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Some combination drug therapies are counter-productive

Combination drug therapy has become a staple for treating many infections. For instance, doctors treat extensively drug resistant forms of tuberculosis with one drug that breaks down the pathogen's protective barriers and opens the door for another to deliver the deathblow.

16 Nov 2009

New reversible blood thinner for angioplasty patients not superior over placebo

A new reversible blood thinner for angioplasty patients wasn't superior over placebo for its primary combined endpoint of heart attack, all-cause mortality and need for revascularization, but it reduced mortality and in-stent blood clots, researchers reported in a late-breaking clinical trial presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009.

16 Nov 2009

Department of Health to conduct statewide clinics to administer free H1N1 vaccine

The Department of Health today announced it will conduct statewide clinics from Nov. 20-22 to administer free H1N1 vaccine to individuals in the recommended target groups that have not had previous access to the vaccine.

16 Nov 2009

Study finds striking similarities in people with schizophrenia across 37 different countries

An international study of more than 17,000 people with schizophrenia has found striking similarities in symptoms, medication, employment and sexual problems, despite the fact that it covered a diverse range of patients and healthcare systems in 37 different countries.

16 Nov 2009

Concuity announces the new release of ClearContracts 9.0

Concuity, a healthcare division of Trintech (Nasdaq: TTPA) and a leading provider of Revenue Cycle Management technology and services, announced the new release of ClearContracts(TM) 9.0. Used by the largest and most sophisticated hospital systems in the U.S., ClearContracts(TM) is a web-based suite of software that enables healthcare providers to meet all of their managed care and revenue recovery goals.

16 Nov 2009

Court certifies class action lawsuit against Abbott Medical Optics

An Orange County Superior Court Judge has certified a class action against Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., on behalf of all California consumers who purchased a contact lens solution the Centers for Disease Control have linked to a parasitic infection that can cause blindness or the complete loss of an eye.

16 Nov 2009

New reversible oral anti-platelet medication had fewer cardiac events in heart attack patients

Acutely ill heart attack patients who received both aspirin and a new reversible oral anti-platelet medication had fewer cardiac events than patients on aspirin and the most commonly used, irreversible anti-platelet drug, researchers reported in a late-breaking clinical trial presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2009.

16 Nov 2009

Potential success of U.N. World Food Summit questioned

Next week's World Food Summit in Rome "is not likely to make more than token headway in the fight against hunger, with leaders merely pledging to boost aid to poor countries but setting no targets or deadlines for action," Reuters/New York Times reports.

16 Nov 2009

Simcere Pharmaceutical announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China, today reported unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

16 Nov 2009

Rainfall and temperature linked with dengue fever

Research published this week in PLoS Medicine demonstrates associations between local rainfall and temperature and cases of dengue fever, which affects an estimated fifty million people per year worldwide.

16 Nov 2009

Chronic pain patients with depression three times more likely to receive opioid medications

Chronic pain patients with a history of depression are three times more likely to receive long-term prescriptions for opioid medications like Vicodin compared to pain patients who do not suffer from depression, according to new research.

16 Nov 2009

AMA calls for swift passage of the H.R. 3961

Urging swift passage of a bill to repeal the broken Medicare physician payment formula that threatens seniors' access to care, the AMA added a new dimension to its Medicare campaign today with radio ads airing in markets across the nation. In addition to the ads, the AMA is activating its nationwide grassroots network of patients and physicians and intensifying communication to physicians through online and social media.

16 Nov 2009

Majority Leader still aims to bring health bill to Senate floor next week

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid continues to aim to get a health care reform bill to the floor next week, his spokeswoman said Friday, MarketWatch reports. "No date has been set to bring the bill to the floor for debate, she said, adding that Reid wants to bring it up 'as soon as we can.'"

16 Nov 2009

New surgical technique may benefit brain injured athletes

NFL players and other athletes who suffer serious or multiple concussions may benefit from ground-breaking research being conducted by scientists at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. The scientists are developing a surgical technique that involves hypothermia in specific regions of the brain.

16 Nov 2009

Medicare open enrollment starts Sunday, premiums will rise 11 percent on average

U.S. News & World Report/HealthDay News reports that seniors who participate in Medicare Part D's will likely notice significant changes during this year's open enrollment period, which begins Nov. 15. "Monthly premiums will rise 11 percent to $38.94, on average, according to an analysis published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. That's up 50 percent from 2006, the first year that Medicare Part D drug benefits were offered."

16 Nov 2009

Cappella commences evaluation of the Sideguard Coronary Sidebranch Stent & Delivery System

Cappella, Inc., a medical device company developing dynamic solutions for the treatment of coronary bifurcation disease, announced the start of Sideguard 3, an IVUS/OCT evaluation of the Sideguard® Coronary Sidebranch Stent & Delivery System. This is a European multicenter study to evaluate the vascular response to Sideguard in de novo bifurcation lesions of native coronary arteries.

16 Nov 2009

News outlets examine USAID administrator nomination

PBS' Online NewsHour explores the recent nomination of Rajiv Shah as USAID administrator and the outlook for the agency. "While Shah still needs to be confirmed by the Senate, there has been high anticipation for a successor to be named. There is broad consensus in the government and aid community that the agency … is in need of realignment," the NewsHour writes.

16 Nov 2009

SCM Microsystems announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

SCM Microsystems, Inc., a leading provider of solutions for secure access, secure identity and secure exchange, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. In the second reporting period following SCM's merger with Hirsch Electronics Corporation, revenue more than doubled, reflecting the success of the Company's strategy to increase its revenue by expanding its customer base and market reach through acquisitions and market investment.

16 Nov 2009

TIME examines efforts to combat malaria resistance along Thai-Cambodia border

TIME reports on evidence along the Thai-Cambodia border that the malaria parasite is gaining resistance to artemisinin - "the only remaining effective drug in the world's arsenal against malaria's most deadly strain."

16 Nov 2009

Feds overlooked Medicare scam warnings, The AP reports

The Associated Press reports that the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services "received roughly 30 warnings from inspectors (on suspected Medicare fraud) over three years during the Bush and Obama administrations but didn't respond to half of them, even after repeated letters." The news story was based on records received from Sen. Chuck Grassley's office.

16 Nov 2009