Giant Supermarkets Gives Away Generic Antibiotics

The chain is the latest to promote new offerings of inexpensive -- in this case, free -- generics.

Blagojevich’s Would-Be Senator Burris on Health Care

Roland Burris has criticized drug-company profits and fought a cut in Medicaid payment rates during his long political career.

Equivocal Data on Plavix Flummox FDA, Doctors

The FDA is considering a label update as new studies come to different conclusions about Plavix's effect on patients.

FDA Panel to Weigh Fate of Heart Drug Prasugrel in February

Approval of Lilly's anti-clotting drug prasugrel has been delayed twice this year. Now a February date has been set for a panel meeting to mull the medicine in public.

Harvard Psychiatrist Biederman Stops Industry-Funded Work Amid Probe

Sen. Charles Grassley has accused the prominent child psychiatrist of failing to disclose payments from drugmakers.

Bayer to Abbott: You Owe Us for Humira

Arguing that the drug infringes on its patent, Bayer is seeking damages in federal court.

NY Health Chief Takes Soda-Tax Pitch to YouTube

High-minded arguments meet low production values.

Listening to Patients With Foreign Accent Syndrome

What patients sound like when they're struck with an ailment that makes them seem to be foreign speakers of their native language.

A Holiday Ritual: Rushing to See the Doctor

Your health insurance deductible is about to reset. Any last-minute procedures you need before the new year?

Fighting Equipment Fraud, Medicare Amps Up Rules for Suppliers

Medicare has struggled to control billing fraud among companies that claim to supply medical equipment such as wheelchairs.

State Docs Could Get Tax Break for Treating Medicaid Patients

The bill aims to make it easier for Medicaid recipients to find health care.

Fighting Equipment Fraud, Medicare Amps Up Rules for Suppliers

Medicare has struggled to control billing fraud among companies that claim to supply medical equipment such as wheelchairs.

Could We Possibly Want Obama to Sneak a Cigarette in a Crisis?

Heavy smokers can experience cognitive problems when they stop, but there's little evidence that those symptoms occur in people who have smoked less frequently.

Bariatric Surgery Eases Diabetes in Obese Teens

A study in the journal Pediatrics shows evidence of remission of diabetes among severely obese teens who underwent weight-loss surgery.

OSHA Backed Off Workplace Health Warnings Under Bush

From 2001 to the end of 2007, OSHA officials issued 86% fewer regulations termed "economically significant" than were issued during a similar period under the Clinton administration.

Bariatric Surgery Eases Diabetes in Obese Teens

A study in the journal Pediatrics shows evidence of remission of diabetes among severely obese teens who underwent weight-loss surgery.

OSHA Backed Off Workplace Health Warnings Under Bush

From 2001 to the end of 2007, OSHA officials issued 86% fewer regulations termed "economically significant" than were issued during a similar period under the Clinton administration.

Confidentiality of Psychiatric Manual’s Update Draws Gripes

For the first time, contributors to an update of an important manual of psychiatric disorders must sign a nondisclosure agreement.

Why Insurers Pay Certain Massachusetts Hospitals More

Partners HealthCare, the umbrella over Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals, tends to get heftier fees from insurers than other hospitals in the area.

Viagra: The CIA’s Secret Weapon in Afghanistan

Sometimes, the little blue pill is just the thing for winning over the support of the locals.

Why Insurers Pay Certain Massachusetts Hospitals More

Partners HealthCare, the umbrella over Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals, tends to get heftier fees from insurers than other hospitals in the area.

Viagra: The CIA’s Secret Weapon in Afghanistan

Sometimes, the little blue pill is just the thing for winning over the support of the locals.

Want Longer, Fuller Eyelashes? There’s a Drug for That!

The FDA approved an Allergan drug for eyelashes.

Harvard Researcher Tied to Shaklee ‘Anti-Aging Tonic’ Vivix

David Sinclair was a paid advisor to Shaklee, which sold what it called the "world's best anti-aging supplement." He now disputes the use of his name and words to promote the supplement, Vivix.

As States Cut Medicaid, Feds Mull Funding Increase

Government health insurance for the poor is being cut in states around the country. Under the Obama adminstration, more federal money could soon be on the way.

Vietnam Pushes Back Against AIDS Epidemic

Amid a growing epidemic, the government is changing its stance toward some drug users.

Santa Got His Annual Checkup; Should You Have One too?

Some argue that even if your insurer pays for an annual exam, it may be a waste of your time and the country's precious health resources.

Glaxo’s Best-Laid Plans for a Flu Pandemic

If your company makes a vaccine to be used in case of a flu pandemic, you'd better hope your workers don't get sidelined by the bug.

Stark Blasts Insurers as the ‘General Motors of Medical Care Delivery’

Pete Stark, influential House Democrat, said he thinks insurers want Democrats to fail on health reform.

Massachusetts Biotech CEO Fined for Ethics Violation

Robert K. Coughlin was working on business development for the state while pursuing a job as head of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.

FDA Frowns on ‘Plus’ in Diet Coke Label

The FDA warned Coca-Cola that Diet Coke Plus violates federal law because it doesn't meet the criteria to make a nutrient claim.

Millions of Older Americans at Risk from Drug Interactions

Researchers found red flags raised by combinations of prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds and dietary supplements.

FDA Frowns on ‘Plus’ in Diet Coke Label

The FDA warned Coca-Cola that Diet Coke Plus violates federal law because it doesn't meet the criteria to make a nutrient claim.

Millions of Older Americans at Risk from Drug Interactions

Researchers found red flags raised by combinations of prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds and dietary supplements.

FDA Frowns on ‘Plus’ in Diet Coke Label

The FDA warned Coca-Cola that Diet Coke Plus violates federal law because it doesn't meet the criteria to make a nutrient claim.

Michael Jackson May Need Lung Transplant

The pop star reportedly suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Under Grassley’s Glare, Emory’s Nemeroff Gives Up Psychiatry Chair

A prominent researcher in clinical depression, Nemeroff has been hit by a steady stream of criticism since Sen. Charles Grassley first alleged he failed to disclose hundreds of thousands in payments from GlaxoSmithKline.

Economy Be Damned: I’m Getting My Botox

Despite the recession, plastic surgeons say demand is just fine for Botox, dermal fillers used to plump up lips and smile lines, and skin-smoothing chemical peels.

FDA Warns Diet Pills Contain Risky Prescription Drugs

The agency said more than 25 over-the-counter diet products contained undeclared prescription drugs that could harm people.

Ex-Cedars-Sinai Worker Charged With Identity Theft, Insurance Fraud

The man allegedly set up a fake lab company and then used the names of workers' compensation beneficiaries to submit claims for lab services that were never rendered.

Top Hazards From Medical Devices in Hospitals

Problems with alarms, needlesticks and air embolisms top the list of hazards compiled by a group that monitors patient safety.

Top 10 Hazards From Medical Devices in Hospitals

Problems with alarms, needlesticks and air embolisms top the list of hazards compiled by a group that monitors patient safety.

Maryland Hospitals Take Patients to Court over Unpaid Bills

Hospitals say they sue patients who can afford to pay and ignore collection efforts.

Cheap Generics Get Patients in the Pharmacy Door

Walgreen says that 30% of the members in its prescription savings club are people new to its pharmacies.

NCI Chief Niederhuber Wants to Stay On Under Obama

John Niederhuber came to the National Cancer Institute three years ago. Now, he wants to stick around despite being a Bush appointee to the top job.

FDA Drug Approvals Inch Upward in 2008

FDA approvals of new drugs this year are expected to narrowly exceed the 18 first-of-a-kind medicines given the green light in 2007.

Elsevier Looks Into Charge of Ghostwriting by Wyeth

The medical publisher is looking into whether an article it published about hormone-replacement therapy was actually penned by ghostwriters.

Companies Play Catch-Up on Colon Cancer Drug Supply

Teva says its customer demand rose, while Bedford says an expansion of its manufacturing facilities has caused delays.

Elan CEO Defends Tysabri Sales, Citing ‘Good Progress’

It's been a tough year for Elan shareholders. Company CEO Kelly Martin says he's working on a turnaround.

Companies Play Catch-Up on Colon Cancer Drug Supply

Teva says its customer demand rose, while Bedford says an expansion of its manufacturing facilities has caused delays.

Elan CEO Defends Tysabri Sales, Citing ‘Good Progress’

It's been a tough year for Elan shareholders. Company CEO Kelly Martin says he's working on a turnaround.

Mercury-Laden Sushi Sidelines Piven From ‘Speed-the-Plow’

Jeremy Piven's doctor says a twice-a-day sushi habit and Chinese herbs led to high mercury in the actor's blood.

California Surgeon Cleared of Hastening Organ Donor’s Death

Prosecutors alleged that a transplant surgeon acted inappropriately by giving a donor patient excessive doses of drugs so that he would die quickly. A jury decided otherwise.

Bush Administration Adds ‘Conscience’ Rule on Abortion

The Bush administration has made official a new rule that gives health workers more room to refuse to participate in care, including abortions, they find morally objectionable.

California Surgeon Cleared of Hastening Organ Donor’s Death

Prosecutors alleged that a transplant surgeon acted inappropriately by giving a donor patient excessive doses of drugs so that he would die quickly. A jury decided otherwise.

Bush Administration Adds ‘Conscience’ Rule on Abortion

The Bush administration has made official a new rule that gives health workers more room to refuse to participate in care, including abortions, they find morally objectionable.

How to Find a Five-Star Nursing Home

The federal government has unveiled an online ratings guide, but critics say it misses the mark.

Advocates for New FDA Chief Overlook Independence from Industry

A newly formed coalition seeks an FDA chief who can withstand some kinds of outside pressure, but doesn't mention pressure from industry.

MillerCoors Drops Caffeine From Sparks Drinks

The beer giant is backing away from brews that combine alcohol and caffeine in the face of allegations by a number of state attorneys general and consumer groups that it was targeting underage drinkers.

Grassley Blasts Emory over ‘CME-Like’ Defense of Nemeroff

In explaining why psychiatrist Charles Nemeroff failed to report payments from GlaxoSmithKline, Emory University told Sen. Grassley some of the payments were “CME-like.”

MillerCoors Drops Caffeine From Sparks Drinks

The beer giant is backing away from brews that combine alcohol and caffeine in the face of allegations by a number of state attorneys general and consumer groups that it was targeting underage drinkers.

Grassley Blasts Emory over ‘CME-Like’ Defense of Nemeroff

In explaining why psychiatrist Charles Nemeroff failed to report payments from GlaxoSmithKline, Emory University told Sen. Grassley some of the payments were “CME-like.”

Doctors Plead for 10% Medicare Bonus in Stimulus Package

Move over Detroit, the doctors want a slice of the economic stimulus.

Blagojevich, a Children’s Hospital and Medicaid’s Stingy Ways

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's alleged shakedown of a children's hospital in Chicago hinged on an effort to increase pay for specialists under Medicaid.

Commonwealth Fund Rates Hospitals Online to Spur Improvement

The new site is meant to help hospitals compare performance and find resources for raising quality.

Why the U.S. Spends So Much on Health Care

The U.S. spends $650 billion a year more on health care than you'd expect for a country with our GDP. A new McKinsey report tries to explain why.

Aetna Cuts 1,000 Jobs

The move comes as the health insurer projects much slower earnings growth next year.

CyberKnife for Prostate Cancer: Geography Is Destiny

Medicare pays for the high-tech prostate cancer treatment in some parts of the country, but not in others.

First Face Transplant Performed in U.S. at Cleveland Clinic

A Cleveland Clinic surgeon replaced 80% of a woman's face with a transplant from a cadaver.

Epilepsy Drugs Get Suicide Warning

The warning applies to well-known drugs sold by the likes of Pfizer, J&J and GlaxoSmithKline.

Federal Court Denies Teen Experimental Muscular Dystrophy Drug

PTC Therapeutics doesn't have to give its experimental medicine to a teenager suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a federal appeals court ruled.

Leucovorin Shortage Hampers Chemo for Colorectal Cancer

Some patients are being forced to go without leucovorin, an generic drug often used to treat colon cancer.

Bristol-Myers to Cut Another 10% of Workers

It's the latest in a seemingly endless procession of drug-industry cutbacks.

Dennis Quaid Settles With Hospital Over Medication Error

The actor-turned-activist still has a suit pending against Baxter.

Nobel Laureate Calls for Public Funding of Drug Trials

Joseph Stiglitz has a few ideas for encouraging pharmaceutical innovation while keeping costs down.

Doubts Grow Over High-Tech CT Scans of Heart

It may be premature to use CT scans to screen patients for heart disease, a new study suggests.

Madoff Collapse Hits Bone Marrow Foundation, Hospital

The health world isn't immune from the Madoff imbroglio.

A Hidden Cost in Medicare Drug Benefit: ‘Reference-Based Pricing’

Seniors who insist on brand-name drugs when generics are available may wind up paying a high price.

Singapore Seeks Spot on Medical Tourism Itinerary

The city-state is marketing itself as a destination for surgeries and procedures that are too costly or can't be done as well in other countries.

A High Court Win for David Frederick, Short-Lister for Solicitor General

The lawyer from Kellogg Huber represented Maine smokers who argued that federal regulation shouldn't preempt their right to sue cigarette makers for unfair marketing under state law.

Singapore Seeks Spot on Medical Tourism Itinerary

The city-state is marketing itself as a destination for surgeries and procedures that are too costly or can't be done as well in other countries.

A High Court Win for David Frederick, Short-Lister for Solicitor General

The lawyer from Kellogg Huber represented Maine smokers who argued that federal regulation shouldn't preempt their right to sue cigarette makers for unfair marketing under state law.

Despite the Hype, Patients’ Use of Retail Clinics Is ‘Modest’

Only 2.3% of American families had used a retail clinic as of last year.

UCLA Cleared by HHS for Giving Organs to Japanese

UCLA Medical Center is in the clear for giving scarce liver transplants to a powerful gang boss and three other patients with ties to organized crime in Japan.

Breast Cancer Risk Falls After Stopping Hormone-Replacement Therapy

An analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative study suggests that risk of breast cancer risk associated with hormone therapy declines once women stop taking the drugs.

Is the Problem Primary Care or Small Medical Practices?

Doctors who go solo or have just a few partners have high overhead and scant bargaining power with insurers.

Athenahealth’s Bush Says Don’t Make Health IT Reform a Bailout

An online entrepreneur argues for a flexible approach to computerizing health records and information.

Democrats Weave Health Funding Into Stimulus Package

Democrats are angling to get funding for Medicaid, health information technology and Cobra into next month's economic stimulus package.

Democrats Weave Health Funding Into Stimulus Package

Democrats are angling to get funding for Medicaid, health information technology and Cobra into next month's economic stimulus package.

Hospitals Spar With Pennsylvania Governor Over Medical Malpractice

A hospitals group is asking a court to require Pennsylvania's governor to extend funding for a program that helps pay for malpractice insurance.

Hospitals Spars With Pennsylvania Governor Over Medical Malpractice

A hospitals group is asking a court to require Pennsylvania's governor to extend funding for a program that helps pay for malpractice insurance.

How Many Negative Drug Studies Still Go Unpublished?

There are efforts to get drugmakers to disclose more trial results, but researchers find lots of studies with negative findings still go unpublished.

Why an FDA Panel Saw Asthma Drugs Differently

Serevent and Foradil, shouldn't be used for asthma anymore, and two other drugs, Advair and Symbicort, should remain an option, an FDA advisory panel recommended.

Nonprofit Hospital Pays Price for Pursuing Charitable Mission

Chicago's Mount Sinai Hospital teeters between annual losses and thin net income as it cares for patients on Medicaid or without insurance.

Who Is Joshua Sharfstein?

The 39-year-old is Baltimore's health commissioner and his name has been mentioned as possible nominees for FDA commissioner.

Private Medicare Advantage Plans Take Heat for Profits

Private Medicare Advantage plans pulled in $1.3 billion more in profits than projected in 2006.

Teens Favor Painkillers, Alcohol and Marijuana Over Stimulants

Nearly 10% of high school seniors reported using Vicodin for non-medical purposes in the year before taking the survey, while the use of some stimulants continued a gradual decline.

In Naming Daschle for HHS, Obama Pushes Health Reform

Obama said health reform must be "intimately woven into our overall economic recovery plan."

Massachusetts Disclosure Rules Stop Short on Doctor Pay for Research

Proposed rules in Massachusetts wouldn't doctors to require reveal payments from industry for research.

Doctors Say Testing of New Defibrillator Connector is Inadequate

Stung by past problems with the wires that connect implantable defibrillators to the heart, two cardiologists are arguing that a new kind of connector should be tested in humans before hitting the market.

Besides HHS, Daschle to Oversee Health Reform Office

Tom Daschle is expected to officially get President-elect Barack Obama's nod as secretary of Health and Human Services today.

Alternative Therapies Have Gone Mainstream

Some 38% of adults and nearly 12% of children aged 17 and below use some form of complementary and alternative medicine, according to new survey findings.

As Congress Circles, PhRMA Beefs Up Drug Ad Guidelines

The trade group suggests, among other things, that drug ads disclose when actors are playing doctors and when actual doctors are paid for their endorsements.

Alzheimer’s Groups Disagree on Screening for Memory Problems

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America says screening the elderly makes sense now, but the Alzheimer's Association disagrees, arguing research is lacking on the validity of simple tests.

Hospitals Tap Credit Bureaus to Gauge Patients’ Ability to Pay

Experian said it had agreed to acquire SearchAmerica, a company that helps hospitals assess the likelihood that patients will pay their medical bills.

Cash-Strapped Biotech Firms Head to Congress for Help

The industry wants government money now in exchange for giving up tax breaks later.

Freelancers Union Takes Health Insurance In-House

A nonprofit group for independent workers has moved into the health insurance business to control rising costs.

The Price Is Right for Weight Loss

Participants given financial incentives in a weight-loss study had more success shedding pounds.

Waxman Maps Health Agenda for Next Congress

Health reform can be done, Rep. Henry Waxman said. Also high on his list of priorities is creating a regulatory pathway for generic biotech medicines and cracking down on drug marketing.

From the ‘Worst’ to ‘Least Bad’ on Fast Food Value Menus

A junior bacon cheeseburger from Jack in the Box ranked as the fast-food value item worst for health.

Drugmakers Tap the Breaks on Ad Spending

Drug ad spending dropped 6% in the first eight months of 2008.

When Medical Scans Muddy Treatment Decisions

Diagnostic images sometimes show results that cause anxiety but aren't clinically meaningful.

Drugmakers Tap the Breaks on Ad Spending

Drug ad spending dropped 6% in the first eight months of 2008.

When Medical Scans Muddy Treatment Decisions

Diagnostic images sometimes show results that cause anxiety but aren't clinically meaningful.

Merck Jumps Into Generic Biotech

The drugmaker sees a "significant opportunity" from the expiration of patents on some biotech blockbusters between now and 2017.

Medicare Patients Struggle to Find Primary Care Docs

Some primary care doctors are refusing to take new Medicare patients because of worries about the pay.

Emphasis on Risk May Scare Patients Away From Treatment

A glut of information about drug risks may be overloading consumers and causing some to stop taking drugs they need.

New York Turns Up Heat on Drugstores Selling Expired Goods

Rite Aid settled charges with New York's attorney general over the alleged sale of expired goods. The state filed suit against CVS, which hasn't settled, on similar charges.

Dogs Go Green, With Envy, Over Treats

Scientists in Austria found that dogs grew resentful if their owners repeatedly got rewarded for the pups' good behavior but the animals didn't also win a treat.

After Pfizer Layoff, Friends, Family & ‘Extreme Makeover’ Lend Hands

After the drugmaker laid off Thomas Girard last year, his family fell behind on mortgage payments, endured two deaths and then their house burned to the ground.

Dogs Go Green, With Envy, Over Treats

Scientists in Austria found that dogs grew resentful if their owners repeatedly got rewarded for the pups' good behavior but the animals didn't also win a treat.

After Pfizer Layoff, Friends, Family & ‘Extreme Makeover’ Lend Hands

After the drugmaker laid off Thomas Girard last year, his family fell behind on mortgage payments, endured two deaths and then their house burned to the ground.

Ted Kennedy Drops Judiciary Post to Focus on Health Reform

The Massachusetts senator and his staff have spent months meeting with interest groups and developing a national health-care plan.

After the Cookie Company Crumbled, Employees Joined the Uninsured

When Archway & Mother's Cookie Co. went bankrupt in October, there wasn't enough money to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding health-care claims of employees and their families.

Ted Kennedy Drops Judiciary Post to Focus on Health Reform

The Massachusetts senator and his staff have spent months meeting with interest groups and developing a national health-care plan.

After the Cookie Company Crumbled, Employees Joined the Uninsured

When Archway & Mother's Cookie Co. went bankrupt in October, there wasn't enough money to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding health-care claims of employees and their families.

Emergency Room Workers Say Problems Are Rampant

The majority of staffers surveyed said their ERs consistently lack sufficient space to deliver patient care, with a third saying the number of patients consistently exceeds their capacity to provide safe care.

Uncle Sam, Secret Medicare Shopper

Mystery shoppers working for the government found that some insurance companies weren't giving out full information on deductibles, restrictions and co-pays for private Medicare plans.

Plan B, FDA Delays and Janet Woodcock

Now, as the search for a new FDA Commissioner heats up, Janet Woodcock, an agency insider who's in the running for the post, would like you to know that she wasn't responsible for the delays in the morning-after pill.

Happy People Make Good Neighbors

Being surrounded by cheery souls, can give you a sunnier disposition, even if you don't know them, researchers say.

Patients Face Marijuana Mess in Michigan

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes became legal in Michigan on Thursday, but a legislative snafu means patients found in the possession of the drug could face arrest and prosecution.

Daschle Suggests Decking Halls With Health Reform

Former Sen. Tom Daschle wants Americans to brainstorm about how to overhaul the health-care system at holiday parties this year.

AARP Disclosures on Health Insurance Draw Scrutiny

AARP collected almost $498 million in fees and royalties for insurance endorsements last year, Bloomberg reports, which could raise potential conflicts.

Glaxo Returns to Court in Fight Over Patent Procedures

The drugmaker will carry the legal flag for Big Pharma and other patent-intensive industries in a fight with the patent office over procedural changes.

Insured Consumers Can Get Zapped by ‘Balance Billing’

Patients can get dinged by big bills if their insurer refuses to pay out-of-network doctors even when they're treated in a hospital that's part of the insurance plan.

Fertility Patients Frozen by Indecision Over Extra Embryos

Around half a million embryos currently lie frozen in fertility clinics around the country. Many patients can't figure out what to do with theirs.

Merck Lets Down Wall Street Again

While disappointing the news wasn't a complete surprise, given a foreign exchange "headwind" and the drug industry's general troubles.

Michigan’s Largest Health Insurer Sings Financial Blues

Detroit’s auto makers aren't the only ones in Michigan seeking the government's helping hand. Michigan’s largest health insurer is looking for financial relief too.

More Job Cuts at Sanofi, This Time in the US

In October Sanofi-Aventis slashed its sales force in France, now the company is wielding the ax in the U.S.

Merck Seeks to Regain Industry Leadership, but Shares Languish

Once hailed as an American business icon and a trailblazer in the global pharmaceutical industry, Merck is stuck in the doldrums.

Medical Device Ads on YouTube Violate FDA Rules, Group Says

The Prescription Project says YouTube videos for medical devices made by Abbott, Medtronic and Stryker don't contain required warnings and disclosures.

As NICE and the U.K. Go, So Goes the Globe in Evaluating Drugs

The U.K.'s tough standards for evaluating medical technology's cost-effectiveness are winning favor of national governments around the world.

Genentech Carries On, as Roche Deal Simmers on Back Burner

People still want to work at Genentech because they believe in the company and its mission, an exec says. Likewise, deals with other biotech keep rolling despite uncertainty about Roche's bid.

Problems in Primary Care Drive ER Crowding

Nobody likes to go to the ER, but for a growing number of Americans with health insurance it’s often the speediest way to get treated. There are some possible remedies, but will they provide a cure?

Medtronic Hit With Patient Lawsuit Over Bone-Stimulator Infuse

The family of a California woman alleges the company urged off-label use of Infuse in her neck seven weeks after the FDA had warned doctors not to do so.

UnitedHealth Will Now Sell Your Insurance for Insurance

The health insurance giant now offers a product that guarantees people's ability to buy health insurance in the future, even if they get sick.

Medical Residents Need More Breaks To Prevent Errors

Do doctors-in-training need more time off? The Institute of Medicine thinks so after a 15-month analysis of the relationship between residents' work schedules and the quality of care.

Big Pharma Execs Say Recession Will Hurt; DTC Was ‘Worst Decision’

No one is immune to the economic downturn –- even large pharmaceutical companies.

Big Pharma Execs Say Recession Will Hurt; DTC Ads Were ‘Worst Decision’

No one is immune to the economic downturn –- even large pharmaceutical companies.

States Seek Slice of Federal Bailout for Medicaid

If Congressional Democrats have their way, the next in line for a handout will be Medicaid, the health program for the poor, that's straining state budgets across the country.

NY Hospital Draws Mayor’s Ire Over Plaxico Burress Gunshot Wound

Who didn’t call the cops? That’s what New York’s Mayor and the city’s Deputy Police Chief would like to know after a New York Hospital failed to immediately report that Plaxico Burress was brought in with a gunshot wound.

Half of U.S. Spending on Health Care May Be Wasted

The US spends more than $2 trillion dollars a year on health care, but experts reckon that as much as half of the money is doing nothing to improve the health of Americans.

Nations Mark 20th World AIDS Day, Face Different Challenges

While AIDS has been controlled in many parts of the developed world, the war against the illness is far from over.

UnitedHealth Takes On Microsoft, Google With Online Health Venture

The health insurer offers an online service that allows consumers to create their own personal health records online.

Early Retirees Get Clobbered By High Health Insurance Costs

The cost of health coverage for early retirees presents a significant hurdle. Premiums may triple overnight -- and that's for the lucky ones who can get insurance.

J&J To Get Mentor In Billon-Dollar Breast Implant Deal

The baby-powder company is making a bold move into the beauty business with the announcement of billion-dollar deal to acquire Mentor, a leading maker of breast implants.

Overseas Clinical Trials Are Under the Microscope

Studies conducted by western drug companies in developing nations are drawing scrutiny.

Swiss Voters Send Mixed Messages On Heroin, Marijuana

While Americans spent the weekend trying to figure out what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers, the Swiss voted to make a heroin-prescription program permanent and against decriminalizing marijuana for personal use.

Latest Postmortem on Torcetrapib Leaves Hope for HDL Boosters

Two years after Pfizer lost its big bet on a drug to raise good cholesterol, scientists are finding that the results that doomed that medicine may not consign similar experimental drugs to failure.

Leftover Turkey Recipes: A Pressing Health Issue

Before the Health Blog signs off for the day, we thought we'd consult with the American health establishment on a pressing question: What to do with leftover turkey.

Indonesia to Drugmakers: Build Factories Here, Or Get Out

In the latest sign of tension between middle-income countries and the drug industry, Companies that want to sell medicines in Indonesia will be required to build factories there.

Study Found Cheap Blood Pressure Meds Are Best. No One Cared

The limited effects of a big study of blood-pressure medicines suggests that comparative effectiveness research may be less useful than proponents hope.

Is CyberKnife Ready for Prime Time in Prostate Cancer?

In some hospitals, a $4 million machine is becoming a popular treatment for prostate cancer. But some experts say there's not enough evidence to show whether that's a good idea.

From Patent Thickets to Payoffs: How Big Pharma Fights Generics

A European report out today suggests that, as a result of drugmakers' efforts to keep generics at bay, "competition in this industry does not work as well as it should," the EU commissioner for competition said.

A Career in Primary Care Still Is Cause for Thanks

There are plenty of challenges, both personal and financial, in being a primary care doctor. But Benjamin Brewer can't imagine a better job.

A Pound of Flesh: How Much Weight You’ll Gain Over the Holidays

The Health Blog digs into the medical literature to find out how much weight people tend to gain in the holiday season.

And the Next Top Turkey Inspector Will Be?

The hunt for a new Secretary of Agriculture hasn't received as much attention as other cabinet positions in the Obama administration, but the choice is important because of the departments critical role in assuring the quality of our food supply.

Health Bloggers Want You to Talk About Death

During the holiday weekend, some high-profile health bloggers are encouraging people to talk about how they'd like to be cared for at the end of life.

Men Quit Smoking and Cancer Rate Falls

For the first time on record, the rate of new cancer cases and the cancer death rate are both falling in the U.S.

See You Next Year, Generic Pulmicort Respules

Teva and AstraZeneca have agreed to a settlement that would allow generic Pulmicort Respules to hit the U.S. market in December 2009.

Maybe AIDS Treatment Is Also AIDS Prevention

In a country such as South Africa, giving AIDS drugs to everyone who is HIV positive could radically change the course of the epidemic, a new analysis suggests.

See You Next Year, Generic Pulmicort Respules

Teva and AstraZeneca have agreed to a settlement that would allow generic Pulmicort Respules to hit the U.S. market in December 2009.

Risperdal Can Have Troubling Side Effects in Boys

One particularly troubling side effect is the growth of breasts in some male patients taking Risperdal.

The Clock Is Ticking on Big Pharma Mergers

With bloated organizations and more generic competition on the way, Deutsche Bank argues that a big deal may be on the way.

The Clock is Ticking on Big Pharma Mergers

With bloated organizations and more generic competition on the way, Deutsche Bank argues that a big deal may be on the way.

After Losing to Waxman, Dingell Urged to Focus on Health

After losing the House Energy and Commerce chairmanship, one possibility for Dingell might be to head the health subcommittee.

Dueling Bills: The Mortgage vs. the Doctor

The housing mess is limiting the options for patients who have resorted to borrowing against their homes to pay for medical care.

After Losing to Waxman, Dingell Urged to Focus on Health

After losing the House Energy and Commerce chairmanship, one possibility for Dingell might be to head the health subcommittee.

Do Mammograms Sometimes Detect Cancer That Would Disappear?

Some breast cancer detected by mammograms might actually regress, a new study suggests. Though researchers not involved in the work questioned that conclusion as "an overreaching leap in logic."

No Easy Answers for Testing Drugs in the Real World

A large trial is trying to answer questions about a heart-failure drug that the original clinical trials didn't tackle.

No Easy Answers for Testing Drugs in the Real World

A large trial is trying to answer questions about a heart-failure drug that the original clinical trials didn't tackle.

Cyberchondria: It’s Not Just in Your Head

Obscure or serious medical problems can bubble up to the first page of Web search results, where anxious searchers can quickly conclude their symptoms result from serious but unlikely causes.

Scientists Pinpoint Research Priorities for 14 Drugs Used ‘Off-Label’

Several psychiatric meds and the widely prescribed blood thinner Coumadin are among the drugs most frequently prescribed outside their FDA-approved instructions and for which there are safety concerns.

J&J Backed Child Psychiatry Institute to Support Risperdal Sales

A goal of the research center at Massachusetts General Hospital was to "move forward the commercial goals of J&J," maker of Risperdal, documents released as part of litigation show.

Alpharma Ties Knot With King After Twice Saying No

Alpharma has accepted a $1.6 billion buyout from King Pharmaceuticals, after rejecting the offer as inadequate last month.

Medicaid Spent $200 Million on Unapproved Drugs

An Associated Press investigation finds that the government health program for the poor spent nearly $198 on unapproved drugs from 2004 to 2007.

Media Skimp on Health Coverage

Health coverage made up just 3.6% of news content analzyed by two nonprofit groups during the 18-month period that ended in June.

Medicaid Spent $200 Million on Unapproved Drugs

An Associated Press investigation finds that the government health program for the poor spent nearly $198 on unapproved drugs from 2004 to 2007.

Biotech Companies Strapped for Cash in Weak Economy

Cash is tight, so a bunch of biotech companies are cutting back on research, slashing jobs or thinking about selling themselves to bigger drug makers.

Five Health Myths Busted

Perhaps the most important reason health reform needs to happen: economic necessity. The U.S. spends 17% of GDP on health, a share that could rise to 25% by 2025, without major changes.

Wyeth Names Kamarck to Run Factories

The new head of manufacturing for the company aims to increase efficiency across the board.

Curtain Falls on ImClone Drama, as Lilly Completes Tender

Lilly will get a blockbuster cancer drug, a state-of-the art biologics factory and a cancer drug pipeline from ImClone. But the integration of the company may not be easy.

Layoffs, Financial Woes Stress Out Workers and Their Counselors

Aetna, for one, said its unit serving employee-assistance programs for corporate clients logged a 60% increase in calls third quarter of 2008 compared with the same period last year.

Curtain Falls on ImClone Drama, as Lilly Completes Tender

Lilly will get a blockbuster cancer drug, a state-of-the art biologics factory and a cancer drug pipeline from ImClone. But the integration of the company may not be easy.

McKesson Paying $350 Million to Settle Drug-Price Litigation

The big drug distributor will pay to settle allegations it manipulated drug prices.

Harvard Med Students Might Want to Look Up Charles Grassley

Students at Harvard Medical School are pushing for more disclosure of their teachers' ties to the drug industry.

UPMC, Once Transplant King, Takes Risks to Regain Crown

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center increased its use of older deceased donors and living donors to pump up transplant volume, the WSJ reports.

Tom Daschle’s Blueprint for Health Reform

Among Daschle's proposals: A health insurance mandate and a Federal Health Board that would oversee federally backed health plans and assess the effectiveness and costs of medical treatments.

Will Waxman, the New Boss, Be the Same as the Old Boss?

John Dingell (D., Mich) has been an ornery activist for change at the FDA and the industries it regulates. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) who'll replace him as the head of a key House committee hasn't been bashful in bashing the same folks.

Microwave Ovens and Plastics With BPA Don’t Mix

Powerful congressional Democrats said they'd push harder for a ban after a report suggested BPA could leach from food containers in the microwave.

Will Waxman, the New Boss, Be the Same as the Old Boss?

John Dingell (D., Mich) has been an ornery activist for change at the FDA and the industries it regulates. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.) who'll replace him as the head of a key House committee hasn't been bashful in bashing the same folks.

Microwave Ovens and Plastics With BPA Don’t Mix

Powerful congressional Democrats said they'd push harder for a ban after a report suggested BPA could leach from food containers in the microwave.

Henry Waxman, Health-Care Power Broker

Waxman unseats John Dingell as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which holds sway over key health-care issues.

AstraZeneca Cutting Jobs & Selling Some OTC Brands

Lots of action from AstraZeneca today, including more job cuts, the sale of some over-the-counter brands and a legal victory in a generics case.

Insurers Will Sell Plans to All Comers — If They Everyone Must Buy In

Faced with a growing chorus in Washington calling for major health reform, the health insurance industry said yesterday it would stop denying coverage to people with health troubles, provided that everyone has to be insured.

Viagra Without a Prescription? Not Yet, Europe

Pfizer has dropped an application to sell Viagra over-the-counter in Europe, citing regulatory concerns.

Falling Employment Meets Rising Health Costs

The newly jobless need as much help with health insurance as they do coping with the loss of income.

Waxman Wins First Round Against Dingell

Rep. Henry Waxman won the first-round of voting today in his bid for a hostile takeover of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

How Do You Say FDA in Mandarin?

The FDA just opened an outpost in Beijing, part of the regulator's effort to better scrutinize the large and growing volume of food and drugs that China ships to the U.S.

Ouch! $1,000 Deductibles Become the Health Insurance Norm

Employers seem more confident about "just how high a deductible can go without causing employees to revolt," says HR consulting firm Mercer.

Surgeon: ‘I Can Implant This Pen Inside Someone’s Brain’

A surgeon's deposition shows the wide latitude doctors take in using medical devices in ways not approved by the FDA

Teva Launches Generic of AstraZeneca’s Pulmicort Respules

AstraZeneca gets hit by a generic for its big-selling asthma medicine, commonly used to treat children with the condition.

Ted Kennedy Offers Hillary Clinton a Role in Health Reform

After declining to let Hillary Clinton chair a new health-reform subcommittee, Ted Kennedy has asked her to head a working group on insurance.

Feds Probe Unapproved Use of Medtronic Bone Stimulator

Infuse is approved by the FDA for the lumbar spine, but about three-quarters of side-effects reports to the FDA involve use in other areas.

CEOs’ Top Health Priority: Obesity

The looming disease burden associated with the epidemic, and all the costs and suffering it will entail, apparently pushed it ahead of other, frequently discussed health-reform issues.

New Hampshire Prevails on Law Guarding Prescription Privacy

A federal appeals court upheld New Hampshire's law barring the sale of doctor prescribing data, rebuffing the drug industry's argument that the law infringes free speech.

Seniors Still Mystified By Medicare’s Drug ‘Doughnut Hole’

Almost two-thirds of enrollees in Medicare Part D don't fully understand the coverage gap built into the plan, a survey of beneficiaries shows.

Payment Hassles, Not Just Stinginess, Turn Doctors Off Medicaid

In states with relatively high Medicaid rates yet long delays in payment, only half of doctors accepted all new Medicaid patients.

Bush Abortion Proposal Raises Ire of Health Groups

A wide range of health groups and officials at the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission oppose a proposed rule that would protect health workers who refuse to participate in abortion services.

Hard Times for Biotech Could Spur Big Pharma Feast

With credit tightening and the market values of some smaller companies taking a beating, licensing terms for Big Pharma may get a whole lot more attractive.

Doctors Feel Gloomy, Financially Strapped

Things in medicine are evidently so discouraging that some 60% of doctors wouldn't recommend the profession to young people.

Ted Kennedy Readies Universal Health Bill for 2009

Sen. Ted Kennedy said he would move ahead with his own bill for universal health coverage early next year.

Uninsured Give but Rarely Receive Organs for Transplant

People without health insurance are about 20 times more likely to donate a liver or kidney than to receive one.

Eyeing Generics, Cephalon Hikes Price on Provigil

The company is raising the price on the drug to steer people toward a newer drug, Nuvigil, before generic versions of Provigil are available.

Which Antidepressant Is Best?

Commonly prescribed antidepressants are equally effective, according to an analysis of more than 200 studies. Side effects may differ.

J&J Gets Caught in a Sling Over Internet Motrin Ad

Healthcare company pulls the commercial after mothers complain in a blogosphere protest about its portrayal of pain and carrying babies.

Global Warming Plus Jet Travel Fuels ‘Airport Malaria’

Stowaway mosquitoes from equatorial climes are leading to malaria cases near international airports in temperate zones.

Global Warming Plus Jet Travel Fuels ‘Airport Malaria’

Stowaway mosquitoes from equatorial climes are leading to malaria cases near international airports in temperate zones.

Health Insurance Tab Creeps Toward Half of Family Income

By 2016, the average premiums paid by employers and their workers for family coverage could top $24,000, or about 45% of median household income.

Burlington, Vt.: America’s Healthiest Place to Live

An analysis of CDC data found Burlington to be the healthiest metro area, while Huntington, W.Va., was the least healthy.

Small Firms Face Health Insurance Price Increases

Health insurers, plagued by investment problems and higher-than-expected medical costs, are hiking premiums on small businesses.

New York AG Probes Colleges’ Ties to Health Insurers

Andrew Cuomo has asked for colleges' contracts with insurers, statistics on premiums and information given to students.

New York AG Probes Colleges’ Ties To Health Insurers

Andrew Cuomo has asked for colleges' contracts with insurers, statistics on premiums and information given to students.

New York AG Probes Colleges’ Ties to Health Insurers

Andrew Cuomo has asked for colleges' contracts with insurers, statistics on premiums and information given to students.

Prices Vary Widely at Hospitals Around Boston

A Boston Globe investigation finds wide disparities in how much hospitals are paid by insurers for the same procedures--without apparent differences in quality.

Stephen Colbert for FDA Commissioner?

This week the comedian of the Jupiter study

FDA Reports Side Effects Linked to Wrinkle Fillers

The reports didn't specify which products were involved. But shares of Allergan and Medicis, which make two leading fillers, fell sharply.

Sales of Vytorin & Zetia Are Bad, but Not Getting Worse

Has Merck and Schering-Plough's joint cholesterol franchise hit bottom?

Pfizer Ready for Stem Cell Deals

A new unit known as Pfizer Regenerative Medicine will work with academic, biotech and pharmaceutical partners.

Pfizer’s About to Make Stem Cell Deals

A new unit known as Pfizer Regenerative Medicine will work with academic, biotech and pharmaceutical partners.

Feds Send Mixed Message to China

Just as the FDA said it would detain food from China containing milk, the Department of Health and Human Services sound upbeat about cooperation with the Chinese on food safety.

How to Get Free Surgery: Fly to India

The mainstreaming of medical tourism is taking another baby step.

Feds Send Mixed Message to China

Just as the FDA said it would detain food from China containing milk, the Department of Health and Human Services sound upbeat about cooperation with the Chinese on food safety.

How to Get Free Surgery: Fly to India

The mainstreaming of medical tourism is taking another baby step.

Four Signs of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Here are some indicators of trouble that go beyond basic loss of short-term memory.

Rep. Dingell: Economic Stimulus Should Include NIH, Medicaid

As the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Michigan Democrat could have some sway on what the coming stimulus package will look like.

An HIV Vaccine Lab Lands on the Brooklyn Waterfront

The Health Blog hopped a water taxi yesterday to the old Army Terminal in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. It was a business trip.

Rep. Dingell: Economic Stimulus Should Include NIH, Medicaid

As the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Michigan Democrat could have some sway on what the coming stimulus package will look like.

An HIV Vaccine Lab Lands on the Brooklyn Waterfront

The Health Blog hopped a water taxi yesterday to the old Army Terminal in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. It was a business trip.

Tests of New Drugs for Developing World Need $1 Billion a Year

There has been progress on experimental medicines and vaccines to fight tuberculosis, malaria and Dengue fever. But taking them beyond early tests is going to require a lot of money.

Merck, Schering-Plough Avert Vytorin ‘Disaster’ at Heart Meeting

An absence of bad news about the companies' jointly marketed cholesterol drugs at a big heart meeting was enough to count as good news.

Why Sen. Baucus Didn’t Wait for Obama On Health Reform

It's a sign that the economy may not slow down the Democrats' health reform plans. It also shows the party has some internal differences over what reform should look like.

Massachusetts Makes It Tougher to Build Clinics, Surgery Centers

State officials hope the new rules will rein in health costs by reducing duplication of services.

Merck Study Shows Promise for Gardasil in Boys

Results from a study of 4,000 boys and young men showed the vaccine reduced the occurrence of genital warts by 90%.

GE & Pittsburgh Hospital to Open Cancer Clinics Abroad

Drug companies aren't the only ones looking to expand their cancer franchises.

Credit Clouds Darken Over Health Industry

Moody's has reduced its credit outlook for hospitals, medical device makers and health insurers to "negative" from "stable," due to the tough economy.

FDA Impersonators Scam Online Drug Buyers

Some consumers are getting calls from fake FDA agent, who lean on them send money to the Dominican Republic.

Dow Drops Give Us the Stomach Flip-Flops

When your brain senses market danger, it can make your guts go haywire.

Blackmailers Turn Up Heat on Express Scripts

Some of the pharmacy benefits manager's customers have received letters that threaten to expose patients' personal data.

Medicare Drug Plans: Do Your Homework, or Pay the Price

The Health Blog doesn't mean to be a nag, but if you get prescription drug coverage through Medicare you really should take a few minutes to review your options.

Using Google Searches to Map Flu Outbreaks

Google launched Flu Trends, a Web site that aims to predict flu outbreaks by monitoring searches for terms like "flu," "muscle aches" and "fever."

Sen. Baucus Brings Back the Health Insurance Mandate

Sen. Max Baucus (D., Mont.) is rolling out a health-reform proposal today. His plan would require everyone to buy health insurance.

Google Explains Why Drug Companies Fear the Web

Drug companies spend only about 4% of their ad budgets online, far less than their counterparts in other industries.

Preempt This: Plaintiffs Attorney David Frederick for Solicitor General

A prominent lawyer who argued recently against the proposition that FDA regulation preempts plaintiffs' ability to sue drugmakers under state laws is said to be a leading contender for a top job in the Obama Justice Department.

Making Gardasil Vaccination Mandatory Would Be Unwise, Academics Say

A trio of academics argues that mandates for Gardasil vaccination might not hold up in court and don't meet the same public health threshold as vaccines for measles and polio.

The HPV vaccine–should we really require it?

Back in the 20th century, a gene was such a simple thing: The lone carrier of inherited biological information, a single stretch of DNA that contained the code to create a single protein. But the more we've learned about genes, the more we've realized how much we don't know.

What We Don’t Know About Genes: A Lot

Back in the 20th century, a gene was such a simple thing: The lone carrier of inherited biological information, a single stretch of DNA that contained the code to create a single protein. But the more we've learned about genes, the more we've realized how much we don't know.

Nexium and Similar Heartburn Drugs May Interfere With Plavix

Data out this morning raise a warning flag for combination of a blood thinner and a class of heartburn medicine prescribed together to many patients at high risk for heart-attacks and strokes.

Amylin to Cut 25% of Workers at HQ

The move, which affects about 340 employees, is part of a plan to cut spending by $80 million at the troubled company.

AstraZeneca CEO Downplays Jupiter’s Effect on Crestor Sales

Amid bullish estimates, David Brennan urged caution in predicting future sales of the potent cholesterol drug.

Look Out, Docs: Here Comes ICD-10

A massive new set of insurance billing codes could cause headaches for doctors and patients.

Forget MRSA for a Moment, Clostridium Difficile is a Growing Problem

More than 1% of hospital patients are infected with the intestinal bug C. diff, a nationwide survey found.

U.K. Regulator Warns About Chantix and Suicide

Patients taking the drug who develop suicidal thoughts or other mood problems should stop treatment and contact their doctor, the U.K.'s drug regulator said.

Pfizer Hangs ‘For Sale’ Sign on Indiana Factory That Made Exubera

Pfizer is looking for buyer for the manufacturing plant for the now-defunct inhaled insulin called Exubera.

Rehab Programs Extend Stays To 3 Months

Alcohol and drug rehab centers are finding that the usual 30-day programs often aren't enough.

How Aggressive Should Doctors Be in Prescribing Statins After Jupiter?

An editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine sounds notes of caution about a study of AstraZeneca's statin Crestor.

General Motors Retirees Struggle With Loss of Health Coverage

Many of the company's retirees are navigating Medicare coverage options for the first time.

Reps. Dingell, Waxman Wrestle Over Key Health Committee

The two House Democrats have been frequent critics of the pharmaceutical industry are in a battle whose outcome could shape the agenda for health reform.

Jupiter Results Exert Strong Pull on Cardiologists

Results of a large study of AstraZeneca's Crestor may lead to broader use of cholesterol drugs in apparently healthy people. But it isn't clear if that would be cost-effective.

Merck’s Heart Remains Steadfast in Hunt for Cardiovascular Drugs

The drugmaker affirmed its commitment to research on drugs for heart disease, in marked contrast to Pfizer's recent decision to leave the field.

Wages Are ‘Too Small a Donkey’ to Carry the Load of Health Costs

You think the cost of health care is hard on lower-middle-income families right now? In a few years, if current trends continue, it will be much worse.

Amgen Eyes Internet and Modest Sales Force to Launch Denosumab

The biotech company is betting it can reach the right doctors with the nowhere near as many reps as primary care powerhouses like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck have tapped to do that job in the past.

Amgen’s Sharer Says Financial Crisis Isn’t Hurting Company

Amgen is weathering the financial crisis just fine, but the company could be hurt if the government looks to cut drug spending, CEO Kevin Sharer said.

Amgen’s Sharer Says Crisis Isn’t Hurting Company

Amgen is weathering the financial crisis just fine, but the company could be hurt if the government looks to cut drug spending, CEO Kevin Sharer said.

Amgen’s Sharer Says Financial Crisis Isn’t Hurting Company

Amgen is weathering the financial crisis just fine, but the company could be hurt if the government looks to cut drug spending, CEO Kevin Sharer said.

How Do You Give a Gorilla a Colonoscopy?

A 36-year-old gorilla named Gigi got a colonoscopy this week.

Amgen’s Sharer Says Crisis Isn’t Hurting Company

Amgen is weathering the financial crisis just fine, but the company could be hurt if the government looks to cut drug spending, CEO Kevin Sharer said.

How Do You Give a Gorilla a Colonoscopy?

A 36-year-old gorilla named Gigi got a colonoscopy this week.

Senate Power Brokers Moving on Health Reform

Obama's big plans for health-care reform will rise or fall in the U.S. Senate. Key Democratic senators are considering some aggressive procedural moves to avoid a Republican filibuster.

Did a Bone Marrow Transplant Cure a Cancer Patient of AIDS?

A patient is HIV-free two years after receiving a transplant from a donor with a genetic mutation that protects against AIDS.

Senate Power Brokers Moving on Health Reform

Obama's big plans for health-care reform will rise or fall in the U.S. Senate. Key Democratic senators are considering some aggressive procedural moves to avoid a Republican filibuster.

Did a Bone Marrow Transplant Cure a Cancer Patient of AIDS?

A patient is HIV-free two years after receiving a transplant from a donor with a genetic mutation that protects against AIDS.

Express Scripts Data Breach Leads to Extortion Attempt

Express Scripts received an extortion letter threatening to reveal "millions" of patients' personal data.

Joshua Sharfstein: Another Contender for FDA Commissioner

Sharfstein, who runs Baltimore's health department, used to work for a Henry Waxman, a powerful Democratic congressman.

Five Things Not to Bring to the Emergency Room

Please leave the snake that bit you at home.

How Many Doctors Are in the House?

Physicians fared pretty well in Tuesday's Congressional elections.

Radiology Police Move Into Cardiology

Doctors' requests for scans, tests and treatments for heart problems are being vetted more often by companies that insurers hire to manage costs.

Health Reform in Massachusetts Holds Lessons for Washington

Massachusetts' experiment in universal coverage suggests Barack Obama's plans for health reform may be tough to implement.

First Glimpse Of the Secrets of the Cancer Genome

For the first time, the complete genome of a patient's cancer cells has been sequenced and compared to the complete genome of the patient's healthy cells.

Pfizer & Sanofi-Aventis Abandon Obesity Drugs

In the past month, a once-promising class of prescription medicines has quietly blown up.

First Glimpse Of the Secrets of the Cancer Genome

For the first time, the complete genome of a patient's cancer cells has been sequenced and compared to the complete genome of the patient's healthy cells.

Pfizer & Sanofi-Aventis Abandon Obesity Drugs

In the past month, a once-promising class of prescription medicines has quietly blown up.

Arizona’s Prop 101, Barring Universal Health Insurance, Too Close to Call

The measure is especially relevant in Arizona because a leader in the state Legislature backs universal health-care bill.

Medco CEO: Generic Biotech Bill Likely to Pass Congress in 2009

David Snow expects quick progress on a pathway for generic biotech drugs, but universal health care could take a while.

Arizona’s Prop 101, Barring Universal Health Insurance, Too Close to Call

The measure is especially relevant in Arizona because a leader in the state Legislature backs universal health-care bill.

Medco CEO: Generic Biotech Bill Likely to Pass Congress in 2009

David Snow expects quick progress on a pathway for generic biotech drugs, but universal health care could take a while.

Michael Crichton, Physician and Author, Loses Cancer Fight

Crichton, a doctor who used science and medicine as a jumping off point for popular novels, movies and TV shows, has died of cancer.

Horse Race Begins for New Leaders at FDA and HHS

Speculation on who will land influential health positions in the Obama administration has already begun.

Foes Lead on California’s Prop 4, Parental Notification for Teen Abortions

Although votes are still being counted in California, it looks like doctors there won't be required to alert a girl's parents before performing an abortion.

Horse Race Begins for New Leaders at FDA and HHS

Speculation on who will land influential health positions in the Obama administration has already begun.

Foes Lead on California’s Prop 4, Parental Notification for Teen Abortions

Although votes are still being counted in California, it looks like doctors there won't be required to alert a girl's parents before performing an abortion.

Glaxo Trims Sales Force & Makes North Carolina Its U.S. Homebase

The drugmaker is cutting about 12% of its sales reps in a move prompted by generic competition and feedback from unhappy doctors.

Foes Lead on California’s Prop 4, Parental Notification for Teen Abortions

Although votes are still being counted in California, it looks like doctors there won't be required to alert a girl's parents before performing an abortion.

Glaxo Trims Sales Force & Makes North Carolina Its U.S. Homebase

The drugmaker is cutting about 12% of its sales reps in a move prompted by generic competition and feedback from unhappy doctors.

European Pharma Stocks Slip After Obama Victory

Shares of drugmakers in Europe fell, reflecting worries about the future of Big Pharma under a new American president.

Glaxo Trims Sales Force & Makes North Carolina Its U.S. Homebase

The drugmaker is cutting about 12% of its sales reps in a move prompted by generic competition and feedback from unhappy doctors.

European Pharma Stocks Slip After Obama Victory

Shares of drugmakers in Europe fell, reflecting worries about the future of Big Pharma under a new American president.

Washington Passes Initiative 1000, Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide

Voters in Washington State answered yes to the thorny ethical question: Should a doctor be allowed to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to a dying patient?

Michigan Legalizes Medical Marijuana, Expands Stem Cell Research

Proposal 1, which legalizes medical marijuana, passed overwhelmingly. Proposal 2, which expands stem cell research, squeaked by.

Drug Industry Trade Secrets: Speaking Fees, Education Subsidies

The sorts of payments to doctors that the drug industry claims as trade secrets might surprise you.

Utah Tries Cheaper COBRA Alternative for Health Insurance

A new plan from Utah insurers aims to make between-jobs coverage cheaper by offering coverage that's less comprehensive.

Glaxo Poised to Rejigger American Unit, Cut Sales Reps

Glaxo joins the drugmakers cutting salespeople calling on doctors.

Feds, States Probe Vytorin Marketing

The Department of Justice and 35 state attorneys general are investigating whether Merck and Schering-Plough improperly promoted the drug.

Lawmakers Ask Pfizer CEO to Spare U.S. Contractors

The drugmaker has been training foreign workers as part of a plan to transfer IT work from local contractors to outside consulting firms, a Connecticut newspaper reports.

Supremes Hear Arguments in Wyeth v. Levine

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could establish a legal shield against claims in state courts for industries regulated by federal laws.

If Not Universal Care, How About Universal Primary Care?

A commentary in the Lancet argues that the dwindling ranks of primary care physicians needs more attention.

Genentech Seeks FDA Nod for Avastin for Brain Cancer

Avastin has already been used off-label for glioblastoma, a very deadly form of brain cancer.

Would an Obama Victory Preempt Wyeth v. Levine?

An Obama victory and a Democratic Congress could offset a Wyeth win in the Supreme Court.

Cholesterol Drugs Could Get a Boost From Jupiter

A study of AstraZeneca's Crestor was stopped early because of good results. The findings will be revealed in a few days and may lead to broader use of cholesterol drugs in apparently healthy people.

Washington State Could Let Terminally Ill Patients Take Lethal Drug Doses

Voters in Washington State will decide on Tuesday whether to allow dying patients to get a prescription from their doctors for a lethal dose of medication.

Cholesterol Drugs Could Get a Boost From Jupiter

A study of AstraZeneca's Crestor was stopped early because of good results. The findings will be revealed in a few days and may lead to broader use of cholesterol drugs in apparently healthy people.

Washington State Could Let Terminally Ill Patients Take Lethal Drug Doses

Voters in Washington State will decide on Tuesday whether to allow dying patients to get a prescription from their doctors for a lethal dose of medication.

Michigan May Legalize Medical Marijuana, Expand Stem Cell Research

Michiganders will vote next week on two of the most controversial subjects in health care.

Obit: Fred Baron, Democratic Donor Whose Tysabri Plea Made Waves

Baron, the prominent plaintiffs lawyer whose family was assisted by Bill Clinton and Lance Armstrong in an effort to get access to the drug Tysabri, died Thursday.

Diabetes Rate Nearly Doubles; More Scrutiny of Avandia

The CDC came out with state-by-state estimates of diabetes rates yesterday, a watchdog group called for a ban on GlaxoSmithKline's diabetes drug Avandia, and the American Diabetes Association recommended against use of the drug.

Drug, Therapy Combination Best for Kids’ Anxiety Disorders

The finding, from a study of children and teens age 7 to 17, is the latest piece of evidence in the long-running debate over antidepressants and kids.

Aetna Pushes Do-Overs for Breast Cancer Test

The test determines whether patients may be candidates for Genentech's Herceptin.

How Long Will Patients Spend In the ER Before They Get Mad?

Three and a half hours is the magic number, after which patient satisfaction plunges.

Doctors’ Offices Work to Keep Patients During Economic Downturn

A recent survey says revenues at doctors' offices are down 3.5% this year, compared with a rise of 6% last year. Some doctors are responding with more services to woo patients.

Pinched By Paperwork, Doctors Can’t Find Time to Heal

A family doctor struggles to to keep paperwork and financial concerns from overwhelming the art of medicine.

Women Pay More Than Men for Health Insurance

During the child-bearing years, women tend to use more health care services than men -- and on the individual market, women often pay far higher premiums for health insurance.

Biogen, Elan Plummet On Report of Tysabri Brain Infection

It was the third report this year of PML, the infection that caused Tysabri to be pulled from the market a few years back.

FDA Official: Preemption Argument ‘Based On a False Assumption’

Some senior FDA officials opposed an agency shift that could make it more difficult for injured patients to sue drugmakers.

Medtronic Exec: Medical Devices ‘Finished’

The company's senior VP for medicine and technology said biotechnology will ultimately displace medical devices.

Arizona’s Proposition 101 Would Block Universal Health Coverage

Opponents say the measure could have unintended consequences, including driving up Medicaid costs. Supporters say it will keep the state from encroaching on the private sector.

Grim Outlook for Big Pharma on Capitol Hill

Big Pharma's support of Democrats may serve to speed up the arrival of federal price controls, an industry "death sentence," says an editorial in the Journal.

A Bad Year for U.S. Drug Sales Gets Worse

The number crunchers at IMS Health just cut their growth estimate for U.S. drug sales to 1% to 2% for this year, way down from the 4% to 5% they'd previously estimated.

Cigna Rolls Out Posh Health Plans for Individuals and Small Businesses

The bells and whistles include discounts for fitness club memberships, coverage of acupuncture and 24-hour health information lines.

Wyeth Joins R&D Restructuring Parade

Wyeth's research move is part of a larger plan, dubbed Project Impact, to boost efficiency at the company. It's also a response to regulators tougher stance on the applications for new medicines.

FDA Warns On Bayer Aspirin Combined With Calcium, Phytosterols

The company got into trouble by failing to get approval for pills that combine dietary supplements with aspirin.

Celebrity Ad Presses McCain and Obama on Chronic Disease

A consortium of patient advocacy groups, backed in part by Big Pharma, has enlisted celebrity women in a TV ad urging viewers to press the presidential candidates about funding of care for chronic disease.

Celebrities Press McCain and Obama on Chronic Disease

A consortium of patient advocacy groups, backed in part by Big Pharma, has enlisted celebrity women in a TV ad urging viewers to press the presidential candidates about funding of care for chronic disease.

Should Doctors Talk Politics With Their Patients?

Suppose should a doctor answer when a patient asks, "Who are you going to vote for, and what do you think of Obama and McCain's health plans?"

A Shrinking Program to Insure the Uninsurable in California

Working people who have health problems and don't get insurance from their employer fall into a gaping hole in our system: They don't qualify for government-backed insurance for the poor, but their health problems make them uninsurable on the open market.

Is ImClone Really Worth More than $70 a Share?

A pension fund is suing ImClone and Lilly over a deal that it says isn't in the interest of ImClone's shareholders.

Financial Turmoil Takes Toll at Teva, Humana

Teva has taken charges related to auction-rate securities, but got a $100 million settlement from the broker for the purchases. Humana was hurt by losing investments in a slew of financial services companies.

Wyeth Builds Case for Enhanced Version of Prevnar Vaccine

The drugmaker reported this morning that data suggest Prevnar 13 offers better protection against pneumococcal disease in young children compared with the current Prevnar.

Patients Who Don’t Fit in ER Hang Out in the Hallway

Some hospitals are holding patients in the hallway as a way to compensate for overcrowding in the emergency room.

Boston Hospital’s Honesty Means Bad News About Botches

Beth Israel's push for transparency has brought some bad publicity over errors and problems that might have gone unnoticed at other hospitals.

Mundane Work & Inflexible Hours Make It Tough to Retain Nurses

Nurses' morale suffers when they're assigned tasks that aren't core to their jobs, like changing bedding and answering phones. And inflexible schedules make it tough to balance work and family responsibilities.

State Medical Society Policy Bans All Gifts From Drug Companies

The Wisconsin Medical Society has adopted a stringent policy that says doctors shouldn't accept even the smallest gifts.

Obama Has Spent $113 Million on Health-Themed Ads

Obama has spent 68% of his ad budget on commercials that include a health-care theme, compared to 13% for McCain.

Half of U.S. Doctors Prescribe Placebos

The finding raises some important questions about doctors' responsibilities to their patients.

Hate Paying Taxes? Maybe You Have ‘Late-Filing Syndrome’

A New York state official who owed about $300,000 in back taxes had "late-filing syndrome," a condition that made it hard for him to for him to fill out his tax returns, his lawyer says.

Big Pharma Could Be Big Loser Under Obama Health Plan

A consulting shop parses the candidates' plans to see how they'd affect the bottom line for big players in the health care sector.

Sales of Obesity Drug Acomplia Suspended in Europe

European regulators said the drug appears less effective and more likely to cause side effects than initial studies suggested. The suspension is a reminder of the limits of clinical trials -- and a vindication for the FDA, which never approved the drug.

Credit Crunch Hits Bristol-Myers Squibb — Again

The company took a third-quarter impairment charge of $224 million on securities tied to subprime mortgages and other forms of debt.

What the McCain and Obama Health Plans Mean for Your Wallet

Here are a few estimates of what the candidates' health plans would mean for individuals and families in the short term.

Pharma Buys TV Ads Praising Favored Lawmakers

The drug industry is running ads supporting congressmen and senators who voted in favor of expanding government-backed insurance for children.

Wyeth: Alzheimer’s Delay, Consumer Products Dip, Lehman Charge

In its earnings call today, Wyeth discussed a delay into Alzheimer's research, a decline in consumer products sales and a charge related to Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual corporate debt.

In Two Days, Four New Drugs Stall at FDA

Delays hit drugs from Pfizer, Schering-Plough, Abbott and Forest Labs.

A Blizzard Of Numbers Obscures Candidates’ Health Plans

Nobody knows exactly the changes proposed by John McCain and Barack Obama would play out in the real world. That hasn't kept the candidates from throwing around lots of numbers.

Merck Cuts Another 7,200 Jobs

The company plans to cut the number of senior and mid-level executives by 25%, outsource manufacturing and close four basic-research facilities.

Aetna Links Up With Microsoft’s HealthVault

Aetna may also work with Google Health.

Universal Coverage Too High at Any Price for Some Employers

Kellen Winslow is only the latest high-profile football player to get a staph infection. A few factors make players particularly vulnerable to the bug.

Kellen Winslow, and Why Football Players Keep Getting Staph Infections

Kellen Winslow is only the latest high-profile football player to get a staph infection. A few factors make players particularly vulnerable to the bug.

JAMA Opposes Drug Industry in Wyeth v. Levine

With an important case set to come before the Supreme Court next month, an influential medical journal argues in favor of preserving patients' right to sue drug makers in state court.

Good News for Premeds: More Medical School Slots Open Up

This year's first year medical student class topped 18,000 nationwide, as the number of applicants fell slightly.

How to Get Help Paying for Prescription Drugs

Many programs help patients deal with the cost of prescription drugs. Here's how to find them.

How Doctors Can Avoid Perilous Patient ‘Hand Offs’

Physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital have developed tips for surgical residents to avoid mistakes as patients are handed from one doctor who's leaving a shift to another who's starting.

Novartis Shows Generics Can Be Tricky Business for Big Pharma

After double-digit growth in 2007 and the first half of 2008, Novartis's generics business showed signs of a slowdown.

U.S. Predicts Rapid Rise of Medicaid Spending

The federal government released a report that predicts Medicaid benefits spending will grow quickly and will total $4.9 trillion over the next 10 years.

China Aims for Universal Health Care

China is working on a plan for universal health care that would broadly nationalize the country's system.

Gaps Remain In Public’s Knowledge of Candidates’ Health

The health histories of McCain, Obama, Palin and Biden aren't entirely clear.

Breast Cancer Patients Try Vaccine Treatment

Terminal breast cancer patients take part in an early test of a vaccine to train their immune systems to attack cancerous cells.

McCain and Obama Agree: Medicare Needs New System for Doctor Pay

Both candidates think Medicare should move toward paying doctors based on patient outcomes.

Rite Aid Faces Delisting

The average closing price of Rite Aid's common stock has fallen below $1 a share over 30 consecutive trading days, putting it in danger of getting the boot from the NYSE.

Former Pfizer Exec Sentenced in Child Pornography Case

Alan Hesketh was sentenced today to six years in prison for possessing child pornography, the Associated Press reports.

Axe Falls On Program to Insure All Children in Hawaii

Hawaii is eliminating its program because of budget shortfalls, and because families were dropping private coverage to get state-subsidized insurance.

Sanofi Zooms on Reported Delay for Lilly Blood Thinner

The FDA may not decide on Lilly's prasugrel until next year, a trade publication reported.

Lance Armstrong and Bill Clinton Help Fred Baron Get Tysabri

Fred Baron has late-stage multiple myeloma. Tysabri hasn't been approved for cancer, but his doctors think it might help.

Senators Probe Cardiologists’ Ties to Stent Makers

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Herb Kohl wrote to Columbia University and a high-profile medical foundation asking about payments from stent makers to the institutions and certain affiliated doctors.

Pfizer Goes Generic

The drugmaker wants to be a bigger player in the rough-and-tumble, low-margins generics business -- and plans to start selling generic versions of competitors' off-patent drugs.

Public Health Officials to U.S. Teens: Enough With the Car Surfing

More than 50 people -- mostly teenage boys -- have been killed or injured riding on the outside of vehicles, according to a tally by public health officials.

Disco Saves Lives!

The Bee Gees' classic Stayin' Alive provides an ideal rhythm to teach people how to do CPR.

A Chicago Hospital Closes, Starved for Capital and Buyerless

The credit crunch may have been the last straw for a failing Chicago hospital that said yesterday it was closing its doors.

The Stent-Industrial Complex Comes Together For Safety Study

The big stent makers and companies that sell blood-thinning drugs are teaming up to figure out the best way to reduce the risk of blood clots for patients who get drug-coated stents.

Build a Better Health Care System, Win $10 Million

A foundation known for offering bounties for things like sending a robot to the moon is taking on a tougher challenge: Lowering costs and improving quality in American health care.

Atrial Fibrillation, the Cause of Dick Cheney’s Heart Trouble

Patients with atrial fibrillation may feel palpitations or shortness of breath, but often it causes no symptoms at all. It increases the risk of stroke, and can be treated in several ways.

Hospitals, Doctors Challenge Crackdown on ‘Balance Billing’

California's been making it tougher for hospitals and doctors to bill patients for charges their insurers refuse to pay. But the doctors and hospitals are fighting back over out-of-network ER bills.

Genentech’s Earnings Show Why Companies Want Cancer Drugs

Sales of Genentech's marquee cancer drugs grew by more than 15% last quarter.

MRSA Infections Come to the Doctor’s Office

MRSA infections have migrated out of the hospital and into the community. A doctor gives a report from the ground.

Despite Crisis, U.S. Drug Companies’ Cash Is Safe*

Drug makers are building up big piles of cash, and keeping it safe. But most of the money is overseas, which is prompting companies to borrow more money at home.

NIH Suspends Emory Grant Amid Questions Over Pharma Payments

The NIH is putting a hold on a five-year, $9.3 million grant to Emory, after a senator raised questions about drug industry payments to the chair of the med school's psychiatry department.

States Ask Companies to Stop Putting BPA in Baby Bottles

Attorneys general from three states wrote to manufacturers, asking them to stop using bisphenol A in bottles and formula. It's the latest public pressure to reduce use of the chemical, which may be linked to health risks.

NIH Suspends Emory Grant Amid Questions Over Pharma Payments

The NIH is putting a hold on a five-year, $9.3 million grant to Emory, after a senator raised questions about drug industry payments to the chair of the med school's psychiatry department.

States Ask Companies to Stop Putting BPA in Baby Bottles

Attorneys general from three states wrote to manufacturers, asking them to stop using bisphenol A in bottles and formula. It's the latest public pressure to reduce use of the chemical, which may be linked to health risks.

What Recession? J&J Posts Higher Sales, Earnings

J&J's results show why it's good to be in steady, boring businesses during tough economic times.

Baldness Blame Spreads to Dad

New research suggests your father's mother isn't the only one whose genes can lead to baldness.

Nonprofit Hospitals Flee Cities for Suburbs, Leaving Poor Behind

Nonprofit hospital systems are closing money-losing facilities in inner cities while expanding in affluent suburbs. The shift is leaving the poor without adequate care and calls into question the tax breaks the nonprofits receive in return for providing charity care, critics charge.

Pay-for-Performance Gets Doctors to Push Smoking Cessation

Clinics that were in a program that paid bonuses for making smoking-cessation referrals ended up making many more of them.

Four Tips for Saving Money on Health Care Next Year

As open enrollment season kicks off for employer-sponsored health insurance, it pays to spend a little time checking out your options for next year.

Pediatricians Recommend Doubling Vitamin D for Kids

Based on research of vitamin D's benefits, the academy now recommends kids get 400 units of the vitamin per day, twice the previous recommendation.

Weak Economy Could Mean Medicaid Pay Cuts for Doctors

Falling tax revenues and higher enrollment in Medicaid programs are putting pressure on state budgets that could hit doctors' pocketbooks.

Pennsylvania Bill Bans Compulsory Double Shifts for Nurses

The bill aims to reduce errors by curbing mandatory overtime work by nurses.

Why the Sick Economy Makes Health Reform More Plausible

Bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel argues that the economic downturn makes health reform more feasible not less so, contrary to conventional wisdom that says budget pressure will doom substantial change.

Doctors May Miss Heart Disease Diagnoses in Women

When patients are female, doctors are more likely to focus on stress, rather than heart disease, as the cause of chest pain or shortness of breath, a study shows.

ImClone vs. GM — No Contest on Market Capitalization

The biotech company founded in the '80s is worth more than the leading U.S. automaker, as measured by total stock value.

Checking the Facts on Insurance Coverage of Hair Transplants

Are hair transplants really covered by health insurance, as Sen. McCain said? Not usually. The exceptions occur when hair is restored as part of reconstructive surgery after an accident, injury or burn.

Financial Crisis Forces Boston Scientific Founders to Dump Stock

The founders said the sales were automatic trades triggered by the need to cover collateralized loans, and don't reflect on the company.

Nexium, Actos, Ambien Sites Tops for Web Traffic

Big changes in traffic to the most popular prescription-drug sites reflect the quickly shifting sands of the pharmaceutical industry these days.

Hong Kong Launches Emotional Support Hotline for Financial Crisis

Social workers will try to help those facing personal problems because of the crisis. No word on whether they'll take calls from Manhattan.

Merck’s Gardasil Given to 1 in 4 Teenage Girls

The rate is lower than the rate for other vaccines, but it's based on a survey conducted only a few months after a national panel recommended Gardasil.

Nearly 1 in 6 Online Health Insurance Shoppers Are ‘Uninsurable’

Competition and freedom of choice are supposed to be tonics for the health system. But a survey of individual insurance shoppers found that one in six weren't insurable by customary standards.

The Art of Persuasion Comes to Medicine

Diplomas on the wall, "liking" the patient and spilling the secret on personal goals can help improve patient help, a leading psychologist says.

J&J Taps Insider Sheri McCoy to Run Pharmaceutical Business

McCoy, 49, will have a big job of her hands. J&J's pharma unit is the company's largest in sales, and it's also the one struggling hardest to achieve growth.

Wall Street Woes Send Moneyed Class to Therapy

The rich are different, until a harsh market eats away at their assets and identities.

Walgreen Ends Battle with CVS for Longs

Walgreen ended its pursuit of Longs Drug Stores, citing the economic downturn and the refusal of its quarry to negotiate an alternative to a deal from CVS.

Testicles May Provide Alternative Source for Stem Cells

A new source of stem cells may help quell the debate over ethical use of the powerful cells in medical research.

Chicago Hospital Hangs For Sale Sign, Citing Credit Crunch

Lincoln Park Hospital may be in one Chicago's fanciest neighborhoods. But the tony location hasn't spared the facility from the vicissitudes of the financial markets.

Top Sick Day Illnesses Might Surprise You

The illness that led the most folks to miss 10 or more days of work in the last year was heart disease, followed by diabetes and depression, a survey says.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Beauty of Fluorescent Protein

An FDA warning on marketing of an ovarian cancer test without approval vindicates skeptics of the assay who worried it wasn't ready for prime time.

FDA Slams LabCorp for Selling Unapproved Ovarian Cancer Test

An FDA warning on marketing of an ovarian cancer test without approval vindicates skeptics of the assay who worried it wasn't ready for prime time.

Older Workers Pessimistic on Outlook for Medicare, Social Security

Sixty-one percent of older workers say they aren't confident in the government's ability to provide health coverage even a few years down the road, according to a recent analysis. Fifty-percent say the same about Social Security payments.

Many Docs Aren’t Ready to Talk With Patients About Health Spending

Lots of employees are getting pushed into high-deductible health plans that leave them on the hook for more of their health-care spending. But many doctors aren't ready to help patients hash out the costs of their health care.

WellCare Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraud; Shares Rise

The guilty plea suggests the scope of the investigation of the company may be limited.

Obama, McCain Debate Whether Health Care Is a Right or Responsibility

Obama says it's a right; McCain says it's a responsibility. What do you think?

Pfizer Employees Sought to Suppress Negative Neurontin Study

"We are not interested at all in having this paper published because it is negative!!," a Pfizer marketing manager wrote in 2002, two years after the company bought Warner-Lambert and its drug Neurontin.

Drug Coverage Options for Poor Medicare Recipients Dwindle

Only 308 Medicare drug plans have qualified to serve low-income beneficiaries in 2009, almost 200 fewer than this year. In six states, poor seniors will have five or fewer drug plans to choose from.

Doctors Can Talk Frankly to Terminally Ill Without Distressing Them

Researchers find that terminally ill patients who had end-of-life discussions with their doctors didn't experience more emotional distress than patients who didn't have such talks.

How to Keep Cough and Cold Medicines Out of Young Children’s Hands

The biggest risk with children's cough and cold medicines is that kids will get their hands on the medicine when their parents' backs are turned.

On Its Way Out Of Ann Arbor, Pfizer Fights the Tax Man

The drugmaker claims the assessed value of its property in the Michigan town was too high by $119 million, resulting in a tax bill that's $6.3 million too high.

Pfizer Reorganizes but Doesn’t Cut More Jobs

The company's creating new business units for primary care and specialty drugs that will have input into drug development and profit and loss responsibilities.

Lilly Paying $62 Million to Settle State Zyprexa Investigations

The company settled with 32 states, but a federal investigation over the company's flaghship antipsychotic medicine continues.

Genentech Study Failure Highlights Pitfalls of Cancer Drug Combos

Traditional chemotherapy relies on multi-drug combinations, but combining Avastin and Tarceva to treat lung cancer was no better than using Tarceva alone, a Genentech study found.

Colonoscopies Not Recommended After Age 75

For people who have had normal colonoscopies since age 50, a federal task force recommends ending colon cancer screening at age 75.

Insurance Ping Pong Can Aggravate TMJ Pain

About 10% of the population suffers from disorders of the joint that connect the jaw to the skull, but treatments generally fall between the cracks of insurance coverage.

Doctors More Likely to Tell Patients About Obvious Errors

A new survey suggests that many doctors are still reluctant to tell patients about serious medical errors.

Dendreon Shares Climb on Promising Prostate Cancer Data

Early results from a study of a vaccine to treat advance prostate cancer show a 20% lower risk of death among patients on the experimental option than those given a placebo.

Bristol-Myers Loses ImClone but Gains $1 Billion

Bristol-Myers lost ImClone to a higher bidder. But the deal allows Bristol to cash out of its 17% stake in ImClone for $1 billion, while continuing to receive a large slice of the revenues from ImClone's drug Erbitux.

Study Questions the Value of Free Drug Samples for Kids

Poor children aren't more likely than well-off kids to receive free drug samples. And many drugs often given as free samples may later run into safety concerns, a new study suggests.

Health Care Heats Up in Presidential Campaign

Barack Obama attacked John McCain's plan for health reform. A McCain adviser said the Republican would cut spending on Medicare and Medicaid.

What Financial Crisis? Eli Lilly Buying ImClone for $6.5 Billion

Carl Icahn wasn't bluffing, and dealmaking isn't dead on Wall Street.

More Questions About Study of CT Screening for Lung Cancer

A letter to a cancer journal raises new questions about a study that suggested smokers could benefit from CT screening for lung cancer.

Roche Cuts Price on Tarceva in the U.K.

Roche agreed to lower the price of the lung cancer drug Tarceva to make it available in the U.K. It's the latest example of regulators there taking a skeptical view of expensive new cancer drugs.

Grassley Says Emory Psychiatrist Didn’t Report $500,000 in Payments

The allegation from Sen. Chuck Grassley is the latest in his string of investigations into ties between industry and academic physicians. Grassley backs a bill that would require drug makers to report payments to doctors.

In U.S., Amgen Won’t Face Competition from Roche for Anemia Drugs

A federal court finally prohibited Roche from sell its drug Mircera in the U.S. The drug would have competed with Amgen's Epogen and Aranesp.

FDA Rejects Ban On Cough & Cold Medicines for Kids

A panel of FDA advisers suggested banning cough and cold medicines for kids under 6. But an agency official suggested yesterday that no such move is imminent.

Schering-Plough’s Hassan On Growth and Hard Times in Global Markets

Economic troubles could pinch Schering-Plough's sales in developed markets such as Europe. But that may be partly offset by growth in other markets around the world, the company's CEO said.

Glaxo Pays $40 Million in (Another) Paxil Settlement

The settlement is the latest in a string of problems for Glaxo. At issue is whether the drugmaker promoted the antidepressant for unapproved use in children and adolescents, and whether it promptly shared information about possible risks.

Senate Folds Mental Health Parity Into Wall Street Bailout Bill

A mental health parity bill years in the making passed both houses of Congress last week. In a bit of Congressional housekeeping, it wound up tacked onto the big bailout bill the Senate passed last night.

Merck Scratches Controversial Obesity Drug

The drug, taranabant, is in the same class as the Sanofi-Aventis drug sold in Europe under the brand name Acomplia. Both medicines are associated with psychiatric side effects.

Merck Scratches Controverisal Obesity Drug

The drug, taranabant, is in the same class as the Sanofi-Aventis drug sold in Europe under the brand name Acomplia. Both medicines are associated with psychiatric side effects.

Roche Says Credit Crunch Won’t Derail Genentech Bid

Roche says it can still raise the money to buy the rest of Genentech. The market isn't so sure.

Doctor Says Executive Physicals Are Bad Medicine

Writing in the New England Journal of Medicine, a doc argues that fancy physicals expose patients to excessive testing that may do more harm than good.

Lilly Emerges as ImClone’s Secret Admirer

Carl Icahn has said that a mystery bidder has made a tentative offer of $70 per share for ImClone. Bristol-Myers Squibb has offered $62.

Note to Hospitals: Don’t Snoop on The Governor’s Wife

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into state law greater protection for patient privacy--not surprising, given that the medical file of his wife, Maria Shriver, was viewed by unauthorized people.

Universal Health Coverage Gets a Boost in San Francisco, Massachusetts

An experiment in mandatory health coverage in San Francisco is upheld by a federal court while a federal waiver on Medicaid income limits for Massachusetts would help fund universal coverage in the state.

Medtronic, Boston Scientific Ordered to Pay J&J $1.2 Billion

A judge ordered the payment in an 11-year-old patent infringement case involving bare-metal stents.

A Family Doctor Rails Against Insurance Pre-Authorization

Insurers sometimes require doctors to get approval before prescribing a drug or performing a procedure. This drives doctors up the wall.

Pfizer Touts Pipeline Progress, but Doubters Remain

Starting Oct. 1, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for costs associated with certain complications. But as it turns out, the new policy won't have much effect on the bottom line.

Medicare’s No-Pay Rule Is Small Potatoes for Hospitals’ Bottom Line

Starting Oct. 1, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for costs associated with certain complications. But as it turns out, the new policy won't have much effect on the bottom line.

Glaxo Axing Drug Researchers

Glaxo is the latest drugmaker to cut costs by eliminating the jobs of scientists in research and development.

Is Sex Addiction Really a Disease?

Pop culture loves sex addiction. But the mental health community can't agree on whether it's really a disease.

Pfizer to Cut R&D Jobs, Retreat from Heart-Drug Research

Pfizer, the Lipitor company, is largely abandoning research into new medicines for heart disease to focus on hard-to-treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders and Alzheimer's.

Under Sweeping Settlement, Cephalon Will Disclose Doctor Payments

A corporate integrity agreement with the federal government makes Cephalon the first drugmaker to be required to post payments to physicians publicly.

Could Market Turmoil Foil Roche’s Bid for Genentech?

As the markets churned, Genentech's shares dipped below Roche's offer price of $89 a share to acquire the rest of the company.

Mayo & Johns Hopkins CEOs Want Buffer Between Congress & Medicare

The CEOs of two major medical organizations favor an independent, non-political board to make coverage decisions for Medicare.

FDA’s Second Delay on Lilly’s Prasugrel is a Headscratcher

Eli Lilly and partner Daiichi Sankyo said the FDA still hasn't finished its review of the anti-clotting drug. There were few details, but every minute of delay helps Bristol-Myers and Sanofi-Aventis.

Japanese Statin Discoverer Gets His Due With Lasker Award

Akira Endo, winner of a Lasker award for his discovery of statins, explains that he finally started taking one himself after exercise proved insufficient to lower his cholesterol.

University of Pennsylvania Turns to Industry for Medical Research

Penn's med school gets about $50 million a year in industry funding.

Feds Probe Another Chelation Study

Officials are investigating a federally funded study of chelation in patients who have survived heart attacks.

California Mandates More Screening, Reporting of Hospital Infections

Unlike other so-called safe-haven laws, the Nebraska law does not limit the age of the child. That's led to the recent abandonment of several teenagers.

Nebraska Law Leads Parents to Abandon Older Kids at Hospitals

Unlike other so-called safe-haven laws, the Nebraska law does not limit the age of the child. That's led to the recent abandonment of several teenagers.

Merck to Report (Some) Payments to Doctors, Medical Education Groups

The company's announcement comes a day after Eli Lilly said it would start reporting its payments to doctors.

The Most Expensive Drugs Are Getting Even More Expensive

The price of specialty drugs -- often sold by biotech companies, and used to treat complex conditions such as cancer -- rose 8.7% last year, three times the rate of inflation, a new report found.

Illinois Law Compels Hospitals to Give Uninsured Patients a Price Break

For low- and middle-income families without insurance, hospitals will be limited to billing them a 35% markup on the cost of care.

State Insurance Watchdogs Vary on Tracking Consumer Appeals

Being denied coverage of a medical procedure by your insurer is hard enough. Figuring out how your plan stacks up in handling appeals may be an even bigger challenge because state regulators track different information all sorts of ways.

Medical Societies Oppose Proposed Federal Abortion Rule

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association are among groups that have publicly opposed a rule that could allow health-care workers to refuse to provide certain forms of birth control if they believe they are tantamount to abortion.

Ex-Medtronic Lawyer Alleges Company Paid Kickbacks to Surgeons

The lawsuit claims the company paid spine surgeons royalties for inventions in which they had no hand, and sponsored lavish trips and visits to a strip club.

Big Pharma R&D: Things Are Tough All Over

Only 25% of experimental drugs are making out of phase II and half of those fail in phase III. The business model for the drug sector won't work unless those rates improve, said Steven Paul, head of R&D at Lilly.

Exit NIH Chief Elias Zerhouni

Zerhouni, a radiologist by training, managed to launch a major interdisciplinary project during an era of stagnant funding. But he also presided over the agency during an investigation into NIH scientists who did work on the side for private industry.

In Health Insurance, a Wider Range of Costs, Plans

Health insurance costs are going up. But a survey shows the cost of employess' premiums varies widely depending on the coverage offered. The range is the latest sign of how broad the meaning of insurance has become.

CVS Suppliers Pay for Face Time With Company Execs

A charity golf tournament is an in for companies that do business with the drugstore chain.

Eli Lilly to Disclose Payments to Doctors

The move comes as Congress considers a bill that would require all drug and device makers to report payments to doctors.

Pfizer Moves Into Stem Cell Research

The drugmaker initially plans to use stem cells to study drug safety. But the cells could eventually be used to grow new tissue for treatment of disease.

ImClone’s Icahn Calls Bristol-Myers’s Hostile Bid ‘Absurd’

In the latest installment of a long-running correspondence, Icahn rejects the latest Bristol offer as inadequate and tells the company's CEO there are more productive ways to make lawyers wealthier.

FDA Transparency Raises Volatility for Drug Company Shares

As the FDA moves toward reporting more potential drug safety issues, the number of false alarms will inevitably rise, causing more volatility in the sector.

FDA Transparency Is a Two-Edged Sword for Drug Company Shareholders

As the FDA moves toward reporting more potential drug safety issues, the number of false alarms will inevitably rise, causing more volatility in the sector.

Most Drug Studies Remain Unpublished

Many studies are submitted to the FDA but never published in the medical journals doctors use to evaluate drugs' safety and effectiveness.