MDNN: Air Pollution Deaths, FDA Generics Rates, Adult ADHD, and SHINGRIX

Hi, I’m Jenna Payesko, and this is MD Magazine News Network - it’s clinical news for connected physicians.

Recently published data from the FDA reported that 763 generic drugs were approved for the market in the 2017 fiscal year. It was the third consecutive raise in yearly generic totals after the administration approved 651 generics in 2016 and 492 in 2015. With the reauthorized Generic Drug User Fee Amendments set to run through 2022, FDA officials have expressed hope in continued generic approval successes.

Researchers believe that physicians may be misdiagnosing adult onset ADHD in older patients. According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, more than 80 percent of observed patients to have presented ADHD symptoms in adulthood could have those symptoms explained by other factors. Symptoms of the psychiatric disease, such as poor organizational skills, fidgeting, forgetfulness, and tendencies to be distracted could be linked to psychological trauma, depressive symptoms, or even heavy marijuana use.

Ambient air pollution-related deaths are now more frequent than those from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. A study published last week found that annual deaths linked to air pollution have risen about 700,000 in the past 25 years, reaching 4.2 million in 2015. Driven by factors such uncontrolled city growth, increased energy demands, and gasoline use, pollution now accounts for more than 20% of non-communicable diseases in the world. Researchers project that pollution-related deaths could increase by another 50% in the next 30 years if aggressive intervention is not practiced.

The FDA approved GlaxoSmithKline’s shingles vaccine SHINGRIX last week, providing what the company believes will be a response to age-related immunity decline in older patients. SHINGRIX had proven its merit in a phase 3 trial, responding in more than 90% of patients across all groups and sustaining efficacy over 4 years in more than 38,000 patients. This week, a CDC panel recommended SHINGRIX become the primary shingles vaccine for patients.

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I’m Jenna Payesko with MD NN, thank for you watching.