Checkup: Health news for executives

Spending on medicines slows
Growth in global spending on medications will slow markedly over the next four years due to a slew of new low-cost generics, along with slower increases in what those countries spend on brand-name drugs. But during 2012-16, the pharmaceutical industry will sharply boost its sales in emerging markets including China, India and Russia, a forecast by IMS Health says. It predicts total spending will rise from about $US956 billion in 2011 to just under $US1.2 trillion in 2016 based on wholesale prices. However, IMS estimates the reduce the actual cost by about 15% because of discounting policies to government buying agencies such as Pharmac in New Zealand. That would put total pharmaceutical spending at about $US1 trillion in 2016.

GSK seals Human Genome deal
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is to acquire its long-time partner Human Genome Sciences for a sweetened offer of about $US3 billion. The purchase price excludes Human Genome's cash and debt. Including cash and debt, the deal values Human Genome at about $US3.6 billion. The deal comes after GSK agreed to raise its cash bid to $US14.25 a share from $US13. The acquisition will secure GSK full rights to a recently launched drug for lupus, Benlysta, and other new medicines. In addition, GSK also gets full ownership of experimental medicines for diabetes and heart disease that are in late-stage development.

HIV drug approved in US
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada, the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection, a milestone in the 30-year battle against the virus that causes Aids. Made by Gilead Sciences, Truvada is a preventive measure for people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity, such as those who have HIV-infected partners. Public health advocates say the approval could help slow the spread of HIV, which has held steady at about 50,000 new infections per year for the past 15 years in the US. Truvada has been marketed since 2004 as a treatment for people who are already infected with the virus.

Gamers should avoid food
Active video games might help people burn more calories than couch-based screen time, but those who play active games tend to undo most of the difference by eating junk food. "There have been a couple of studies that have shown that TV watching and video playing increase eating, and they increase eating when compared to doing nothing," says Dr Elizabeth Lyons, who led a study on gamers’ behaviour at the University of Texas. Active gamers tended to eat more calories than they spent dancing, playing hockey and drumming. Overall, study participants took in 672 calories during the one hour session, about a third of the daily intake recommended for women and just under a quarter of what's recommended for men. Men tended to eat more than women, with some men eating in excess of 1000 calories as they played sedentary video games.
– American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Pharmac to buy vaccines
Pharmac is to take over managing the national immunisation schedule, including buying vaccines, from the Ministry of Health, which will remain responsible for the overall immunisation programme. The decision means there is a more consistent approach for purchasing medicines, Health Minister Tony Ryall says. “Pharmac will establish a committee of immunisation experts to provide advice on which vaccines to purchase which is intended to include members of the existing Immunisation Technical Forum.” The contract with the Institute of Environmental Science and Research to manage the storage and distribution of vaccines will continue.