Analysis of:
New Medicare Regulations Adopted To Reduce Certain Hospital Infections And Medical Errors (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
The new Medicare guidelines -- which restrict reimbursement for cases in which "preventable" complications occur -- does not distinguish between what is a truly "preventable error" and what is a more or less accepted rate of complication for somewhat risky procedures. The fact that doctors and...
Analysis of:
Hepatitis B Vaccine Protection May Not Be Long-Lasting (www.medpagetoday.com)
I have long been concerned about this issue - not only for Hep B, but moreover for Varicella, and measles, etc. It is my prediction that, before the end of my medical career, immunizations will take a greater part in the Family Medicine/Internal Medicine practices, and people will need to receive...
Analysis of:
MDs offer new services, for $3,600 yearly fee (www.boston.com)
The continued trend of concierge medicine will serve to further segregate and fragement our over burdened health care system. It remains to be seen then long effect of this practice model.
Analysis of:
Japan study finds coffee may prevent colon cancer (news.yahoo.com)
This seem dubious at best -- drinking coffee can prevent cancer.
Analysis of:
Blue Cross cuts causing pain (www.latimes.com)
Not surprisingly the BLues are cutting reimbursement to physicians yet their rates continue to rise and their employee compensation continues to rise. It is time for employeers to demand that the highly paid executives of the Blues justify their excessive salaries and efficiencies of the Blues be fixed....
Analysis of:
MedImmune Announces Interim Phase 1 Study Results for Potential Asthma Therapy (www.pipelinereview.com)
Medimmunes novel mAb to the Il5 receptor represents a novel way to decrease eosinophils. While this represents a potentially important therapeutic modality in asthma mangement, previous attempts with mepolizumab ( anti IL 5 ) proved disaapointing. Mepolizumab like medimmune's new agent was able to decrease...
Analysis of:
AVANT's Partner, GlaxoSmithKline, Files Rotarix(R) Application for U.S. Marketing Approval with the FDA (www.pipelinereview.com)
-Rotarix (rotavirus vaccine) has been submitted for approval by Glaxo -Merck's Rotateq has been on the market for over a year now and has contracts with major players already in place -By the time GSK gets marketing approval, it will be a long time before they can convince enough clients to change ...
Analysis of:
FDA Approves XYZAL(R) (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) Tablets For The Relief Of Seasonal And Year Round Allergies, And Chronic Hives (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
Yet another antihistamine in a saturated market with less expensive alternatives. Antihistamines are not the drug of choice for significant allergic rhinitis
Analysis of:
New Options for Mild Asthma Treatment (www.foxnews.com)
Most patients will do well with Albuterol only, but for the mild persistent patients, we have several worthy options. Most of the mild persistent children or adolescents will do well with an inhaled steroid only and some of them will do well with Singulair only as well. We dont often use Advair for...
Analysis of:
Vaccines: What Does Cervical Cancer Have To Do With Chickenpox? (blogs.wsj.com)
-Varivax protects 85-90% of chuildren from chickenpox with a single dose; this rises to 96-99% with a second dose.-Virtually all vaccines are given in multiple doses, not solely Varivax-The CDC mandated a second dse of VZV vaccine for 4-year olds last year; the recommendation will expand to older people...