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First Edition: July 1, 2011

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about sleep deprived medical residents, decisions by Medicare officials on covering two expensive drugs and states struggling with budget cuts.

1 Jul 2011

Intravenous nutrition does not have a positive effect if administered early

Critically ill patients receive intravenous nutrition - via an infusion in a large vein - when nutrition via a stomach or intestinal tube is insufficient. There is international dispute over the correct timing of intravenous nutrition: European guidelines recommend administering intravenous nutrition within 48 hours to prevent malnutrition.

1 Jul 2011

U.N. Somalia coordinator warns about increasing rates of malnutrition

Mark Bowden, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, highlighted the "rapidly deteriorating" situation there resulting from drought and high food prices, Agence France-Presse reports.

1 Jul 2011

Unhealthy food adverts on TV induce children to to eat high-fat and high-sugar foods

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that children who watch adverts for unhealthy food on television are more likely to want to eat high-fat and high-sugar foods.

1 Jul 2011

U-M offers tips to help understand FDA's new rules about sunscreen

The July 4 weekend is a time for barbequing, lounging poolside or just goofing off in the backyard. But it's important to practice good sun safety, stress dermatologists at the University of Michigan Health System.

1 Jul 2011

WFP head issues statement about humanitarian need in Horn of Africa

World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran on Wednesday voiced concern about nine million people in the Horn of Africa who urgently need humanitarian aid, Bloomberg reports.

1 Jul 2011

Bone fusion drug comes under scrutiny due to researchers’ vested interests

The Spine Journal has dedicated its June issue to a series of papers that carefully reject previous research supporting the use of Infuse, a controversial, but popular bone growth product commonly used in spinal fusion surgeries.

1 Jul 2011

Avastin for breast cancer still covered by Medicare despite FDA indecision

The Medicare will continue to cover Avastin for breast cancer treatment even if U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Peggy Hamburg decides to withdraw Avastin for such use, according to Don McLeod, a spokesman for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. McLeod said, in his statement, “The FDA decision, when it comes, does not affect CMS.”

1 Jul 2011

Panel advises FDA to reject Avastin as breast cancer drug

The unanimous recommendation by this committee of cancer experts increases the likelihood that the drug will no longer be widely available for the treatment of breast cancer. Avastin, however, will continue to have the Food and Drug Adminstration's approval for use in treating certain other cancers.

1 Jul 2011

Lantheus commences flurpiridaz F 18 PET MPI Phase 3 trial for detection of coronary artery disease

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a worldwide leader in diagnostic imaging, today announced the initiation of the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials to assess myocardial perfusion using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging with flurpiridaz F 18 in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD).

1 Jul 2011

Take next step on food hedging plan

"We are thrilled that the G-20 is taking the issue of financial risk management (i.e., hedging) seriously. … The next step is to translate this vision into operational reality," Ben Leo and Vijaya Ramachandran of the Center for Global Development write on the CGD's "Global Development: Views from the Center" blog.

1 Jul 2011

Minnesota nears government shutdown

Minnesota would face a massive government shutdown under a court ruling released Wednesday, with all but critical services stopping by Friday.

1 Jul 2011

FDA grants Advaxis pre-IND meeting for Advaxis-PSA immunotherapy for prostate cancer

Advaxis, Inc.,, a leader in developing the next generation of immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases, has been granted a pre-Investigational New Drug meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on August 10, 2011 to discuss the CMC, pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical plans for Advaxis PSA, its construct to fight prostate cancer.

1 Jul 2011

Positive topline results from Alkermes ALKS 9070 phase 1b study for schizophrenia

Alkermes, Inc. today announced positive topline results from a phase 1b, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of ALKS 9070 in patients with schizophrenia.

30 Jun 2011

Some generic anti-epilepsy drugs may not be effective

30 Jun 2011

First Edition: June 30, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about yesterday's decision from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the health law.

30 Jun 2011

VIVUS submits avanafil NDA to FDA for treatment of erectile dysfunction

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that a New Drug Application (NDA) has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of avanafil, its investigational drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

30 Jun 2011

Research raises questions about some generic epilepsy drugs

Generic anti-epilepsy drugs, pharmaceutical products similar to brand-name versions, save consumers billions of dollars each year, but some are different enough from branded formulations that they may not be effective, particularly if patients switch between two generic drugs, a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. A report on the study, published online and in an upcoming issue of Annals of Neurology, raises questions about whether some generic products are safe and effective when a narrow dose range separates patients from help and harm.

30 Jun 2011

Rinderpest - fatal animal disease eradicated

Rinderpest, German for cattle plague, has finally met its match and does not exist anymore. It is the first animal disease to be eradicated and only the second disease ever, after smallpox in 1980. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization declared Tuesday that the world was rid of Rinderpest.

30 Jun 2011

Energy density, portion size and eating occasions contribute to obesity epidemic in the U.S.

Over the past 30 years U.S. adults have been eating larger portions and eating more often, according to a new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers.

30 Jun 2011