INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

Amgen and Pfizer on Friday announced the results of the phase-4 study of Enbrel (etanercept), in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with scaling on the scalp, also known as scalp involvement. Data from the trial will be presented Friday at the 69th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New Orleans.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — A new chapter officially is under way for CVS Caremark, and it comes as little surprise that the Larry Merlo era has begun with a reminder of the core principles that put him in the captain's seat to begin with — flawless execution, cross-functional thinking and management, and enhancing value.

(THE NEWS: Merlo puts stamp on his leadership in fourth-quarter earnings call. For the full story, click here)

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck’s vaccine for human papillomavirus is 89% effective in preventing genital warts in teenage boys and young men, according to a new study.

The phase-3 study of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) in boys and men ages 16 to 26 years was published in the Feb. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Human papillomavirus is the cause of genital and anal warts, and infection can increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.

NEW YORK — Gluten-free products, once regarded as a niche category, have become mainstream, according to new research by Packaged Facts.

The Packaged Facts report, "Gluten-Free Foods and Beverages in the U.S., Third Edition," found that the gluten-free food and beverage market reached an estimated $2.6 billion in retail sales in 2010. Packaged Facts added that it projects the gluten-free products market will grow to $6 billion in 2015.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Eli Lilly’s and Amylin Pharmaceuticals’ Type 2 diabetes drug, Bydureon, appears to work better at promoting weight loss than drugs made by Takeda and Merck, but it could face a challenger of its own.

WASHINGTON — A new report developed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America revealed that nearly 300 heart disease and stroke medicines are in development.

PhRMA said that while 299 medicines are in development by the nation's biopharmaceutical companies, there is a growing need for such drugs; African-Americans have a 1.5 times greater rate of heart disease death than other Americans and a 1.8 times greater rate of fatal stroke.

NEW YORK — It seems that most women are focusing on themselves by emphasizing their health and well-being as the economy is entering a post-recessionary phase, according to a new survey.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Among people who use dietary supplements, the most popular products in 2010 were fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and Co Q10, according to a survey released Tuesday by ConsumerLab.com.

Women were much more likely than men to have taken vitamin D, calcium or probiotics. Men were more likely than women to have taken Co Q10, herbs and extracts, glucosamine/chondroitin, vitamin E, resveratrol, amino acids, and nutrition drinks and powders.