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To: Anthony Wong who wrote (1089)	11/19/1998 9:42:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

FDA Approves Activelle For Hormone Replacement Therapy BAGSVAERD, DENMARK -- Nov. 19, 1998 -- The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Novo Nordisk A/S' Activelle(TM) (estradiol/norethindrone acetate tablets), a new hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with the menopause and for treatment of vulvar and vaginal atrophy. Activelle is a continuous-combined HRT, which means that both estrogen and progestogen are continuously administered. It is an oral tablet taken daily. Activelle contains 1 mg estradiol and 0.5 mg norethindrone acetate.

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (1089)	11/19/1998 9:51:00 PM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

National Post (Canada):Civil servants won't get free Viagra, Threat to health plan Thursday, November 19, 1998 Brad Evenson National Post The federal government has told its employees it will not pay for Viagra, the anti-impotence drug. The anticipated demand is so great that actuaries fear it could bankrupt the country's largest health plan. "In the United States, Viagra has been the fastest selling drug in history," a bulletin says. Effective immediately, it states, the Treasury Board has decided not to cover the drug when it is approved in Canada. Approval is expected before Christmas. Roughly one million people are covered by the plan, including RCMP officers and military personnel. It paid $256.6-million in medical benefits last year. The decision is part of a consensus among health insurers against covering new "lifestyle" drugs, including medications for baldness, obesity and even shyness. According to William M. Mercer Ltd., a human-resources consulting company, Canada has a potential 3.6 million customers for Viagra, although less than one in 10 is likely to seek treatment. Insurers typically pay $300 to $500 per client for prescription drugs. Viagra is expected to cost $14 a pill, and a normal monthly prescription is eight to 10 pills. That would bring the annual tab to $1,680, excluding pharmacy dispensing fees. "If the (government plan) were to cover Viagra, this would likely result in plan changes potentially affecting all members," said the memo, promising to review the decision at a later date. nationalpost.com