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Canadian prescription drugs still being seized in U.S.

At least 37 packages of prescription drugs from Canada were seized by federal officials in South Florida, despite a federal government promise in October 2006 to stop confiscating drugs imported for personal use, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

7 Feb 2007

Britain to debate availability of HRT and the pill over the counter

The organisation in the UK which regulates drugs and treatments, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is to hold a seminar in London as part of a campaign to improve women's health.

6 Feb 2007

Many low-income Medicare beneficiaries receive no help from PAPs

Many low-income Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the prescription drug benefit receive no help from patient assistance programs operated by pharmaceutical companies, according to advocacy groups, USA Today reports.

6 Feb 2007

FDA efforts to improve prescription drug safety encouraging

FDA is "making encouraging moves to strengthen its regulation of drugs that are already on the market," but the "changes fall far short of what's needed to protect millions of unsuspecting patients whose adverse effects may show up only after years of use," a New York Times editorial states.

6 Feb 2007

Bush discusses health care

Democratic retreat for the first time since 2001 to promote his health care and other domestic policy proposals, the Washington Post reports.

6 Feb 2007

Severely mentally ill have increased risk of death from coronary heart disease and stroke

A large British study indicates that individuals with severe mental illnesses are significantly more likely to die from coronary heart disease and stroke, but not cancer, than those without mental illnesses, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

6 Feb 2007

Childhood psychiatric disorders on the rise

The incidence of three childhood neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism, increased among Danish children between 1990 and 2004, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

6 Feb 2007

$700 billion for Health and Human Services in 2008

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released details of the President's FY 2008 budget request to Congress for the department.

5 Feb 2007

Most nursing students believe it's wrong to lie to patients

Today's nursing students believe in greater honesty with patients, are less likely to agree to short-notice shift changes and are much older than their 1983 counterparts, according to a study published in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing.

5 Feb 2007

New therapy teaches pain coping for those suffering from common jaw disorder

A new supplemental therapy that teaches pain coping and biofeedback skills can reduce pain, the potential for chronic pain and health-care costs for millions of Americans suffering from a common jaw disorder, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.

5 Feb 2007

Important to recognize difference between tiredness and fatigue

Instead of dismissing grumblings about being tired or exhausted, people should take these complaints seriously before they lead to a worsened health state or even death, says a University of Alberta researcher investigating fatigue.

31 Jan 2007

Institute of Materia Medica and TB Alliance partner to tackle tuberculosis

The Institute of Materia Medica (IMM), a member of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), a not-for-profit, product development partnership accelerating the discovery and development of new TB drugs, today announced plans to pursue a joint research partnership to develop promising, novel anti-tuberculosis agents.

31 Jan 2007

FDA and VA to share information on safe use of medical products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to share information and expertise related to the review and use of FDA-regulated drugs, biologics and medical devices (medical products).

30 Jan 2007

FDA commits to safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today outlined a comprehensive commitment to the safety of drugs and other medical products.

30 Jan 2007

Merck lobbying States to mandate Gardasil for school girls

Merck recently has been providing lobbyists throughout the country with information about its human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil in an effort to encourage states to mandate that middle-school age girls receive it, the Baltimore Sun reports.

30 Jan 2007

Some insurance agents might have violated Medicare rules by soliciting fee-for-service plans

According to the Chronicle, the number of fee-for-service plans increased in the past year, and Congress in 2006 eased certain enrollment restrictions.

30 Jan 2007

New York City approves contract to distribute 20 million condoms

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently approved a $1.57 million contract to deliver more than 20 million Ansell Healthcare's Lifestyle condoms and packets of lubricants to organizations and venues in the city to help curb the spread of HIV, the New York Post reports.

30 Jan 2007

Caribbean summit on HIV/AIDS long overdue

At last week's Caribbean Summit on HIV/AIDS in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, a "few regional leaders ... have finally taken their heads out of our soft sand," which hopefully will "expos[e] the salutary neglect" of those heads of state who have not applied for funds from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for "political reasons" or "fatal ignorance.

30 Jan 2007

China aims to raise public awareness of HIV prevention

The program -- funded by U.S. Department of Labor -- aims to raise public awareness of HIV prevention, protect employment rights of people living with the disease, and reduce stigma and discrimination in the workplace (Xinhua/People's Daily, 1/26).

30 Jan 2007

Uganda plans to test 500,000 people for HIV annually by 2012

The Uganda AIDS Commission in a report released last week said it plans to test and counsel 500,000 people for HIV annually by 2012 and provide opportunistic infection prevention and treatment services to 90% of HIV-positive people in the country, Uganda's New Vision reports.

30 Jan 2007