To All:
Matria Healthcare just responded to the "National Women's Health Network".
Last week this group asked the FDA to tell doctors to use caution before prescribing therapies to treat preterm labor through the use of subcutaneous infusion of terbutaline sulfate. (BTW, this only reiterates the FDA's previous position on treating preterm labor since 1993!) I view this as an old issue, and therefore should be viewed as a non-event.
There is something very interesting about the women's group complaint to the FDA. Their complaint focuses on discouraging doctors from prescribing the monitored use of tocolytics in homecare, but they don't object to their use in hospitals! Their lack of consistency makes me wonder what their agenda is, and which hospitals or hospital based physicians are funding this group in order to get pregnant women out of their homes, and into hospitals.
Further, the women's group failed to mention studies in the literature that demonstrated the efficacy of drugs such as terbutaline in reducing the frequency of preterm birth and low birthweight. Also omitted in their "research" was a 1995 study that included over 8,000 patients receiving subcutaneous terbutaline at home, and found a very low risk of adverse side effects! One last omission by the women's group was that the cause of the death of a woman who died several years ago was not related to terbutline therapy!
Terbutaline and similar drugs have been used to treat preterm labor for over 15 years! Approximately 260,000 women per year are treated for preterm labor using this approach. Also, "to oppose this use in home obstetrical care applications is not only inconsistent, but would deny pregnant women with a high risk of preterm delivery the clinical and economic benefits of treatment outside a hospital environment."
By the way, the "pump" mentioned in the women's group complaint has FDA approval for the delivery of medication subcutaneously. Also, Matria does not manufacture either the pump or the drug involved. "Matria.....believes the use of particular treatments to be a private matter between patients and their physicians."
The short term selling pressure should be all done. I believe that it is significant that in the light of alleged "bad news" the stock held up remarkably well. This is usually the sign of a bottom!
Happy investing!
GM |
