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