. (ND) – August 31, 1999 DRUGS CAN HELP CONTROL LAMBERT-EATON SYNDROME Ask Dr. H: Lambert-Eaton syndrome; second-hand smoke and asthma I’ve been diagnosed with a disease of muscle weakness called Lambert-Eaton syndrome. My problem is weakness in my thighs. A neurologist prescribed Mestinon to help treat my weakness. Could you please discuss this condition? For a person to move a muscle, there needs to be a motor nerve signal to trigger movement, followed by a healthy muscle that can respond to that signal. There’s a nerve-muscle ….. (WV) – August 20, 1999 PEIA adds drugs to ‘preferred list, ‘ lowers co-pays STAFF WRITER Officials of the state’s Public Employees Insurance Agency had no trouble deciding what to do with a $1 million supplemental appropriation approved by lawmakers this week. They’re spending the money on drugs. PEIA Director Bob Ayers said Thursday the agency will add 21 drugs to its list of “preferred” medications, meaning prescriptions will carry a $15 co-payment, as opposed to the $40 now being charged. A new ….. KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE BUSINESS NEWS – July 11, 1999 CIGNA HEALTHCARE OF TEXAS FINDS PROFITS IN GOOD RELATIONS WITH DOCTORS Jul. 11–At a wrestling match that pits doctors and consumers against HMOs, Cigna HealthCare of Texas occupies a comfortable ringside seat. While other local health maintenance organizations are losing money and struggling to satisfy members, Cigna has escaped this punishment. It ranks highest in member satisfaction and lowest in doctor turnover. At the same time, it charges the highest premiums and consistently earns the largest profit of any local insurer. And Cigna has managed to ….. (New Jersey) – June 10, 1999 KEEPING ASTHMA IN CHECK Did you know that the most common chronic illness responsible for school absences is asthma? Asthma rates are rising dramatically in the United States, up more than 75 percent in the last two decades and likely as a result of indoor and outdoor pollution. Death rates from asthma for those under age 20 have jumped more than 75 percent in roughly the same period. And yet, according to asthma and allergy specialist Dr. Arthur Torre of Fairfield, patients and medical practitioners ….

81. wire (USA) – May 20, 2008 /C O R R E C T I O N — GlaxoSmithKline/ In the news release, Advair Reduces Exacerbations in COPD Patients With a History of Exacerbations, issued Sunday, May 18, by GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) over wire, we are advised by the company that the third paragraph, second sentence, should read, “In an analysis of time to first moderate/severe exacerbation, there was a 27 percent reduction in risk with Advair compared to salmeterol (p<0. 001). ” Complete, corrected release follows: Advair Reduces …. 82. wire (USA) – May 19, 2008 /C O R R E C T I O N — GlaxoSmithKline/ In the news release, Advair Reduces Exacerbations in COPD Patients With a History of Exacerbations, issued yesterday, May 18, by GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) over wire, we are advised by the company that the third paragraph, last sentence, should read “And Advair also reduced the annual rate of exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids by 34 percent (p<0. 001). ” Complete, corrected release follows: Advair Reduces Exacerbations in COPD Patients With a …. 83. Express, The (London, England) – November 22, 2005 The Express: Glaxo savaged GBP3. 4bn by Advair warning DRUGS giant GlaxoSmithKline was laid lower yesterday after US regulators proposed restricting the use of the company’s best-selling asthma treatment Advair. Shares in Glaxo fell almost 4 per cent, or 58p, to 1439p, wiping nearly GBP3. 38billion from the company’s market value as analysts scaled back their growth forecasts for the drug across the Atlantic. The Food and Drug Administration said Advair, which had worldwide sales of GBP3. 43billion last year, should ….. (PA) – February 15, 2002 Glaxo’s post-merger profit rises 13%, The asthma drug Advair aided last year’s gain in earnings. The firm predicted growth in the teens this year and next. < One year after a big merger created GlaxoSmithKline P. L. C. , the company posted a 13 percent increase in 2001 earnings, bolstered by strong sales of the asthma drug Advair. Executives of the world’s second-largest drug company predicted yesterday that earnings growth would be in the mid-teens for 2002, and, for the first time, forecast growth in the “low-teens or better” for 2003. Glaxo, which has major offices and research and development operations ….. AFX Asia Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX Asia (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD ….. AFX UK Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX UK (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD ….. AFX UK Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX UK (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD ….. AFX UK Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX UK (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD ….. AFX Europe Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX Europe (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD …. 0. AFX Europe Focus – October 11, 2006 AFX Europe (Focus): Glaxo seeks permission to sell asthma drug Advair as treatment for COPD in US RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, North Carolina (AFX) – GlaxoSmithKline said it is seeking permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to market its asthma drug Advair Diskus as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the United States. GSK said it has submitted a supplemental new drug application to the FDA to expand labelling for Advair Diskus based on results from TORCH, a three-year study that showed the drug reduced the risk of death and the rate of COPD ….

501. The Cincinnati Post – April 21, 1998 New weapons against allergies on the horizon As anyone with a nose knows, this spring’s pollen crop arrived early, courtesy of El Nino. Spores from trees, followed by grasses, followed by weeds, with a bonus dollop of molds, are expected to be clogging up the bronchial tubes from now until fall. An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever and about 15 million have asthma, with much overlap between the two groups. The silver lining to this year’s allergy season is that an ….. Scripps Howard News Service – April 21, 1998 THERE’S NEW RELIEF ON THE WAY FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS As anyone with a nose knows, this spring’s pollen crop has arrived early and often across much of the country, courtesy of the mild, wet El Nino winter. Spores from trees, followed by grasses, followed by weeds, with a bonus dollop of molds, are expected to be seizing the sinuses and clogging up the bronchial tubes from now until the fall frosts. An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis or hay fever and about 15 million have asthma, with much overlap ….. (PA) – April 21, 1998 A SCRATCH AND SNIFF SUMMER MILD WINTER WILL MEAN ABUNDANT POLLEN, MOSQUITOES AND FLEAS Scratch, sniffle and sneeze. If you have allergies, you’re probably going to suffer more than usual this year. And it’s El Nino’s fault. Of all the things El Nino has been blamed for, this may be one of the strangest. The massive warm swelling of the Pacific Ocean off the South American coast that is affecting weather worldwide graced this area with a mild, moist winter. That left the area lush with pollens and mold spores that make people wheeze ….. . – April 6, 1998 Swing — achoo! — into spring // Cookouts, baseball lure folks out — to allergists For most Americans, at least red-blooded ones, springtime means baseball, apple pie, backyard grilling and the smell of freshly-cut grass. For about six million Americans each year, however, springtime is the beginning of the annual hunt for decongestants that won’t make you drowsy during the day and tissues that don’t feel like 80-grit sandpaper. It’s the start of allergy season. Tree pollen, tiny, powderlike male sex cells scattered in ….. Boston Globe – March 30, 1998 SNEEZING EARLY? IT’S EL NINO’S FAULT Just when you thought there was nothing left to blame on El Nino comes this: We’re in for an unusually early — and perhaps long and nasty — allergy season this year. Granted, everybody always thinks whatever allergy season they’re suffering through is the worst ever, but this year, it really will be bad — and in some places, already is — because El Nino created perfect growing conditions for trees and molds — a mild winter in the Northeast, rains in the South ….. (Riverside, CA) – March 24, 1998 Allergy season harsh during El Nino year Drier weather, Santa Anas will worsen conditions El Nino has unleashed on Southern Californians downpours, floods, mudslides and one of the nastiest spring allergy seasons in recent memory. And the worst of the allergy problems is yet to come. “I’m starting to warn my patients that their usual medications may not be enough to control their symptoms this year, ” said Dr. James L. Munson, an allergist at Beaver Medical Clinic in Redlands. The El Nino rains produced a bumper crop of vegetation. But ….. – March 18, 1998 Side effect of drugs: Lot of ads Spending rose 41% Emboldened by looser rules, the nation’s drug makers last year spent a record amount of money – nearly $844 million – on advertising that was aimed directly at influencing consumers. The unprecedented promotions, which amounted to a 41 percent increase over what was spent in 1996, are a gamble by the drug industry to persuade patients to switch drugs or, in some cases, begin medical treatments. Accordingly, categories where competition is the greatest – such as ….. Independent, The (London, England)/Financial Times – March 6, 1998 THE INDEPENDENT: BUSINESS: ZENECA STANDS UP FOR INDEPENDENCE ZENECA, the third-largest drugs group in the UK, said yesterday it was determined to maintain its independence and had not entered into any merger or takeover talks with rivals. Sir David Barnes, Zeneca’s chief executive, said that any competitor would have to be prepared to pay a substantial premium for control of Zeneca. His comments come in response to intense speculation surrounding Zeneca’s future after merger talks between Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline ….. (FL) – January 28, 1998 PROTECTING YOUR CHILD< NEW AILMENTS ARE REPLACING THE ONES SCIENCE HAS MANAGED TO ERADICATE. Despite the fact that diseases such as polio, diphtheria and measles, which once afflicted millions of children, have been virtually wiped out, certain health threats to kids are on the rise. Here are some current threats, with information on how to protect your children from them. Drug-resistant infections It’s becoming more difficult for doctors to treat children with illnesses such as ear infections, sinusitis and pneumonia, because some of the bacteria that ….. Financial Times (London, England) – January 28, 1998 Companies and Finance: UK: Zeneca growth in earnings to beat 15% target Chemicals, Speciality. Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals. The strength of sterling will depress 1997 profits from Zeneca, the UK’s third largest drug company. In its year-end trading statement yesterday, the company said that profits from its agrochemicals division would be ’slightly below’ those for 1996 ‘with adverse movements in exchange rates offsetting a strong underlying performance’. But analysts said the effect of ….

481. New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH) – December 4, 1998 Secondhand smoke belongs on cancer list, panelists say. Doctors warn those taking asthma drug. Philip Morris to discourage youth smoking RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N. C. (AP) An advisory commission’s decision has paved the way for secondhand smoke to be placed on the federal government’s official list of cancer-causing substances, over the tobacco industry’s strong objections. The subcommittee of the National Toxicology Program’s Board of Scientific Counselors voted unanimously on Wednesday to affirm the recommendations of two groups of government scientists that secondhand ….. KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE BUSINESS NEWS – November 18, 1998 DAILY MAIL, LONDON, MARKET REPORT Nov. 18–FOOTSIE GEARED UP TO FOLLOW THE DOW: Nearly three hours after the London market closed, the US Fed cut interest rates by 0. 25 percent. It was the result traders had wanted and immediately swung the Dow Jones into positive ter-ritory. Just before the cut was announced, the Dow was trading 80 points lower. Within an hour it was ahead by just as much. When London opens this morning it is likely to follow Wall Street. Yesterday it had a see-saw day trying to antici-pate the …. 483. Daily Mail, The (London, England) – November 18, 1998 Daily Mail: City & Finance: City & Finance: Footsie geared up to follow the Dow NEARLY three hours after the London market closed, the US Fed cut interest rates by 0. 25pc. It was the result traders had wanted and immediately swung the Dow Jones into positive ter-ritory. Just before the cut was announced, the Dow was trading 80 points lower. Within an hour it was ahead by just as much. When London opens this morning it is likely to follow Wall Street. Yesterday it had a see-saw day trying to antici-pate the Fed’s move. At its best in mid-morning, the ….. – October 27, 1998 DRUGS GIVE IMMEDIATE OR LONG-TERM ASTHMA RELIEF Q. What is asthma, and what drugs are now used in its control? A. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways (bronchi) in which the airways become narrowed from muscle spasms, excessive mucus production and swelling and scarring of the bronchial walls. Asthma affects 14 to 15 million people in the United States, usually causing cough, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Symptoms may be intermittent or persistent, may range from mild to severe, and often are ….. Daily Mail, The (London, England) – October 27, 1998 Daily Mail: City & Finance: Interest rate hopes give Footsie a fillip: Market Report INTEREST rate optimism and heavy buying of the December Footsie futures contract helped to get proceedings off to a spectacular start yesterday. The Footsie soared 111. 9 within minutes but soon ran out of steam. It drifted on lack of follow-through support to finish only 14. 4 higher at 5231. 5, though Wall Street helped by turning an early 44-point deficit into a gain. With European Union leaders seeming to agree on the need for lower interest rates to help stimulate growth and boost ….. (FL) – October 25, 1998 THREE ILLNESSES CAN CRIPPLE LUNGS DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have had bronchitis for seven months. Will you explain the difference between bronchitis, emphysema and asthma? I’m so sick of using inhalers. Is there anything else? I blame my troubles on El Ni$o. What do you think? – E. M. ANSWER: Chronic bronchitis is a cough that lingers for at least three months in two consecutive years. Along with the cough, chronic bronchitis produces copious amounts of thick, sticky mucus. “Chronic” is used to ….. – August 31, 1998 How to ace health class: First, sit up straight. . . Summer, as most students know it, is dead. No more sleeping in on weekdays. No more lingering shirtless by the pool like an ultraviolet sponge. No more barbecue smoke. No bare feet between the hours of 7 a. m. and 3 p. m. Such inviting aspects of summer have given way to the seemingly cruel realities of academia — slouching in uncomfortable classroom chairs, walking with heavy, ill-fitted backpacks slung on single, raised shoulders, classmates with infectious coughs, and the ….. Record, The (Kitchner, Ontario, Canada) – August 12, 1998 Drug firms pay plenty to get right name TRENTON, N. J. — If parents agonize over a new baby’s name, imagine the dilemma for a pharmaceutical company with a new drug. An upbeat, memorable name — say, Viagra or Prozac — can help boost sales, particularly in an era where consumers are bombarded with drug ads goading them to demand specific brands from their doctor. But finding a name that’s unique and memorable isn’t easy. Many companies now use wordsmiths for a task that can cost upwards of ….. Observer, The (London, England) – August 9, 1998 The Observer: Business: Bird’s-eye view of the appliance of science: He may be a twitcher, but Zeneca’s incoming chairman David Barnes doesn’t flinch when asked for an opinion: Mammon SIR David Barnes would hate to give the impression that he is a man obsessed. But he has recently counted 58 different varieties of birds flying over his Oxfordshire garden. Or it may even be 59 – he needs to check that, he says. Which is the most exotic? A red kite. And what does a red kite look like? The outgoing chief executive and incoming chairman of Zeneca gives a quick sketch on the pad in front of him. Barnes was secretary of the ornithological society at Shrewsbury school. But …. 0. Scotsman, The (Edinburgh, Scotland) – August 7, 1998 The Scotsman: Business: Zeneca chases foreign growth THE DRUGS and agrochemicals giant Zeneca, which relies on overseas markets for 92 per cent of its business, has signalled its intentions to chase further international growth despite the impact of the strong pound and the Asian economic crisis. Sir David Barnes, the chief executive, said he was looking for further sales expansion in both Europe and North America, together with the launch of new products in additional markets in the closing months of this year. “In the ….

511. Daily Mail, The (London, England) – January 21, 1998 DAILY MAIL: CITY & FINANCE: BEECHAM MEGA-PLAN TO CREATE A WORLD LEADER DRUGS giant SmithKline Beecham owned up yesterday, admitting it is talking to American Home Products about a possible merger which could create the largest healthcare company in the world. If it should happen, though, there are already worries that it might lead to effective control of this great British business shifting across the Atlantic. Perhaps 40pc of SB shares are already held in the United States. Ambitious SB chief executive, Wimbledon semi-finalist Jan Leschly, is based ….. The Dallas Morning News – January 20, 1998 Kids’ health hazards Childhood illnesses are increasing and getting harder to treat Diseses such as polio, diphtheria and measles, which once afflicted millions of children, have been virtually wiped out. But certain health threats to kids are on the rise. Here are some current threats, with information on how to protect your children from them: * Drug-resistant infections: It’s becoming more difficult for doctors to treat children with illnesses such as ear infections, sinusitis and pneumonia because some of the bacteria that cause these and other infections ….. The Arizona Daily Star – October 16, 1997 Ready, illing and able, Many not-so-healthy Tucsonans participate in clinical trials Depressed? Or perhaps suffering from athlete’s foot, hot flashes or unwanted facial hair? Then perhaps you, too, can be one of hundreds – nay, thousands – of Tucsonans currently involved in some sort of clinical trial. “This has become a cottage industry for Tucson, ” says allergist Jay Grossman, vice president of medical affairs at VIVRA Research Partners, which bills itself as the largest private respiratory research center in Arizona. In ….. Financial Times (London, England) – August 8, 1997 Companies and Finance: UK: Zeneca warns on cost of drug launches Health Care, Health Care. Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals. Strong growth of new product sales offset the impact of sterling to take first-half profits above analysts’ forecasts at Zeneca, the UK’s third largest pharmaceuticals company. However, the company warned that new drug launches would prove costly in the second half, and the shares rose only 6p to Pounds 20. 52 1/2p. Launch costs would reduce profit margins by between 2 and 2. 5 percentage points ….. . (OH) – August 4, 1997 BREATH OF FRESH AIR BEATING BACK ATTACKS IT’S AN UPHILL BATTLE, BUT ASTHMA CAN BE CONTROLLED. HOWEVER, THE DISEASE AFFECTS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS EACH YEAR, AND NO ONE’S SURE WHAT’S CAUSING IT. When Joanne Oswald’s asthma got bad, it was like a zillion tiny plastic bags smothering her lungs. Her attacks came daily during the peak allergy months of summer. The Hudson resident quit her job, stopped visiting friends and taking vacations. The air wasn’t safe out there. That was the old Joanne Oswald. This year, the 62-year-old woman celebrated her fourth anniversary without an asthma attack. Asthma is a debilitating disease that can be handled, but ….. Times, The (London, England) – August 4, 1997 Profits shaken at embattled NatWest, Companies NATWEST GROUP: All eyes will be on the beleaguered clearing bank tomorrow for all the wrong reasons. While rivals shine, NatWest’s interim results are expected to be poor after a profit warning on June 16, with the market focusing on the problems of NatWest Markets (NWM) and its Pounds 77 million “black hole” in the interest-rate options business. Lord Alexander of Weedon, chairman, and Derek Wanless, chief executive, have already taken some heat out ….. Times, The (London, England) – July 25, 1997 Salvesen a weaker target one year after Hays bid, Stock Market SHARES of Christian Salvesen , the logistics group, have fallen sharply in the year since Hays , a rival, dropped its 391p a share bid and City speculators say that could be the group’s undoing. The Salvesen price was picking up speed yesterday, rising 13p to 296 1/2 p, but remains well below the original offer price. The speculators know that Hays, 2 1/2 p off at 576p, is free to relaunch its assault within a few weeks and this time it may not meet such fierce …. 518. (PA) – June 10, 1997 BREATHING LESSONS NEW TREATMENTS FOR ASTHMA EMPHASIZE PREVENTING ATTACKS Diane Peterson’s family members are the faces among the startling statistics about asthma. Her husband and two sons are among 14 million Americans, including 4. 8 million children, who have asthma. The disease causes children to miss more than a million school days every year. Like many second-generation asthmatics, the Peterson boys, Bradley, 7, and Ross, 4, have asthma because of the genes passed to them by their father, Keith, 38, who was a severe asthmatic as a child ….. . (PA) – June 10, 1997 TYPES OF TREATMENT There are two basic types of asthma medications: Controllers, which prevent symptoms, and relievers, which relieve symptoms of attacks. Controllers help reduce airway inflammation. If used effectively, they should eliminate or reduce the need for relievers. The biggest advance on this front is the introduction of inhaled steroids. These anti-inflammatory drugs are inhaled directly into the airways and produce few or no side effects. They are marketed under such brand names as ….. – May 26, 1997 Yearning to Breathe Free, With new drugs and devices, asthmatics avoid attacks – and even play soccer. BACK IN THE DARK AGES of asthma care – like five or so years ago “managing” one’s asthma meant scrambling for a puff of bronchodilator as breathing suddenly became as arduous as sucking peanut butter through a straw. But lately doctors have been abandoning this “treat as needed” approach in favor of a preventive one. “The paradigm has shifted from being reactive to being proactive, ” says Dr. Stan Szeffler of ….

521. Life – May 1, 1997 AN EPIDEMIC OF SNEEZING AND WHEEZING JEREMIAH JAGER HAS TROUBLE BREATHING. SO DO 50 MILLION OTHER AMERICANS WHO SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES. BUT NEW DRUGS–AND NEW ATTITUDES–ARE HELPING RELIEVE Jeremiah Jager, four, loves blue. He drinks blue soda pop, picks the blue marshmallows out of his Magic Stars cereal and grabs the blue crayon. But when he got croupy and turned his favorite color this past winter–lips, cheeks, nose–his mother panicked. It was Jeremiah’s eighth visit to the ER. And the scariest. “When he turned blue, I said, ‘I want some answers, ‘” says Cathy, who figured that, like relatives on both sides of his ….. – April 29, 1997 FIRST STRIKE AGAINST ALLERGIES TAKE YOUR MEDICATION EARLY Springtime allergy season has already begun for some unfortunate folks. But you may be able to head off trouble before it starts. At least that’s the current thinking of allergy specialists, who say that if you are among the 26 million Americans likely to get allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, consider calling your doctor now to start taking medications before symptoms get bad. And there is another reason to attack allergies before they attack you. The medications are getting …. Boston Globe – April 21, 1997 DON’T WAIT FOR ALLERGY TO HIT; STRIKE FIRST There may still be patches of snow smothering your crocuses, but believe it or not, springtime allergy season is only about 10 days away — and for some poor souls it’s already begun. But you may be able to head off trouble before it starts At least that’s the current thinking of allergy specialists, who say that if you’re among the 26 million Americans likely to get allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, consider calling your doctor now to start taking ….. (AL) – April 21, 1997 BREATHING EASIER ADVANCEMENTS HAVE MADE ASTHMA MORE MANAGEABLE W ithout all this medicine, we would have to spend a lot more time in the emergency room. June Hyett, asthma sufferer whose daughters also have asthma The childhoods of Chris and June Hyett of Birmingham were punctuated by frequent asthma attacks, steamy at-home treatments and frequent emergency room visits. Both outgrew their childhood illness, but neither was surprised when two of their three daughters were diagnosed with asthma, one when she was 4 months old and one when she was 6 ….. (AL) – April 21, 1997 NEWS STAFF PHOTOS/PHILIP BARR Amanda Hyett, 9, relies on occasional use of her inhaler for her mild asthma. Kimberly Hyett, 7, perfers her new inhaler to this old nebulizer, but she uses both to treat her moderate asthma. Doctors and patients now rely on a variety of medications to control asthma and treat each crisis. NEWS STAFF PHOTO/PHILIP BARR The family that inhales together: Asthma sufferers Amanda, mother June Hyett, and Kimberly. BREATHING EASIER ADVANCEMENTS HAVE MADE ASTHMA MORE MANAGEABLE Byline: Betsy Butgereit News staff writer W ithout all this medicine, we would ….. (KS) – April 20, 1997 NEW DRUGS OFFER ASTHMA RELIEF, BUT WITH A RISK MIAMI – For the past quarter century, an asthmatic’s best friend has been an L-shaped pump delivering blasts of relief to rattling, wheezing lungs. Now, a half-dozen new pills and improved aerosol drugs hold the promise of dramatically changing the way asthma is treated – at a time when the disease has an unprecedented stranglehold, afflicting 15 million Americans. But asthma experts warn that the drugs could be perilous for some patients. They worry that in the medical arms ….. (FL) – April 19, 1997 NEW DRUGS HELP ASTHMATICS BREATHE EASIER For the past quarter century, an asthmatic’s best friend has been an L-shaped pump delivering blasts of relief to rattling, wheezing lungs. Now, a half-dozen new pills and improved aerosol drugs hold the promise of dramatically changing the way asthma is treated — at a time when the disease has an unprecedented stranglehold, afflicting 15 million Americans. But asthma experts warn that the drugs could be perilous for some patients. They worry that in the medical arms race, ….. (AL) – April 14, 1997 Cause of asthma remains a mystery Physician’s Notebook NOTE: In last week’s Physician’s Notebook, the author’s name was Asthma is the most common reason for which children are hospitalized in this country. It is also one of the leading causes of school abstenteeism. Five to 10 percent of children suffer from this condition. The incidence and the severity of the asthma have been increasing over the past decade. The reasons for this are not clear. What is Asthma? Asthma ….. Financial Times (London, England) – March 10, 1997 Markets: This week: Steel losses expected to cut Krupp to DM360m Krupp, the German steel and engineering group, is expected this week to report pre-tax profits for 1996 of about DM360m (Dollars 213m), down on the 1995 figure of DM644m because of steel losses, analysts said. Krupp is likely to have made profits on its stainless steel activities, where it is the world leader, but to have lost money on its other steel products. The group’s other five divisions, ranging from automotive systems to plant engineering, are expected to be profitable, ….. – January 14, 1997 APPROACH A FITNESS PROGRAM WITH CAUTION Just do it? Not winter exercise. Although many people can work out safely in cold weather, there are good reasons to exercise cautiously. Physicians often warn against shoveling snow if you’re not used to cold-weather exertion because of the possibility of triggering heart problems. It’s equally dangerous for people with undiagnosed heart disease to suddenly begin a strenuous, cold-weather exercise program. “If you’re looking ….

531. – JANUARY 13, 1997 Gasping for life, Asthma deaths are on the rise. With the right drugs, they’re preventable The bands of muscles encircling your airways tighten, choking off the lungs’ air supply. You’re wheezing. Your chest and shoulders heave as you gulp air through mucus-clogged bronchial tubes, but it’s like trying to breathe through a drinking straw. Your airways collapse, trapping air in your lungs. You can’t exhale. Panic feeds the asthma attack. You feel like you’re dying. And you may be. Walter Reid Kirnon, 14, died that ….. Daily Herald – October 23, 1996 Health Day Biofeedback as tool for what ails you The Midwest Regional Conference on Behavioral Health and Biofeedback is hosting an open house in Chicago on Nov. 8 to inform people how biofeedback works. The session is from 4:30 to 8:30 p. m. at the Days Inn, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive. Biofeedback, or “biological feedback, ” uses monitors to measure body functions ranging from pulse to skin temperature. As patients become aware of what their body is doing, they can learn to ….. Financial Times (London, England) – March 30, 1996 London Stock Exchange: Disposal buzz at Granada Distributors, Distributors-Other. Food Producers, Food Producers. Leisure & Hotels, Leisure. Telecommunications, Telecommunications. Expectation that Granada is about to announce several disposals, following its takeover of Forte, sent the shares racing ahead yesterday. There were strong rumours that Granada would use its trading update to analysts just after Easter as the moment to detail the sale of the Meridien hotel chain. A sale would not be a surprise but if ….. Times, The (London, England) – March 30, 1996 Cadbury Schweppes loses fizz in fallout with Coke, Stock Market SHARES of Cadbury Schweppes fell to their lowest level this year, slipping 15 p to 501p after the UK confectionery and soft drinks group fell out with Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is ending an arrangement to distribute most of the British company’s soft drinks in the US. Coke’s decision to stop distributing A&W Root Beer, Welch’s and Sunkist came as a shock to brokers in the City. A Cadbury spokeswoman said that the group disagreed with ….. (PA) – March 29, 1996 BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF IN THE REGION THE WEST CO. IS PULLING IN ITS BELT * The West Co. , a Lionville supplier of medical-device components and packaging for the health-care industry, announced a restructuring of its global operation that will mean the “closing or substantial downsizing” of six manufacturing facilities and about a 5 percent reduction in its workforce. Company officials could not be reached for comment on which facilities would close, but said the goal was “to shift ….. Financial Times (London, England) – March 27, 1996 London Stock Exchange: Royal Bank of Scotland fell sharply Banks-Retail, Banks-Retail. Insurance, Insurance-Brokers. Other Financial, Financial- Other. Royal Bank of Scotland fell sharply for the second day running as Credit Lyonnais Laing, one of the bank’s brokers, cut its forecasts for current year profits. Laing has taken a hard look at the prospects for Direct Line, the RBoS insurance subsidiary, which is expected to suffer from a highly competitive motor insurance market and a spate of harsh-weather claims. Laing was not ….. Financial Times (London, England) – December 13, 1995 UK Company News: Zeneca plans to boost R&D and partnerships Zeneca, the UK’s third largest pharmaceuticals company, plans a sharp increase in its spending on drugs research and development and on partnerships with biotechnology companies. R&D spending for the whole company – Pounds 550m in 1995 – will rise faster than inflation, said Dr Peter Doyle, group R&D director, speaking at the company’s first R&D presentation to analysts since the 1993 demerger of Zeneca from ICI, the chemicals ….. Times, The (London, England) – August 30, 1995 Fisons nears completion of disposal programme FISONS, the pharmaceuticals company under takeover threat from Rhone Poulenc Rorer, completed its disposal programme yesterday with the sale of the bulk of its laboratory supplies business for $301 million in cash. RPR, whose hostile bid is worth Pounds 1. 7 billion, welcomed the sale. The French-controlled drugs group has stated it will not keep the division if its takeover bid succeeds; it is most attracted to Fisons’s respiratory business, which includes asthma medicine ….. (NY) – June 13, 1994 YOUR OPINION PARENTS, NOT SOCIETY, TO BLAME FOR TEEN WOES This writing is with regard to the Advance reporter inquiring of teens, their views about places to hang out. I’m seeking enlightenment concerning teen-age socialization. True, I do come from a few generations in the past, but I so vividly recall being encouraged to bring pals home. Everyone was made to feel welcome. My parents knew with whom I associated. It was a mutual exchange. Also we remained kids until it was time to grow up and develop into responsible …. Sunday Times, The (London, England) – April 18, 1993 ICI: corporate suicide or regeneration? ICI’s demerger plan was conceived when drug companies were all the rage. Now their glamour has faded and chemicals are reviving. Do the demerger sums add up? THE promotional campaign for Zeneca, the bioscience wing of ICI, kicked off last Wednesday with an announcement by the company that it plans to spend Pounds 26m doubling the production capacity for its meat substitute, Quorn. The news was coupled with a forecast by David Barnes, chief executive, that Quorn sales could ….

541. Times, The (London, England) – December 8, 1992 Short-term health of ICI pleases City ICI Pharmaceuticals says it has more than made up for the lost sales of Tenormin, its heart drug, which was opened up to cheaper competition in September last year. ICI’s pharmaceuticals division is part of Zeneca, a group of bioscience companies that ICI plans to demerge next year. Analysts said after an ICI presentation to the City yesterday that the latest news from the group offered comfort in the near term and hope for the medium term. But they added that it ….. THE ORLANDO SENTINEL – April 19, 1991 THREE GOLF GAMES ARE STROKES OF VIDEO GENIUS Springtime and a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of. . . golf. Well, OK, maybe not. Actually, we’re not even golfers, but these games are so much fun they have us thinking about hitting the links for real. – PGA Tour Golf (by Electronic Arts, for Genesis): Like most Electronic Arts games for Genesis, this one is at the top of its class. You join the PGA Tour with 60 of the world’s top golfers and play on four courses. You can shoot a practice ….. (MI) – August 21, 2001 INTERNATIONAL AID FOR U. S. PRESCRIPTION DRUG USERS WELCOME RELIEF PHARMACISTS GET HELP FROM ACROSS BORDER Two area pharmacists have set up a cross-border purchasing alliance to ease some of the pain of buying prescription drugs in the United States. Through a newly formed Detroit-based company called Can-Am Rx, Barry Sternberg and Michael Blacher are dispensing some of the most widely used drugs for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, at prices up to 78 percent those less than typically charged at U. S. drugstore chains. “If ….. Times, The (London, England) – July 23, 1998 Asthma: the right dose, Body and Mind Dr Thomas Stuttaford reports on asthma BETWEEN 1979 and 1993 the number of asthma attacks in pre-school children increased fivefold, in children of school age fourfold, and in adults threefold. It is estimated that 3. 4 million people in the UK now have asthma and nearly 90, 000 are admitted to hospital with an attack each year. Asthma is the result of inflammation of the air passages; during an asthma attack some irritant causes an increase in the inflammation, which leads to spasm in ….. (Walnut Creek, CA) – April 15, 1997 GROUP URGES AGGRESSIVE ASTHMA TREATMENT “Asthma is being underdiagnosed and undertreated, ” said Dr. Shirley Murphy, chair of the National Asthma Education & Prevention Program. “It’s time professionals take this disease seriously and treat it aggressively. “With that goal in mind, the NAEPP has issued new, updated clinical guidelines for treating asthma. The original guidelines were published in 1991. The new guidelines reaffirm that asthma is a chronic …. Financial Times (London, England) – March 12, 1997 Companies and Finance: UK: Zeneca sees slower growth in profits Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals. Zeneca, the UK’s third biggest pharmaceuticals company, yesterday warned that profits growth would be held back in the near term by higher capital investment and the cost of launching new drugs. Although 1996 profits were in line with market expectations, the company cautioned that it had abandoned a drug under development because of side-effects. Some analysts also warned that Zeneca was vulnerable to sterling’s strength in ….. – October 28, 1996 A MISUSED DURAGESIC PAIN PATCH CAUSED YOUTH’S DEATH Q. Please warn your readers about the dangers of Duragesic patches. This transdermal system contains fentanyl, a potent opioid, and is responsible for accidental deaths. Even after 72 hours of use, a Duragesic patch still has a lethal dose of fentanyl left in it if it is orally ingested. I learned this the hard way. My 14-year-old son died in less than an hour after chewing on a used patch. I lost the lawsuit I brought because the jury decided that “Keep out of the reach of ….. – December 4, 1998 Doctors warned about asthma drug Asthma patients who take the drug Singulair should be watched carefully by their doctors for signs of a rare but serious complication called Churg-Strauss syndrome, drug-maker Merck & Co. advises. Churg-Strauss syndrome is a tissue disorder that sometimes strikes adult asthma patients and, if untreated, can destroy organs. Merck said Thursday it has received fewer than 20 reports of Singulair patients developing symptoms of Churg-Strauss, out of 600, 000 people worldwide ….. Allergizer – March 29, 2008 FDA Investigates Link Between Use of Singulair and Behavioral Changes Including Suicidal Tendencies Mar. 29, 2008 ( Creative Weblogging delivered by Newstex) — The US FDA is investigating a possible association between the use of Singulair (Montelukast) and behavior/mood changes, suicidality (suicidal thinking and behavior) and suicide. Singulair is a once-a-day medicine classified as as leukotriene receptor antagonists used to treat asthma and symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Over the past year, the maker of Singulair, Merck & Co, Inc. (NYSE:MRK) , has updated the ….. – March 22, 1999 Asthma sprays effect unpredictable Dear Dr. Donohue: In light of recent warnings about cortisone inhalers and children’s growth, I took my 14-year-old son off his. When he tried alternative treatments, he was a mess. He started back on the spray and his symptoms disappeared in days. Is his body addicted to the spray? -S. A. Cortisone inhalers have revolutionized asthma treatment. On the downside, they might stunt growth. Uncontrolled asthma might stunt growth, too. Many factors can stop a child from attaining the ….

551. – March 22, 1999 Are Asthma Inhalers Safe for Children? Dear Dr. Donohue: In light of recent warnings about cortisone inhalers and children’s growth, I took my 14-year-old son off his. When he tried alternative treatments, he was a mess. He started back on the spray and his symptoms disappeared in days. Is his body addicted to the spray? — S. A. Cortisone inhalers have revolutionized asthma treatment. On the downside, they might stunt growth. Uncontrolled asthma might stunt growth, too. Many factors can stop a child from attaining ….. Chicago Tribune (IL) – March 28, 2008 Singulair probed for suicide risk FDA studying data on Merck’s top seller Merck & Co. ’s Singulair may be linked to suicide as well as changes in mood and behavior, U. S. regulators said Thursday in announcing a review of the company’s top-selling asthma drug. The Food and Drug Administration is working with Whitehouse Station, N. J. -based Merck to evaluate studies and patient reports, the agency said. The examination may take as long as nine months, the FDA said. The company declined to say how many deaths were reported ….. . (FL) – August 15, 1999 ASTHMA CAN APPEAR LATE IN LIFE DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am 67 and have never had any health problems. One morning I woke with this awful cough. I ended up in the emergency department where I got the diagnosis of asthma. I find this hard to accept since I never had any trouble with asthma before. Is it difficult to find something to control asthma? – Anon. ANSWER: It is a kick in the head, but asthma can come on quite suddenly. Furthermore, it can come on at older ages. It is not solely a young person’s ….. Charlotte Post, The (NC) – May 8, 2008 Breathe better with asthma treatments What is asthma? As we have discussed in previous columns, asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and airways and affects approximately 5 percent of the population. Asthma symptoms, which include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and tightening of the chest, start when allergens or other irritants cause the lining of the airways to become inflamed and narrowed. The muscles around the airways may also spasm causing the airways to narrow even more. When the lining of the airways is ….. Evening Standard, The (London, England) – February 17, 1999 Evening Standard: Business Day: Bullish Zeneca Waits For Green Light On Merger The Commission has already extended its review of the deal to 1 March, requesting further details, and Van Miert said yesterday it was still not happy with the answers. Zeneca’s chief executive Sir David Barnes said today, however, that further information had been provided by the group late yesterday and he believes there is ‘every reasonable expectation that we will get clearance in the relatively near future’. Unveiling strong underlying growth ….. – March 28, 2008 Asthma drug linked to suicides Asthma drug linked to suicides Reuters WASHINGTON – U. S. health regulators are probing a possible connection between Merck & Co. ’s blockbuster Singulair asthma drug and suicidal behavior in adults and children, the Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday. The FDA said it is reviewing the issue after receiving reports of mood and behavior changes, suicidal thinking and suicide in patients who took the drug, which is used to treat stuffy nose, sneezing ….. (TX) – December 11, 1999 Asthma, athletics are compatible DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am an overweight asthmatic. I am trying to lose weight so that I can look better. Exercise makes it difficult for me to breathe. I have had asthma since I was 3. I seek help in finding a way to participate in normal teen-ager activities. My doctor is no help at all. –N. Y. ANSWER: Most people with asthma can gain an upper hand on the illness so they can exercise and participate in sports. In the 1988 Olympics games, 52 of the 667 athletes suffered from asthma. They had ….. Sun-Sentinel – November 9, 2000 HERBS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER THAN MEDICINES Dear Pharmacist: Why do you think health-food potions are better even though prescription medicines are proven to work? — J. A. , Fort Lauderdale Dear J. A. : I don’t think that herbs and vitamins are necessarily better. But the public doesn’t realize that some prescription medicines are not “proven” to work any better than natural substances, yet they are marketed and prescribed simply because the FDA considers them relatively safe. I recognize ….. – June 15, 2009 BUSINESS BRIEFS MEDICAL Vaccine demand lifts drug firms Pharmaceutical giants rose on plans to produce swine flu vaccine. Swiss drugmaker Novartis said it had created an experimental vaccine that has not been tested in people. Meanwhile, rival GlaxoSmithKline also rose after it said it would be ready within weeks to begin large-scale vaccine production. Sanofi-Aventis also said it had started working on its own version. Novartis climbed 4. 1% to 41. 95. , Glaxo surged 4. 4% to 36. 56 and Sanofi rose 2. 7% to ….. Trentonian, The (Trenton, NJ) – January 14, 2009 Business Madoff bail hearing scheduled for today NEW YORK – Bernard Madoff’s freedom will be at stake at a bail hearing scheduled for today. It was not immediately clear if Madoff will have to appear at the hearing. A magistrate judge ruled Monday that Madoff could remain free on $10 million bail despite government efforts to have him jailed. Prosecutors are appealing the decision to a federal judge. Judge Lawrence McKenna has been assigned the case. The fact that Madoff ….