South Carolina Dem Equates Late-Term Abortion with Erectile Dysfunction

A South Carolina Democrat lawmaker has proposed a bill that would make it more difficult for men to obtain medications that treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in retaliation for a Republican measure that would restrict abortions past the fifth month of pregnancy.

#WhatsGoodForTheGoose #StayOuttaMyUterus
#ImNotGod
#NeitherAreThey #ShowMenSomeMedicalLoveToo pic.twitter.com/GiYsrWe5Pg

— Mia McLeod (@MiaforSC) December 19, 2015

State Rep. Mia McLeod said her legislation is “not a joke,” but South Carolina state House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister (R) said in response to the measure, “Entertaining, but kind of sad that someone would spend the time to draft and introduce that bill.”

According to The State, however, McLeod says anti-abortion proposals are wasting lawmakers’ time, energy, and taxpayer funds.

The lawmaker is using her bill to fundraise for her 2016 state Senate campaign. Her proposal includes the following hurdles before doctors can prescribe ED medications for men: a cardiac stress test, notification of drug risks, referrals to a sex therapist, and obtaining a notarized affidavit from the patient’s sexual partners stating he has experienced ED symptoms.

McLeod said her legislation is not likely to pass because most of South Carolina’s state lawmakers are male.

“In a male-dominated Legislature is it likely to pass?” McLeod asked. “No.”

The state legislature is close to passing a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection bill patterned after the one that was passed by the U.S. House. The measure, currently in conference, is based on scientific evidence that unborn babies are able to feel the pain of the abortion procedure at least as early as in the twentieth week of pregnancy, or five months.

McLeod said she is troubled by the late-term abortion ban and expects more attempts to restrict abortion on demand.

“I don’t see an end in sight,” she said. “That’s troubling to say the least.”

McLeod hopes her legislation will force state lawmakers to think about abortion as women’s health care and expand discussions to include men’s sexual health. She said that if some lawmakers insist on regulating women’s abortion health care, then “we should govern it all.”

A November 2014 Quinnipiac University poll found 60 percent of Americans support legislation limiting abortion past the twentieth week of pregnancy.

South Carolina Dem Equates Late-Term Abortion with Erectile Dysfunction

Kwang Dong Pharma to market Orexigen's weight loss drug, Contrave in South Korea

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Orexigen Therapeutics Ireland Ltd. and Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd. inked distributorship agreement for South Korea for Contrave (naltrexone HCl / bupropion HCl extended release) monotherapy for weight management in overweight or obese adult patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kwang Dong will be responsible for seeking regulatory approval and for all commercialisation activity and expenses. Orexigen will supply Contrave tablets to Kwang Dong for a $7 million upfront payment, approximately 35 – 40 per cent of net sales, potential sales-based milestone payments, and other fees. Kwang Dong expects to begin marketing Contrave in the second half of 2016, if regulatory approval is obtained.

“Kwang Dong’s established relationships with obesity societies and opinion leaders as well as their strong consumer marketing capabilities make them an ideal partner for Contrave in Korea,” said Mike Narachi, chief executive officer of Orexigen.

“We look forward to working closely with them to obtain regulatory approval and have a successful commercial launch.”

Obesity and related comorbidities are a serious health problem in South Korea, where approximately 38 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women are obese according to recent statistics from the National Health Institute. In 2014, sales of anti-obesity prescription medicines exceeded $67 million in Korea.

Contrave, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in September 2014, is indicated for use as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia). In Europe, the medicine was approved in March 2015 with the brand name Mysimba.

The exact neurochemical effects of Contrave leading to weight loss are not fully understood. Contrave has two components: naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, and bupropion, a relatively weak inhibitor of the neuronal reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. Nonclinical studies suggest that naltrexone and bupropion have effects on two separate areas of the brain involved in the regulation of food intake: the hypothalamus (appetite regulatory center) and the mesolimbic dopamine circuit (reward system).

Four 56-week multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of Contrave in conjunction with lifestyle modification in 4,536 subjects randomized to Contrave or placebo. In these studies, the most common adverse reactions (>5 per cent) seen in patients taking Contrave included nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth, and diarrhea.

The clinical trial programme also includes a double-blind, placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcomes trial known as the Light Study. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in overweight and obese adults with cardiovascular risk factors receiving Contrave. A second study, designed to address post-approval requirements in both Europe and the United States, is planned in order to further evaluate cardiovascular outcomes.

Kwang Dong Pharma to market Orexigen"s weight loss drug, Contrave in South Korea

Global Distribution Group to Represent Natura Petz Portfolio in Europe, South America and Asia ...

[ACCESSWIRE]

OAKLAND, CA / ACCESSWIRE / JANUARY 9, 2015 / Global Distribution Group will represent Natura Petz portfolio in 52 countries in Europe, South America and Asia & Pacific.

Natura Petz offers unique organic pet health products which originate in the Amazon rain forests and Andean mountains. All pet health supplements are green, sustainably harvested and contain some of the most nutritionally rich plants on earth. 

There is a growing trend toward humanization of pets in many major markets in Europe and Asia & Pacific. Pets are treated more and more as family members in a world increasingly driven by health and wellbeing. Pet owners spend more on their pets every year and tend to buy more health oriented pet products. 

Natura Petz portfolio meets this growing market demand for all natural, organic pet health and wellness products, catering to the “pet-parents” that are looking to keep their cats and dogs healthy for a long time. Natura Petz nutraceutical grade pet products are specifically formulated to deal with defined pet ailments and wellness issues such as allergies, urinary tract and digestive health, stones, anxiety, environmental toxicity and other issues unique to cats and dogs. 

Global Distribution Group will leverage the growing trend towards natural ways to promote pet health and wellness and their established distribution partnerships to scale up Natura Petz distribution across all relevant channels in all major markets in Europe, Asia & Pacific and South America. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Global Distribution Group,” said Heidi Nevala, president and founder of Natura Petz. “Their expertise in global market development, operating in over 50 countries, with key relationships and distribution channels, will effectively promote and expand the Natura Petz brand for the benefit of animal health worldwide.” 

Independent retailers outside United States and Canada interested in selling Natura Petz products should contact Global Distribution Group regional offices to be referred to the nearest regional/local distributor. 

Europe: sales@gdgeu.uk | Asia& Pacific: sales@gdg.hk | South America: sales@gdg-llc.com

ABOUT GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION GROUP

Global Distribution Group is an Export Management Company specialized in facilitating market entry in all major markets worldwide.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Global Distribution Group
1300 Clay Street 600
Oakland, CA
94612

SOURCE: Global Distribution Group

Global Distribution Group to Represent Natura Petz Portfolio in Europe, South America and Asia ...