Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

New USPSTF mammography recommendations confuse women

When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention, released its recommendations on mammography screenings for US women on November 16, 2009, there was immediate and considerable controversy.

7 Apr 2011

Reaction to GOP budget proposal swift, includes concern, support and political intrigue

After the budget proposal's release, reaction came from across the political and health industry spectrum. For instance, providers expressed concerns about reshaping Medicare and Medicaid. Possible GOP presidential hopefuls offered support, yet were viewed by some as "walking a tight rope."

7 Apr 2011

Optometrists congratulate Ontario government for progressive health policy

Ontarians will enjoy better access to eye health care now that optometrists can prescribe medications for sight-threatening conditions like eye infections and glaucoma.

7 Apr 2011

World Health Day 2011 highlights problem of antimicrobial resistance

On the eve of World Health Day 2011, Inter Press Service examines the growing global challenge of antibimicrobial resistance.

7 Apr 2011

Robotic-assisted keyhole surgery tested for bowel cancer

A robotic system that promises to improve the quality of 'keyhole' bowel cancer surgery is being put to the test for the first time.

7 Apr 2011

Positive data from PROCHIEVE vaginal progesterone Phase III study published in peer-reviewed journal

Columbia Laboratories, Inc., and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced the publication of Phase III PROCHIEVE® (progesterone gel) data in today's online version of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the leading peer-reviewed journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

7 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Major news organizations on Ryan plan: Solution or 'hypocrisy'?

Give House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan credit for finally putting Republicans' money where their mouths have been for years: His 2012 budget proposal, released Tuesday, would actually begin to produce the smaller government Republicans have always said they wanted, even as they were ramping up federal spending, creating a prescription drug benefit without paying for it, campaigning against efforts to curb Medicare, and turning budget surpluses into titanic deficits.

7 Apr 2011

FDA approves Horizant Extended-Release Tablets for Restless Legs Syndrome

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort, Inc. announced Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Horizant™ (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome in adults. Horizant is not recommended for patients who are required to sleep during the daytime and remain awake at night.

7 Apr 2011

Senate approves measure to repeal health law's 1099 reporting provision

The Senate on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to repeal the health care law's 1099 tax-reporting provision, ending nearly a year's worth of efforts to do away with one of its most unpopular requirements. The repeal measure, which passed the House last month, now goes to President Obama for his signature.

7 Apr 2011

Alere achieves NCQA Accreditation for Nurse24 program

Alere Health, LLC announced today that it has achieved the National Committee for Quality Assurance Health Information Products Certification for Health Information Line.

7 Apr 2011

Progesterone gel can reduce preterm birth in women with short cervix

A groundbreaking clinical study of a new method for preventing premature birth in millions of women each year, published in the medical journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, shows that the rate of early preterm delivery in women can be reduced by 45 percent - simply by treating pregnant women at risk with a low-cost gel of natural progesterone during the midtrimester of pregnancy until term.

7 Apr 2011

FDA approves Covidien's PMA application for Pipeline Embolization Device

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that it received Premarket Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Pipeline Embolization Device, indicated for the endovascular treatment of adults with large or giant wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in the internal carotid artery from the petrous to the superior hypophyseal segments.

7 Apr 2011

Parkinson's disease linked to increased risk of prostate cancer

University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have found compelling evidence that Parkinson's disease is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer and melanoma, and that this increased cancer risk also extends to close and distant relatives of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

7 Apr 2011

First Editon: April 6, 2011

Today's headlines include stories and analysis of how the Ryan budget plan would change Medicare, Medicaid and the shape of the federal government.

6 Apr 2011

Optimer, Cubist sign deal to market DIFICID for CDI treatment in the U.S.

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the signing of an exclusive two-year co-promotion agreement to market DIFICID, in the United States.

6 Apr 2011

Skeptics of Ryan's blueprint take positions against specific proposals

A group of Democratic governors was expected to send a letter Monday opposing key proposals to overhaul Medicaid. Meanwhile, some advocates for seniors and children are taking exception to Ryan's ideas about revamping Medicare into a voucher program and other steps they say will will put vulnerable populations at risk.

6 Apr 2011