GLG News by Neonatal-Perinatal Physicians (US)

While the need for urgent care does not disappear during tough economic times, patients are far more selective about when they consider themselves sick enough to require medical care. With higher copayments, often $25-50, patients think twice before going to a physician for minor complaints--they might...

As in so many other instances, some potential side effects will only show up once the number of patients has grown far beyond the number studied in pre-marketing studies.

While I am sure that there are a few children with hereditary lipid disorders which should be treated aggressively and early with statins, the data is certainly not available to support routine treatment of every child with elevated lipid values.

If the same drug is available OTC, insurances won't cover the rx form, and patients will (continue to) self-treat with OTC meds, without even needing to see their doctor.

Taro just got approval for Rx cetirizine - big whoop!  Zyrtec has been OTC in all forms (tablet, chewable and syrup) since 11/07.  Do you know anyone who will write a prescription for an OTC drug or an insurance company that will cover it?

Glaxo has just gotten approval for Kinrix (DTaP-IPV).  It's products for infants and toddlers, Pediarix (DTaP-HepB-IPV) and Infanrix (DTaP) are used in children under 2; Kinrix will be used for the 4-6 year booster dose, reducing by 1 the number of vacthat children get at this age.

While all can agree that universal use of EMR/EHR would be beneficial, the cost burden of implementing these systems generally rests with the physician, who will generally see the least benefit (as opposed to insurance companies, Medicare, patients, etc.)

While I knew (from the required disclosures) that these researchers receive income from speaking for the pharmaceutical companies about their products, I am troubled more by the amounts involved. A speaker who is acting as a paid spokesman for ANY product deserves to be paid for his/her time, and physicians...

Gee, remember when Nalgene was the way to go, because it was safer/healthier than phthalates? Now Nalgene is suspect, since it may contain BPA. Metal is no good, especially aluminum. And if the inner lining is some epoxy coating, there are yet other things to worry about. I THINK glass is still safe...

The FDA is opening investigations into whether the widely used plastic additive bisphenol A may have various effects on humans, based on animal models. Several companies are already touting their "BPA-free" status; as the FDA investigation will take a prolonged period to review and summarize available...