Pain News and Research

Latest Pain News and Research

Greater Sacramento Specialty Pharmacy acquired by The Apothecary Shops

The Apothecary Shops, a Phoenix-based chain of specialty pharmacies with 16 locations in six states, has acquired the Greater Sacramento Specialty Pharmacy (GSP), a customer-service focused pharmacy with primary specialties in oncology and pain management.

30 Aug 2010

Cannabis Science seeks entry into European medical cannabis market

Cannabis Science Inc., a pioneering US biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis products, is pleased to announce that the Company is currently raising working capital in the European market and pursuing listings on the Frankfurt and other major European exchanges.

30 Aug 2010

Canada hosts 13th World Congress On Pain

The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) eagerly welcomes leading pain experts from across Canada and around the globe to the 13th World Congress on Pain in Montreal, Quebec, from August 29 to September 2. Hosted by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), more than 6,000 pain professionals will gather to share their thoughts, research and best treatment practices concerning this throbbing public health issue.

30 Aug 2010

Smoked cannabis relieves chronic neuropathic pain

The medicinal use of cannabis has been debated by clinicians, researchers, legislators and the public at large for many years as an alternative to standard pharmaceutical treatments for pain, which may not always be effective and may have unwanted side effects. A new study by McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University researchers provides evidence that cannabis may offer relief to patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain.

30 Aug 2010

BDSI's Phase 2 study results of BEMA Buprenorphine selected for presentation at Pain Week 2010

BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. announced today that its abstract showing the results of a Phase 2 clinical study of BEMA Buprenorphine in the treatment of pain has been selected for oral presentation at Pain Week 2010, a national conference educating frontline clinicians who are faced with treating patients with pain. The presentation will take place on Friday, September 10, as part of the 7:00 - 9:00 AM podium presentation session.

30 Aug 2010

Meda signs agreement to acquire Alaven

Meda has signed an agreement to acquire the US specialty pharmaceutical company Alaven. The acquisition will significantly enhance Meda's marketing capabilities in the US and expand the therapeutic focus to include both gastroenterology and women's health; areas that Meda already operates in outside of the US.

30 Aug 2010

MedCath to sell interest in Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota to Avera McKennan

MedCath Corporation announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its subsidiary which is the indirect owner of a one-third ownership interest and management rights in Avera Heart Hospital of South Dakota to Avera McKennan. The transaction is expected to close in 45 to 90 days, subject to certain closing conditions.

30 Aug 2010

Latest achievements in brain research and treatment for mental disorders

Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction and schizophrenia are the core challenge of most health care systems around the world. In the EU alone, each year 27% of the total adult population - this corresponds to 83 Million citizens - suffer from mental disorders. Depression alone affects almost 20 million ranking in the EU as the most disabling disorder of all diseases.

30 Aug 2010

ACTION Ontario encourages provincial narcotics strategy announcement

ACTION Ontario, a non-profit group advocating on behalf of chronic pain sufferers, welcomes the announcement of a provincial narcotics strategy and encourages the government to act on the underlying issue of chronic pain.

30 Aug 2010

First ROSE procedures with USGI Medical's Incisionless Operating Platform performed in Europe

USGI Medical, Inc., the Incisionless Surgery Company, announced that a surgeon in the U.K. successfully completed Europe's first two scar-free stomach surgery repairs using the company's Incisionless Operating Platform™ (IOP). Elemental Healthcare Ltd. distributes the IOP in the U.K. market.

30 Aug 2010

Promising skin cancer drug in the near horizon

A new drug has been developed to combat a deadly form of skin cancer – melanoma. The drug, PLX4032, was tested on 32 melanoma patients who had a key mutation in their tumors. 26 of these patients responded favorably says the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

30 Aug 2010

Researchers find smoked cannabis reduces chronic neuropathic pain

For people suffering chronic pain, smoked cannabis reduces pain, improves mood and helps sleep, according to new research published in CMAJ.

30 Aug 2010

Scientists report frog skin contains new genera of antibiotics

Kissing a frog won't turn it into a prince except in fairy tales but frogs may be hopping toward a real world transformation into princely allies in humanity's battle with antibiotic-resistant infections that threaten millions of people worldwide. Scientists today reported that frog skin contains natural substances that could be the basis for a powerful new genre of antibiotics.

30 Aug 2010

Study finds common risk factors linked with painkiller addiction

A new Geisinger study begins to unlock the puzzle of painkiller (opioid) addiction - why some people are more likely to become addicted than others. Geisinger investigators have found that patients with four common risk factors have a significantly higher risk of addiction. In addition, a history of severe drug dependence and drug abuse compounds the risk.

30 Aug 2010

Obama administration touts federal efforts to combat health care fraud

The Los Angeles Times: Obama administration officials at a meeting in Los Angeles Thursday touted their efforts to crack down on health care fraud, "saying quickly expanding criminal enterprises are costing taxpayers billions of dollars each year. ... Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said their agencies were jointly targeting fraud in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs.

27 Aug 2010

New alchemy module allows healthcare providers to verify, comply with state and federal prescription drug regulations

Gold Standard/Elsevier, developer of drug databases and medication management solutions, announced today the availability of its new Alchemy.

27 Aug 2010

APF offers actionable solutions to improve access to pain care

The American Pain Foundation (APF), the nation's largest consumer advocacy organization for people in pain, released today a position statement imploring the medical community, regulators and concerned stakeholders to reaffirm their ethical commitment to the 76.5 million Americans—or one in four people—who struggle with pain, work collaboratively to improve access to pain care and dismantle the barriers preventing timely, appropriate and effective pain care for millions.

27 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 27, 2010

In the headlines today, news about U.S. plans to step up efforts to crack down on health care fraud.

27 Aug 2010

New York State permits Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests

The New York State Department of Health has licensed Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests for use by doctors in the state. The issued Clinical Laboratory Permit is for DNA testing of three enzymes, the cytochrome P450s, that process more than 50 percent of the most commonly prescribed medicines.

27 Aug 2010

H1N1 flu increases complication in children with sickle cell anemia: Study

Children with sickle cell disease are especially hard-hit by the H1N1 flu strain, causing more life-threatening complications than the seasonal flu, according to a study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

27 Aug 2010