Adderall abuse among teens a widespread, dangerous problem
Dr. Wes Crenshaw and Marissa Ballard
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Dear Dr. Wes & Marissa: Do you believe Adderall is being abused by college students? Can this abuse lead to more serious problems later on?
Dr. Wes: Absolutely. And it’s not limited to college students or that particular medication. We see this problem in high schools and junior highs and with Ritalin-based products as well. It’s one reason clinics need to be very careful writing these prescriptions for teens and young adults. When our office prescribes any medication to teens, we have a very frank talk with their parents about the potential for abuse or dependency. With college kids, we have the same conversation, and we stay vigilant for signs of abuse. To understand the problem, one has to realize that these medications are stimulants, known commonly as “speed” when abused. They are similar to methamphetamine, though less potent if they are taken orally, as they are supposed to be.
Reasons for stimulant abuse can vary from dangerous (enjoying the high they create) to pseudo-sensible (using them to improve focus for studying or testing). Any reason is a bad one, however, because misuse can lead to significant health concerns and addiction. The only people who should be on these medications are those who have legitimate diagnoses of ADHD or some other disorders, such as hypersomnia.
I have seen many young people and adults with ADHD helped immensely by these medications. I’ve also seen folks misuse these medications with very negative consequences. For the non-ADHD crowd, these medications can cause anything from anxiety and sleeplessness to mania (extreme energy, excitement or arousal), and even paranoia and full-blown psychosis. Physically, abuse can create heart problems and unhealthy weight loss. In people with a tendency toward bipolar disorder, these risks are even greater. This is why psychiatrists and nurse practitioners always try to rule out bipolar disorder in kids and adults with symptoms of ADHD, and why they usually start patients on lower doses of these medications to be sure they don’t make things worse rather than better.
A major allure of stimulants for college kids and teens is that they do help one focus their attention, stay up later and get more work done. That’s great until one realizes that during a fairly short period of time they become addictive when not used as prescribed by a doctor. If you’re asking this question because you have abused or want to abuse stimulants, I’d ask you to think again.
The other interesting thing about stimulants and studying is that you don’t always turn out as good a product as you think. This is because the manic state they cause makes you grandiose and elaborate. I recall one of my teachers sharing that she’d used amphetamines before a big oral exam in college. On the very first question, she recalled offering amazing insight that her professors surely would be talking about for years to come. Then the lead professor turned to her and said, “… that’s all very nice, Ms. Jones, but what did it have to do with the question we asked?” She flunked the exam.
Marissa: When I was in junior high, three of my friends got in trouble for sharing one of their prescriptions for Adderall. The problem with kids using pills only has gotten worse since then, and I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say this.
I know people who hardly ever come to school without having taken something. I’ve been offered dozens of different kinds of pills. Some people are just “generous,” and others are looking to sell them and make a profit. Even when I had my wisdom teeth removed, people were asking if they could buy the hydrocodone that I had received for the pain.
Prescription pills are more enticing than any other drug, in my opinion, because they are easy to conceal, and often it’s impossible to tell whether a person has taken them. There’s no scent, no bloodshot eyes, nothing. One of the biggest dangers of pills is that because it’s so easy to get away with, teenagers don’t take the repercussions seriously. Sure, it’s fun now to be able to take pills and be high, but what about when you go off to college or get a job? How long before it really messes up your life and your ambitions?
I believe schools don’t take the issue of drug abuse as seriously as they should. It goes on every day, and no one seems to notice. I believe that what students actually report using and the number of students that are caught are way lower than the number of students actually taking prescription pills. It can be anyone — the person with straight A’s and the person who is flunking all of her classes. We need to start taking this issue more seriously or it will only get much worse.
Next week: A 15-year old girl asks the golden question of the teen years: Should I be this moody? Or is something wrong with me?
Contest: Last call for essays to compete for Marissa’s job. Deadline is May 1. Read the challenge question online at www.ftimidwest.com, and e-mail your answer to doubletake@ljworld.com.
— Dr. Wes Crenshaw is a board-certified family psychologist and director of the Family Therapy Institute Midwest. Marissa Ballard is a Lawrence High School senior. Opinions and advice given here are not meant as a substitute for psychological evaluation or therapy services. Send your questions about adolescent issues to doubletake@ljworld.com. All correspondence is strictly confidential.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
BERNARD LORD JUST DON'T CARE WHAT KIND OF DRUGS OUR YOUTHS TAKES???
QUESTION PERIOD AT THE NEW BRUNSWICK LEGISLATURE!!!! < Mardi >
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015 14:05
Telecommunications
Mr. S. Graham: My first question this afternoon is for the Premier. I am sure the Premier can
appreciate that the telecommunications industry is changing throughout the world. New Brunswick
enjoys a leadership advantage over other jurisdictions. In fact, I am sure the Premier will agree that
the former administration and the current administration have made great strides in promoting the
technology that exists in New Brunswick. In fact, broadband is not confined to the three major
metropolitan areas of our province. We have high-speed Internet in many rural areas of the province
which greatly impacts rural entrepreneurs. We also see that high-quality cell phone coverage has
been enhanced throughout our province, which gives us an economic advantage. Today, Voice over
Internet Protocol is currently coming online that will allow Internet providers to provide longdistance
calling.
My question to the Premier is very simple: Does he not agree that if our province’s economy is
going to continue this important diversification, telecommunications is going to play a key role in
the development of our provincial economy?
Hon. Mr. Lord: Of course, the telecommunications industry is a very important component of our
economy in New Brunswick and it is part of the overall objective of the government to diversify the
economy. We simply cannot rely on our economy of the past, but we have to build the economy of
the future. I believe we do that by investing in people. I believe we do that by embracing innovation.
I believe we do that by building strategic infrastructure, which includes broadband infrastructure in
our province. I believe we also do that by creating a competitive business and fiscal environment
to attract investments in New Brunswick.
Mr. S. Graham: The Premier’s answer this afternoon is very appropriate. As he said, we all agree
in this Chamber that telecommunications will be the key to the diversification of our province. The
past Liberal administration and the current Conservative administration made great strides in
enhancing the infrastructure in this province.
My question to the Premier is this: Currently, the federal government has taken a nationwide review
of the telecommunications policy. Would the Premier not feel that a timely review of our own
provincial policy is warranted, to make sure that New Brunswick continues to have the leadership
advantage compared to other jurisdictions?
Hon. Mr. Lord: Policies are reviewed by the government from time to time. There are certain parts
of our policies that are part of our overall plans. If the Leader of the Opposition has any suggestions
that he would like to make, I would love to hear them. If there is anything precise that he feels needs
to be reviewed at this time, we are more than willing to do that as well.
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I know that our Department of Business New Brunswick, along with other departments, is looking
at the different policies we have in New Brunswick. We do this in a continuing effort to make sure
that this is the place where we invest in people and people invest in us. I believe that our policies
have resulted in record-low unemployment and more jobs than ever before, and we want to continue
because we know that there is still more potential that we can tap into in New Brunswick.
Mr. S. Graham: It is exciting to see that the Premier and I agree on the same objective. Clearly, as
he said, to grow the economy, telecommunications will play a key role. The Premier asked for a
suggestion, and I appreciate that invitation. The suggestion I would like to give to the Premier, and
that I would like to see his support on, is that we strongly feel the time has now come to strike a blue
ribbon panel of key experts within the telecommunications field. These would be people such as
Peter Jollymore, the former VP of NBTel; Lino Celeste, the former Aliant Chairman, who was
formerly the CEO of NBTel; Bill Stanley, the co-founder and President of Fundy Communications;
Jack Travis, who is a former NBTel President; and John Bragg, who is the founder and President
of EastLink. The recommendation I would like to give to the Premier this morning, since he asked
for a suggestion, is: Let’s reach out to individuals such as these in the telecommunications field so
that we can make sure that the best policies are being developed to let New Brunswick continue its
leadership advantage.
Hon. Mr. Lord: I certainly will be able to take note of the names recommended by the Leader of
the Opposition. I know all those names, and some of those names actually are currently sitting on
boards that we have set up. For instance, Peter Jollymore is a member of the New Brunswick
Innovation Foundation that we have set up in the province. The foundation is doing some very good
work throughout the province. In fact, in the budget tabled by the Minister of Finance, we added
funding to the Innovation Foundation. It is important to note that our province must continuously
find ways to stay ahead of the pack. Some things are going well, some things are not going as well.
Even the things that are going well need to be reviewed at times. That is why I certainly welcome
the recommendations and the suggestions of the Leader of the Opposition, and we are more than
willing to give it due consideration.
016 14:10
Land Development
Mr. Murphy: There is a court date of May 26 in the Court of Queen’s Bench in New Brunswick.
While the question is not to the merit of the case, it goes to the Premier and pertains to questions that
have arisen from the affidavit of Gilles LeBlanc as to the integrity of government. In early
September 2002, a verbal stop-work order was issued by the Department of Environment and Local
Government with regard to a protected area in Cap-Brûlé. On or about October 1, 2002, the
executive assistant, a political operative to the Premier, Brian Donaghy, told the individuals, the
LeBlanc brothers and their father, to continue to work. In other words, that was in breach of the
verbal order of the department. On October 15, 2002, a written order was given to them, and work
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was continued until November 3, 2002. My question to the Premier—and it goes to the integrity of
government—is this: Was he aware, at that time or subsequently, that his political operative, his
executive assistant, had advised these individuals to breach the law?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I must say that I am a bit surprised by the question from the member for Moncton
North, who is a renowned lawyer, a well-known lawyer, in Greater Moncton. I think he knows the
rules of evidence better than to suggest that, just on the weight of one affidavit from one claimant,
we can pass judgment on what happened. I know that the member for Moncton North likes to jump
to conclusions, but I think he is stretching it this time. This case is before the courts. I can assure him
that the people will be able to have due process in court.
Mr. Murphy: There is no doubt that the evidence is untested, and the Premier and I are both aware
of that. That is why we are here in this House today, asking the Premier for answers for the residents
of Cap-Brûlé. This is with regard to the integrity of government, and not with regard to the merit
of the case. We want to know whether that transpired. According to Mr. LeBlanc’s statements, he
has said that political operatives, between early September 2002 and November 3, 2002, when the
work was completed, contrary to the orders of the department . . . Was the Premier aware of any
political operatives during that time who were advising the LeBlancs that the matter would be
looked after?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The question is so vague as to what is the matter, and what would be looked after.
I have not read the affidavit of Mr. LeBlanc and, therefore, I do not have personal knowledge of
what is written in the affidavit of Mr. LeBlanc. I do know that the case is before the courts. I do
know that there are lawyers on both sides working on this case. I do know that some sides have
changed lawyers. This is a case that is before the courts. I do know that the people of New
Brunswick must respect the law of the province of New Brunswick.
Mr. Murphy: This has nothing to do with matters before the court. While he has not read the
affidavit, that is fine, but I will refresh his memory as to a few events. We are informed by that
affidavit, and verbally, that the Premier met in May 2003 and on July 21, 2003 with Azor LeBlanc
and his two sons and, on both occasions, said that the matter was being looked after. They then met
with Rodney Weston, the chief of staff, and he said that the Premier would deliver the order himself
within two weeks. They also met with Terry Andow, the PC executive director. They also met and
spoke with Odette Babineau, the defeated candidate for the PCs. They then, strangely enough, met
on January 12, 2004, with Terry Andow, Roland Gaudet, Brian Donaghy, and the executive of the
local PC association. Those individuals assured the LeBlancs that the matter was being worked on.
Those political operatives apparently said this. Apparently, the Premier met with them later, on July
24, 2004, and said that the permit would be granted and the charges withdrawn. Can he tell me, can
he tell this House, can he tell New Brunswickers, if any of this is true, regardless of a court case?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I do appreciate the fact that the member for Moncton North likes to work part-time
as a lawyer and he wants to practice his work here today in the Legislature, but I will not transform
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the Legislature into a court of law. The evidence that is there is presented in an affidavit from one
individual. I can tell you that things are alleged in that affidavit that are clearly not true, in terms of
what happened.
017 14:15
There are two things that are very clear in this. These individuals met with everybody they could.
What is also true is that we have an open government and that we meet with people who want to
meet with us. The second thing that is obviously true is that these people are suing the government
because they did not get what they were asking for.
I do not know what the charge from the opposition is, whether we should have done something to
help these people or not. I know what the opposition members are trying to do. It is not based on law
or on fact. They are just trying to smear the reputation of people who work for the government. That
is the tactic of the Liberals. It is the only thing they are good at. They are certainly not very good
at bringing forward ideas and policies that would move matters forward for the people of New
Brunswick.
Mr. Burke: I certainly find it ironic this morning. The Premier said he had not read the affidavit.
Now, he is saying that there are things in the affidavit that are not true. For the Premier’s benefit,
in an attempt to obtain his political assistance in overcoming these problems, the LeBlanc family
contacted the Office of the Premier and spoke to Brian Donaghy, the Premier’s Moncton executive
assistant. Mr. Donaghy, despite the stop-work order issued by the Department of the Environment
and Local Government, instructed he LeBlanc family to proceed with work—a direct violation and
contrary to the stop-work order.
My question to the Premier is this, since he did not read the affidavit and he is now saying that there
are things in the affidavit that are not true: Which Cabinet members did you ask to meet with the
LeBlanc family to authorize the continuation of work in this area?
Hon. Mr. Lord: I may as well have a chance today to talk to every lawyer who works here parttime.
As the lawyer from Fredericton North is not really sharp today, what I heard of the affidavit was
read to me by the member for Moncton North. If, in fact, that is what is contained in the affidavit,
I can state that some of those things are incorrect.
The opposition members are bringing this here today, not because they want to discuss matters of
public interest, but because they want to take this opportunity to smear me and other members who
work for the government, without due process, without letting this case go to trial. That is why we
have courts in this province. That is why the member for Moncton North and the member for
Fredericton North keep making a pretty decent living outside this House serving as lawyers—not
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that there’s anything wrong with that. I am a lawyer myself. They are bringing this to this House,
not to advance any issue of public interest, but to try to smear the reputation of people who work
for the government.
Mr. Burke: I have not had an opportunity to view the Premier in his capacity as a lawyer, but I have
had the opportunity to view him in his capacity as Premier, and it is a pretty poor performance.
In court documents filed with the Court of Queen’s Bench in Moncton, Gilles LeBlanc, a member
of the LeBlanc family project, alleged that he and his brother, Michel, met with Minister Mockler,
in early December of 2002, to discuss this matter.
I want to state again that this is not about the courts; it is about the integrity of government. I quote
from the affidavit:
After (Minister Mockler) looked at the 1977 plan, the pictures, he told us to relay the message to
Azor (the LeBlanc family’s father) that he should stay in Florida and relax. He would consult Brad
Green on the matter and have this lot plan grandfathered.
My question is to the Minister of Culture and Sport. Why would you, as the then Minister of
Transportation, be meeting with the LeBlanc family in the Premier’s Office to discuss stop-work
orders issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government if it were not for
political purposes, solely to circumvent an order that was put in place to protect the environment
from harmful construction? Why were you involved, Mr. Minister?
Hon. Mr. Mockler: I meet a lot of people, and I will continue to meet with people who want to talk
to me or to the government of New Brunswick. This matter is before the courts, and I will respect
that.
Mr. Burke: The allegations contained in Mr. LeBlanc’s affidavit outline very clearly that Minister
Mockler met with the LeBlanc family on several occasions after the December 2002 meeting to
resolve this matter. In fact, the minister became so personally involved in ensuring that the stopwork
order was lifted that he discussed the issue with the LeBlanc family while they were
vacationing in Florida in 2003.
The most telling of the accusations in Mr. LeBlanc’s affidavit was that he was assured that a permit
would be provided to the family by the Premier to complete the building project if the family would
come home from Florida and help with the convention and election in 2003.
018 14:20
I just have to wonder how many more political favours will be done by this Premier and this minister
at his $5 000-a-table dinner with the Prime Minister of Canada when he comes to New Brunswick.
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Can you tell the residents of Cap-Brûlé if a promise was made that a permit would be issued in
exchange for election favours?
Hon. Mr. Lord: The smear-and-fear campaign of the Liberals is really outrageous. There is one
party in this country that has recently been found to be in contravention of regulations and using
money for a distasteful purpose, and that is the Liberal Party. A lawyer like the member for
Fredericton North should know a lot better than to make false accusations without evidence.
The opposition members do not want to talk about the budget. They do not want to talk about the
HST coming off power. They do not want to talk about the protection of seniors’ homes. They do
not want to talk about the reduction of class sizes in New Brunswick. They want to take an affidavit
of a case that is before the courts to try to smear the people of this government, members of this
government, and people who work for the government of New Brunswick. It is distasteful.
Highways
Mr. Allaby: My question is for the Minister of Transportation. The old shell game is alive and well
in this government’s approach to Route 8 and the Nashwaak Valley bypass. Are they not actually
going to do anything? The minister’s capital budget for this year did not say a word about the Route
8 bypass, the Nashwaak Valley bypass, or even the Marysville bypass. Realizing that they were in
trouble on this matter, under relentless pressure from the opposition and from the work of people
like Larry Jewett, they scrambled to include a nicely worded phrase about this project in a press
release accompanying the minister’s estimates. Will the minister admit that, despite the nicesounding
words, the government was not really serious about doing any actual work on this project
last year, when this budget was brought forward?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : Cela me fait tellement plaisir de me lever pour parler des routes au
Nouveau-Brunswick. Vous savez, lorsque j’ai présenté mon budget de capital en décembre dernier,
à l’Assemblée législative du Nouveau-Brunswick, il y avait, à Ottawa, un gouvernement qui disait
non aux demandes du Nouveau-Brunswick. Maintenant, nous avons un gouvernement à Ottawa qui
dit oui aux demandes du Nouveau-Brunswick en ce qui concerne les routes.
On n’a sûrement pas de leçon de morale à recevoir des Libéraux pour ce qui est de la construction
de routes et des engagements avec le gouvernement fédéral pour la construction de routes. Notre
engagement est sans équivoque. Non seulement allons-nous faire des améliorations partout dans la
province mais la route 8 sera améliorée. La voie de détournement de Marysville sera construite par
notre gouvernement.
Mr. Allaby: The minister said that he was not getting any cooperation from Ottawa. That is kind
of interesting. The Premier staged a great photo op with the Prime Minister to announce a $400-
million highway deal, except that we have discovered that there is not a penny in this budget for this.
The minister, in a press release in December, said that the completion of the full NashwaakORAL
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Marysville bypass is a priority for the government, except we learned that Infrastructure Canada
confirmed that the province did not bother to send in the documentation that Ottawa could assess
and forward to the federal Treasury Board to approve. Will the minister confirm that, in fact, the
department did not actually send in the information to Ottawa to assess that would lead to it
spending the $7 million that was set aside for New Brunswick on that project?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : Nous nous retrouvons devant une opposition désespérée, qui fait la chasse
aux sorcières pour trouver 5 millions de dollars alors que nous avons une entente de 400 millions
de dollars avec le gouvernement du Canada. L’information que le député vient de mentionner n’est
pas véridique. L’information que je reçois de mon ministère fait état de toutes les échanges de
correspondance. Toute l’information dont le gouvernement fédéral avait besoin à ce moment-là a
été reçue. Dois-je rappeler au député d’en face qu’on ne va pas au Conseil du Trésor à Fredericton
ou à Ottawa pour recevoir l’approbation d’un plan? On va au Conseil du Trésor pour avoir une
approbation de financement. Je ne veux pas en prendre la responsabilité.
L’ancien ministre responsable du Nouveau-Brunswick au fédéral, Andy Scott, député de
Fredericton, a failli à sa tâche de garantir le financement pour la voie de détournement de
Marysville. Je suis très fier de l’engagement de 400 millions de dollars de notre gouvernement et
de celui du gouvernement fédéral.
019 14:25
Mr. Allaby: The minister indicated that this was not, in fact, true. However, it is from Harper’s own
government that we get this information that this documentation was not sent in. The minister said
that the province will spend much of 2006 and 2007 planning the 36-km Route 8 bypass from
Fredericton to South Portage. I have seen the alignment of this route planned eight or nine years ago.
Is this just another stalling tactic for the minister not to actually have to move because he has no
money in this budget for this project? Is this just another stalling tactic, slowing down the work,
doing this work at the speed of study?
L’hon. P. Robichaud : La vérité vient de sortir. Le Parti libéral, lorsqu’il était au gouvernement,
n’a rien fait pour la route 8. Ce que le député qui faisait partie du gouvernement a vu était tout
simplement une ligne sur une carte. Le Parti libéral et le gouvernement libéral n’ont pas procédé à
l’étude d’impact environnemental. Ils n’ont pas procédé à l’achat de terrains nécessaires à la
construction. Ils n’ont rien fait en ce qui a trait au dossier de la route qui se rend de Fredericton à
South Portage. Ils veulent nous blâmer parce que nous bougeons, nous allons de l’avant et nous
avons maintenant une entente. Pour répondre plus précisément à la question du député, toute
l’information dont Ottawa avait besoin a été fournie avant le 22 juillet de l’an dernier. Ils devraient
vérifier leurs sources d’information avant de lancer toutes sortes de fausses rumeurs et de faussetés
non fondées, comme ils le font depuis le début des questions orales.
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Support Orders
Mr. Lamrock: One of the most important times that a family looks to government for help is in
getting an interim support order. When a family breaks down, often, the poorer parent, the one left
behind with the kids, desperately needs child support. Often, they are not able to get social
assistance to help if parents choose not to support their kids. In a timely way, when families break
down, we need to make sure that these poorer parents are able to have a support order in place very
quickly, so that they and their kids can have some kind of quality of life. In recent days, we have
heard a number of senior family lawyers say that the wait times for interim support orders in New
Brunswick is absolutely unacceptable. In some cases, they are waiting as long as 10 months before
the money can start to flow. Everyone knows that is too long for kids to wait. My question is for the
Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs. We know that we have unacceptable wait times now.
What kind of decrease is he willing to commit to in wait times for interim support orders this year,
as a result of this budget?
Hon. Mr. Fitch: The mandate of the Department of Justice is to promote the impartial
administration of justice and to ensure the protection of the public good. That is what our vision
statement is, and that is what we do. I sympathize with people who are involved in the courts and
who have to endure some of the wait times, because we know that, in society, there are many people
who, unfortunately, cannot agree, cannot mediate, cannot adjudicate, and cannot take advantage of
some of the systems that we have in place to settle some of their differences. They do end up in
court. We know that is causing some wait times, and we know that we are working on that. We work
with our federal counterparts in order to try to alleviate some of the problems with which society
is faced. Therefore, we continue to do that, and we will continue to do that in the future.
Mr. Lamrock: I have to admit that the minister seems far more excited about building courthouses
than he does in talking about how we are going to get justice at those courthouses. There are too
many vulnerable women and children who are waiting months. It is not about a failure to mediate.
This minister needs to be more on top of his files than that. This is making sure that there is an order
in place, so that the money is there while the parties wait for a court date, while they wait for
mediation, and in many cases, while they wait for social assistance, because this government still
will not change the economic unit policies to make sure that the money flows as soon as the family
breaks down. That is what the real issue is. We all know the vision statement. You have been
minister for a few months now. However, what you are supposed to do is commit to how much we
are going to get those wait times down, so that vulnerable women and kids can have the money that
they need to survive day to day. The minister could not tell us how much he would bring them down
this year, because he did not deal with it in the budget.
020 14:30
Let me ask this. They always ask for ideas. I proposed one several months ago, and I want to know
what has been done about it. Interim support orders could be done under the family guidelines by
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masters. You do not need to wait for a judge to do it. Some provinces have masters in place who can
go through the support guidelines. You could have a quick order, and you could always fix it later.
You make sure that the family has the money then. Since I proposed that idea, have you looked at
when, over the next three to four months, we can expect some real, concrete legislation, and real,
concrete benchmarks in this area? Kids should not have to wait any longer.
Hon. Mr. Fitch: Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this issue, because it is important to us.
It is important to this government that the most vulnerable people in this community are looked
after. That is why we have increased the amount of money to various areas, including legal aid,
family services, the courts, and the area that promotes administration and adjudication to try to
mediate between parties before a matter ends up in court. We want to have the issues resolved and
the differences quieted down, so that the money and respect can go forward. We are anxious to get
to estimates so that I can talk about this in more detail, and so that the opposition can see some of
the bold initiatives we have put forward to help the people in this province who are the most needy.
I am anxious to get there, and I will be more than happy to answer many more questions on that
topic.
Mr. Lamrock: We will be happy to look at this minister’s estimates whenever he wants to bring
them forward, but if he is ready, he is going to have to know his files better than this. I will tell you
something: I want to hear a concrete answer from this minister—not how much money you have
sprinkled around, but what you will commit to, in order to decrease the amount of time vulnerable
families, that is, vulnerable single parents and kids, will have to wait to get a support order in place.
Until I hear a real answer to that, from a minister who is on top of the file, a minister who
understands that is done before mediation, it is going to be a long estimates process. If he is going
to come here looking for support in estimates, instead of changing the rules to ram them through,
he had better be able to answer the question about what he is doing for people who are relying on
him.
We talk about putting faith in this government’s word, and this government made a great show of
bringing new legislation forward to enable it to lift driver’s licenses and to make sure that support
orders are enforced. We learned from this minister’s deputy minister that this government will now
take several years to be in a position where that support mechanism can be used. My question to the
minister is this: When can we actually expect government to start enforcing the support legislation?
Why did it choose to slow down, by years, the amount of time it takes to put in place an idea the
member for Fredericton North was ready to do right away?
Hon. Mr. Fitch: With all due respect, I am sure that the member opposite has misinterpreted some
of the information which has been put forward. We have not slowed down. We have continued to
move family support orders forward. We will, hopefully, continue to have in place a number of
measures within the coming year, which will enforce and make stricter the payments which are
owed to those to whom payments are due, mostly single parents and children. This government has
committed additional funds to the system. These are additional funds which will enable us to have
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
April 25, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 25 avril 2006
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more enforcement officers in the field who will enforce those orders. Again, this will put the money
into the hands of the people who need it most.
Home Heating Oil Benefit Program
Mr. Doherty: I direct this question to the Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Energy. The
home heating oil benefit program has not completely addressed those living in poverty and the
working poor. It has not been well promoted and, according to a document received by your
department, it has had less than 50% participation. Let me remind you of the significance of $200
for those who are trying to make ends meet on the lowest minimum wage in Atlantic Canada, and
with the lowest income assistance rates in Atlantic Canada. I strongly recommend that this program
be extended to July 1, 2006, as per my letter dated April 19. My question to the minister is simple.
Has this potential extension been addressed?
021 14:35
L’hon. M. Volpé : Cela va certainement me faire plaisir de répondre à la question du député de
Saint John Harbour. On a reconnu qu’il y avait un problème l’automne dernier pour ceux qui
utilisaient le mazout, dû à une très grande augmentation. Immédiatement, on s’est engagé à aider
ceux qui étaient dans le besoin. On a mis en place un processus, et les gens ont fait une demande
pour avoir accès au programme. C’est un très bon programme, qui est à court terme. On a aussi mis
en place une Agence de l’efficacité et de la conservation énergétiques, avec un budget de 11,9
millions, pour que les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick réduisent leur consommation d’énergie à long
terme. L’automne dernier était une première étape. L’étape réelle, c’est que les gens doivent
commencer à réduire leur consommation d’énergie. C’est un excellent programme qui a été mis en
place. On va continuer à aider les gens à réduire leur consommation d’énergie à long terme.
À savoir pourquoi les gens n’ont pas fait la demande ou si on devrait étendre le projet, je pense que
tout le monde était bien au courant du projet l’automne dernier. On a fait une très bonne propagande
du projet. Durant l’hiver, on a fait la promotion de ce projet. Alors, si les gens n’en ont pas fait la
demande, ce n’est pas la faute du gouvernement. Le programme est encore en place, et les gens
peuvent encore en faire la demande.
Mr. Doherty: This program provides financial relief for those who heat with oil only. It has been
our major criticism of this program since its inception. It is the equivalent of stating that one group
of New Brunswickers needs subsidies more than another. In fact, less than a quarter percent of New
Brunswickers heat with home heating fuel. The majority of New Brunswickers heat their homes
with baseboard heating. Last fall, when the Lord government saw that electrical rates were going
up by almost double digits, once again it did nothing and responded far too late. This home heating
oil program must be extended to include those who are living in poverty and to the working poor.
ORAL QUESTIONS / QUESTIONS ORALES
April 25, 2006 Not finalized / Non finalisé le 25 avril 2006
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L’hon. M. Volpé : Le fait d’entendre ce genre de commentaires quand les Libéraux formaient le
gouvernement, et plusieurs d’entre eux étaient là… Ils n’ont rien fait pour les personnes dans le
besoin au Nouveau-Brunswick. Ils ont réduit l’aide lorsqu’ils étaient au pouvoir. Cela a été reconnu
par un ancien ministre du gouvernement qu’ils ont négligé le côté social.
J’ai une lettre de l’opposition qui demande pourquoi on a aidé les gens à payer seulement le mazout.
Je pense que tous ceux qui prennent la peine d’écouter peuvent comprendre. De septembre 2004 à
septembre 2005, le prix du mazout a augmenté en moyenne de 35 % à 45 %, alors que le prix de
l’électricité a augmenté de 6 %. Pourquoi a-t-on aidé les gens qui chauffent au mazout? Parce que
l’augmentation était de 35 % à 45 %. Il me semble que c’est facile à comprendre.
Pourquoi n’avons-nous pas aidé tout le monde? Dans notre budget, on veut aider tout le monde en
réduisant 8 % de la taxe provinciale harmonisée sur l’électricité. Pourtant, vous avez voté contre le
budget. Les gens d’en face ont des visages à deux faces. Ils votent contre un budget qui aiderait tous
les gens du Nouveau-Brunswick dans tous les secteurs d’énergie. La réduction de 8 % s’applique
à tous les secteurs d’énergie, et vous avez voté contre.
MY BLOG WILL BE ON MARITIMES NOON ON CBC AT NOON TODAY!!!!
Someone just email me and told me they heard it on CBC!!!
The interview was done last fall!!!!
It's on today at noon!
To all the visitors who came to this site after listening to the interview on CBC?
Welcome and stroll down and have a look in the archieves......there's all kind of different issues in there.
Have fun!!!!!
GOD'S MINUTE!!!
ARISE, SHINE; FOR YOUR LIGHT HAS COME! AND THE GLORY
OF THE LORD IS RISEN UPON YOU. FOR BEHOLD, THE
DARKNESS SHALL COVER THE EARTH, AND DEEP DARKNESS
THE PEOPLE; BUT THE LORD WILL RISE OVER YOU, AND HIS
GLORY WILL BE SEEN UPON YOU.
(ISAIAH 60:1-2 *NKJV )
Dear Charles,
Now think spiritually here, for the "light" is the magnificent
glory
of our Heavenly Father! As His children we are reflectors of His
"light," so; COME AND LET US WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THE
LORD. ( ISAIAH 2:5 )
Remember that our Savior, Jesus Christ said, "YOU ARE THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A CITY THAT IS SET ON A HILL CANNOT
BE HIDDEN. NOR DO THEY LIGHT A LAMP AND PUT IT UNDER
A BASKET, BUT ON A LAMPSTAND, AND IT GIVES LIGHT TO
ALL WHO ARE IN THE HOUSE. LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS
AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN."
( MATTHEW 5:14-16 )
So Charles, it is my prayer that you are already walking in
God's
Glorious Light! If not now would be a great time to start! Ask
God to fill you with it. For you will find that to be a truly
wonderful
experience, and don't worry; though God's Great Light is brilliant,
it is guaranteed not to give you a sunburn!
Now Charles, may you have a bright shiny day that is filled
with God's Love! Amen.
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant Allen
[ Prayer Requests---Contact Us---Bible Study---*Donations* ]
[ Audio---Subscribe---Change of Address---Unsubscribe ]
at: http://www.godsminute.org
Apostle Paul Ministries, P O Box 55996, Hayward, CA 94545
(c) Copyright 2006 by Apostle Paul Ministries
Monday, April 24, 2006
STEPHEN HARPER A SECOND GEORGE BUSH???
Canadians will never again see on television our dead soldiers arrving home.
Shame on Stephen Harper!!!! Boy? He changed a lot from the day this picture was taken?
These days, he doesn't even want to meet with the public. This was proven during his last visit to the Capital!
You can read the story at
target="_blank">Charles
Blog
SCOTT BRISON???? IN MY BOOKS??? HE'S NUMBER ONE!!!!
A couple of months ago, I was somewhere in this Province.
There were a lot of people in a room.
Everyone was having a good time.
People started to whisper among themselves that Scott Brison has just walked in the room.
Myself, I didn’t believe it was a big deal. I walked by the M.P. and knotted my head with a hello and kept on walking.
The guy looked very sharp and had a lot of class.
I would say close to 30 minutes later, Scott decided to call it a night.
He walked by me and I decided to ask the M.P from Nova Scotia a question?
I quickly asked him if he knew Lou Murphy from Saint John?
He told me that he didn’t!
I continue asking if he knew Elizabeth Weir?
He told that he indeed knew Elizabeth.
I went on by saying - Once Elizabeth Weir was first elected in Saint John Harbour? Her first duty was to thank the Gay Movement in Saint John South.
It was at that moment that I really got the M.P’s attention because he has just announced that he was gay!
Now? I ran into a little problem?
Other people in the room also knew that Scott Brison told Canadians that he was Gay and he was chatting with Charles LeBlanc.
I quickly heard someone shout – Charles? Don’t give that person a difficult time!!!! Leave him alone!!!
I turned my head and asked Mr.Brison if he mind that I continue my little story?
He told me to please continue.
I told the M.P. that Lou Murphy was a great man. He was very well respected in Saint John. He was close to a Saint!!!
I approached Lou the next day and asked him of his views on Elizabeth Weir’s remark of thanking the gay movement for their support?
We were once again interrupted by an angry group of people demanding that I leave Mr.Brison alone.
I once again asked the Liberal Minister if he mind that I can continue the story?
He wanted to hear the end of our little chat but the group were angry at me.
If they only knew what we were talking about? They would have mind their own business!
I quickly pushed the Minister and myself out the door so I could continue our little chat. I might add that his body guard followed closely.
I quickly shut the door and said- Sorry about that Scott! Now? Lou said - Well Charlie? It’s like this? We’re all born to write with our right hand but some of us are born to write with our left hand!
It’s in the Genes Charlie!!!! One of these days? We’ll have to recognize those people rights!!!!
It was at that moment that I found out what the real Lou Murphy was all about!!!
It didn’t matter if you were black, French, Natives or Gay??? In his eyes, everyone should be treated equally!!!
Scott Brison quickly quote - It sure sounds like this Lou Murphy was way ahead of his time???
I shook the M.P hand and he was on his way to his room with his body guard on his side.
Now? I had to face the people who dared to intervene with my conversation with the Liberal Minister but I decided to leave well enough alone because everyone had a few drinks including myself.
Do these people believe that I wasn’t high class enough to chat with a Federal Minister???
The next morning, I bumped into Scott Brison and he quickly shook my hand in front of other Liberal M.P’S and said - Mr.LeBlanc, I really enjoyed our little conversation last evening.
I told the Minister that I wish to apologizes on behalf of all the idiots that tried to intervene in our little chat!
He said that it was ok!
I did confront a couple of people and I was assure that they sort of interference will never happen again!!!!
In my view? Scott Brison looked like a real down to earth guy!
I would support an individual like Scott for the leadership of the Liberal Party.
He stood there and continued to chat with me even if a group shouted to stop.
I admire a guy like that!
He made up his own mind and good for him.
That’s what we need in today’s world!
Individuals or Politicians who makes up their own mind and don’t let other people in their surrounding do the thinking for them!
Good luck in your leadership Scott!!!!
In my books???? You’re number one!!!!
BERNARD LORD MUST BE VERY HAPPY!!!!!
April 24, 2006, 1:55AM
(PZ) Novartis Delivers Strong Start to 2006 in First Quarter with Excellent Sales and Earnings Growth Performance
© 2006 PRIMEZONE
BASEL, Switzerland, April 24, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) --
-- Group first quarter net sales up 13% in USD (+17% in local
currencies) based on strong underlying sales expansion in all
divisions and positive acquisition impact
- Pharmaceuticals gains market share, net sales advance 5%
(+9%lc) thanks to double-digit growth in Cardiovascular and
Oncology franchises
- Sandoz product launches and Hexal/Eon Labs acquisitions
lead to dynamic sales performance
-- Group operating income rises 31%, driven by Pharmaceuticals and
Sandoz as well as one-time divestment gain in Consumer Health
- Pharmaceuticals operating income up 19%, margin improves to
32.2% of net sales, reflecting underproportional Marketing &
Sales and R&D investments
-- Net income climbs 32% to USD 2.0 billion and EPS rises 32% to USD
0.83 per share
-- Highly-rated Novartis pipeline progresses as U.S. submissions
completed for Galvus (type 2 diabetes) and Rasilez (hypertension)
Key figures
First quarter
Q1 2006 Q1 2005 % Change
% of % of
net net
USD m sales USD m sales USD Lc
Net sales 8,301 7,341 13 17
Pharmaceuticals 5,052 4,789 5 9
Sandoz 1,431 803 78 88
Consumer Health 1,818 1,749 4 7
Operating income 2,202 26.5 1,680 22.9 31
Net income 1,956 23.6 1,477 20.1 32
Basic earnings per share/ADS USD USD
0.83 0.63 32
Commenting on the results, Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis, said, "I am pleased with the strong start of Novartis in 2006 with yet another quarter of market share gains, thanks to the fast growth of our new and well established products. In cardiovascular, Diovan ranks No. 1 in its class. In oncology, our breakthrough medicine Gleevec/Glivec was submitted in the US and Europe for approval for the treatment of four rare types of cancer, providing hope to additional patients suffering from cancer. Several very innovative drugs from our strong pipeline were submitted for approval during the first quarter, including in the US for Galvus for type 2 diabetes as well as Rasilez for hypertension. Our new vaccines and diagnostics division, following the completion of the Chiron acquisition, will provide new growth opportunities driven by innovation and urgent public health needs. I am confident that Novartis will continue to grow strongly and achieve another full year of record sales and earnings."
Net sales
Group net sales up 13% (+17% lc) to USD 8.3 billion
Double-digit net sales growth of 13% (+17% lc) to USD 8.3 billion came mainly from dynamic growth in Pharmaceuticals, which continued to outpace the market, and Sandoz through the contribution of the Hexal and Eon Labs acquisitions as well as recent product launches. A strong expansion in OTC supported Consumer Health. Volume increases and acquisitions each contributed eight percentage points to net sales growth, while currencies had a negative impact of four percentage points. Net price increases contributed one percentage point.
Novartis improved its share of the global health care market (including Pharmaceuticals and Sandoz) to 5.4% for the first two months of 2006, up from 5.2% in the year-ago period (restated to include Hexal and Eon Labs), according to IMS Health. Pharmaceuticals increased its share of the global health care market to 3.9% from 3.8% in the same period.
Pharmaceuticals net sales advance 5% (+9% lc) to USD 5.1 billion
Net sales were up 5% in the first quarter, but rose at a faster 9% pace in local currencies and delivered growth ahead of the market. Both the Cardiovascular and Oncology franchises generated strong double-digit growth, while the Neuroscience franchise also had an excellent performance. Cardiovascular franchise strategic product sales were up 14% (+17% lc) thanks to the leading anti-hypertension medicines Diovan/Co-Diovan and Lotrel. Oncology sales climbed 10% (+15% lc) from ongoing growth for Gleevec/Glivec and Femara as well as the launch of the iron chelator Exjade following US approval in November 2005. Excluding the 2005 prior-years' US sales rebate accounting adjustment of USD 62 million, net sales were up 8% in local currencies.
Recent new product launches performed well, including Prexige (pain therapy) in Brazil, the UK and Mexico; Focalin XR (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in the US; and Xolair (asthma) in its first European markets after EU approval in late 2005.
In the US, net sales rose 15% to USD 2.1 billion, driven by Diovan, Lotrel and Zelnorm as well as Zometa, Gleevec/Glivec, Femara and Exjade. Also supporting growth in the US was the Focalin/Ritalin product family. Partially offsetting this performance were lower sales of Elidel, affected by a change in prescribing information, and Visudyne, which has faced increased competition. Excluding the US rebate accounting adjustment in 2005, net sales were up 11% in local currencies.
Net sales in Europe declined 7% in US dollars but were up 1% in local currencies as strong performances from Diovan/Co-Diovan, Gleevec/Glivec, Femara, Comtan/Stalevo and Exelon offset lower sales of Lamisil, Clozaril and Foradil, which were affected by generic competition in some countries.
Net sales in Japan, the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market, were down 10% in US dollars but were up 1% in local currencies, driven by Diovan and Glivec. Emerging growth markets delivered outstanding performances, with sales rising 28% (+31% lc) based on strong double-digit growth in Turkey, Russia, China and India.
Sandoz net sales rise 78% (+88% lc) to USD 1.4 billion
Net sales were driven by strong growth in the retail business, particularly in Eastern Europe, Canada, Germany and Switzerland as well as new product launches. Key launches since the 2005 first quarter included the antibiotics azithromycin (Zithromax(R)) and ceftriaxone (Rocephin(R)) in the US as well as terbinafine (Lamisil) and a fentanyl (Duragesic(R)) patch in Germany. The integration of Hexal and Eon Labs is proceeding rapidly and according to plan.
Consumer Health net sales up 4% (+7% lc) to USD 1.8 billion
Double digit growth in OTC helped Consumer Health to a 4% increase (+7% lc) in the first quarter. A good US cough-and-cold season as well as higher sales of Voltaren in Europe supported OTC. Animal Health delivered double-digit growth, with sales spread more evenly over the year compared to prior years. Gerber delivered mid-single-digit growth, while Medical Nutrition sales remained flat. CIBA Vision sales were lower, impacted by ongoing remediation of a lens-care product supply issue.
Operating income
First quarter
Q1 2006 Q1 2005 Change
% of % of
net net
USD m sales USD m sales In %
Pharmaceuticals 1,626 32.2 1,364 28.5 19
Sandoz 238 16.6 110 13.7 116
Consumer Health 458 25.2 286 16.4 60
Corporate income &
expense, net -120 -80 50
Total 2,202 26.5 1,680 22.9 31
Group operating income advances 31% to USD 2.2 billion
Operating income rose 31%, at a sharply faster pace than sales thanks to the strong business expansion as well as a one-time gain of USD 129 million from the divestment of Nutrition & Sante. Excluding one-time divestment gains in both years, Group operating income would have risen 29% for the first quarter.
Pharmaceuticals operating income up 19% to USD 1.6 billion
The operating margin improved to 32.2% of net sales, up 3.7 percentage points from the year-ago period. Marketing & Sales expenses fell 3% and declined 2.6 percentage points to 30.3% as a percentage of net sales, based mainly on reduced launch investments compared to the year-ago period and ongoing productivity initiatives. Marketing & Sales investments will rise during the year for pre-launch investments in Galvus, Rasilez and Exforge, all of which are planned to be submitted for US and EU approval in 2006. R&D expenses rose 2% in the quarter but fell to 18.3% as a percentage of net sales, contributing 0.6 percentage points to the improved margin following the completion in 2005 of several Phase III trials. Costs of Goods Sold (COGS), however, were up 9% and led to a decline of 0.6 percentage points in the margin due to increased royalty payments and write-offs related to the Foradil Certihaler device recall in Germany and Switzerland. Other Income & Expenses as a percentage of sales improved 0.4 percentage points mainly due to lower profit-sharing expenses for Visudyne. General & Administrative expenses improved by 0.3 percentage points of net sales from productivity improvements and phasing of expenses. Excluding the 2005 prior-years' US sales rebate accounting adjustment of USD 62 million and product divestments in both periods, operating income was up 19%.
Sandoz operating income advances to USD 238 million
Operating income more than doubled to USD 238 million from USD 110 million in the year-ago period, reflecting the acquisition of Hexal and Eon Labs in mid-2005 and the strong volume expansion in Europe. The overall operating margin improved by 2.9 percentage points to 16.6% of net sales. Novartis is committed to achieving annual cost synergies of USD 200 million from the acquisitions, with 50% to be achieved by the end of 2006.
Consumer Health operating income rises 60% to USD 458 million
Operating income surged 60% to USD 458 million, mainly the result of a one-time gain of USD 129 million from the Nutrition & Sante divestment that was completed in February 2006. Excluding the impact of divestments in both periods, operating income was up 18%.
Group net income up 32% to USD 2.0 billion
Net income was USD 2.0 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 32% from USD 1.5 billion in the year-ago period. As a percentage of sales, net income rose to 23.6% of net sales from 20.1% in the 2005 first quarter, mainly due to the strong underlying business expansion and the one-time gain related to the Nutrition & Sante divestiture.
Group outlook (Barring any unforeseen events and excluding the impact of the Chiron acquisition)
Novartis is off to a strong start in 2006, delivering dynamic growth from its medicine-based portfolio as it prepares for the launches of several new products and further expanding its strong pipeline. The addition of a fourth division - to be named Vaccines & Diagnostics - following the Chiron acquisition provides a new strategic growth platform. For the full year, high-single-digit net sales growth (excluding Chiron) is anticipated for the Group in local currencies, while Pharmaceuticals net sales are seen growing in the mid-to-high single digits. Record levels of operating and net income are expected in 2006. Pharmaceutical business and key product highlights
Note: All growth figures refer to worldwide sales growth in local currencies, unless otherwise specified.
Diovan (USD 939 million, +16% lc) extended its global leadership position in the angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) class of anti-hypertensive agents. Diovan increased its share of the global ARB class to 30.0% in February 2006, ranking No. 1 in the US and performing well in Europe and Japan. Key growth drivers have been the strong formulary position of Diovan and Co-Diovan (a combination of Diovan and a diuretic) in the US, where it is the most widely covered ARB on Medicare formularies, as well as disease awareness and education programs. Sales in Europe have been supported in particular by Co-Diovan, with leading performances from Italy and Germany.
Gleevec/Glivec (USD 559 million, +18% lc), for patients with all stages of Philadelphia-chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and for certain forms of gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST), kept delivering double-digit sales growth. Ongoing penetration of the CML and GIST markets, an increase in the average daily dose and an increasing number of patients thanks to improved survival have supported sales. US and EU submissions for approval as a treatment for four rare types of cancer have been completed.
Zometa (USD 319 million, +10% lc), an intravenous bisphosphonate for patients with bone metastases, benefited from increasing use in patients with lung and prostate cancers, gaining market share in Europe despite new competition. In April, Zometa received approval in Japan for treatment of bone metastases. A patent extension until 2012 has been granted for Zometa in the US. Enrollment was completed eight months early in the first large-scale trial to evaluate if Zometa improves disease-free survival in women with high-risk early breast cancer.
Lotrel (USD 295 million, +28% only in US), the No. 1 fixed-dose combination treatment for hypertension in the US since 2002, delivered double-digit growth thanks to US disease awareness campaigns and physician guidelines recommending multiple therapies to bring elevated blood pressure under control.
Sandostatin (USD 216 million, +1% lc) sales, for patients with acromegaly as well as treatment of patients with certain tumors, were slightly higher as strong growth for the long-acting LAR version expanded at a double-digit rate and offsetting lower sales of the subcutaneous formulation in the US, where it faces generic competition.
Neoral/Sandimmun (USD 214 million, +0% lc), for use in organ transplantation, had largely unchanged worldwide sales as modest growth in the rest of the world offset a decline in the US based on the impact of ongoing generic competition.
Lamisil (USD 200 million, -17% lc), an oral treatment for fungal nail infections, reported lower worldwide sales following generic entries in several European markets in late 2005, but sales in the US were slightly higher.
Femara (USD 152 million, +33% lc) delivered robust growth based on expansion of use in both the treatment of women with hormone-related breast cancer immediately after surgery (adjuvant) in the US as well as after completing tamoxifen therapy (extended adjuvant) worldwide. Femara received its first approval under the European mutual recognition procedure in Germany during the first quarter for use in the adjuvant setting. Femara, which also received approval in Japan during the first quarter, is the first aromatase inhibitor to demonstrate greater benefit in women at increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. A new global 4,000 patient head-to-head trial comparing Femara to anastrozole was also launched during the quarter. The FACE (Femara vs. Anastrozole Clinical Evaluation) trial is the first comparative study of these two aromatase inhibitors in a post-surgery setting.
Zelnorm/Zelmac (USD 109 million, +36% lc), for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation, maintained good double-digit growth rates, benefiting from increasing awareness of the diseases and the product's benefits. Total prescriptions in the US reached an all-time high in January 2006, up 33% from the year-earlier period. An opinion by the Committee for Medicinal Products (CHMP) issued in March against European approval does not impact Zelnorm/Zelmac's existing approval for IBS-C in more than 56 countries as well as in over 20 countries for chronic constipation.
Visudyne (USD 107 million, -10% lc), for "wet" AMD (age-related macular degeneration), reported lower sales in the first quarter following the entry of off-label competition in the US in 2005, but continued to grow well outside of the US.
Elidel (USD 48 million, -54% lc), a treatment for the skin condition eczema, reported lower sales based on the continuing impact of an FDA health advisory statement issued in March 2005. The US prescribing information for Elidel was updated in January 2006 to include a boxed warning and medication guide that make clear no causal link has been established between the use of Elidel and rare post-marketing reports of malignancy. In Europe, the CHMP issued a report in March that reaffirmed the role of Elidel in treating mild-to-moderate eczema, but recommended that products in this class should be used with greater caution. Novartis remains confident in the safety and efficacy of Elidel, one of the world's most studied dermatological products.
Exjade has performed well since receiving accelerated US regulatory approval in November 2005, the first worldwide, as the first and only once-daily oral iron chelator. Primary use has been for the treatment of patients with the rare blood disorders thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Exjade has already been approved in 15 countries, including Switzerland, and has been submitted for regulatory approval in Europe and other markets worldwide.
Xolair was launched in Germany and the UK in October 2005 following EU approval, with launches planned for other European markets - particularly France, Spain and Italy - during the year. Xolair is now approved in 42 countries and is considered by many experts to be one of the most significant advances in the last 15 years for helping patients with asthma. Genentech, which distributes Xolair exclusively in the US and shares a portion of its operating income with Novartis and Tanox, reported first quarter sales of USD 95 million for the product. The operating income contribution to Novartis was USD 32 million and is accounted for as Other Revenues in the consolidated income statement. Pharmaceuticals pipeline and regulatory update Novartis completed a series of significant regulatory submissions during the first quarter and made progress in expanding its pipeline through internal development as well as new partnerships. Submissions completed in the first quarter were applications for Galvus (type 2diabetes) and Rasilez (hypertension) in the US as well as in Europe for Exforge (hypertension), Sebivo (hepatitis B) and Lucentis (age-related macular degeneration). Submissions for Galvus and Rasilez in Europe remain on track for completion in 2006.
Among the recent developments:
-- Galvus(a) (vildagliptin), an innovative oral therapy for type 2 diabetes, was accepted for US regulatory review in March 2006. Submission for European approval is on track for 2006. This innovative compound has a novel mechanism of action that targets pancreatic islet dysfuntion. In clinical studies, Galvus has demonstrated a significant reduction in blood sugar over one year. Galvus is suitable for once-daily dosing and has been evaluated both as monotherapy and in co-administration with other anti-diabetes agents. Galvus has not been associated with overall weight gain, a key benefit for people with type 2 diabetes who struggle to keep their weight under control. Additional data on Galvus is planned to be presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting in June.
-- Rasilez(a) (aliskiren), the first in a new class of oral anti-hypertension agents called renin inhibitors, was accepted for US regulatory review in April 2006. Submission for EU approval remains planned for 2006. Data presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting in March confirmed the efficacy and safety of Rasilez in lowering blood pressure and sustaining this effect over a 24-hour dosing interval. Rasilez is being developed as a monotherapy and in co-administration with other anti-hypertensive agents. Further data on Rasilez is expected to be presented at the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) meeting in May.
-- Exforge(a), a one-tablet combination of the calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan, was submitted for EU approval in March, while the US submission is planned for 2006. Exforge has been shown in clinical trials to provide powerful blood pressure control with excellent safety and tolerability. Novartis is seeking approval for Exforge for use in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on existing therapy and as replacement for patients taking amlodipine and valsartan as separate tablets.
-- AMN107 (nilotinib) remains on track for US and EU submission in early 2007. The Phase II registration study for Gleevec-resistant patients achieved full enrollment in chronic phase Philadelphia-chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, with enrollment in accelerated phase and blast crisis ongoing.
-- The in-licensing of compounds from Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and SGX Pharmaceuticals continued to strengthen the early-stage oncology pipeline. The alliance with Infinity added a new class of compounds targeting Bcl-2 protein family members for a broad range of cancer indications. An agreement with SGX further strengthened the position of Novartis in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with new active compounds against wild-type and drug-resistant BCR-ABL mutants, including the most challenging T315I mutant.
-- FTY720 (fingolimod), an oral once-daily treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), is currently in Phase III development. Discussions are continuing with the FDA on starting a Phase III study in the US. Data from an extension of a Phase II trial to 18 months presented in April confirmed the substantial efficacy of FTY720 in significantly reducing the relapse rate and inflammatory disease activity of patients with this disease.
-- Novartis has signed a licensing agreement with Servier for agomelatine, a Phase III compound for treatment of major depressive disorder. This once daily oral treatment has a novel mechanism of action and is a potential innovation for depression.
-- QAB149 (indacaterol), a novel inhaled long-acting beta-2 agonist that provides sustained 24-hour bronchodilation with rapid onset of action, is expected to begin Phase III trials in 2006 in both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the start has been delayed from the first quarter following technical issues with the planned inhalation device. Novartis is committed to the development of QAB149 as a once-daily maintenance therapy for bronchodilation in patients with asthma and COPD.
-- Aclasta(a) (zoledronic acid 5 mg), currently approved in over 40 countries for use in the treatment of Paget's disease of the bone, received a second US "approvable letter" for this indication. The FDA requested additional data from the ongoing clinical trial program in osteoporosis. US approval for Paget's disease is expected by the end of 2006, with EU and US submissions for use as a once-yearly therapy in osteoporosis still expected in 2007.
-- Prexige(a) (lumiracoxib) for treatment of osteoarthritis and acute pain, demonstrated a strong performance in Brazil, its first launch market, becoming the top prescribed selective COX-2 inhibitor among rheumatologists. Prexige has also performed well following launch in the UK in December 2005. EU regulatory re-submission is planned for 2006 and US submission planned for 2007.
-- Sebivo(a) (telbivudine) was submitted for approval in the EU and China during the first quarter following a US submission in December 2005. New data from a Phase III trial in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B presented in March showed that Sebivo provided both superior antiviral and clinical efficacy in Chinese patients with this disease after one year of use versus the commonly used treatment lamivudine.
-- Novartis acquired in the first quarter the rights to valopicitabine (NM283) from Idenix for treatment of hepatitis C, a condition estimated to affect more than 170 million people worldwide and a major cause of liver disease.
-- Lucentis(a) (ranibizumab), seeking to become the new gold standard for the treatment of "wet" AMD (age-related macular degeneration), was submitted for EU, Swiss and Australian approval during the first quarter. These submissions follow positive one-year clinical data on the efficacy and safety of Lucentis from two pivotal Phase III trials (MARINA and ANCHOR) that demonstrated the ability of Lucentis to maintain or improve for the first time vision in nearly all patients treated. Genentech retains the rights to develop and market this product in the US and Canada.
-- Based on results from two Phase III trials, Novartis has stopped the development of Sandostatin in diabetic retinopathy.
Corporate
Financial income, net
Net financial income amounted to USD 50 million, up 11% from USD 45 million in the year-ago quarter despite acquisitions that have reduced average net liquidity to USD 3.2 billion from USD 7.1 billion in the 2005 period. The overall return on net liquidity was 6.3% versus 2.4% in the year-ago quarter, principally due to currency gains and the positive effect of repaying certain relatively high-interest bonds in late 2005.
Result from associated companies
Associated companies generated a net contribution of USD 104 million in the first quarter compared to USD 33 million in the year-ago quarter. The 44% investment in Chiron contributed income of USD 33 million against a loss of USD 3 million in the year-ago period. The investment in Roche provided income of USD 66 million compared to USD 35 million in the year-ago period. This amount consists of an anticipated USD 80 million share from Roche's net income for the 2006 first quarter and a positive adjustment of USD 13 million for Roche's actual 2005 results, which was reduced by USD 27 million in charges related to amortization of intangible assets.
Balance sheet
The Group's equity increased by USD 0.6 billion to USD 33.8 billion at March 31, 2006, compared with USD 33.2 billion at the end of 2005. This increase came from first-quarter net income of USD 2.0 billion and additional actuarial gains from defined benefit plans of USD 0.3 billion as well as translation gains of USD 0.2 billion and other net equity increases of USD 0.1 billion. These were partially offset by a dividend payment of USD 2.0 billion.
Net liquidity rose to USD 3.0 billion, an increase of USD 0.5 billion compared to the end of 2005, due principally to a significantly increased free cash flow of USD 0.4 billion. As a result, the debt/equity ratio at March 31, 2006, fell to 0.24:1 from 0.25:1 at December 31, 2005.
Novartis did not repurchase shares in the 2006 first quarter through its share repurchase program via a second trading line on the SWX Swiss Exchange.
Novartis is one of the few non-financial companies worldwide to have attained the highest credit ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch, the three benchmark rating agencies. S&P has rated Novartis as AAA for long-term maturities and as A1+ for short-term maturities. Moody's has rated the Group as Aaa and P1, respectively, while Fitch has rated Novartis as AAA for long-term maturities and as F1+ for short-term maturities.
Cash flow
Cash flow from operating activities increased by USD 0.9 billion in the 2006 first quarter to USD 2.1 billion, reflecting the business expansion and strict management of working capital by the divisions. Cash flow used for investing activities includes the proceeds of USD 0.2 billion from the Nutrition & Sante divestment. Free cash flow after dividends for the first three months of 2006 was USD 0.4 billion, an increase of USD 0.6 billion over the year-earlier period principally due to the increase in cash flow from operating activities.
Disclaimer
This release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the Group's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking statements relating to the Group's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "confident", "expected", "will", "committed", "outlook", "on track", "planned", "potential", "seeking to become", "could be", or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential future sales of new or existing products, potential new products, or potential new indications for existing products, or by other discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements reflect the current views of management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. There can be no guarantee that any products, or the Group as a whole, will reach any particular sales levels, or that any new products will be approved for sale in any market, or that any new indications will beapproved for existing products in any market. In particular, management's expectations could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties involved in the development of new pharmaceutical products, including unexpected clinical trial results; unexpected regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the Group's ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection; competition in general; government, industry, and general public pricing pressures and other risks and factors referred to in the Group's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statementscontained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 32.2 billion and net income of USD 6.1 billion. Approximately USD 4.8 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 96,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
Further Important Dates
July 17, 2006 Second quarter 2006 results
October 19, 2006 Third quarter 2006 results
(a) Brand name awaiting approval by regulatory authorities
All product names appearing in italics are trademarks of Novartis Group Companies
Please find full media release in English attached and on the following link: http://hugin.info/134323/R/1046166/171606.pdf
Further language versions are available through the following links:
German version is available through the following link: http://hugin.info/134323/R/1046168/171609.pdf
French version is available through the following link: http://hugin.info/134323/R/1046167/171608.pdf
CONTACT: Media:
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Investors:
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KINGS PLACE SECURITY CRACKING DOWN ON PEASANTS COLLECTING CIGARETTE BUTTS!!!!
Once I heard this??? I said - Give me a break!!!
As many time as I ran out of smokes? I never collected butts on the streets!!!!
Security should concentrate on the shoplifters and let the poor peasants collect their butts!!!!!
GOD'S MINUTE!!!
WHY ARE YOU DOWNCAST, O MY SOUL? WHY SO
DISTURBED WITHIN ME? PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD, FOR
I WILL YET PRAISE HIM, MY SAVIOR AND MY GOD.***
( *PSALM 42:5 * NIV )
Dear Charles,
Discouragement or depression strikes all of us once in
a while. After all, depression is one of the most common
emotional ailments.
One antidote for depression is to think about how much
God Loves You and Blesses You as well. This will take
your mind off the present situation and give you Hope, that
with God's Help, it will improve! For; THE LORD IS GOOD
TO THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIM, TO THE ONE WHO
SEEKS HIM. For; THOSE WHO HOPE IN THE LORD WILL
RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. THEY WILL RUN AND NOT
GROW WEARY, THEY WILL WALK AND NOT BE FAINT.
( LAMENTATIONS 3:25 ) & ( ISAIAH 40:31 )
So; PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN HIS GREAT MERCY HE HAS
GIVEN US NEW BIRTH INTO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE
DEAD. ( 1 PETER 1:3 )
Now Charles, MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU
WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE AS YOU TRUST IN HIM, SO
THAT YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE BY THE
POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! ( ROMANS 15:13 )
And kiss those blues good-bye forever! Amen!
NOTE:***The Sons of Korah, who were temple musicians
and assistants, wrote Psalm 42. You will find that it
Ministers to us when we are discouraged or depressed.
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant Allen
[ Prayer Requests---Contact Us---Bible Study---*Donations* ]
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at: http://www.godsminute.org
Apostle Paul Ministries, P O Box 55996, Hayward, CA 94545
(c) Copyright 2006 by Apostle Paul Ministries
EVERY NEW BRUNSWICK FROM EVERYWHERE SHOULD SEND COMMENTS AND PICTURES!!!!
I learned during the weekend that a few didn't received my updates.
So I sent an SOS to everyone on my list.
I thank you for the many who replied to my email.
During the past year, I have been collection email addresse and many were upset they ended up on my list.
This morning I recieved this email...
Hello Mr LeBlanc,
My name is ????? ???? and yes i have been receiving all of your emails and i have no idea how u got my email address but it is a ok with me,keep sending the emails it is too bad that you haven't seen Dalhousie.
Well up here there is no jobs for the kids and well they are alot that get into mischief,up at all hrs walking around or playing them games and not motivated at all and do not help there prents either.
As for the government well they are full of shit sorry for my language i am fed up with all there lies and well empty promisses.
The gas price has gone up again,what do you think about that,and this thing with taking our medicare out??????
Hello,the government has lost it or is it they want more money in danm big deep pockets???
Anyway,keep sending all the emails you want if i don't reply i am very sorry i do work to support my two selfish brats.
POWER OF THE BLOGGER OR POWER OF LETTER TO THE EDITOR???
I noticed yesterday that that painted the flag pole. First time its been painted in years I guess!!!!
I did write a letter to the Irving Paper about this issue.