Eye To Eye With Katie Couric: Dr. On Drug Abuse (11/28/07)

Katie Couric speaks with a doctor about the alarming trend in teen prescription drug abuse.

Promising new HIV-AIDS drug, 1st in new class, approved for Canadian market

Metronews: "TORONTO - Health Canada has granted licence approval for a new HIV-AIDS drug, the first in a promising new class of medications. Drug maker Merck Frosst says it has been given permission to bring Isentress to the Canadian market for treatment of HIV-positive people whose viruses are resistant to multiple other HIV drugs. "

Aida completes anti-cancer drug phase two testing

BioSpectrum -"Singapore, November 29, 2007 -- Aida Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the company has successfully completed Phase II field testing of its anti-cancer drug, Rh-Apo2L. The product of over a decade of research, Rh-Apo2L is intended to be a new drug therapy using a recombinant protein produced by genetic engineering. The drug is designed as a highly-targeted therapy with direct function on cancer cells. Assuming successful completion of all testing phases and approval of the drug by China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), Aida expects to have Rh-Apo2L on the market during the third quarter of 2008."

FDA Panel Backs Tougher Warning on Asthma Drugs for Kids

HealthScout- "A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel on Wednesday urged that stronger label warnings focused on children be added to the packaging for Serevent and Advair, two widely used asthma drugs. Both drugs are long-acting beta agonist medications containing salmeterol, and are used as asthma prevention in children and adults age 4 and up."

Sirtris drug may fight diseases of age

The Boston Globe: "NEW YORK - Scientists at Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc. say they have created a drug that mimics the ingredient in red wine linked to longevity and the cell structures that power endurance athletes like cycling champion Lance Armstrong. more stories like thisThe new molecule is 1,000 times more potent than the wine derivative, resveratrol, and could lead to solutions for diseases of aging, including cancer and diabetes, according to authors of a study in today's issue of the journal Nature."

Eye To Eye With Katie Couric: Rx Drug Abuse (CBS News)

In the war on drugs the abuse of prescription medication among teens is up. Steve Pasierb of Partnership for a Drug-Free America has more on what parents can do to prevent drug use. (CBSNews.com)

Arthritis Gene Therapy Trial Resumes After Patient Death Investigated

Medical News Today: "The manufacturer of an experimental gene therapy drug for inflammatory arthritis said yesterday, Monday 26th November, that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the phase I/II trial of the drug to resume following an investigation into the death of a patient."

Experts urge more cautious use of diabetes drugs | Breaking City News | Reuters.co.uk

Reuters.co.uk: "European and U.S. diabetologists called on Tuesday for greater caution in prescribing oral diabetes pills like GlaxoSmithKline Plc's Avandia, which has been linked to increased heart attack risk. Glaxo's Avandia has lost ground to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd's Actos in recent months, following publication of a U.S. study in May criticising its safety record. Both drugs belong to a class of medicines known as thiazolidediones."

Avandia Negatively Affects Cholesterol in HIV-Positive Patients

POZ - "People taking Avandia (rosiglitazone) to treat HIV-associated fat loss had unhealthy changes in cholesterol that can lead to heart problems, according to a study published in the November 30 issue of AIDS."

Drug Combos Effective Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

HealthScout-: "Combining an older synthetic drug with a newer, 'biologic' medication may work best to ease the joint swelling and tenderness of rheumatoid arthritis, a new study finds. There are many therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, but the newer drugs are not better than older ones when used alone, the report's authors found."

FDA panel to review Tamiflu's effect on brain - USATODAY.com

USATODAY.com: "A Food and Drug Administration panel on Tuesday will review reports of abnormal behavior and other brain effects in more than 1,800 children who had taken the flu medicine Tamiflu since its approval in 1999, including 55 in the USA. Twenty-two of the U.S. reports were "

Anti Cancer Drug Made From Natural Substance

MedicalNewsToday.Com: "Scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) have discovered a class of natural substances that are produced by soil bacteria and prevent somatic cells from dividing. After years of in depth research, the US pharmaceuticals company Bristol Myers Squibb is now launching this agent on the American market as a treatment for cancer."

Drug Switches May Lead To Doctor Punishments

WCVB Boston: "BOSTON -- For the first time, the American Medical Association is warning that doctors who switch their patients off brand name drugs, including Lipitor, and onto generics could face criminal and civil punishment. NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that the warning from the AMA comes after numerous inquires from physicians nationwide. The AMA's answer could not be more clear."

Many Treatments Can Ease Chronic Pain

New York Times: "There is one undeniable fact about chronic pain: More often than not, it is untreated or undertreated. In a survey last year by the American Pain Society, only 55 percent of all patients with noncancer-related pain and fewer than 40 percent with severe pain said their pain was under control. But it does not have to be this way. There are myriad treatments — drugs, devices and alternative techniques — that can greatly ease persistent pain, if not eliminate it."

Men get the heads up on possible oral contraceptive

Bio-Pharma: "It might be years away yet, but men could be the ones popping a pill for contraception if GTx has anything to do with it. The Tennessee-based biopharmaceutical company, who presented research findings at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) conference in San Diego last week, has developed a once-daily oral male contraceptive pill that is reversible."

10 Facts Arthritis Patients Should Know About Tramadol

About.Com: "Tramadol -- the generic version of Ultram -- is a synthetic analgesic painkiller. Tramadol is prescribed for arthritis patients to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. The exact mode of action of tramadol is unknown but it is said to work like morphine. Tramadol binds to opioid receptors in the brain -- receptors that transmit the sensation of pain throughout the body."

Common medications could cause dry eye experts say

Medical News : "Common oral and topical medications could be causing dry eye in patients, according to optometrists. Dry eye is a common condition in which the eye produces fewer or poorer quality tears and is unable to keep its surface lubricated and comfortable. According to studies, common medications can interfere with the normal secretions from ocular glands, causing dry eye as a side effect. 'A number of people suffering from dry eye are unaware of the link between common medications and this condition,' says Optometrists Association Australia professional services manager, Shirley Loh."

Older women on tranquillisers are major road risk | Society | The Guardian

Older women on tranquillisers are major road risk Society The Guardian: "Drug-driving older women are a bigger menace on Britain's roads than young 'dopeheads' behind the wheel, according to Europe's drug experts. They say studies across Europe reveal that more often than not drug drivers identified in random police stops turn out to be middle-aged or elderly women who have taken a minor prescription tranquilliser such as Valium or Librium and are unaware of the drug's effect on their driving.

Rotarix proves to be effective in initial testing

overthelimit.info: "According to reports from GlaxoSmithKline, their experimental vaccine called Rotarix has been proven to be very helpful at preventing rotavirus when combined with other standardized infant medications. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in small children, and study results find that the vaccine protects against the leading 5 strains of the virus; G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9."

Additional warnings urged for 2 flu drugs

Houston Chronicle: "WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration experts are recommending new label warnings about possible dangerous psychiatric side effects of influenza drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, according to FDA documents. The documents, posted Friday on the FDA Web site, were prepared for a meeting Tuesday of the FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee."

FDA Proposes to Update Tamiflu, Relenza Drug Labels

WSJ.com: "WASHINGTON -- U.S. Food and Drug Administration medical officers are proposing new language on antiviral influenza drugs Tamiflu and Relenza to discuss neuropsychiatric events seen among some users of the medications. Tamiflu, by Roche Holdings AG and Relenza by GlaxoSmithKline PLC, are antiviral drugs approved to treat influenza. The FDA posted a safety review of the drugs to its Web site Friday for a Nov. 27 meeting of the agency's pediatric advisory committee, which is made up of outside medical experts"

Pfizer says drug shows promise vs pancretic cancer

Reuters: "NEW YORK, June 4 (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc. (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said its experimental drug axitinib showed promise in a mid-stage trial as a treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The company said the oral drug, when combined with the standard treatment Gemzar, 'showed a trend towards prolonged overall survival,' compared with treatment with Gemzar alone. "

Prescription for Addiction

WTOL-TV Toledo, OH: News 11 Special Report: : "It's one of the fastest growing drug addictions in the country: abuse of the prescription painkiller, oxycontin. Middle to upper class suburban high schools in our area seem to have an inordinate number of students who are addicted to the drug. Oxycontin is a powerful painkiller, developed to treat severe pain. But its high is the same as that from a hit of heroine. For many, the drug is easy to get -- often just a trip to a relative's medicine cabinet will provide a supply."

21% of students misuse prescription painkillers: Study

TheStar.com : "An alarming number of students are misusing prescription painkillers in Ontario – about 21 per cent – but smoking is at an all-time low, according to a province-wide school survey. 'People may misuse (prescription painkillers) because at higher doses it can cause euphoria, calming, numbness, those types of effects. At high doses, the risk is overdose ... or death,' said Beth Sproule, a research pharmacist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)."

Vertex Faces Setback in Targeted Cancer Drug Program

Xconomy: "Cambridge, MA-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals yesterday announced a potentially serious setback in its program to develop novel cancer drugs aimed at a family of enzymes called the Aurora kinases. Vertex and its partner Merck have one of the most advanced drug candidates (MK-0457) in this category, which is part of an emerging “targeted” approach to cancer therapeutics that experts hope will deliver a wave of highly effective, and hugely profitable, new drugs. (Novartis’ Gleevec, for example, is a targeted cancer drug, aimed at a related enzyme, that rakes in about $2.6 billion annually.)"

Drugs, doctors, China’s health & dodgy Practices

Ethical Corporation:: "Big Pharma, with flattened sales in developed markets, is pushing some pretty dodgy promotional activities in countries like China I recently spoke at a meeting in London on the future of China’s healthcare system. One issue I raised is the thorny question of Big Pharma’s marketing practises in China and the developing world, where generally underpaid doctors are offered inducements by Big Pharma to prescribe certain drugs over others, and how this can be to the patient’s and/or health services detriment. "

Hard to detect, easy to use, human growth hormone still stumps anti-doping forces

USATODAY.com: "There isn't much stopping cheaters from using human growth hormone these days. In the minds of many experts, it has become the most insidious drug on the long list of banned substances in sports. Ten years since HGH became a household item in the doping kits of dirty athletes, the problem seems little closer to being resolved. Anti-doping leaders still are trying to find a test to efficiently detect it. Law enforcement is making inroads into distribution networks but is struggling to find ways to prosecute people for using HGH. And buoyed by the fact that it's hard to get caught, athletes also seem to be ignoring the drug's possible negative side effects."

Pandemic flu drug order doubles

BBC NEWS : "Britain is doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any future flu pandemic, health secretary Alan Johnson has announced. This will be enough to treat about half the British population - the proportion scientists now believe could be hit by a pandemic. Mr Johnson said the updated plan makes the country one of the most prepared in the world against pandemic flu. Some scientists believe a global flu pandemic could be imminent. "

Drug Combination Effective For Multiple Myeloma

ScienceDaily Researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania announced today that findings from two large, international clinical trials show unprecedented survival for patients with multiple myeloma, a cancer that occurs in the blood-making cells of bone marrow. The findings show that with the oral drug lenalidomide (REVLIMID®), in combination with the steroid dexamethasone, patients significantly improved by all measures where previous treatments had failed -- including a median survival of nearly three years -- the longest median survival known for this difficult to treat patient group. "

Ketoprofen gel can ease joint pain

Los Angeles Times: "I have swelling and pain in my joints. A cousin with arthritis recommended ketoprofen gel. What can you tell me about this medicine, its side effects and its interactions with other drugs? Ketoprofen, like ibuprofen, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You won't find this on the shelf in a chain store, but some pharmacists can compound this topical treatment without a prescription. "

Novel Antidepressant Agomelatin Targets Melatonin and Serotonin Receptors: Presented at CPA

News -Docguide "The soon-to-be-available antidepressant agomelatin offers excellent efficacy with great tolerability and sleep improvements to boot. Raymond W. Lam, MD, Professor and Head of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, presented the latest findings on this agent here at the 57th Annual Conference of the Canadian Psychiatric Association "

A joint on fire

Jamaica Gleaner News : "Drug treatment includes the use of analgesics (painkillers) which are taken by mouth, applied in cream or gel form to the skin covering the joint or injected directly into the joint. They do not change the progress of arthritis but reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. "

Gradual, 10% Dose Reductions Dramatically Reduce Antidepressant Discontinuation Symptoms: Presented at CPA

Docguide: "MONTREAL, CANADA -- November 20, 2007 -- Ten percent weekly reductions in dose over 10 weeks can diminish discontinuation effects associated with many antidepressants of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. In fact, using this protocol can allow patients to discontinue SSRI therapy even if they were unable to using standard dose reduction techniques."

Son of Fen-Phen in Arena Trials Shows Promise That Eluded Wyeth

The Galveston County Daily News: "The current buzzword in medicine for whether you take your medicines is “adherence.” It’s been shown that nonadherence is a huge factor in the health (or lack of it) of the U.S. population. Some people are unhealthy because they don’t know that they have a disease, or no doc has given them a treatment for it. But too many people are less healthy than they should be because they’ve been given a treatment but don’t use it."

Son of Fen-Phen in Arena Trials Shows Promise That Eluded Wyeth

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide: "Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. is racing to market a diet pill similar to fen-phen, the drug combination prescribed 6 million times before it was recalled for deadly side effects a decade ago. Fen-phen shed pounds twice as much as a placebo in people on a low-calorie diet until it was linked with heart failure and a fatal lung disorder. Now Arena, the fledgling biotechnology company, says it may sell a weight-loss drug by 2010 that blocks appetite signals in the brain using the same method as fen-phen, without the side effects. "

FDA Reviews Chantix Side Effects

The Street "The FDA is currently evaluating cases that Pfizer submitted. 'A preliminary assessment reveals that many of the cases reflect new-onset of depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and changes in emotion and behavior within days to weeks of initiating Chantix treatment,' according to an agency note to health care professionals. But the agency said the association between these events and recently approved Chantix isn't clear."

Treating RA: Single Drug vs. Combo

WebMD: "Rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not respond to single-drug treatments often do better on a combination of drugs, a review of the research shows. Researchers analyzed 23 studies comparing drugs that slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and published their findings online in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Some of the studies compared one drug to another while others evaluated different combinations of drugs."

Virus Used In HIV Vaccines Weakens Immune System

Medilexicon "A new US study has shown that some of the viruses used as carriers in clinical trials for HIV-1 vaccines weaken the immune system and may do more harm than good. "

Saline nasal irrigation better than saline spray for sinonasal symptoms

Reuters Health "NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nasal irrigations, using a large volume of saline and delivered with low pressure, are more effective than saline sprays for chronic sinonasal symptoms, according to a report in the November issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. Saline irrigation is a standard treatment for such symptoms, but many physicians prescribe nasal sprays instead, believing that this treatment is just as effective, but better tolerated. The efficacy of these sprays, however, has not been established. "

Ranibizumab improves vision-related function in neovascular AMD

Reuters Health"Ranibizumab produces 'meaningful' improvements in vision-related function and quality of life in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a report in the November issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. 'This is the first time that we have been able to demonstrate a statistically and clinically significant increase in vision-related quality of life in patients treated for wet AMD,' Dr. Tom S. Chang from the Retina Institute of California, Pasadena, told Reuters Health. "

Sildenafil promising for stable chronic heart failure

Reuters Health "Long-term use of sildenafil may have a role in the management of heart failure, according to results of a placebo-controlled study published in the November 27 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 'Chronic sildenafil appeared to be a remedy based on heart failure pathophysiology and was devoid of remarkable side effects,' Dr. Marco Guazzi of the University of Milan, Italy, noted in comments to Reuters Health.

Cannabis may halt breast cancer spread

Zee News : "Scientists at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute say that a compound found in cannabis may prove to be effective at helping stop the spread of breast cancer cells. Writing about their findings in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, the researchers revealed that the compound with potential anti-cancer effect is called CBD, which is found in Cannabis sativa. The researchers said that CBD could be the first non-toxic agent to show promise in treating metastatic forms of breast cancer. "

Nasacort Is Safe, Effective in Children Ages 2–5, Sanofi-Aventis Says

FDANews : "New data released by sanofi-aventis show Nasacort AQ is safe and effective in children ages 2–5 with allergic rhinitis and does not affect their adrenal function. Healthcare professionals have been concerned that intranasal corticosteroids, such as Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone acetonide), could affect adrenal function in children, study investigator Anjuli Nayak said. However, results from a clinical trial showed Nasacort AQ did not have a significant effect on adrenal function in children ages 2–5 compared with placebo."

Bayer gets US FDA approval for liver cancer drug Nexavar

physorg.com: "German pharmaceutical giant Bayer has gotten approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to sell its Nexavar cancer drug to fight the most common form of liver cancer, Bayer said Monday. "

Drug That Lengthens Eyelashes Sets Off Flutter

The Wall Street Jouurnal WSJ.com: "In the latest blurring of the line between cosmetics and drugs, new products that promise to make eyelashes look longer are causing a stir among physicians and regulators because they contain ingredients that are the same or similar to those in prescription drugs for an eye disease. Doctors and patients alike have noticed that eyelash growth is a side effect of a glaucoma drug called Lumigan, sold by California drug maker Allergan Inc. That phenomenon has set off a race among cosmetics companies to create new eyelash treatments that contain either bimatoprost -- the active ingredient in Lumigan -- or other so-called prostaglandins found in glaucoma drugs."

Genentech: Avastin shows promise for brain cancer

Reuters: "U.S. biotechnology company Genentech Inc said on Sunday its blockbuster cancer drug, Avastin, showed encouraging results for patients with the most aggressive form of brain cancer. In a Phase II trial, the drug, administered alone or with chemotherapy, demonstrated an encouraging six-month survival rate for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer. "

Psychiatric side effects of Sanofi-Aventis obesity drug

The Money Times: "A new obesity drug by Sanofi-Aventis is under a scan after the reports of it being linked to psychiatric side effects were released. The results of two studies reveal that drug induces weight-loss pointing to severe psychiatric side effects. Sanofi-Aventis is the third largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Earlier this year, it had to withdraw its application for the approval for the market launch of obesity drug Acomplia in the US following the rejection by FDA over its side effects. "

Herbal medicine seen promising in treating liver inflammation during lab tests

Taiwan Headlines: "A Chinese herbal medicine coded ZC008 that can prevent inflammation and fibrosis of the liver has been proven in rats and will soon enter clinical trials in Taiwan and United States hospitals, local experts announced on Thursday. 'After conducting tests on lab rats, the Chinese medicine ZC008 proved effective in inhibiting liver inflammation and in repairing fibrous tissues in the rats' livers,' said Hsu Shih-Lan, a medical expert in Taichung Veterans General Hospital's Molecular Oncology Laboratory, at a news conference held on Thursday to announce the result. "

Anti-obesity Drugs Offer Modest Results, Many Taking Them Remain Obese Or Overweight

Medilexicon: "If you are overweight/obese and are taking an anti-obesity drug do not be surprised if your weight loss is only modest; neither should you be surprised if you continue being obese/overweight, according to an article in The British Medical Journal (BMJ), published today. This study found that three commonly prescribed anti-obesity drugs - orlistat, sibutramine and rimonabant - resulted in weight losses of under 5% of total body weight - an average weight loss of less than 5kg (11 pounds). NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, UK) recommends that if an anti-obesity drug does not achieve at least 5% loss of total body weight after three months it should be discontinued. "

AstraZeneca Gets FDA Approval For Seroquel XR Extended-Release Tablets [AZN]

RTTNews " UK - based drug manufacturer AstraZeneca (AZN) on Friday said FDA has approved once-daily Seroquel XR Extended-Release Tablets for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. Earlier in May, FDA had approved Seroquel XR for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adult patients. Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder with symptoms including distorted perceptions of reality, hallucinations and delusions, illogical thinking, and flat or blunted emotions. "

The Xanax Habit - ( A Report by ABC News )

Xanax...for short term use only indicated in panic attacks and anxiety....use the minimum effective dose....

Menopausal Symptoms Vary with Tamoxifen or Exemestane for Breast Cancer

Cancerpage: " Among postmenopausal women receiving adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer women, exemestane is associated with fewer hot flashes than is tamoxifen but with more difficulty sleeping, according to a study published in the October 20th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. 'Hormonal breast cancer treatment increases menopausal symptoms in women,' note Dr. Stephen E. Jones and colleagues from US Oncology Research Inc., Houston, Texas. "

Erbitux Improves Survival In Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Medilexicon - Study Published In NEJM: "Erbitux® (cetuximab), Merck Serono's targeted cancer therapy, offers a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival compared with best supportive care (BSC), according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. All patients in the study had metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that had progressed with all available standard chemotherapies - irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and flouropyrimidines.1"

Novartis says study shows Menveo vaccine works in infant

MarketWatch: "Swiss drug maker Novartis AG said Thursday its Menveo vaccine promises to be effective in protecting infants as young as six months old against four types of meningococcal meningitis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease. Novartis, based in Basel, said data from a new interim study showed the vaccine generated protective immune responses in infants. This response was seen in all four of the common types - A, C, W135, and Y - associated with the disease, which is caused by a bacteria known as Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccine was well-tolerated in the trial, Novartis said. "

Forteo Increases Bone Density In Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis

Medical News Today: "A new US study suggests that the osteoporosis drug Forteo (made by Eli Lilly) was more effective than Fosamax (made by Merck) at increasing bone density in arthritis patients with osteoporosis caused by taking corticosteroids such as prednisone. The study is the work of Dr Kenneth Saag, a professor in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and colleagues, and is published in the 15th November issue of the New England Journal of Medicine."

Diabetes Drug May Increase Risk of Heart Attack, Says FDA -

FOXNews.com "The widely used diabetes drug Avandia got a new warning label Wednesday telling patients that it may, or may not, increase the risk of heart attacks. Why the confusion? The Food and Drug Administration said studies of the risk are too contradictory to tell if Avandia really is riskier than other medications for Type 2 diabetes."

Schering-Plough cautious on HDL drugs

Reuters: "Schering-Plough Corp has one of the most successful new cholesterol drugs on the market, but its chief executive is proceeding with extreme caution before committing to developing medicines to raise 'good' HDL cholesterol. Drugs that lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol -- including Vytorin, which is sold by Schering-Plough in a joint venture with Merck & Co Inc -- are the world's top selling prescription medicines."

Prostaglandins Generally Safe for Patients With Ocular Inflammation but Caution Should Be Used

Docguide.com: "Using prostaglandins to control glaucoma in patients with either uveitis or inflamed eyes appears to be safe with no increase in the number of new cases or recurrences of uveitis and apparently no reduction in the efficacy of the drug."

Katie Couric's Notebook: Pharmacogenomics (CBS News)

Prescribing medication can be an inexact science. Katie Couric advocates pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes affect your body's response to drugs, for saving money and lives.