M
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Depression where five or more symptoms of depression are present for at least two weeks.
- Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA)
An application for authorisation to place medicinal products on the market. This is a specific term for the EU/EEA markets.
- Markman Hearing
A pre-trial hearing in the US in which judges hear from both parties as to the appropriate meaning of relevant key words used in the claims of a patent.
- Medicaid
A US health insurance programme for individuals and families with low incomes and resources. It is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states.
- Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
The UK regulatory authority, a government agency, for medicines and medical devices.
- Medicare
A US health insurance programme for US citizens aged 65 or older, US citizens under age 65 with certain disabilities, and US citizens of all ages with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Recently, Medicare began offering prescription drug coverage under Part D of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.
- Metabolic Syndrome
A combination of medical disorders that increase one’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Metastatic Disease
Disease that has spread from one part of the body to another.
- MHLW
Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour andWelfare.
- Minority Interests
Share of profits that belong to non-AstraZeneca shareholders in partiallyowned subsidiaries.
- Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs)
An antibody derived from a single clone of cells; all antibodies derived from such group of cells have the same sequence of DNA.
- Monotherapy
Treatment where only one agent is given.
- Moving Annual Total (MAT)
A figure that represents the financial value of a variable for 12 months.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Progressive deterioration of the nervous system.
- Multiple Unit Pellet System (MUPS)
A formulation in which each dose is subdivided into hundreds or thousands of smaller units with modified release properties.
- Myocardial Infarction (MI)
A heart attack.
- Myocardial Ischaemia
See ischaemic heart disease.