The 10 Weirdest Drug Stories of the Month

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BNET Pharma provides daily industry trends and news coverage with insights for managers and executives about major manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and medicine. In addition to detailed drug company profiles, we bring you industry analysis on new partnerships, drug patents and products, cost management, investments, pharmaceutical related lawsuits, and a host of other important business issues.

Spiders make Viagra! A vaccine for cocaine! Canola genes unlocked! It all happened in October …

Contraceptive pills change mating choices of women who use them
“One prediction is that offspring of pill users are more homozygous than expected, possibly related to impaired immune function and decreased perceived health and attractiveness,” a researcher said. Still no double-blind placebo test on the effect of beer goggles, however.
World’s most venomous spider may produce Viagra-like drug
“It turns out that, when bitten by the wandering spider, some men suffer painful erections that last more than 4 hours and sometimes lead to permanent damage to the penis. This led researchers to isolate the Tx2-6 toxin in the spider’s venom.” If you grow eight pairs of eyes and begin eating flies, consult your doctor.
Researchers pursue “vaccine” for cocaine
Drug will take the fun out of blow. Still no vaccine for hookers, stretch limousines and champagne.
Bonkers Michigan law creates heaven for drug companies
To sue a drug company in Michigan there must be felony fraud against the FDA or the fraud must trigger the withdrawal of the drug. Suffice to say, that almost never happens.
Jessica Alba to play drug sales rep in new “Fockers” movie
What is the deal with Hollwood’s new obsession with drug reps? Anne Hathaway also stars in a new movie about a drug rep.
Bayer sequences entire canola genome
“This provides Bayer with a unique level of insight into the previously unknown genetic code of canola,” the press release says with a straight face. Next step: Unlocking the DNA secrets of pesto sauce.
Cervarix vaccine kills teen girl! Oh … never mind
Common sense, reality (and a congenital disease) end publicity payday for anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists.
Viagra cream in development
Apply directly to the er, “skin.” But will the doctor how you how to use it?
Kermit the Frog declares conflicts of interest to medical journal
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors brings in strict new ethics rules for muppets
Allergan accused of targeting Lap-Band at Australian aboriginies
Tests under way on locals; 40 per cent of the indigenous population has adult diabetes.

Jim Edwards, a former managing editor of Adweek, has covered drug marketing at Brandweek for four years, and is a former Knight-Bagehot fellow at Columbia University's business and journalism schools. Follow him on Twitter or send him an email.