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More health overhaul policies settling in

The Wall Street Journal: "Almost 2,000 employers and unions will be eligible to submit retirees' medical bills for reimbursement by a $5 billion federal fund, the Obama administration will disclose Tuesday, suggesting the fund will be spread widely but thinly." General Motors, Pepsi, Alcoa and Pfizer are among the major employers that are said to be signing up.

2 Sep 2010

Amedica Corporation receives patent for knee implant prosthesis with monoblock ceramic tibial component

Amedica Corporation, a spinal and orthopaedic implant and instrument company focused on unique silicon nitride (SiN) ceramic technologies, announced today that it has been granted United States Patent No. 7,776,085 B2, covering an improved knee implant prosthesis that features a monoblock ceramic tibial component for articulation with natural or prosthetic (resurfaced) femoral surfaces.

2 Sep 2010

Michigan, New York roll out high-risk pools

In Michigan, enrollment begins today and is open to adults 19 to 64, the Detroit Free Press reports. The pool "will provide comprehensive but not necessarily cheap coverage for people who can prove they have been denied health insurance in the past six months" and is "intended for any uninsured people in the last six months and who had been turned down by an insurer because of a pre-existing health problem.

2 Sep 2010

Insuring your health: Regulators probe allegations of fraud in health credit cards

In this Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "These days, you may leave your dentist's office with more than a toothbrush and dental floss in your bag. Thousands of dentists are offering patients health-care credit cards to cover the work that needs to be done, with seemingly hard-to-resist repayment terms.

2 Sep 2010

FDA approves LUMIGAN eye drops for intraocular pressure reduction in open-angle glaucoma patients

Allergan, Inc. today announced the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LUMIGAN (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.01% as a first-line therapy indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

2 Sep 2010

Tech News: Feds name health IT certifiers; IBM seeks to crack China's health sector

Federal health officials gave two firms -- the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology in Chicago, Ill., and the Drummond Group in Austin, Texas, -- the power to certify electronic medical record vendors effective immediately, The Hill reports. "As providers move toward mandatory adoption of EHR systems, HHS created an incentive program designed to encourage the transition." Hospitals and doctors can receive payments for achieving "meaningful use," a set of requirements laid out by federal officials.

2 Sep 2010

TriMark predicts regenerative medicine products will exceed $3 billion in 2010

TriMark Publications, LLC a global leader in the biotechnology, healthcare and life sciences publishing, cites in its newly published Regenerative Medicine Markets report that the global market for regenerative medicine products will exceed $3 billion in 2010 and is expected to reach $4.5 billion by 2014.

2 Sep 2010

Also in Global Health News: China's first HIV discrimination case; Congo mass rape; S. Sudan flooding; Kenya's population growth; Family planning in the Philippines

"A municipal court in central China has accepted the country's first lawsuit alleging work discrimination because of HIV status, state media reported Tuesday," the Associated Press reports (8/31). "The lawsuit alleges city officials denied the plaintiff, a recent college graduate, a teaching job after a medical screening revealed he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS," Agence-France-Presse reports (8/31).

2 Sep 2010

Today's Opinions: Pawlenty's order against the health overhaul, repealing the health law and more about health care costs

The move can be explained in no other way than in being a totally partisan decision, intended to shore up his conservatism in what will be a 2012 battle of who is more conservative to wear the Republican mantle for president (9/1).

2 Sep 2010

PDL BioPharma reports revenue guidance of $86 million for 2010 third quarter

PDL BioPharma, Inc. today announced revenue guidance for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 of approximately $86 million, as compared with actual results of $71.4 million for the third quarter of 2009, a 20 percent year-over-year increase.

2 Sep 2010

Martek Biosciences 2010 third quarter revenue increases 51% to $117.2 million

Martek Biosciences Corporation today announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

2 Sep 2010

Accuray Incorporated 2010 fourth quarter revenue increases to $61.8 million

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010, ended June 30, 2010.

2 Sep 2010

World becoming numb to HIV/AIDS: UNAIDS executive director

HIV infection is on the rise but there is potential to control the upsurge of infections with effective measures only if there are adequate funds. According to UNAIDS executive director Michel Sidibe the world has become numb to the fact that 7,400 people are being infected with AIDS every day and funds to combat it are not pouring in as they should. Since 2001, the number of newly infected people has fallen by 17 per cent a year - but there are still 2.7 million new cases each year.

1 Sep 2010

Overflowing petitions to save local GP from deregistration

General Practitioner Dr Rajendra Moodley has helped hundreds of people in his care during his tenure. After being deregistered by the Medical Board of Australia last Friday, his patients are rising to appeal the deregistration decision.

1 Sep 2010

Doctor depression on the rise: Review

According to a review of Australian and international research released by Beyondblue this week, doctors use more prescription drugs and have a higher rate of suicide than the general population. General Practitioner Naomi Harris says doctors are less inclined to seek help for their own mental illness, resulting in some disturbing trends and she is urging doctors to come out for help being a member of an advisory committee formed to deal with the problem.

1 Sep 2010

Event Pulse report reveals impact of new therapies on MS drug market

The study titled Event Pulse Preview: Multiple Sclerosis shows that 84% of neurologists expect to prescribe Gilenia for some MS patients if approved, but prescribing will likely be limited to second- or third-line therapy until concerns about safety and monitoring requirements are resolved.

1 Sep 2010

World Bank calls for more integrated approach to global water management

"We can't properly tackle global priorities of food security, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, public health and urbanization unless we manage water better," Julia Bucknall, water sector manager for the World Bank, said, according to a World Bank press release.

1 Sep 2010

Report finds some donated malaria drugs are being stolen, resold In Africa

Some of the malaria drugs given to Africa by international donors are "being stolen and resold on commercial markets," according to a study to be released Thursday in the journal Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine, the Associated Press reports.

1 Sep 2010

Federal domestic spending increased a record 16%

The Census Bureau reported Thursday that federal "domestic spending increased a record 16 percent, to $3.2 trillion, in 2009 … largely because of a boost in aid to the unemployed and the huge economic stimulus package enacted to rescue the sinking economy," The Washington Post reports.

1 Sep 2010

Unpleasant short term side-effects of sunburn dont put off sun-seeking Brits

The research - commissioned by Superdrug and Cancer Research UK as part of their joint campaign to encourage people to enjoy the sun safely this summer - highlights the worrying lengths sun-seeking Brits are prepared to go to in search of a tan.

31 Aug 2010