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Significant limitations in new Ginkgo biloba study published in JAMA, says ABC

New research findings published this week on a standardized Ginkgo biloba extract are very limited and the public should focus on the well-documented cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of ginkgo, said the American Botanical Council (ABC), an independent nonprofit research and education organization.

30 Dec 2009

Lakeshore General Hospital restricts patient visits as a result of bacterial outbreak

Lakeshore General Hospital, a West Island HSSC facility, is restricting patient visits in the 4-West medical unit as a result of a bacterial outbreak. Other services provided by this hospital centre will not be affected. This preventive measure will remain in place until January 5.

30 Dec 2009

Spectranetics reports settlement of matters related to federal investigation

Spectranetics Corporation (“Company”) today reported the settlement of matters related to the federal investigation initiated by the Food & Drug Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which was previously announced in a press release dated September 4, 2008.

30 Dec 2009

TeamStaff reaches definitive agreement to sell its TeamStaff Rx to Advantage RN

TeamStaff, Inc., a leading healthcare and logistical staffing provider serving the Federal Government, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell certain assets of its travel nursing and allied healthcare subsidiary, TeamStaff Rx, Inc. to Advantage RN, LLC.

30 Dec 2009

NRG Energy signs contract to provide energy services to UMCPP

NRG Energy, Inc., through its subsidiary NRG Thermal, has signed a contract to provide comprehensive, high-efficiency energy services to the new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP).

30 Dec 2009

CRN stands by Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in improving cognitive function

"It is important to put this study into context and to remember that there is a large body of previously published evidence, which suggests that Ginkgo biloba may help improve cognitive impairment in older adults. There are also additional ongoing clinical trials, the results of which may address some of the limitations of the current study. The results of this single study add to the overall data on Ginkgo biloba, including valuable evidence in support of Ginkgo's safety profile, but should not be viewed as the final word.

30 Dec 2009

RxNT V 6.1.4 wins CCHIT Certified 2011 Standalone ePrescribing certification

Networking Technology, Inc. (NTI), the leader in eprescribing, today announced that their nationally recognized eprescribing product, RxNT V 6.1.4, has achieved CCHIT Certified® 2011 Standalone ePrescribing certification.

30 Dec 2009

Ginkgo biloba does not slow rate of cognitive decline in older adults

Older adults who used the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba for several years did not have a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to adults who received placebo, according to a study in the December 23/30 issue of JAMA.

30 Dec 2009

Pharmacists can reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes if given the chance

The role of pharmacists hasn't received much attention in the debate on the cost of health care. But national and regional studies show that when pharmacists directly participate in patient care, they significantly reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes.

30 Dec 2009

Gene mutation that decreases flesh-eating disease discovered by scientists

Scientists at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston recently discovered a simple gene mutation that decreases the chance people will get a flesh-eating disease called necrotizing fasciitis. Further, they proved that inactivating this section of the gene lessens the devastating disease in humans.

30 Dec 2009

FHCE provides answers to workers to fully benefit from health coverage

To the relief of possibly millions of laid-off workers who've received pink slips or were previously receiving the COBRA health insurance subsidy provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) www.coverageforall.org is providing answers to what workers should do to fully benefit from Congress' latest extension of subsidy benefits as well as other lesser known government health coverage options.

30 Dec 2009

Tarantula venom protein promising for MD

University at Buffalo biophysicists have found a protein in tarantula venom that shows promise as a potential therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD). They have formed a start-up biotech company in Buffalo -- Rose Pharmaceuticals -- to advance the drug to clinical trials.

30 Dec 2009

NFXF applauds the Congress and President for including Fragile X Syndrome for research funding

The National Fragile X Foundation applauds the United States Congress and President Barack Obama for including Fragile X Syndrome for the first time ever within a select group of conditions eligible for research funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

30 Dec 2009

Overview of Psoriasis

Psoriasis, a chronic disease that causes red, raised patches of skin, is increasingly seen as a systemic disease with links to arthritis and cardiovascular disease. The December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource provides an overview of this sometimes embarrassing condition, what's known about it and how it's treated.

30 Dec 2009

Majority of Americans fail at keeping their New Years resolutions to lose weight and get in shape

Nutritionist Judy Pentra, of Patients Medical, a multi-specialty wellness center in New York, warns that the New Year can be a vulnerable time for people trying to lose weight and get in shape. The average person can gain 2-5 pounds during the holidays and many resolve to lose the weight in January, however, 70 percent of Americans fail at keeping their New Years resolutions.

30 Dec 2009

CORE, a biopsychosocial treatment center for weight loss

Earlier this month, leaders in the treatment of weight related disorders and psychiatry joined forces under the Comprehensive Obesity Recovery Effort (CORE, LLC).

30 Dec 2009

U.S. PTO grants reissue patent concerning OSI Pharmaceuticals’ Tarceva

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) has granted reissue patent RE41,065, replacing Tarceva’s® (erlotinib) composition of matter patent (formerly No.5,747,498). The Company had applied for the reissue patent in February 2008, and on September 17, 2009 the Company had announced that the PTO had issued a “Notice of Allowance” accepting the Company’s application to correct certain errors relating to the claiming of compounds, other than Tarceva, which had fallen outside of the scope of the main claim of the patent.

30 Dec 2009