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FDA approves Afinitor for treatment of progressive neuroendocrine tumors in the pancreas

On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Afinitor (everolimus) to treat patients with progressive neuroendocrine tumors located in the pancreas (PNET) that cannot be removed by surgery or that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

7 May 2011

Ryan blames politics for preventing overarching agreement to reduce the debt

Examples of how the politics of Medicare have picked up momentum since Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., advanced his proposal to revamp the proposal can be seen in a range of developments — including a letter from Democratic lawmakers to President Barack Obama, comments for Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and even a tightening special election for a New York congressional seat.

7 May 2011

House passes restrictive abortion measure, includes limits on insurance policies that cover abortions

In other House action, the chamber also approved another bill related to stripping funds from the health law. This one targeted money for a program in last year's health care law providing for construction of school-based health clinics.

6 May 2011

Longer looks: States creating health compacts; IPAB under fire; is GOP redefining rape?

In late April, Colorado and Oklahoma became the latest states to vote on whether to join an interstate agreement with like-minded legislatures to put health care decisions more firmly into the hands of state governments.

6 May 2011

Neutralizing antibodies generated by immunization associated with protection against SIV infection

Using a monkey model of AIDS, scientists have identified a vaccine-generated immune-system response that correlates with protection against infection by the monkey version of HIV, called simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The researchers found that neutralizing antibodies generated by immunization were associated with protection against SIV infection.

6 May 2011

FDA releases final guidance to firms that market OTC drug products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released its final guidance to firms that manufacture, market, or distribute over-the-counter liquid drug products packaged with cups, droppers, syringes, and spoons to measure and dispense the doses of medication.

5 May 2011

House GOP votes to defund state exchanges in health law

The legislation, which was approved Tuesday, passed mostly along party lines, though five Democrats voted with the Republicans in favor of cutting funds for state health exchanges. The measure is not likely to fare well in the Senate.

5 May 2011

Community-based care programs can improve children's mental health: SAMHSA

According to data released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, children and youth affected by traumatic events improve their functioning in community-based "system of care" programs.

4 May 2011

House Republicans continue health law defunding push

More bills will move through the House this week designed to strip funding from specific provisions of the health law. The Obama administration has made clear its opposition - even threatened vetoes.

4 May 2011

FTC, FDA take action on unproven STD drug products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission today announced a joint effort to remove products from the market that make unproven claims to treat, cure, and prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

4 May 2011

Study shows how secondhand smoke may increase vulnerability to nicotine addiction

Exposure to secondhand smoke, such as a person can get by riding in an enclosed car while someone else smokes, has a direct, measurable impact on the brain-and the effect is similar to what happens in the brain of the person doing the smoking.

3 May 2011

FDA clears ITI's FilmArray RP assay for respiratory virus detection

Idaho Technology, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a 510(k) clearance for the FilmArray instrument and the FilmArray Respiratory Panel.

3 May 2011

Viewpoints: Ryan plan politics; senior care; health care consumerism

Democrats spent the last week of Easter recess bashing the GOP on the Medicare reforms in the Paul Ryan budget, and Republicans tell me they are feeling the heat back home.

3 May 2011

SIS designated as preferred vendor by Anesthesia Quality Institute

Surgical Information Systems, a leader in perioperative information systems, announced today that they have been designated as a preferred vendor by the Anesthesia Quality Institute.

2 May 2011

Survey underscores education importance on risks of tanning in young women

Despite repeated warnings from dermatologists on the health dangers of tanning, results of a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology confirmed that a large percentage of Caucasian teen girls and young women admitted using tanning beds or intentionally tanning outdoors in the past year.

2 May 2011

Karmanos receives $50,000 GM Foundation grant for cancer research

The General Motors Foundation awarded the Karmanos Cancer Institute a $50,000 grant Saturday evening for research to help the nationally renowned Detroit-based center in its work toward curing and treating cancer.

2 May 2011

Childs Medical Clinic uses Greenway Medical Technologies' PrimeSUITE 2011

Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc. announced today that Childs Medical Clinic of Samson, Ala. is the first Greenway customer utilizing the company's integrated electronic health record, practice management and interoperability solution PrimeSUITE 2011 to successfully attest and receive payment notice within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Stage 1 meaningful use incentives program within the Medicare pathway.

30 Apr 2011

Henry M. Jackson Foundation to honor Heroes of Military Medicine

A U.S. senator, an Army leader and a military surgeon are among the "Heroes of Military Medicine" to be honored May 4 by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine's Center for Public-Private Partnerships.

30 Apr 2011

FDA announces steps to help reduce risk of exposure to improperly reprocessed devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced steps to help reduce the risk of exposure to improperly reprocessed devices that can lead to the transmission of disease.

30 Apr 2011

Microsoft honors ECRI Institute with Customer Excellence Award

ECRI Institute, an independent nonprofit that researches the best approaches to improving patient care, is pleased to announce that Microsoft has recognized its information technology expertise with a 2011 Microsoft Customer Excellence Award for Excellence in Innovation. ECRI Institute was honored by Microsoft executives at an awards luncheon on Monday, April 11, at Convergence 2011 Atlanta, the premier Microsoft Dynamics user conference.

30 Apr 2011