WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2015 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states.
From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015/10/0295.xml&contentidonly=true
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Wife noticed strange smell before husband's Parkinson's diagnosis
A woman who smelled something funny about her husband before his Parkinson's diagnosis is prompting new research into how to detect the disease
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/wife-noticed-strange-smell-before-husbands-parkinsons-diagnosis/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/wife-noticed-strange-smell-before-husbands-parkinsons-diagnosis/
Court case takes up issue of when fetuses become people
Doctor sued for allegedly causing death of a fetus; parents say doctor ruptured fetal membrane when removing IUD
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/court-case-takes-up-issue-of-when-fetuses-become-people/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/court-case-takes-up-issue-of-when-fetuses-become-people/
Could your kitchen counter be making you fat?
Researchers say the environment where you eat helps play a role in what you eat
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-your-kitchen-counter-be-making-you-fat/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/could-your-kitchen-counter-be-making-you-fat/
GNC sued over ingredients in dietary supplements
State claims supposedly natural supplements actually contained illegal, unapproved ingredients
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-sues-gnc-over-bmpea-ingredients-in-dietary-supplements/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/oregon-sues-gnc-over-bmpea-ingredients-in-dietary-supplements/
Company to offer $1 version of costly Turing drug
Drug compounder says it will make low-cost capsule that contains the active ingredients found in Daraprim
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/company-to-offer-1-version-of-costly-turing-drug/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/company-to-offer-1-version-of-costly-turing-drug/
Human leg stolen from tissue transport van in Los Angeles
Leg stolen from van while employees of non-profit organ donation organization stopped for a bite to eat
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/human-leg-stolen-from-tissue-transport-van-in-los-angeles/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/human-leg-stolen-from-tissue-transport-van-in-los-angeles/
U.K. Nurse With Ebola Improving
Pauline Cafferkey, the nurse who got infected with Ebola while working in West Africa, is recovering after the virus caused her to get meningitis, doctors confirmed Thursday. WebMD has the details.
From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20151022/pauline-cafferkey-nurse-ebola-meningitis?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Brains of Young Adults With Alzheimer's Risk
They showed less activity in cells used for spatial navigation, researchers report
From: http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/news/20151022/brain-differences-seen-in-young-adults-at-genetic-risk-of-alzheimers?src=RSS_PUBLIC
ADHD May Affect Brains of Boys, Girls Differently
Study findings might explain different behaviors seen in genders, experts say
From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/news/20151022/adhd-may-have-different-effects-on-brains-of-boys-and-girls?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Nurse quarantined in Ebola scare sues New Jersey
Nurse Kaci Hickox blames political posturing and fear for decision to detain her in Newark tent last year
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nurse-quarantined-in-ebola-scare-sues-new-jersey/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nurse-quarantined-in-ebola-scare-sues-new-jersey/
Marfan Syndrome: Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MGuYSJIjGc
Are fatty foods friend or foe?
Not all fats or carbs are created equal; swapping the wrong ones could be a not-so-healthy choice
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-fatty-foods-friend-or-foe/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-fatty-foods-friend-or-foe/
Surgeons to perform first brain surgery on live television
Host Brian Gumbel hopes the broadcast will "demystify" the idea of brain surgery
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-geographics-to-broadcast-live-brain-surgery-of-parkinsons-disease-patient/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/national-geographics-to-broadcast-live-brain-surgery-of-parkinsons-disease-patient/
Too many antibiotics may be making kids fatter
New research adds to growing evidence that antibiotics are linked to weight gain
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/too-many-antibiotics-may-be-making-kids-fatter/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/too-many-antibiotics-may-be-making-kids-fatter/
Could Unique Smell Pinpoint Parkinson’s?
Scientists are investigating whether it may be possible for doctors to diagnose Parkinson's disease by smell. WebMD has the details.
From: http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20151022/smell-parkinsons-disease?src=RSS_PUBLIC
WHO: EMRO Health +SocialGood - Segment about diseases outbreaks
From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5iPwOsnpKE
Why many generic drugs are becoming so expensive
The high cost of prescription drugs is big news. You hear about it on television, in your doctor’s office, and even on the campaign trail. When you think about expensive drugs, you may think about novel therapies for lung cancer or hepatitis C. But in fact, prices are also skyrocketing for the generic versions of some commonly prescribed drugs.
An article published last year in The New England Journal of Medicine reported that between 2012 and 2013, captopril — a generic drug used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure — increased in price from 1 cent to 40 cents per pill. During this same period, the cost of doxycycline, an older antibiotic, increased from 6 cents to $3.36 per pill. Connecture, a health insurance information technology company, reports that while the price of most generic drugs remained constant between 2008 and 2015, almost 400 generics saw price increases of more than 1,000%. At a time when 18% of prescription drug costs are paid for out-of-pocket and 8% of Americans report not taking their medications in order to save money, such dramatic increases in generic drug prices place a heavy burden on public health.
Why are generics going up in price?
Most of us think of generics as the less expensive alternative to the brand-name version of a prescription drug — and that’s often the case. The pharmaceutical companies that make generics can sell them for lower prices because they didn’t have to pay for the research and development that brought the drug to market in the first place. However, this cost advantage can take a back seat in situations such as the following, in which competition is reduced or delayed, enabling generic manufacturers to increase their prices:
- The market for some generic drugs is so small that it does not attract multiple producers, as with pyrimethamine (Daraprim), a very old drug used to treat a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis. GlaxoSmithKline had long been the only producer of pyrimethamine, but priced it modestly. This August, however, Turing Pharmaceuticals acquired rights to the drug and exploited its monopoly, raising the price 5,000% (from $13.50 to $750 a pill).
- In some cases, the number of producers of a generic drug decreases because of an ongoing wave of market consolidation within the pharmaceutical industry.
- Unanticipated safety issues can limit the supply of a generic drug. Hikma Pharmaceuticals, for example, was forced to stop production of doxycycline in 2011 due to quality concerns at its New Jersey plant. The shortage resulted in a 6,000% increase in the price of the drug.
- It can be difficult and expensive for a manufacturer to get a generic drug to market in the first place. The average time for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to process a generic drug application was 42 months in 2014, compared with an average of 8 months for a standard new drug application.
- A generic manufacturer must demonstrate that its version of a drug is equivalent to an existing “reference” product already on the market. When only one company produces a drug and tightly controls its distribution, it can be extremely difficult for other companies to secure samples of this reference product.
What you can do
While Congress, the FDA, and other government agencies explore possible solutions to prevent runaway generic drug prices, there are several steps you can take to limit the toll on your wallet.
First, when your doctor recommends a drug for you, ask about its cost. In certain situations, an alternative (lower-price) drug that has a similar mechanism of action might be safe and effective.
When that is not possible or appropriate, you might be able to save money by purchasing generic medications independent of your health insurance. Websites such as GoodRx offer online tools to compare the cash price of medications in your area. Drug coupon or discount programs may also help. Keep in mind that while these programs can provide some relief, they are often available only for a short while (most are not valid after one year), and they can undermine policies intended to keep insurance costs — and thus premiums — down.
Finally, use your voice to help keep this issue a political priority. If you experience a substantial increase in the price of your generic medications, tell your elected representatives.
Related Posts:
The post Why many generic drugs are becoming so expensive appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Ameet Sarpatwari, JD, PhD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/why-many-generic-drugs-are-becoming-so-expensive-201510228480
The woman who sniffs out Parkinson's disease
Could a woman's sensitive nose lead to new early tests for the difficult-to-diagnose disease?
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-woman-who-sniffed-out-parkinsons/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-woman-who-sniffed-out-parkinsons/
Common Shoulder Injury Heals Well Without Surgery
Nonsurgical treatment brings fewer complications and shorter recovery time, researchers say
From: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/20151022/common-shoulder-injury-heals-well-without-surgery-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Knee Replacement Brings Less Pain, Better Function
But risks make physical therapy a viable option, researchers say
From: http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20151021/knee-replacement-brings-less-pain-better-function?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Secondhand Smoke in Infancy May Harm Kids' Teeth
Exposure increased risk of cavities, researchers report
From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20151021/secondhand-smoke-in-infancy-may-harm-kids-teeth?src=RSS_PUBLIC
B Vitamin May Help Ward Off Some Skin Cancers
Study found high-risk patients who took nicotinamide daily developed fewer non-melanoma lesions
From: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20151021/b-vitamin-may-help-ward-off-some-skin-cancers?src=RSS_PUBLIC
Fats: To fear or not to fear them?
Researchers at Harvard's School of Public Health have new information on the effects of eating fats.
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fats-to-fear-or-not-to-fear-them/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fats-to-fear-or-not-to-fear-them/
NFL's Daniel Fells leaves hospital but worries remain
New York Giants player faced threat of losing his foot to a virulent infection
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfls-daniel-fells-released-from-hospital-but-worries-remain/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfls-daniel-fells-released-from-hospital-but-worries-remain/
A Review of Treatments Available for Celiac Disease - Celiac Disease in the News
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcOGV7WJxK4
The Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Liver Function Tests - Celiac Disease in the News
From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofZjAoUyQE0
Prenatal testing: Is it right for you?
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-testing/art-20045177
Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test?
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer/art-20048087
Contact lenses: What to know before you buy
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/contact-lenses/art-20046293
Brain stimulation surgery live from the operating room
For the first time on American television, doctors will perform live brain surgery on a patient who suffered years of tremors
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/brain-stimulation-surgery-live-from-the-operating-room/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/brain-stimulation-surgery-live-from-the-operating-room/
World Polio Day: WHO thanks all those working to achieve a polio-free world
From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_G5gOra-iw
Is it hard to decide about total knee replacement? Totally!
It’s a big decision: Should you have surgery for your painful knee?
Many people say yes. In fact, each year, nearly 700,000 people in the United States who have the most common form of knee arthritis undergo knee replacement surgery.
But how well does it work? That’s a question that’s been answered in large part by asking people who have had the surgery if they’re glad they had it. Most say yes. But high-quality research comparing surgery with non-surgical treatments has not been performed…until now.
In the current issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers in Denmark are reporting the results of a study that randomly assigned 95 people considered eligible for knee replacement surgery to either have the surgery or stick with more conservative treatments, such as exercise and a diet to lose excess weight. Here’s what they found:
- Those who had surgery had more pain relief and better function a year later than those assigned to non-surgical treatment.
- Function and quality of life were better in those who had surgery.
Does this mean surgery is right for most people with knee arthritis? Not necessarily. Here’s why:
- Those enrolled in this study were carefully selected — it included only 95 people out of nearly 1,500 who were initially screened.
- This study excluded those who had had severe pain in the week prior to study enrollment.
- Only people with osteoarthritis — the age-related, “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis — were included. People with other types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, were not eligible.
- Although the improvement in those receiving surgery was greater than that for the non-surgical group, both groups improved. And the difference between them was not large.
- Serious side effects or complications were more common in the surgery group. For example, three of the 50 people who had surgery (compared with none in the non-surgical group) developed blood clots that required treatment with blood thinners. Such clots can cause dangerous, potentially fatal, complications.
- This study lasted for just one year, so it cannot tell us which type of treatment is best over the longer term. That’s important because osteoarthritis, and the impact of major surgery, may affect pain and function for decades.
If you have osteoarthritis of the knee, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Surgery may be a good choice if your symptoms are quite bothersome, other treatments have failed, and your overall health is good enough to withstand the operation. However, your personal preferences matter a lot. For example:
- How does your arthritis affect you? An avid walker may make a different decision about having knee surgery than a person who is less active.
- How do you feel about the risks? All surgery comes with a significant potential for complications, such as infection or bleeding. Some people are more focused on the potential improvement provided by the operation, while others are more concerned about the risks.
- Do you have other conditions or take medications that might make the surgery riskier than average?
- How do you feel about the weeks of rehabilitation needed after surgery?
We still don’t have an easy answer for whether knee replacement surgery is best for people with osteoarthritis. This study helps. But your personal preferences, health, and lifestyle goals matter more.
Related Posts:
The post Is it hard to decide about total knee replacement? Totally! appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.
From: Robert Shmerling, M.D. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-it-hard-to-decide-about-total-knee-replacement-totally-201510228458
New mammogram guidelines spark controversy
Some doctors are pushing back against the latest advice from the American Cancer Society
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-mammogram-guidelines-spark-controversy/
From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-mammogram-guidelines-spark-controversy/
New report identifies four ways to reduce health risks from climate pollutants
A new WHO report highlights the urgent need to reduce emissions of black carbon, ozone and methane - as well as carbon dioxide – which all contribute to climate change. Black carbon, ozone and methane – frequently described as short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) - not only produce a strong global warming effect, they contribute significantly to the more than 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution.
The report, Reducing global health risks through mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants, produced in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, reveals that interventions to cut SLCPs can reduce disease and death and contribute to food security, improve diets and increase physical activity.
From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/reducing-climate-pollutants/en/index.html
The report, Reducing global health risks through mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants, produced in collaboration with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, reveals that interventions to cut SLCPs can reduce disease and death and contribute to food security, improve diets and increase physical activity.
From: http://www.who.int/entity/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/reducing-climate-pollutants/en/index.html
Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test?
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/in-depth/prostate-cancer/art-20048087
Contact lenses: What to know before you buy
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/contact-lenses/art-20046293
Prenatal testing: Is it right for you?
From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-testing/art-20045177
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