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All News Analyses by this Author
Analyses are solely the work of the authors and have not been edited or endorsed by GLG.
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July 30, 2009
OMB Director Questions Insurance Giant's Approach to Reform | www.washingtonpost.com
All parties to reform continue to look out for their own interests, at the expense of the global picture. -
July 28, 2009
Rapid DNA Test to Detect Clostridium difficile Infection Approved by FDA Today | www.medscape.com
This test will enable quicker diagnosis of C. difficile colitis in suspicious cases, thus allowing more timely and appropriate therapy -
July 28, 2009
Swine-Flu Vaccine Production Hits a Snag | online.wsj.com
The current vaccine-manufacturing process is time consuming and cumbersome, as is the pre-licensing clinical study process. -
July 28, 2009
Mass. Panel Backs Radical Shift in Health Payment | www.nytimes.com
Once again, capitation rears its head. As seen over the past two decades, this is just another attempt to shift the risk of utilization away from the payors (Medicare and insurance carriers) and onto the providers (physicians, hospitals, etc.) -
April 30, 2009
As Nations Try to Contain Flu, N.Y. Cases Are Confirmed | www.nytimes.com
Yes, this new strain of influenza will certainly spread, and there is still no data about protection afforded by prior vaccination. The high morbidity and mortality in Mexico vs. that seen so far in the US is puzzling, and will await further clarification. -
April 23, 2009
TB vaccine enters advanced clinical trials at Oxford | timesofindia.indiatimes.com
With the epidemic and endemic nature of TB throughout the entire world, a vaccine with good safety and efficacy would be a tremendous advance. BCG is in wide use, but has limited efficacy. -
Shooting Flleas with Elephant Guns
April 16, 2009
Cephalon to apply for FDA approval for Nuvigil for jet lag | www.reuters.com
Nice idea if it truly is effective, but I do not see much potential for what is a very self-limited "disorder." -
April 16, 2009
Probiotics for the treatment or prevention of atopic dermatitis: a review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials. | www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This comprehensive meta-analysis of the existing studies leads to a suggestion, by no means statistically significant, that probiotics might reduce the incidence of atopic disease when administered to infants at high risk. -
December 9, 2008
Wyeth Submits European Marketing Authorization Application for its 13-Valent Vaccine for the Prevention of Pneumococcal Disease in Infants and Young Children | phx.corporate-ir.net
This vaccine marks an improvement on the currently available pneumococcal vaccine for infants and children, which covers seven pneumococcal serotypes. Some of the additional serotypes have been increasing in prevalence since the seven types in the current vaccine have decreased, and it is logical to continue to aim at preventing new threats. -
Early Findings Need More Study
December 9, 2008
Epilepsy Drug May Increase Risk of Autism in Children | pharmalive.com
While retrospective studies can provide suggestive links, only prospective, controlled studies can hope to both show causative effects as well as point out other confounding variables. However, this study is troubling, especially in view of valproic acid's use grows beyond epilepsy, as a mood stabilizing medication. -
December 8, 2008
The doctor will see all of you now | www.boston.com
While it sounds more efficient, group "meetings" and discussions tend to degenerate and veer away from useful interaction Never mind the HIPAA ramifications. -
Who Wll Certify the Providers?
November 19, 2008
WellPoint Pilot Program Will Provide Coverage For Members To Travel To India For Certain Non-Emergency Procedures | www.medicalnewstoday.com
So let me get this straight: In the US, doctors and hospitals are vetted endlessly, recertified yearly, and made to meet some stringent standards before Wellcare will admit them to its network. But in the interest of saving a few bucks, they will "allow" members to go elsewhere, where they are unable to control vetting and quality. -
Treatin Both Partners for Highest Protection
November 17, 2008
Gardasil, Merck's Cervical Cancer Vaccine, Demonstrated Efficacy in Preventing HPV-Related Disease in Males in Phase III Study | www.fiercebiotech.com
Gardasil has been shown to be effective in preventing the long-term complications of HPV infection, including cervical and vulvar cancer and genital warts, in females. New evidence now is available that it also prevents warts, and presumably the very rare penile carcinoma in males. -
It Works, and Illness is Prevented
November 17, 2008
Flu Vaccine for Preschoolers | www.nytimes.com
Sure, it "only" prevents INFLUENZA, not all the things people call "the flu." But influenza is a miserable disease, and potentially life-threatening for those with underlying illnesses. -
A Recipe for Overuse of Anti-influenza Drugs
November 17, 2008
U.S. looks at whether home drug stockpiles for flu pandemic makes sense | canadianpress.google.com
There are many illnesses which people call "the flu." Not every illness with fever, aches and congestion is influenza, the only disease which these anti-virals will help. -
November 17, 2008
Merck’s Gardasil Should Not Be Mandatory: Report | www.pharmalot.com
Sure, it is a good idea to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts, if possible. But given the relatively low frequency of cervical cancer, and the effectiveness of regular screening, this seems like a situation where the choice should be left to the individual. -
November 10, 2008
Autism linked with rainfall in study | www.boston.com
While any association is possible, this looks like so many others--a coexistence, with no demonstrable suggestion of cause-and-effect. -
October 7, 2008
Protecting a Home From Silent Threat | www.nytimes.com
Yes, there are elevated radon levels in some homes, and, yes, there are patients with lung cancer in some homes, as well. But the connection, while it might be intuitive, remains to be solidified. -
Medication is the Mainstay of ADHD Treatment
September 30, 2008
Parents 'need lessons about ADHD | news.bbc.co.uk
The well-regarded Multimodal Treatment study (MTA Study) has shown that adjunctive, behavioral treatment alone is not as effective as treatment options which include medications. Parent input (and education), however, is critical for day-to-day management of these children, since the parents are on the front lines. -
September 25, 2008
Lilly to Disclose Payments to Doctors | online.wsj.com
As physicians, we should have nothing to hide when we provide unbiased advice to pharmaceutical companies. Receiving a grant (or a lunch or a free pen) does not, for the vast majority, obligate us to be anything other than concerned for our patients, first and foremost.
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