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Meth abuse biggest drug problem in country USA

In a recent crime survey of 45 states and 500 county law enforcement agencies in the U.S., it has been found that as far as rural and small town America is concerned, methamphetamine has overtaken cocaine as the biggest drug problem.

11 Jul 2005

Northerners in the UK more prone to certain cancers

According to the office for National Statistics (ONS) ' "Cancer Atlases" for the 1990s, people in the north of England and Scotland are far more likely to get certain cancers than those living in the south.

11 Jul 2005

Prescription drug abuse in the USA exceeds 15 million

A recently released report by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University suggests between 1992 and 2003, more Americans were abusing controlled prescription drugs than cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin put together.

11 Jul 2005

California's medical marijuana program put on hold

As a direct result of a Supreme Court ruling last month that said the U.S. government could prosecute medical marijuana use, California officials say they will stop issuing identification cards to state residents who smoke marijuana to treat medical conditions.

11 Jul 2005

Northern Ireland must not be left behind on smoking ban

Commenting on the confirmation that Wales will press ahead with a total ban on smoking in public places, BMA(NI) Public Health Committee Vice-Chairman, Dr Colin Hamilton, raised his concerns that Northern Ireland is in significant danger of being left behind.

6 Jul 2005

Texas medical malpractice claims examined

New research published in the latest issue of Journal of Empirical Legal Studies examines Texas medical malpractice claims and finds no tort crisis.

6 Jul 2005

Drug abusers are increasingly turning to a slow-release form of drug fentanyl

Drug abusers are increasingly turning to a slow-release form of a powerful painkiller for a quick and dangerous high, University of Florida researchers warn. The trend is raising alarm as the number of people dying from an overdose of the drug fentanyl, an opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, rises.

6 Jul 2005

Anti-cancer claims for green tea 'unlikely', says FDA

In what will come as a surprise, and a disappointment to many advcates, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said last week that drinking green tea is highly unlikely to help prevent breast, prostate or any other type of cancer.

5 Jul 2005

Product claiming to protect against anthrax lacks credentials or approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Bio-Germ, a lotion being promoted by a Texas businessman lacks federal approval and could face scrutiny for claims made on its Web site.

5 Jul 2005

General Medical Council wrong place to deal with medicine and the law

According to an article in the current edition of the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, Professor Roy Meadow should not be found guilty of serious professional misconduct.

4 Jul 2005

New legislation provides women 40 to 49 with free mammograms

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed HB1606 by a unanimous vote of 197-0. This legislation, known as the Women's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Act, provides women aged 40 to 49,access to free mammograms.

4 Jul 2005

New law will take away vital medications from AIDS sufferers in Mississippi

Medicaid beneficiaries living with HIV/AIDS in Mississippi are about to be denied access to medications they need to stay alive.

1 Jul 2005

Medicaid beneficiaries living with HIV/AIDS in Mississippi are about to be denied access to medications

A law that takes effect tomorrow, July 1, limits Mississippi Medicaid beneficiaries to two brand-name drugs. But controlling HIV infection requires three drugs, and all of them are brand name.

30 Jun 2005

Sense and science has prevailed, claim BMA

Sense and science has prevailed, claimed the BMA today as MSPs passed legislation that will bring an end to smoking in enclosed public places by spring next year.

30 Jun 2005

Conservatives and sexual abstinence groups battle with FDA over condoms - they offer little protection against STD's

Although condoms are an effective method of contraception and stop the spread of AIDS, evidence that they protect against other sexually transmitted diseases is scant.

30 Jun 2005

British doctors debate abortion laws

In Britain doctors at the British Medical Association (BMA) conference in Manchester, are debating whether the legal time limit for abortion should be reduced from 24 to 20 weeks.

30 Jun 2005

Leader of Scotland's doctors address to annual conference of BMA

Speaking as Scotland’s politicians prepared to debate the final stages of a smoking ban, the leader of Scotland’s doctors congratulated Ministers for their commitment to the public health agenda. In his address to the Annual Conference of the BMA in Manchester today (Wednesday 29 June 2005), Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland said:

29 Jun 2005

Changes in economy and healthcare accompany Poland’s accession to the European Union

The European Union (EU) is in a state of flux following the recent accession of several Central and Eastern European countries. Their membership has further complicated the already complex economic, social and cultural dynamics at work within the EU.

28 Jun 2005

Scotland's doctors quiz Health Secretary on smoking

Scotland's doctors today took the opportunity to ask the English Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, what steps her Government was taking to protect workers in England from the deadly effects of second hand smoke, in light of moves towards a comprehensive ban in Scotland.

28 Jun 2005

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland says Minister must introduce a complete ban on second-hand tobacco smoke

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, which has energetically campaigned for a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces, said that the Minister’s decision not to introduce an immediate total ban in Northern Ireland was very disappointing.

28 Jun 2005