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Stinging FDA review for Acurox – the implications

The US FDA’s advisory panel’s decision to recommend against approval of Acura Pharmaceuticals/King Pharmaceuticals’ Acurox (oxycodone plus niacin) was based upon the view that data were lacking that niacin-induced flushing could potentially reduce misuse of Acurox with single-ingredient oxycodone. The panel also contended that clinical studies were not conducted in populations that might be likely to benefit from the drug’s purported abuse-deterrent properties, such as those with chronic pain and adolescents who are experimenting with drug use.

27 Apr 2010

Nitration and allergy

Food proteins are nitrated through various processes. Just how these processes affect food allergies, however, is only now coming to light. The latest findings of a research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF are being presented today at an international symposium in Italy. The findings show that in the case of a particular food protein the nitrated form can trigger a stronger allergic reaction than the non-nitrated form. At the same time, however, this nitrated form of the protein is better digested and therefore rendered "harmless".

27 Apr 2010

Sportspeople warned: alcohol will affect recovery

The study featuring in The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS), published by Sports Medicine Australia, investigated whether the consumption of alcohol post exercise has an effect on recovery.

27 Apr 2010

Chocolate and depression?

The ‘chocoholics’ of the world may also be the most depressed people around. A recent study found that those who were suffering from depression ate an average of 8.4 servings of chocolate a month, compared to just 5.4 servings eaten by those who were not depressed. And the people who suffered from major depression ate 11.8 servings per month.

27 Apr 2010

Nurses interrupted – leading to 12% rise in medication errors: study

In a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine on the 26th of April the causes of “procedural failure and clinical error” by nurses in Australian hospitals were analyzed. The study found that nurses made at least one mistake or oversight in a whopping 80.2% of cases where they were administering drugs or other therapy to patients. These mistakes could range from not checking the patient’s identity before giving the drug to not washing hands. Researchers say that in some cases these mistakes could be fatal.

27 Apr 2010

NHS funding a major issue in the coming election

The state of the British economy has made the cut backs in NHS funding a major issue in the coming election. However no matter what the posturing is right now, and no politician wants to be seen making cuts here, there may be no other viable alternatives. No matter who forms the government after 6th May, they will be under great strain to keep their earlier promises of no health fund cuts.

27 Apr 2010

Fears over flu jab adverse reactions in children

Till now more than 250 under five kids have developed some or other adverse reaction to seasonal flu jabs. There has been a mad rush at the adverse events hotline with many parents and healthcare staff panicking as more reports are streaming in. Initially there was a spike in cases in Western Australia but now more cases are being reported from Queensland and South Australia. The affected children developed fever, vomiting and seizures. Even New Zealand has reported three cases of febrile convulsions.

27 Apr 2010

Pennsylvania school districts set goals to reduce childhood obesity

Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity, but opportunities for physical activity did not improve in most schools, according to Pennsylvania nutritional scientists.

26 Apr 2010

Factors of hormone metabolism may make African-Americans more susceptible: Study

High blood pressure also called hypertension is a major health problem that when left untreated can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. African Americans are more likely to develop high blood pressure and develop it earlier in life than Caucasians. But the reasons for the heightened risk in African Americans still remained largely unknown, although new evidence may provide some insight.

26 Apr 2010

Experts warn doctors to be aware of new requirements in health bill's false claims act

"A longtime Miami-Dade healthcare operator and his son have been charged with bilking more than $2.8 million from Medicare in an undercover FBI case. The father has fled the country and the son is cooperating with authorities. Ernesto Angel Montaner and his son, Ernesto Montaner, are accused of operating a network of physical rehabilitation clinics in Miami-Dade that submitted millions of dollars in phony bills to the federal healthcare program for the elderly and disabled between 2003 and 2008" (Weaver, 4/24).

26 Apr 2010

Popular antidepressants may have beneficial side effects for cardiovascular health: Study

A class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may provide a boost to cardiovascular health by affecting the way platelets, small cells in the blood involved in clotting, clump together, say researchers at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.

26 Apr 2010

AHRQ releases Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit

Several studies have found that a majority of American adults have trouble with basic health literacy tasks such as reading and understanding prescription drug labels and following their doctors' instructions correctly.

26 Apr 2010

Urigen Pharmaceuticals secures debt held by Platinum-Montaur Life Sciences

Urigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of treatments for urological disorders and pain, announced today that the secured debt held by Platinum-Montaur Life Sciences, LLC has been converted into a newly created Series C Preferred Stock of the Company. As a result of the conversion, the lien on the Company's assets, including its intellectual property will be extinguished.

26 Apr 2010

e-MDs selected as one of two recommended EHR vendors by AEHRA

e-MDs, an industry leader in the development and implementation of electronic health record and practice management solutions, announced they have been selected as one of two recommended EHR vendors by the Alaska EHR Alliance. e-MDs was identified through The EHR Selection Project as an endorsed vendor to Alaska healthcare providers looking to incorporate an EHR in their clinical practice.

26 Apr 2010

ATCC introduces CRMs for method validation and method-performance verification

ATCC announces the launch of Certified Reference Materials, issued under ISO Guide 34 and ISO 17025:2005 accredited and ISO 9001:2008 certified laboratories. As a certified reference material producer, the combined accreditations demonstrate the highest level of quality assurance, accuracy and traceability for ATCC customers.

26 Apr 2010

CHE selects Zynx Health to deploy order sets and plans of care to 18 acute care hospitals

Catholic Health East, a multi-institutional health system headquartered in Newtown Square, Pa., announced it has selected Zynx Health, the market leader in providing evidence-based and experience-based clinical decision support solutions, to deploy order sets and plans of care to 18 of its acute care hospitals.

26 Apr 2010

Dozens of states pass, debate greater restrictions on abortion

Dozens of states are passing or debating new restrictions on abortion, a trend fueled in part by passage of the nation's new health care law. Both sides of the hot-button issue are seeing new approaches to reduce abortions. … So far, 2010 has been 'very successful,' said Mary Spaulding Balch of the National Right to Life Committee.

26 Apr 2010

Comprehensive book on reconstructive techniques for degenerative mitral valve disease

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, proudly announces the release of a brand-new single volume comprehensive book on reconstructive techniques for degenerative mitral valve disease by the internationally renowned cardiac surgeon and educator, Dr. Alain Carpentier. The book will launch at the 90th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 1 - 5, 2010.

26 Apr 2010

General Dynamics Information Technology awarded task order to support HHS' CMS

General Dynamics Information Technology's VIPS business sector, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a task order to support the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

26 Apr 2010

Huntington Hospital integrates new electronic order set solution to CPOE system

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Huntington Hospital has selected ProVation Order Sets, powered by UpToDate Decision Support, to automate the creation, deployment and maintenance of evidence-based order sets.

26 Apr 2010