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End alternative medicine degrees say scientists

A group of more than 400 doctors, medical researchers and scientists are urging universities to close down alternative medicine degrees.

30 Jan 2012

Some states' hesitancy on health law implementation could delay insurance exchange development

At issue is what some see as the law's uncertain future -- which many link to the outcome of the upcoming election and the Supreme Court's decision. The Minneapolis Star Tribune offers a case study.

25 Jan 2012

States, health industry moving ahead on implementing health law

New York and New Jersey are both moving forward with plans to comply with the national health care law, which would extend coverage to the uninsured by 2014. ... They are among 17 states making headway.

24 Jan 2012

Health care solutions through social media and cell phones

Nova Southeastern University's College of Pharmacy recently launched America's first Center for Consumer Health Informatics Research to deliver health care solutions through social media and cell phones.

19 Jan 2012

Novartis recalls four OTC drugs citing factory malfunction

Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis has announced that it is recalling four different products sold over the counter in the United States after receiving reports that there if malfunction at one of its plants.

9 Jan 2012

NCH voluntarily recalls certain over-the-counter drugs in the U.S.

Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. (NCH) announced today that it is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle packaging configurations of Excedrin and NoDoz products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States.

8 Jan 2012

State roundup: Texas health assistance program closing; Florida's dangerous assisted living facilities

A reduction in prescription drug coverage under last year's state budget cuts means 292,000 New Yorkers will now be paying more at the pharmacy.

4 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 3, 2012

In today's headlines, reports that New York seniors are experiencing reduced prescription coverage and more California patients are being added to the health insurance rolls.

3 Jan 2012

Obama administration avoids political backlash by allowing states flexibility on essential benefits

By allowing states the flexibility to make key decisions, the administration avoided a "political hot potato" regarding essential benefits - the medical benefits insurers must cover under the U.S. health care.

20 Dec 2011

Poor handling of oranges in squeezing machines stimulates bacterial contamination

Scientists from the University of Valencia in Spain have analysed fresh orange juice squeezed by machines in catering establishments. They have confirmed that 43% of samples exceeded the acceptable enterobacteriaceae levels laid down by legislation. The researchers recommend that oranges are handled correctly, that juicers are washed properly and that the orange juice is served immediately rather than being stored in metal jugs.

15 Dec 2011

Pfizer acquires Ferrosan Consumer Health's business

Pfizer Inc. today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Ferrosan Consumer Health's business, which includes dietary supplements and lifestyle products, from Altor 2003 Fund GP Limited.

1 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: The role of IT in transforming health care; the GOP raises super committee stakes

Why can't Americans tap into the ingenuity that put men on the moon, created the Internet and sequenced the human genome to revitalize our economy? I'm convinced we can. We are in the early phases of the next big technology-driven revolution, which I call "consumer health." When fully unleashed, it could radically cut health care costs and become a huge global growth market.

11 Nov 2011

Health Net selected as double-winner in 18th annual National Health Information Awards

Health Net, Inc. was selected as a double-winner in the 18th annual National Health Information Awards. The program is coordinated by the Health Information Resource Center, a national clearinghouse that recognizes the nation's best consumer health information programs and materials.

5 Nov 2011

Perry unveils new economic plan

In political developments, media outlets analyzed GOP presidential hopeful Rick Perry's new plan, which includes a national flat tax, would cut discretionary funding by at least $100 billion a year, and would overhaul Medicare and Medicaid. In other news, a new poll uncovers deep distrust of the government, with about a quarter of the public in favor of repealing the entire health law.

27 Oct 2011

FDA, other regulatory and international partners complete International Internet Week of Action

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory and international partners have completed the International Internet Week of Action (IIWA), a cooperative effort to curb online sales and distribution of counterfeit and illegal medical products.

30 Sep 2011

Phytel launches new suite of automated care management solutions

Phytel today launched the next generation of automated care management solutions with its integrated Atmosphere™ platform, which enables providers to better manage quality and proactively improve chronic and preventive care across their populations. These scalable, Software-as-a-Service automation tools together comprise the first comprehensive, integrated population health management solution designed for providers.

19 Sep 2011

State roundup: Moving vets off Medicaid; San Fran. grapples with loophole

About 9,500 veterans were removed from the Medicaid rolls under the Washington state initiative since the program began in 2003, saving the state $27 million, according to the National Coalition on Health Care. And now Oregon is taking baby steps toward imitating the success

4 Aug 2011

Children and adolescents should not consume sports drinks

“Caffeine-containing "energy" drinks should never be used by children and adolescents, and carbohydrate-rich "sports" drinks should be restricted or avoided completely,” according to an American Academy of Pediatrics report in the journal Pediatrics.

29 Jun 2011

Is it safe to give babies and toddlers cough medicines?

Consumer health website, www.itsmyhealth.com.au reports that over-the-counter cold remedies can do more harm than good.

20 Jun 2011

Gleevec shows significant overall survival benefit for patients w/ GIST after 3 years of adjuvant treatment vs. 1 year

Novartis announced new data today showing a significant improvement in both recurrence-free survival and overall survival for patients taking Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate)* tablets for three years after surgery to remove KIT (CD117)-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (KIT+ GIST) compared to one year of treatment. These data will be presented at the 47th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) plenary session on Sunday, June 5.

6 Jun 2011