Health and Beauty Les Halles

Sales of prescription medicines worldwide rose 7% to $602 billion, according to IMS health, a pharmaceutical information and consulting company. The United States still accounts for the lion’s share of that, with $252 billion in annual sales, but sales in it and the other nine biggest markets grew by only 5.7%. But emerging markets such as China, Russia, South Korea and Mexico outpaced those markets, growing a whopping 81%.

Pfizer’s cholesterol pill Lipitor remains the best-selling drug in the world for the fifth year in a row. Its annual sales were $12.9 billion, more than twice as much as its closest competitors: Plavix, the blood thinner from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis; Nexium, the heartburn pill from AstraZeneca and Advair, the asthma inhaler from GlaxoSmithKline.

The following is a list of the top 100 pharmaceutical products ranked by sales.

Brand Name(s) Company(ies) Disease/Medical Use First Approval Date

1 Lipitor Pfizer, Astellas Pharma

Cholesterol Dec-1996

2 Advair, Seretide GlaxoSmithKline

Asthma Aug-2000

3 Plavix, Iscover Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi-Aventis

Thrombotic events Nov-1997

4 Nexium AstraZeneca

Gastrointestinal disorders Mar-2000

5 Norvasc Pfizer

Hypertension Jul-1992

6 Remicade Johnson & Johnson, Schering-Plough, Tanabe

Rheumatoid arthritis Aug-1998

7 Enbrel Amgen, Wyeth

Rheumatoid arthritis Nov-1998

8 Zyprexa Eli Lilly

Schizophrenia Sep-1996

9 Diovan Novartis

Hypertension Dec-1996

10 Risperdal Johnson & Johnson

Schizophrenia Dec-1993

11 Aranesp Amgen

Anemia Jun-2001

12 Rituxan, MabThera Roche, Genentech, Biogen Idec, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Nov-1997

13 Effexor Wyeth

Depression, Anxiety disorders Dec-1993

14 Protonix, Pantozol, Pantoloc Wyeth, Altana, Solvay

Gastrointestinal disorders Feb-2000

15 Singulair Merck & Co.

Asthma Feb-1998

16 Seroquel AstraZeneca, Astellas Pharma

Schizophrenia Sep-1997

17 Prevacid, Takepron TAP Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceutical

Gastrointestinal disorders May-1995

18 Procrit, Eprex Johnson & Johnson

Anemia Dec-1990

19 Cozaar, Hyzaar Merck & Co.

Hypertension Apr-1995

20 Fosamax Merck & Co.

Osteoporosis Sep-1995

21 Herceptin Roche, Genentech, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Breast cancer Sep-1998

22 Lovenox, Clexane Sanofi-Aventis

Deep-vein thrombosis Mar-1993

23 Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl GlaxoSmithKline

Type 2 diabetes May-1999

24 Actos Takeda Pharmaceutical, Eli Lilly

Type 2 diabetes Jul-1999

25 Zocor Merck & Co.

Cholesterol Dec-1991

26 Copaxone Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Sanofi-Aventis

Multiple sclerosis Dec-1996

27 AcipHex, Pariet Eisai, Johnson & Johnson

Gastrointestinal disorders Aug-1999

28 Neulasta Amgen

Neutropenia Jan-2002

29 Lexapro, Cipralex Forest Laboratories, H. Lundbeck

Depression, Anxiety disorders Aug-2002

30 Gleevec, Glivec Novartis

Leukemia May-2001

31 Ambien, Stilnox Sanofi-Aventis

Insomnia Dec-1992

32 Aricept Eisai, Pfizer

Alzheimer’s disease Nov-1996

33 Epogen Amgen

Anemia Jun-1989

34 Zyrtec, Cirrus Pfizer, UCB, Daiichi Sankyo

Allergic rhinitis Dec-1995

35 Avapro, Aprovel, Avalide Sanofi-Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Hypertension Sep-1997

36 Avastin Roche, Genentech

Colorectal cancer Feb-2004

37 Taxotere Sanofi-Aventis

Cancer Oct-1995

38 Eloxatin, Eloxatine Sanofi-Aventis

Colorectal cancer Aug-2002

39 Zoloft Pfizer

Depression, Anxiety disorders Dec-1991

40 Tamiflu Roche, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Influenza Oct-1999

41 Lantus Sanofi-Aventis

Type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes Apr-2000

42 Crestor AstraZeneca, Shionogi

Cholesterol Nov-2002

43 Humira Abbott Laboratories

Rheumatoid arthritis Dec-2002

44 Celebrex Pfizer

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis Dec-1998

45 Topamax Johnson & Johnson

Seizures Dec-1996

46 Prevnar Wyeth

Pneumococcal disease Feb-2000

47 Vytorin Merck & Co., Schering-Plough

Cholesterol Jul-2004

48 Zetia Merck & Co., Schering-Plough

Cholesterol Oct-2002

49 Wellbutrin GlaxoSmithKline, Biovail

Depression, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) Aug-2003

50 Abilify Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Schizophrenia Nov-2002

51 Lamictal GlaxoSmithKline

Seizures Dec-1994

52 Toprol, Seloken AstraZeneca

Hypertension Jan-1992

53 NeoRecormon, Epogin Roche, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Anemia Jul-1997

54 Atacand, Blopress Takeda Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca

Hypertension Oct-1997

55 Spiriva Boehringer Ingelheim

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Apr-2002

56 Avonex Biogen Idec

Multiple sclerosis May-1996

57 Viagra Pfizer

Erectile dysfunction Mar-1998

58 Micardis Boehringer Ingelheim, Astellas Pharma

Hypertension Nov-1998

59 Actonel Procter & Gamble, Sanofi-Aventis

Osteoporosis Mar-1998

60 Lupron, Leuplin Takeda Pharmaceutical, TAP Pharmaceuticals

Prostate cancer Jan-1989

61 TriCor, Lipanthyl Abbott Laboratories, Solvay

Cholesterol Feb-1998

62 Zofran GlaxoSmithKline

Nausea and vomiting Dec-1992

63 Valtrex GlaxoSmithKline

Herpes Jun-1995

64 Levaquin, Floxin Johnson & Johnson

Bacterial infections Dec-1996

65 Arimidex AstraZeneca

Breast cancer Dec-1995

66 Prograf Astellas Pharma

Transplant rejection Apr-1993

67 CellCept Roche, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Transplant rejection May-1995

68 Xalatan, Xalacom Pfizer

Intraocular pressure Jun-1996

69 Rebif Serono

Multiple sclerosis Feb-1998

70 Coreg GlaxoSmithKline

Hypertension Sep-1995

71 Gemzar Eli Lilly

Cancer May-1996

72 Prilosec, Losec AstraZeneca

Gastrointestinal disorders Sep-1989

73 Benicar, Olmetec Daiichi Sankyo, Forest Laboratories

Hypertension Apr-2002

74 Lotrel Novartis

Hypertension Jun-1999

75 Cymbalta Eli Lilly

Depression, Anxiety disorders Aug-2004

76 Imitrex, Imigran GlaxoSmithKline

Migraine Dec-1992

77 Depakote Abbott Laboratories

Seizures Mar-1983

78 Humalog Eli Lilly

Diabetes Apr-1996

79 Duragesic Johnson & Johnson

Pain Aug-1990

80 Pulmicort AstraZeneca

Asthma Jun-1997

81 Zometa Novartis

Hypercalcemia Aug-2000

82 Betaseron, Betaferon Schering AG

Multiple sclerosis Jul-1993

83 Delix, Tritace Sanofi-Aventis

Hypertension Jul-2000

84 Flovent, Flixotide GlaxoSmithKline

Asthma Mar-1996

85 Neupogen Amgen

Neutropenia Feb-1991

86 Casodex AstraZeneca

Prostate cancer Oct-1995

87 Pravachol Bristol-Myers Squibb

Cholesterol Oct-1991

88 Truvada Gilead Sciences

HIV infection Aug-2004

89 Symbicort AstraZeneca

Asthma Aug-2000

90 Pegasys Roche, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Hepatitis C Jun-2002

91 Evista Eli Lilly, Chugai Pharmaceutical

Osteoporosis Dec-1997

92 Flomax Boehringer Ingelheim

Benign prostatic hypertrophy Oct-1997

93 Lyrica Pfizer

Neuropathic pain Jul-2004

94 Paxil, Sero

xat GlaxoSmithKline

Depression, Anxiety disorders Dec-1992

95 Kaletra Abbott Laboratories

HIV infection Mar-2001

96 Detrol Pfizer

Overactive bladder Mar-1998

97 Harnal Astellas Pharma

Benign prostatic hypertrophy Jul-1992

98 Erbitux Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck KGaA

Colorectal cancer Feb-2004

99 Synagis MedImmune

Respiratory syncytial virus Jun-1998

100 Augmentin GlaxoSmithKline

Bacterial infections Aug-1984

With the economy struggling, and public outrage at a peak over lavish corporate expenditures, some companies are still treating their employees well. They’re doing it cheaply, right from the office by hiring massage therapists to come to their businesses and provide employees with chair massage at or near their workstations.

”The massages we provide are not the type of luxury that you might find at a resort spa,” said Alana Eve Burman, president and founder of JoyLife Therapeutics, a provider of corporate massage across the U.S. and worldwide. “The cost is much lower, and employees get a significant stress relief and morale boost.”

And these are stressful times. With corporate revenue and earnings down sharply over this prolonged recession, times have rarely been worse for corporate expenditures on employees. However, companies are finding that office massage can be a cost-effective way to reward employees and de-stress the work environment.

“We need a way to reward our employees, to show them that they are worthwhile, even if the amount of money we can spend on them to do this has been reduced,” said Diana Cortijo with World Bank, the international financing and development institution and a recent recipient of office massage. “Chair massage offers us a low-price way to bring the luxury of massage to our employees.” 

Office massage, in addition to being low-cost, is also low-maintenance for companies. Generally, therapists provide their own transportation to the business, and bring their own massage chair and supplies. They then perform massage on employees on-site, with the employees fully clothed in an ergonomically relaxed, seated position. Most on-site massage happens at an impromptu station, often setup in an unused meeting room in the office. 

“It really takes the stress out,” said Helene Mangones of Graf Repetti & Co, LLP, another recent office massage recipient and New York based accountanting firm. “All of a sudden bigger projects seem easier to tackle. And the stress that builds up during the day is relieved, allowing for an easier finish to the day, and even the current week and month.”

This stress reduction could ultimately lead to increases in productivity and a rise in profits. Stress is one of the leading causes of lowered productivity in the workplace. One estimate puts direct stress-related costs to businesses in the US at $300 billion annually. Studies by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami have shown stress reduction, mood and immune system benefits from massage therapy. 

“We notice that things can get a little stressed, especially given the current economic environment,” Cortijo, of World Bank, said. “Office massage helps keep our workers’ minds and bodies fresh, and doesn’t stretch our budget to do it.”

Coronary heart disease refers to the failure of coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscles and surrounding tissues. As of now, it is the most common form of disease that affects the heart, and it is a notable cause of premature death in Europe, the Baltic states, Russia, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. It has even been predicted that all regions of the world will be affected by the year 2020.

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Coronary heart disease or CHD is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the coronary arteries. The fatty deposits, called atheroma, are made up of cholesterol and other waste substances. The build up of atheroma on the walls of the coronary arteries makes the arteries narrower and restricts the flow of blood to the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis.

The predisposing factors for atherosclerosis include smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, sedentary lifestyle, thrombosis, and diabetes mellitus. Other risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include being obese or overweight and having a family history of heart attack or angina. For men, the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis is increased if you have a close family member who has had a heart attack or angina before the age of fifty-five. For women, the risk is increased if you have a close family member who has had a heart attack or angina before the age of sixty-five.

But although CHD is most commonly equated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, it can also be due to other causes such as coronary vasospasm. It is possible that stenosis is a result of coronary vasospasm.

These are just some of the many coronary heart disease causes known to man. By knowing what the causes of coronary heart disease are, people will be able to implement the necessary steps to prevent the condition.



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