Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

An Animal Model For Schizophrenia Identifies A Novel Approach For Treating Cognitive Impairments Associated With Schizophrenia
Researchers have been seeking a safe and effective way to treat cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia by enhancing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors. Functional deficits in NMDA receptors may contribute to the underlying neurobiology of this disorder. The first generation of studies trying to stimulate NMDA receptors administered large amounts of substances, like glycine or D-serine, which indirectly enhance NMDA receptor function. While there were some positive reports of efficacy, findings across studies were more inconsistent than was hoped.

Report Estimates Significant Impact Of Widespread Circumcision Effort In Botswana
Botswana"s campaign to circumcise about 500,000 men by 2012 will prevent nearly 70,000 new HIV cases by 2025, according to a report published Thursday in the Journal of the International AIDS Society, AFP/Yahoo! News reports. The government"s national campaign aims to circumcise 460,000 men over the next five years, and the country has begun airing television and radio advertisements to encourage men to be circumcised at local clinics. "Scaling up safe male circumcision has the potential to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS in Botswana significantly," according to the study. The report puts the estimated cost of the circumcision campaign at about $47 million. A UNAIDS report estimates that the HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Botswana was 43% in 2003, the year that antiretroviral drug access was introduced in the country (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/28).
News of the day
ASHP, ASHP Foundation Launch Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the ASHP Foundation today announced the Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative (PPMI), the next major step in the evolution of pharmacy practice in hospitals and health systems.
Cardiovascular

Transparency In Medical Research And Education

U.S. Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) of the Special Committee on Aging held a hearing to address the issue of transparency in physician-industry financial relationships. Among the hearing"s topics were the industry"s involvement in continuing medical education and its potential use as a method for promoting "off-label" prescribing. The senators heard from witnesses about different ways to achieve balance between appropriate industry involvement in continuing medical education while mitigating unethical and illegal promotion. "To stay current in the medical field and to maintain a medical license, doctors devote substantial time to develop their medical knowledge and skills through continuing medical education," said Martinez, the lead Republican on the Senate"s Special Committee on Aging. "Sometimes the line between medical education and improper promotion of products for "off-label" uses can be blurred, raising questions about patient well-being and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, such as through Medicaid. This is why transparency and appropriate, commonsense safeguards are necessary." Earlier this year, Senator Martinez introduced a Medicaid transparency effort to make all Medicaid payments to providers public, making it easier to identify potentially fraudulent billing. The Medicaid Accountability through Transparency or "MAT" act will provide transparency in billing for services and medical equipment by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to disclose the Medicaid payment data it already collects on a public-accessible Web site. The MAT act is consistent with the goal of Senators Kohl and Grassley"s (R-IA) measure, the Physician Payments Sunshine act." "Patients rely on doctors to sift through all options of treatment and use that information to make sound judgments about the benefits and risks of certain medical procedures, drugs, and devices they are recommending for their patients and ultimately charging Medicare and Medicaid for," said Martinez. "Disclosing payments to doctors, be they from Medicaid or from pharmaceutical companies, allows the public to reach their own conclusions about the appropriateness of such payment arrangements. Transparency needs to be the bedrock of our health care system." The Office of Senator Mel Martinez


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009