Abbott Laboratories is planning changes to its popular anti-inflammatory drug Humira, including a thinner needle to lessen discomfort during injections and a more convenient dosage regimen, the Wall Street Journal reports on its website. Humira, used to treats some forms of arthritis, is likely to face tough competition next year from newer drugs, such as tofacitinib, an oral pill to be produced by Pfizer Inc. expected to be more appealing to many patients. To possibly counter that challenge, North Chicago-based Abbott plans a new version of Humira that would be taken just once a month, compared to the current every-other-week schedule, the Journal says.
