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Fish oil does not lower risk of serious heart rhythm abnormalities for patients with implantable defibrillators

Even though previous research has shown that fatty acids from fish oil reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, patients with implantable defibrillators who took fish oil supplements did not see a reduction in serious heart rhythm abnormalities, according to a study in the June 15 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

14 Jun 2005

Study reveals benefits of using insulin earlier

Results of an all-Canadian study announced June 13 at an international diabetes congress demonstrate that patients with type 2 diabetes can safely achieve target blood sugar (glycemic) levels faster and more frequently when insulin glargine (a basal, long-acting insulin) is added to therapy, versus using oral agents alone.

14 Jun 2005

'Hazardous' drinking and drug use are much less severe but much more common than dependence

Research has found that individuals with alcohol and drug dependencies have a greater occurrence of injuries, hypertension, HIV, hepatitis, acid-related peptic disorders, liver cirrhosis, depression, anxiety disorders, and major psychoses.

14 Jun 2005

Causes, consequences and clinical implications of alcohol-related brain shrinkage

Previous studies have demonstrated that the brains of alcoholics are smaller, lighter and "shrunken" when compared to nonalcoholic brains.

14 Jun 2005

FDA grants Vical orphan-drug designation

Vical Incorporated today announced that the Office of Orphan Products Development of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated the company's bivalent (two-plasmid) formulation of the company's vaccine against cytomegalovirus (CMV) as an orphan drug for the prevention of clinically significant CMV viremia, CMV disease and associated complications in at-risk hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) populations.

14 Jun 2005

GenoMed to be awarded new patent, for treating acute kidney failure without dialysis

GenoMed announced today that the US Patent Office has allowed claims and will be following up with an issued patent shortly on the Company's protocol to treat acute kidney failure with a drug rather than the dialysis machine.

14 Jun 2005

New genetic test may detect risk of rare complication from anesthesia

A rare but potentially life- threatening inherited condition called malignant hyperthermia (MH) may strike surgical patients who receive common drugs for general anesthesia.

14 Jun 2005

Non-profit public-private partnership develops affordable, new drug regimens for tuberculosis

The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance), a non-profit public-private partnership developing affordable, new drug regimens for tuberculosis, today announced the start of Phase I clinical trials for the lead TB drug in its pipeline, PA-824. The trials begin this month.

14 Jun 2005

Royal Pharmaceutical Society responds to over the counter medication report

Responding to the British Medical Association's (BMA) report, Over the counter medication, David Pruce, Director of Practice and Quality Improvement, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, said:

14 Jun 2005

Strategic analysis of the European regional anaesthesia kits market

Growing awareness of regional anaesthesia’s myriad benefits has boosted the number of such procedures being performed across Europe. This trend is, in turn, set to trigger increased uptake of regional anaesthesia kits.

14 Jun 2005

New study supporting the importance of aggressive cholesterol-lowering

New clinical data shows that intensive cholesterol-lowering to targets below currently recommended levels significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke for people with diabetes and heart disease.

14 Jun 2005

Cholera epidemic feared in Afghan capital

More than 2,000 cases of cholera have been reported in the Afghan capital Kabul, and health experts fear the city is on the verge of a cholera epidemic.

14 Jun 2005

Treating pregnancy-related diabetes helps babies and improves the mother's health-related quality of life

A major international study coordinated from Adelaide, South Australia has shown that treating pregnant women who develop mild gestational (pregnancy-related) diabetes helps their babies and improves the mother's health-related quality of life without increasing the risk of caesarean section.

14 Jun 2005

Combination of over-the-counter pharmacy drugs and prescription drugs dangerous

A British Medical Association (BMA) study is warning that combining over-the-counter pharmacy drugs with prescription medicine can be dangerous. The study authors say there is an over-use of pharmacy drugs as people try to manage their own health rather than going to a doctor.

14 Jun 2005