EU issues Erbitux, Cymbalta decisions

The EMEA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a number of recommendations this week. Many, such as Merck received good news, but Eli Lilly was not so lucky. Here's a brief roundup:

• GlaxoSmithKline received a positive recommendation to add a stronger version to its line-up of the over-the-counter obesity med, Alli (orlistat).
• The committee supported Roche's application to extend the indication of Pegasys in combination with ribavirin to the treatment of hepatitis C.   
• The panel backed wider approval of Sepracor's Lunivia for insomnia.
• Celgene's Vidaza (azacitidine) received a position opinion for wider indication for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia in adults.
• Merck KGaA received a positive recommendation for the indication of Erbitux for head and neck cancer.

• Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim's Cymbalta was given a negative rating for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

- check out the CHMP release for a complete list

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