Health Journalism Today - February 3, 2009

The big story of the day was the collapse of Tom Daschle's nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services.  The Associated Press released the text of Daschle's withdrawal statement, which was quickly noted (1:16 p.m.) by Scott Hensley on Health Blog, at WSJ.com.

Reuter''s Susan Heavey forecast that Daschle's collapse could delay the selection of a new Food and Drug Administration commissioner.  Among those Ms. Heavey  turned to for comment were Ron Pollack, executive director of the consumer advocacy group, Families USA, and Diana Zuckerman, president of the advocacy group National Research Center for Women & Families.  

Among possible contenders for the top FDA post, Ms. Heavey lists:  Joshua Sharfstein, head of Baltimore's health department; Robert Califf, cardiologist at Duke University; Steven Nissen, cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic; and Susan Wood, former head of the FDA's Office of Women's Health.

Andrew Pollack of The New York Times is out online this afternoon with InterMune Stock Soars on Results of Lung Disease Drug Study, covering the market reaction to what may be the first drug to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which afflicts 100,000 Americans each year.

InterMune shares jumped more than one-third in mid-afternoon trading today, as the company's CEO, Dan Welch, told securities analysts "we believe we have a very strong argument on behalf of patients."  Pollack interviews Dr. Paul W. Noble, a professor at Duke University and co-chair of the committee that helped design the company's trial of the drug, called pirfenidone.

Dow Jones Newswires's Philadelphia-based pharma reporter, Peter Loftus, reports on the analysts conference call conducted by Merck & Co. CEO Richard Clark where the executive states that he is not ruling out "any transaction" Writes Loftus in Merck CEO: Eyeing 'Entire Spectrum' of Possible Acquisition: "[Clark's] comments Tuesday suggest Clark might be open to a larger combination with another traditional pharmaceutical company."

Loftus was back later in the afternoon with the 1,100-word Drug Makers Take Varying M&A Tacks In Wake of Pfizer's Move.

Also:

• Partner drugmakers Merck, Schering-Plough top forecasts on cost cuts despite light revenues -- (795 words) By Linda A. Johnson -- Associated Press

• Peanut Product Recall Took Company Approval -- (903 words) By Gardiner Harris -- New York Times

Comments

[pulmonary disease]

Usually, energy is only required for inhalation to inflate the lungs. The stretch of the lungs and distension of the chest cavity springs back to rest during exhalation, a passive process that does not require energy. However, in emphysema, inefficient breathing occurs because extra effort and energy has to be expended to empty the lungs of air due to the collapse of the airways. This essentially doubles the work of breathing, since now energy is required for both inhalation and exhalation. In addition, because of the reduced capacity to exchange gases with each breath (due to the collapse of the bronchioles and loss of capillaries), it is necessary to breathe more frequently.