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Private firms take up torch of health IT push

Health insurance companies, doctors' professional associations and provider organizations are taking efforts to move hospitals and physicians towards 'meaningful use' of information technology into their own hands, The Hill reports.

7 Aug 2010

Obama Administration awards $159.1 million in grants for nurses, geriatric care workers

"The grants, which include new and continuing funding, build on multimillion dollar investments called for under the new health-care overhaul law in order to address a growing shortage of primary care workers." A 2008 report by the Council on Physician and Nurse Supply said schools would need to produce 30,000 nurses annually to offset the shortfall and the looming mass retirement of nurses, 45 percent of whom are 50 or older" (Aizenman, 8/5).

7 Aug 2010

Synthetech first-quarter fiscal 2011 revenue decreases 56% to $2.0 million

Synthetech, Inc. today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011, which ended June 30, 2010. Revenue for the quarter was $2.0 million, a 56% decrease compared to revenue of $4.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The operating loss for the current quarter was $727,000, compared to operating income of $1.0 million for the same period last year. The net loss for the current quarter was $763,000, or $0.05 per basic share, compared to last year's first quarter net income of $969,000, or $0.07 per basic share.

7 Aug 2010

Walgreens launches Pharmacy Chat for 24/7 online access

With 20 percent of Walgreens 7,500-plus pharmacies open 24 hours daily, Walgreens patients nationwide rely on the round-the-clock convenience and accessibility of Walgreens pharmacy. Now, Walgreens is making its trusted pharmacy staff even more accessible - available any time online - with Walgreens Pharmacy Chat. Pharmacy Chat is a live, one-on-one, online chat with a pharmacy staff member available 24/7

7 Aug 2010

Helix BioMedix second-quarter revenue increases 139% to $330,000

Helix BioMedix, Inc., a developer of bioactive peptides, today announced financial results for the company's second quarter 2010 ended June 30, 2010.

7 Aug 2010

FDA approves Lannett's ANDA for Ondansetron Injection

Lannett Company, Inc., a manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals, announced today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Ondansetron Injection, USP, 2 mg/mL, Single-Dose Vials. Ondansetron Injection, USP, 2 mg/mL is the generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's Zofran Injection, 2 mg/mL.

7 Aug 2010

UCSF researchers discover new technology purifying special types of stem cells

UCSF researchers are reporting the first success in very rapidly purifying one type of embryonic stem cell from a mix of many different types of embryonic stem cells in the culture dish. The technique, which avoids the need to genetically alter the cells to distinguish them, is a key advance, the researchers say, for obtaining the appropriate cells for repairing specific damaged tissues.

7 Aug 2010

Blue Cross of Massachusetts agrees to reduce dramatic rate increases

In Massachusetts, the state's largest health insurer has agreed to reduce dramatic rate increases for individuals and small businesses.

7 Aug 2010

Health reform provisions on abortion, IRS reporting requirements stirring up Capitol Hill

The Hill reports that Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced legislation Thursday "designed to eliminate a controversial provision of the Democrats' new healthcare reform law that allows subsidized plans to offer abortion coverage if patients pay separately, and with their own money, for that portion of the coverage.

7 Aug 2010

Drugs that reduce activity of ABDH6 enzyme can prevent brain damage: Study

A newly discovered molecular mechanism helps control the amount and effectiveness of a substance that mimics an active ingredient in marijuana, but that is produced by the body's own nerve cells.

7 Aug 2010

GenVec signs new agreement with Novartis for supply of services relating to development materials

GenVec, Inc. today announced a new agreement for the supply of services relating to development materials with Novartis, related to the companies' collaboration in hearing loss and balance disorders. Under this new agreement, GenVec could receive approximately $13 million over four years to manufacture clinical trial material for up to two lead candidates.

7 Aug 2010

Multiple tattoos increase risk of contracting hepatitis C: Study

Youth, prison inmates and individuals with multiple tattoos that cover large parts of their bodies are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases, according to a University of British Columbia study.The researchers reviewed and analysed 124 studies from 30 countries, including Canada, Iran, Italy, Brazil and the United States, and found the incidence of hepatitis C after tattooing is directly linked with the number of tattoos an individual receives. The findings are published in the current issue of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

7 Aug 2010

Equatorial Guinea, ECCAS partner to form network to fight H1N1, HIV

Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) and the Global Viral Forecasting Initiative, along with several Central African States, have partnered with the Economic Community of Central African States to form a network to fight H1N1 and HIV. The purpose of the network's recent forum was to share knowledge and best practices, and to collect data and prevention procedures among military health professionals in the region.

7 Aug 2010

Progenics announces EMA CHMP positive opinion for RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency, has issued a positive opinion for RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) subcutaneous injection in pre-filled syringes.

7 Aug 2010

From Florida to Oregon, Medicare Advantage's benefits – and cuts – vary

This Kaiser Health News story by David Gulliver, produced in partnership with Health News Florida, explores how the impact of changes to Medicare Advantage will differ from place to place across the country.

7 Aug 2010

FDA declines to grant Levulan PDT Orphan Designation: DUSA Pharmaceuticals

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported today that on the afternoon of August 5, 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified DUSA that it has not granted Orphan Drug Designation for the use of Levulan (aminolevulinic acid HCl) Photodynamic Therapy for the prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in patients who have a proven history of multiple localized cutaneous SCCs over a 12 month period.

7 Aug 2010

Funk Out Cancer to raise money, awareness for research at University of Wisconsin

Funk Out Cancer is back for the second annual concert and silent auction to raise money and awareness for cancer research at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Funk Out Cancer will feature music by international recording artists funk/jazz trio SOULIVE along with special guests Madison's own Phat Phunktion and Mama Digdown's Brass Band. The event will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 7:00 PM at the Orpheum Theatre, Madison.

7 Aug 2010

College of Nursing awarded $753,817 grant to provide education in nursing leadership

The University of Colorado College of Nursing has been awarded a $753,817 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to prepare advanced practice nurses with the expertise to provide leadership for high quality healthcare in rural and medically underserved urban areas.

7 Aug 2010

Surgery offers high survival rate for prostate cancer patients: Study

Surgery for localized prostate cancer offers a significantly higher survival rate than either external-beam radiation or hormonal therapies, according to a new study led by researchers at UCSF.The differences among therapies were more prominent at higher levels of cancer risk, and suggest, the researchers say, that in many cases surgery should play a greater role in treatment strategies for patients with prostate cancer that is likely to recur or spread.

7 Aug 2010

OncoGenex reports net income in second-quarter 2010 against loss last year

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported unaudited financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and reviewed the Company's highlights for the second quarter of 2010.

7 Aug 2010