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Pfizer's Prevenar 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine receives WHO prequalification

The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted prequalification to Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed])for active immunization of infants and children from 6 weeks through five years of age against invasive disease, pneumonia and otitis media caused by the 13 pneumococcal serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F) contained in the vaccine.

24 Aug 2010

Study finds high glucose level blocks infectious bacteria detection, affects immunity

Research led by the Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick has found that unhealthy glucose levels in patients with diabetes can cause significantly more problems for the body than just the well-known symptoms of the disease such as kidney damage and circulation problems.

24 Aug 2010

Overhaul could vex both insurance executives and brokers

Two professions at opposite ends of the insurance business might not be thrilled with the health overhaul: Senior insurance company executives, and agents and brokers.

24 Aug 2010

FDA OOPD awards Soligenix $1.2M for orBec Phase 3 study in acute gastrointestinal Graft-versus-Host-Disease

Soligenix, Inc., a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it has been awarded a three year $1.2 million clinical research grant by the Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pursuant to its Orphan Products Development (OPD) Program.

24 Aug 2010

Research on fruit fly provides inroads into understanding cancer development

Changes to proteins in a cell underlay many cancers. Rui Martinho at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia (IGC), in Portugal, in collaboration with researchers in Ghent (Belgium) and Bergen (Norway) will use the fruit fly to understand exactly how changes to proteins, identified in the test-tube, impact on the way cells divide in a living organism

24 Aug 2010

HHS to offer $32 million to increase health care access for rural Americans

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today more than $32 million in FY 2010 funds to increase access to health care for Americans living in rural areas. The funds reach across seven programs administered by the Office of Rural Health Policy in HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration.

24 Aug 2010

THL completes acquisition of Intermedix Corporation

Intermedix Corporation, a leading provider of revenue cycle management and software solutions to the emergency healthcare industry, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition by Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. from Parthenon Capital Partners and its minority shareholders including Glenview Capital Management.

24 Aug 2010

Tram accidents on the rise: Study

There has been an increase in tram accidents and injuries, despite new safety measures. In a Melbourne-based study, conducted by a group of emergency doctors, 1,769 cases of trauma that occurred in tram accidents between 2001 and 2008 were looked into.

23 Aug 2010

Measles outbreak in northern NSW and Queensland

There is a confirmed measles outbreak just south of the Queensland border according to Queensland Health authorities. There have been seven cases of this highly infectious disease at Tweed Heads, NSW, including a person who reportedly visited a McDonald’s restaurant at Coolangatta over the weekend. Any residents who visited the fast food outlet between 8am and 1pm on Saturday are advised to check their vaccination status.

23 Aug 2010

Rural development in Australia

Rural health services in Australia are in bad shape. Cancer mortality rates are higher, waiting lines for doctor visits are longer, and budget share of Medicare spending is lower. Despite this the issue has not drawn the attention of the election campaign.

23 Aug 2010

Medica teams up with OptumHealth to deliver CDHPs to all commercial health plan customers

Medica today announced that it has teamed with OptumHealth Financial Services to deliver consumer-directed health plans to all of Medica's commercial health plan customers - making Medica the first health plan in Minnesota to offer a full spectrum of health benefit services to employers of all sizes.

23 Aug 2010

'Village' movement and community health clinics offer alternative models of care

"The village movement dates to the 2001 founding of Beacon Hill Village in Boston. This year, the Village to Village Network launched to help other communities create their own senior support groups. Other sites created to help arrange help for seniors who want to live independently at home: Senior Helpers' services include companionship, conversation, meal planning and house cleaning as well as Alzheimer's and dementia care."

23 Aug 2010

Publix Super Markets to introduce flu immunization program

"Flu clinics are an extension of the services our pharmacies provide to our customers as a convenient and affordable way to receive their vaccinations," said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. "At Publix, our pharmacies are dedicated to building relationships with our customers and their families for total health and wellness all year long."

23 Aug 2010

San Antonio City Council passes new comprehensive smoke-free ordinance

Workers in the second-largest city in Texas can now breathe easier. On August 19, the San Antonio City Council announced that the city's workplaces will now be free of secondhand smoke and risks that come along with it.

23 Aug 2010

Today's opinions: More on the trustee's report, cutting the deficit

Republicans claim to be deeply worried about the deficit — their favorite political target, followed closely by President Obama's relentlessly demonized health care reform. So why are they so determined to overturn one of the central cost-control mechanisms of the new reform law? (8/21).

23 Aug 2010

SEB opens new state-of-the-art laboratory operation, R&D facility

Cryo-Cell International, Inc., one of the largest and most established leaders in stem cell innovation today announced that S-Evans Biosciences, the Company's exclusive Célle menstrual stem cell technology license partner in China has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory operation and research & development facility located in a Hi-Tech park designated to become an epicenter for stem cell and genomics R&D; cellular therapies and stem cell cryopreservation services.

23 Aug 2010

Preclinical studies of BIND-014 to be presented at ACS National Meeting

BIND Biosciences announced today the presentation of its Medicinal Nanoengineering platform at the ACS National Meeting, including results from preclinical studies on its lead nanomedicine drug , BIND-014, scheduled to enter clinical trials later this year. BIND-014 is a targeted, polymeric nanoparticle containing the cytotoxic agent, docetaxel, which is approved in major cancer indications, including breast, prostate and lung.

23 Aug 2010

Fluid dynamics and mechanics to simulate stent design and coating

Suncica "Sunny" Canic was good at math in school, so that's what she pursued as a career. But she always liked medicine, too. When she moved to Houston, Texas, and met some cardiologists at a party, she started talking with them about what they do-and knew she could help them.

23 Aug 2010

Multidisciplinary approach to treat neck and back pain caused by accidents, injuries

Advanced Spine and Headache Center is pleased to announce their expansion into a multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of neck and back pain caused by an auto accident, sports injury, or work related injury. "Our main objective was to integrate physical medicine, chiropractic, physical and massage therapy, and family medicine under one location," said founder Dr. Alex Meltser.

23 Aug 2010

Medical loss ratio rules for insurers could bring controversy to Sebelius' office

Once the National Association of Insurance Commissioners finalizes recommendations on insurance companies' spending on medical costs versus administrative expenses, the next stop for that proposal will be the desk of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Politico reports.

23 Aug 2010