When I went to the FDA's Web site today I was surprised to see on the homepage a link to a letter written by Commissioner Dr. Peggy Hamburg. It's addressed to "Dear Healthcare Professional" aka a "Dear Doctor letter." That's a common type of communication from the agency and/or companies to the medical community, usually when they've got bad news to pass along about a drug or device. It's pretty rare for the commish to write one.    Read More

Stacy and Clinton definitely had nothing to do with it, but Sanofi-Pasteur (the vaccines division of Sanofi-Aventis) greets visitors with a "What Not To Wear" brochure.    Read More

It appears the federal government wants people to get the H1N1 flu vaccine this winter, though it would be nice if there were actually enough doses available. I say "it appears" the government wants us to get vaccinated, but I'm not sure.   Read More

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the handful of drug companies on the front lines of the fight against the flu. In fact, it is the only company that has products on both sides. GSK makes a vaccine and an antiviral. In the third quarter, GSK today reported that it sold nearly $300 million worth of the inhalable flu-fighter Relenza. That’s a more than 10-fold increase from a year ago. And CEO Andrew Witty reportedly forecast around $1.6 billion worth of flu shot sales in the fourth quarter.    Read More

My 17-year-old son had the H1N1 virus. My 19-year-old daughter probably had it too, but we don't know for sure. I thought I might blog about the experience to better inform people about how the virus works, at least in our case.    Read More

This Friday the CDC is expected to start giving weekly updates on where and how much H1N1 vaccine has been shipped. I'm curious what the demand will truly turn out to be. Some people are growing concerned about the increasing number of pediatric deaths from H1N1 and may rush to get their kids and themselves vaccinated. Others are afraid of or paranoid about the vaccine.    Read More

Yesterday and today thousands of kids and healthcare workers around the country started getting AstraZeneca's H1N1 FluMist, the vaccine that's sprayed into the nose. The first shots from Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis may be available later this week. GlaxoSmithKline and Baxter are still waiting for the FDA to approve their vaccines.    Read More

Of the many issues facing Corporate America this fall, none seems more pressing than vaccinating workers against swine flu.   Read More

Plus, Cramer reiterates one of his swine-flu plays.   Read More

Events surrounding swine flu are unfolding rapidly. With so many new developments what's the trade?   Read More