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Medical Oncology recognized at EU level to allow free movement of doctors

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading professional organization for medical oncology in Europe, proudly announced that medical oncology has been included among the medical specialties covered by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, as announced today by the Commission. The decision was taken after several years of intense discussion between ESMO, key national societies and EU Member States.

3 Mar 2011

Rural women seek breast cancer screenings for the good of their families

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs finds that women from rural populations are motivated to seek breast cancer prevention screenings primarily out of concern for the long-term well being of their families. The study shows that by appealing to their strength as caretakers doctors can encourage their rural patients to perform breast health self-examinations, get mammograms, and to talk with doctors about their breast health.

3 Mar 2011

Feet first? Old mitochondria might be responsible for neuropathy in the extremities

The burning, tingling pain of neuropathy may affect feet and hands before other body parts because the powerhouses of nerve cells that supply the extremities age and become dysfunctional as they complete the long journey to these areas, Johns Hopkins scientists suggest in a new study. The finding may eventually lead to new ways to fight neuropathy, a condition that often accompanies other diseases including HIV/AIDS, diabetes and circulatory disorders.

3 Mar 2011

Genetics and cancer research

The 20th century was dominated by breakthroughs in physics and chemistry, but the 21st century will belong to genetics and biotechnology. Cancer research is just one area among many that is being transformed by the sequencing of the human genome. This was one of the topics discussed in our recent panel with leading cancer researchers, part of our Breakthroughs: Cancer series.

3 Mar 2011

Drugs Council says alcohol fundraisers at schools must stop

The Australian National Council on Drugs called for an end to “wine drives” and alcohol fundraisers at schools. The Federal Government peak advisory body on drug use has warned schools in an open letter by chairman Dr John Herron that selling wine to parents to raise funds may be sending the wrong message to students.

3 Mar 2011

Organ transplant deaths investigated

Three women died within one week of each other after they received diseased organs in transplant procedures at the Austin and Royal Melbourne hospitals according to an ongoing inquest.

3 Mar 2011

Clinical trials in Australia take too long– need uniform standards: Report

A government report says that clinical trials for new medicines are taking too long and should be sped up so patients can access urgently needed treatment. The states and territories have been urged to adopt uniform rules on approving trials so the scientific experiments can be conducted more efficiently and effectively.

3 Mar 2011

Low vaccination rates across Australia

Vaccination rate figures show that older Australians are well protected against the flu but less so against pneumococcal disease and whooping cough. These figures were revealed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and they show three-quarters of Australians aged 65 years and older had a flu shot in 2009. Just over half (55 per cent) were also vaccinated against pneumococcal disease.

3 Mar 2011

Ventus Medical's Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy granted CE Mark

Ventus Medical, Inc. a privately-held medical device company dedicated to providing novel products to treat sleep-disordered breathing, today announced that it has received CE Mark for its Provent® Sleep Apnea Therapy.

3 Mar 2011

GOP lawmakers react to Obama's offer of flexibility for states

President Barack Obama's announcement that he would support giving states some flexibility regarding the health law's mandates received a cool reception from many Republicans.

3 Mar 2011

Glenmark Generics granted final FDA approval for generic Xyzal ANDA

Glenmark Generics Inc., USA (GGI), the United States subsidiary of Glenmark Generics Limited (GGL), announced they have been granted final approval for their Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) from the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride 5 mg tablets, the generic version of UCB Inc.'s Xyzal(R) tablets.

3 Mar 2011

Clinton defends State Department budget requests before House panel

In her testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday about President Barack Obama's FY12 budget request, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also defended the State Department's FY11 budget request, Bloomberg reports. Clinton said the proposed budget cuts for FY11 would be "devastating" to U.S. national security, and U.S. programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq would see "sharp reductions" if the proposed cuts are passed.

3 Mar 2011

Rockwell Medical fourth quarter net loss increases to $1.7 million

Rockwell Medical, a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company offering innovative products and services targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and iron deficiency anemia, reported today fourth quarter and full-year 2010 results.

3 Mar 2011

Block grant plan among Medicaid alternatives eyed by GOP

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is among those who advocate this concept, but the Obama administration's Medicaid chief "shot down" the approach.

3 Mar 2011

Protalex initiates enrollment in 3rd cohort of PRTX-100 Phase 1b dose escalation clinical study in RA

Protalex, Inc, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company which is engaged in developing a class of drugs for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, today announced enrollment of the first patients in the 3rd cohort of its ongoing multicenter Phase 1b dose escalation clinical study of PRTX-100 in adult patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) being conducted in South Africa. The dose was increased by a factor of two from the 2nd cohort.

3 Mar 2011

EU's Avastin policy: A stark contrast to the FDA's recent decision

The committee's decision stands in stark contrast to the recent verdict by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is wary of Avastin's benefits for breast-cancer patients.

3 Mar 2011

Infinity commences IPI-926 Phase 2 clinical trial in rare, life-threatening bone cancer

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of a randomized, double-blind Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IPI-926 compared to placebo in patients with metastatic or locally advanced, inoperable chondrosarcoma. The trial is expected to enroll over 100 patients worldwide.

3 Mar 2011

First Edition: March 3, 2011

Today's headlines highlight the difficulties lawmakers will face in finding a compromise on long-term budget issues, such as Medicare and Medicaid spending.

3 Mar 2011

EC grants marketing authorization for InterMune's Esbriet to treat IPF

InterMune, Inc. today announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Esbriet. Esbriet is indicated in adults for the treatment of mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive and fatal lung disease.

3 Mar 2011

'Implementation science' approach to play a critical role in next phase of PEPFAR program

An "implementation science" approach will play a critical role in the next phase of The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, according to an editorial in JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

3 Mar 2011