Your dose for today comes with a warning about pain meds and phantoms, but also some hope for a malaria vaccine and cheaper cancer meds in the UK.

— Hospitalizations are on the rise among people taking prescription drugs in the US. A new study found that poisonings stemming from opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers were up 65% between 1999 and 2006 (Reuters). Aiming to reduce the illicit use of opioids, the Food and Drug Administration approved yesterday a harder-to-break form of the OxyContin pill, which contains oxycodone. (NYTimes)

— It takes two: Drugmakers Crucell and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that they will be combining their individual formulations for a malaria vaccine. GSK’s vaccine is in late-stage trials, but Crucell’s vaccine employs a better delivery method, the companies say. (AP)

— There’s a ‘phantom’ menace out there, and US Senator Chuck Grassley is on it. The Iowa Republican sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, complaining of little investigation into ‘phantom pharmacies’ — false drug sellers that set up temporary shop just to bill Medicare and private insurers for thousands, and even millions, of dollars. (Pharmalot)

— The UK election season is now in full swing, and among the promises conservatives are making is to increase the number of cancer medications available to patients. That’s good news for pharma, but here’s the bad news: The party also seems intent on using the National Health Service’s buying power to drive down prices. (FiercePharma)

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