We apologize for not being in touch sooner. We left early in order to do an errand on the way to Manhattan, where we were asked to speak on a panel about everyone’s favorite topic - conflicts of interest and health care, specifically concerning the pharmaceutical industry. The soiree was sponsored by the Association of Health Care Journalists and we are happy to report that the event was well-attended - without relying on distributing free food and goodie bags - and the discussion was lively. Now, though, the time has come to recharge our batteries. We wish you pleasant dreams…

There are fewer meds coming this way from North of the Border, The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Why? The Canadians have raised their drug prices, while the US dollar has declined precipitously against the Canadian currency. Most important, the U.S. government created a Medicare prescription-drug benefit, starting in January 2006, that made importing drugs less of a priority for vast numbers of seniors and the disabled. And so last year, sales by Canadian Internet pharmacies to the US totaled $225.6 million. That was nearly a 50 percent drop, according to IMS Health.

A study found that a combination of two Merck pills - its experimental Cordaptive med and its older Zocor drug - was able to raise HDL cholesterol, while cutting LDL and triglycerides, Reuters reports. Results of the Phase III trial, which involved about 1,400 patients and lasted 12 weeks, were presented at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida. Merck is waiting for FDA approval of Cordaptive and plans to seek approval next year for the newer combination drug.

Imagine a biotech free agent. That’s how to describe Lenny Guarente, an MIT professor who some speculate may win a Nobel Prize for his scientific work, The Boston Globe wrote yesterday. He had a non-compete contract with Elixir Pharmaceuticals, that’s expired and he’s being wooed by Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, underscoring and deepening a fascinating rivalry between the two feisty biotechs.

Glaxo And Univ Of Texas Anderson Center Sign Alliance (Houston Business Journal)

Takeda Stock Dives On Cholesterol Drug Setback (Bloomberg News)