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Advertising restrcitions on some over the counter medicines likely to be lifted

Regulations to remove the current ban on advertising certain over the counter (OTC) medicines to the public were laid in Parliament today

9 Jun 2004

Patent issued for GHB, date rape drug test

A patent for a highly sensitive test to detect the presence of the "date rape" drug, GHB, has recently been granted to the University of California, Santa Barbara.

9 Jun 2004

FDA warns against use of domperidone to increase milk production

In response to reports that women may be using an unapproved drug, domperidone, to increase milk production (lactation), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning breastfeeding women not to use this product because of safety concerns. Today, FDA also issued six letters to pharmacies that compound products containing domperidone and firms that supply domperidone for use in compounding.

9 Jun 2004

HHS identifies States for Medicare demonstration of new, less restrictive homebound definition

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has announced the three states where Medicare will conduct a demonstration project involving a new definition for homebound that would allow Medicare beneficiaries receiving home health benefits to leave their home more frequently and for longer periods without risking the loss of those benefits.

7 Jun 2004

BMA Scotland response to launch of consultation on smoking in public places

Responding to the launch of the Scottish Executive's public consultation on smoking in public places, Dr Bill O'Neill, Scottish Secretary of the BMA said: "I am pleased that the Scottish Executive has finally succumbed to public pressure and launched a consultation into the creation of more smoke free public areas.

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in France

As positive developments in the second periodic of France, the Committee welcomed the ratification of the optional protocols to the Convention, as well as that of ILO Convention No. 182.

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

With regard to the second periodic report of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Committee noted with appreciation the adoption of laws aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Convention.

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in Dominica

The Committee welcomed the submission of the initial report of Dominica, and noted with appreciation the Education Act No. 11 of 1997, amended in order to provide for Early Childhood Education from 0 to 5 years

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in Myanmar

In the second periodic report of Myanmar, the Committee welcomed the adoption of Rules and Regulations related to the Child Law in 2001; the creation of the National Human Rights Committee in 2000; Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation in 2003, whose mandate included promotion and protection of the rights of children

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in Sao Tome and Principe

The Committee, having considered the initial report of Sao Tome and Principe, welcomed the adoption of laws and the establishment of various mechanisms aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children such as

7 Jun 2004

UN focus on child rights in El Salvador

After considering the second periodic report of El Salvador, the Committee welcomed a number of positive developments during the reporting period

7 Jun 2004

Smokers who quit before the age of 35 have a reasonable chance to regain their health

A new analysis of data on smoking and health finds that smokers who quit before the age of 35 have a reasonable chance to regain their health over time and to live as long and as well as people who have never smoked.

5 Jun 2004

Black box recording devices for ambulances

Technology similar to the "black box" recording devices on aircraft is making a marked difference in safety performance for the country's largest ambulance service provider. American Medical Response, Inc., using event recorders in its ambulance fleet to monitor the driving of its medical crews, is measuring substantial improvements in road safety.

2 Jun 2004

San Francisco judge has slammed the new Bush legislation on abortions as unconstitutional

US federal Judge Phyllis Hamilton has slammed the new Bush legislation on abortions as unconstitutional "This court concludes that the act is unconstitutional because it poses an undue burden on a woman's ability to choose a second trimester abortion; is unconstitutionally vague; and requires a health exception,".

2 Jun 2004

Bullying is widespread within the UK's National Health Service

A survey has found that 47% of psychiatric trainees had been bullied in the previous year. Foreign doctors were significantly less likely to take action when bullied than local doctors.

2 Jun 2004

Debate on UK legislation to make helmets mandatory for all cyclists

There are strong reasons for promoting the use of pedal cycles in Britain, including that it is ‘beneficial to health’ and is one of the most ‘ecologically friendly’ modes of transport.

2 Jun 2004

Federal abortion ban is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced

The federal abortion ban passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last year is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced, Federal District Court Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton ruled yesterday (1st June 2004).

2 Jun 2004

New research institute will tackle health inequalities

A major new research institute at Cardiff University aims to improve the nation’s health through a range of projects which will directly inform policy-makers in Wales and beyond.

1 Jun 2004

Mothercare, John Lewis and Argos worst stores in UK for dangerous chemicals

High street stores must do more to phase out chemicals which may adversely affect human health, Friends of the Earth said today. The call coincides with a new survey by the environmental campaign group showing some stores are still not taking effective action to remove risky chemicals from their products.

1 Jun 2004

Call for Western Australian government to introduce tough legislation to discourage smoking

The Western Australian government should follow the lead of South Australia and introduce tough legislation to discourage smoking, the AMA (WA) said today.

31 May 2004