Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Antioxidants may hold the key in preventing severe flu-related lung damage

As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers have raised hopes that they have found an Achilles' heel for all strains of the flu-antioxidants. In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) they show that antioxidants-the same substances found in plant-based foods-might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs.

30 Oct 2009

Highly publicized vaccine products not only boost pharmaceutical companies, but also benefit others

Highly publicized vaccine products not only boost the bottom lines of pharmaceutical companies, but also benefit insurance companies, doctors and retailers with their businesses, according to analysis of the recent flu vaccine season by life science market research publisher Kalorama Information.

30 Oct 2009

Virtual Pharma Rep 360 Managed Care solution released

Virtual Pharma Rep™, a new company built by pharmaceutical industry veterans, today announced the release of Virtual Pharma Rep 360 Managed Care. This module builds on the existing Virtual Pharma Rep virtual sales platform of patent pending technology designed to significantly decrease the marketing, sales and educational expenses in the pharmaceutical sales and education process.

30 Oct 2009

TGen to secure emergency FDA approval for 2009 H1N1 flu test

The Phoenix-based non-profit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) announced today that, along with a business collaborator, it will submit a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use of a new test to diagnose the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus.

30 Oct 2009

FluGen's CHO-cell-based production system generates egg-free, 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine virus

FluGen Inc., an emerging leader in the development, production and delivery of influenza vaccines, today announced that its proprietary CHO-cell-based production system has generated novel 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine virus without the use of eggs during any step of production.

30 Oct 2009

Five-year program aimed at preventing future pandemic diseases awarded to DAI

DAI has been awarded a five-year program aimed at preventing future pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and H1N1.

30 Oct 2009

New online education course on H1N1 vaccination now available

mdBriefCase Inc., in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), is pleased to provide a new online education course on H1N1 vaccination for health professionals.

30 Oct 2009

New campaign offers information and resources on seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) says “Get the facts, not the flu,” in a new campaign that launches today at azblue.com/Flu. The flu campaign offers its members, employer groups and Arizona residents information and resources on seasonal and H1N1 flu prevention and immunization.

30 Oct 2009

Risk of serious flu-related sickness far outpaces risk of injectable vaccine in pregnant women

Pregnant women who catch the flu are at serious risk for flu-related complications, including death, and that risk far outweighs the risk of possible side effects from injectable vaccines containing killed virus, according to an extensive review of published research and data from previous flu seasons.

30 Oct 2009

U.S. won't donate H1N1 vaccine to developing countries until 'at-risk' Americans receive vaccine

The U.S. will hold off on donating H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine stockpiles to developing countries until "at-risk Americans" receive the vaccine, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reports

30 Oct 2009

Obama administration hits reset button in wake of flu vaccine shortage

Obama administration officials are working to control the H1N1 flu message after shortages have forced many to wait for the swine flu vaccine.

29 Oct 2009

Insurers brace for increase in COBRA claims

The nation's ailing economy continues to affect insurance companies, which could also face a wave of costly COBRA claims as policyholders rush to get treatment before government subsidies expire.

29 Oct 2009

AstraZeneca bolsters revenue with Toprol-XL and H1N1 vaccine sales

AstraZeneca, Third quarter revenue increased by 10 percent at constant exchange rates (CER) to $8,200 million.

29 Oct 2009

New herbal medicinal product for reducing mental and physical stress

Marketed under the trade name Vitango® and now available from pharmacies, the product is a special extract of a highly resilient plant called Golden Root (Rhodiola rosea) that grows in the freezing conditions of Northern Europe and Asia's mountain peaks.

29 Oct 2009

New Wake-up Light to provide pleasant wake-up experience

According to a recent survey, an overwhelming 60 percent of Americans are not satisfied with their current way of waking up. Recognizing the need for a better way to start the day, especially with the arrival of daylight saving, Philips has announced today the launch of its Wake-up Light - an innovative product that provides a more pleasant wake-up experience.

29 Oct 2009

CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital to update the public regarding H1N1 testing at emergency rooms

The emergency rooms at the CHU Sainte-Justine and The Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre are seeing a significant increase in patients seeking care. The increase is due to patients with mild flu-like symptoms and fever and due to parents asking that their child be tested to determine if he has H1N1.

29 Oct 2009

Gen-Probe receives FDA emergency use authorization for its Prodesse ProFlu-ST test

Gen-Probe Incorporated today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an EUA (emergency use authorization) for its test, the Prodesse ProFlu-ST(TM), to be used in CLIA high complexity laboratories for the diagnosis of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection, aided by an algorithm that relies on seasonal influenza A/H1 virus and seasonal influenza A/H3 virus results, from a single sample in individuals who are diagnosed with influenza A by currently available FDA-cleared or authorized devices.

29 Oct 2009

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals reports fiscal 2009 third-quarter results

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and provided a corporate update regarding clinical programs and potential emergency use of intravenous (i.v.) peramivir.

29 Oct 2009

First Edition: October 29, 2009

Today's headlines are all about the unveiling of the House health bill -- expected later this morning.

29 Oct 2009

Grassroots Health and the University of Toronto School of Medicine to host a Vitamin D symposium

Vitamin D Deficiency - linked to significantly higher rates of most cancers, heart disease, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and even flu - affects 97 per cent of Canadians. Yet fewer than 3 per cent of Canadians say they know their vitamin D blood levels.

29 Oct 2009