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Shortage of Tamiflu in liquid form contributes to dosage errors

Two pediatric patients in Pennsylvania hospitals received overdoses of the drug Tamiflu to treat their flu symptoms because of unawareness among staff as to the concentration of the drug given in an alternative liquid form. Both children were unharmed as a result of the errors, but details of the near misses have been published in a supplementary Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory to raise awareness of the issue.

2 Nov 2009

World Journal of Gastroenterology reports a case of metallic foreign body in lower mid-abdomen

Foreign body ingestion is a frequent gastrointestinal emergency. However, long spoon swallowing is a rare event. Most swallowed spoons have been found in the stomach. Previously, there has been no reported case of a long spoon reaching the jejunum.

29 Oct 2009

Dementia patients face higher risk of flu mortality; refine guidelines needed for testing and vaccination policies

An epidemiological study on pneumonia and influenza (P&I) in adults age 65 and over reports that patients with dementia are diagnosed with flu less frequently, have shorter hospital stays, and have a fifty percent higher rate of death than those without dementia.

28 Oct 2009

BMC surgeons use new EsophyX TIF for treatment of acid reflux or GERD

Boston Medical Center (BMC) surgeons are now offering patients an incisionless alternative to laparoscopic and traditional surgery for treatment of acid reflux or GERD.

27 Oct 2009

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Repligen partner to develop a treatment for SMA

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) announced today that it has entered into a groundbreaking exclusive license agreement with Repligen Corporation for the development of a potential treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

23 Oct 2009

Persistence of sucking habits increases risk of speech disorders in preschool children

Pacifier, baby bottle or finger sucking may hamper a child's speech development if the habit goes on too long.

21 Oct 2009

Physicians say thyroid surgery safe for older people

Thyroid surgery is safe for older patients, say physicians who found only slight differences in rates of complications and hospital readmissions in a multi-year study.

20 Oct 2009

Center remains elusive despite Snowe's support

The political center remains elusive in the health care debate, despite Democrats' glee after one version of the bill received a GOP vote, Politico reports. "If Democratic leadership hoped Republican Olympia Snowe's decision to cross party lines Tuesday would inspire her fellow middle-of-the-roaders, they were mistaken."

19 Oct 2009

Multi-million dollar cooperative agreement for SMA drug development program

Paratek Pharmaceuticals (Boston, MA) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Elk Grove Village, IL) announced today that a jointly funded drug development program for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) has been awarded a multi-million dollar cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

19 Oct 2009

Guidelines for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identified

New guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology identify the most effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often called Lou Gehrig's disease. The guidelines are published in the October 13, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Oct 2009

Wal-Mart Stores to offer Tamiflu oral suspension in liquid form for children and elderly

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced today that more than 4,000 Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies nationwide will address the national shortage of Tamiflu® oral suspension by converting the capsule to liquid form.

12 Oct 2009

Researchers reveal that H2 Blocker drugs pose no significant risks for the fetus

H2 Blocker drugs, such as Famotidine, Cimetidine and Ranitidine, approved in the U.S. for acid reflux (heartburn), pose no significant risks for the fetus according to a large collaborative cohort study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

8 Oct 2009

Research study reveals children's unusualness to ingest small button batteries

Ten years of case studies at a pediatric hospital and a thorough literature review have shown that it is not uncommon for children to ingest small "button" batteries, either through swallowing or inserting the batteries into their noses.

5 Oct 2009

New palate reconstruction technique for post tonsil cancer surgery

A new technique for reconstructing the palate after surgery for tonsil cancer maintained patients' ability to speak clearly and eat most foods, a new study shows.

23 Sep 2009

Ganeden Biotech unveils the first quick dissolving, thin strip probiotic product

Ganeden Biotech Inc., makers of the patented probiotic strain GanedenBC30(R), today announced the launch of the first quick dissolving, thin strip probiotic product. The new thin strip product is the latest in a number of innovative probiotic-enhanced products introduced by Ganeden Biotech over the past year.

16 Sep 2009

Acid reflux in children is often overlooked: Director of PAGER Association

The Pediatric Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux (PAGER) Association has been helping families learn about acid reflux since 1992. The medical name for the disease is gastroesophageal reflux. It means stomach + esophagus + backwash.

14 Sep 2009

Miniature camera to provide live images of inside of the body

The world's first 'fantastic voyage' in which a miniature camera will broadcast live images of the inside of the body is set to take place this Sunday.

11 Sep 2009

METOZOLV drug approved for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease

Wilmington Pharmaceuticals announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for METOZOLV ODT (metoclopramide HCl), an orally disintegrating formulation of metoclopramide for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetic gastroparesis.

10 Sep 2009

Clinical study investigates laboratory and clinical implications of proton pump inhibitor drugs

Fears about the cancer causing effects of the second most prescribed group of drugs in the Western world have been put to rest, following the largest ever study into their use.

10 Sep 2009

FDA approves Salix' METOZOLV ODT for treating diabetic gastroparesis

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLXP) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for METOZOLV™ ODT (metoclopramide HCl) 5mg and 10mg orally disintegrating tablets. METOZOLV ODT is indicated for the relief of symptoms in adults associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis and for the treatment of short-term therapy (4-12 weeks) for adults with symptomatic documented gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who fail to respond to conventional therapy1.

9 Sep 2009

Swallowing News and Research

Shortage of Tamiflu in liquid form contributes to dosage errors

World Journal of Gastroenterology reports a case of metallic foreign body in lower mid-abdomen

Dementia patients face higher risk of flu mortality; refine guidelines needed for testing and vaccination policies

BMC surgeons use new EsophyX TIF for treatment of acid reflux or GERD

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Repligen partner to develop a treatment for SMA

Persistence of sucking habits increases risk of speech disorders in preschool children

Physicians say thyroid surgery safe for older people

Center remains elusive despite Snowe's support

Multi-million dollar cooperative agreement for SMA drug development program

Guidelines for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis identified

Wal-Mart Stores to offer Tamiflu oral suspension in liquid form for children and elderly

Researchers reveal that H2 Blocker drugs pose no significant risks for the fetus

Research study reveals children's unusualness to ingest small button batteries

New palate reconstruction technique for post tonsil cancer surgery

Ganeden Biotech unveils the first quick dissolving, thin strip probiotic product

Acid reflux in children is often overlooked: Director of PAGER Association

Miniature camera to provide live images of inside of the body

METOZOLV drug approved for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease

Clinical study investigates laboratory and clinical implications of proton pump inhibitor drugs

FDA approves Salix' METOZOLV ODT for treating diabetic gastroparesis

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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