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

$10 Million European Community Water And Sanitation Project Underway In Iraq; UNICEF Relocates Country Office To Baghdad
- A $10 million project funded by the European Community to improve Iraq"s water and sanitation services is underway. Implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works and the Ministry of Municipalities in Kurdistan, the project will increase the government"s provision of services as well as strengthen their capacity to manage and develop Iraq"s water and sanitation sector.
generic viagra online
Survey: Speech Therapy Helps, But People Who Stutter Suffer Discrimination
Four out of 10 adults who stutter have been denied a job or promotion and 82 percent of children who stutter have been bullied or teased, according to a new survey by the National Stuttering Association. People who stutter make up about 1 percent of the population.
News of the day
'Homework Assignment' Could Mean Success, Failure For Health Reform Legislation
How well health care industry groups follow through on their "homework assignment" from President Obama to submit specific plans by early June on how they intend to reduce health care spending growth by $2 trillion over the next decade could determine whether current attempts to develop health care overhaul legislation are successful, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Contra Costa Times, 5/25).In a letter that was sent to Obama on May 10, a coalition of health care industry groups wrote, "We will do our part to achieve your administration"s goal of decreasing by 1.5 percentage points the annual health care spending growth rate. ... This represents more than a 20% reduction in the projected rate of growth." The letter -- which was signed by the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, America"s Health Insurance Plans and the Service Employees International Union -- did not elaborate on what specific measures the groups would take to achieve such reductions. The Obama administration requested specifics on the coalition"s cost-cutting plans by June 1 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/18).Each group has been looking into its own ways it can reduce spending growth, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports. Insurers currently are examining strategies to cut the administrative costs of filing claims. AMA President-elect James Rohack said his organization will look at how to implement comparative effectiveness research and ways to prevent harmful and costly drug interactions, which he said "can save money ... by preventing unnecessary readmissions to hospitals," adding, "The most costly site where patients get care is the hospital." In addition, hospitals have begun looking into how to reduce readmissions.If the industry groups are able to convince lawmakers that their plans can significantly reduce spending growth, Obama "could be well on his way to closing a deal with Congress" on universal health coverage, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports. However, if the plans are rejected, the groups risk their reputations and Obama could be "seen as naive for entertaining such promises," according to the AP/Contra Costa Times. Some experts have said that the groups" pledge to cut health care spending is possible "in theory." According to the AP/Contra Costa Times, the challenge will be to persuade medical providers "to change years of ingrained habits that lead to much of the wasteful spending" in the health care system (AP/Contra Costa Times, 5/25). AHIP"s Ignagni Profiled
Health Insurance

Shire Has Filed A Treatment Protocol For Velaglucerase Alfa For Gaucher Disease

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that, at the request of the FDA, in view of a potential restriction on the availability of the current approved and marketed treatment for Gaucher Disease patients, it has filed a treatment protocol for velaglucerase alfa, its enzyme replacement therapy in development for the treatment of Gaucher Disease. If approved by the FDA, the treatment protocol would allow physicians to treat Gaucher Disease patients with velaglucerase alfa ahead of commercial availability in the US. Under the conditions of the treatment protocol, Shire would provide velaglucerase alfa free of charge initially, in order to provide access to patients as quickly as possible. Velaglucerase alfa is made with Shire"s proprietary technology, in a human cell line. The enzyme produced has the exact human amino acid sequence and carries a human glycosylation pattern. Shire has sufficient supply of velaglucerase alfa to meet anticipated patient demand. Shire is working with the FDA to file a New Drug Application (NDA) for velaglucerase alfa as early as possible. Shire will provide further updates when available via press releases and/or its website on its progress with its discussions with the FDA and other regulatory bodies about the development of velaglucerase alfa as an alternative choice for Gaucher Disease patients. Background on Gaucher Disease Gaucher Disease is an autosomal recessive disease and the most prevalent Lysosomal Storage Disorder (LSD), with an incidence of about 1 in 20,000 live births. Despite the fact that Gaucher Disease consists of a phenotype, with varying degrees of severity, it has been sub-divided in three subtypes according to the presence or absence of neurological involvement. It is also the most common genetic disease affecting Ashkenazi Jewish people (Eastern, Central and Northern European ancestry), with a carrier frequency of 1 in 10 (Dr. John Barranger and Dr. Ed Ginns 1989). This panethnic disease involves many organ systems, such as liver, spleen, lungs, brain, metabolism and bone marrow. Gaucher Disease results from a specific enzyme deficiency in the body, caused by a genetic mutation received from both parents. The disease course is quite variable, ranging from no outward symptoms to severe disability and death. Carrier status can be detected through blood or saliva to identify potential carriers of the Gaucher gene. Gaucher Disease can be diagnosed early through a blood test. SHIRE PLC Shire"s strategic goal is to become the leading specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT) and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas to the extent they arise through acquisitions. Shire"s in-licensing, merger and acquisition efforts are focused on products in specialist markets with strong intellectual property protection and global rights. Shire believes that a carefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results. "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 Statements included herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, the Company"s results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research, development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing and commercialization of the Company"s Specialty Pharmaceutical and Human Genetic Therapies products, as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products for commercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company"s products; the Company"s ability to manufacture its products in sufficient quantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on the Company"s products; the Company"s ability to register, maintain and enforce patents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; the Company"s ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-party reimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company"s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shire Plc


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

© Copyright 2009