Medicine | GlobalPost

New Hampshire nears approval of medical marijuana law

Thomson ReutersJune 19, 2013 12:08

By Jason McLure LITTLETON, New Hampshire (Reuters) - New Hampshire is set to become the final state in New England to allow medical marijuana after negotiators from the Republican-controlled Senate and Democratic-controlled House agreed Tuesday on a bill backed by Governor Maggie Hassan.

Hot flashes common even before menopause

Thomson ReutersJune 19, 2013 09:31

By Kathryn Doyle NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Most women expect hot flashes as a part of the "change of life," but more than half start sweating before menopause has actually begun, according to a survey. The study and others "indicate that women start having hot flashes and night sweats, the primary symptoms of the menopause transition, before they have their final menstrual period, contrary to the perception of many clinicians," according to Ellen Gold, of the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.

Study: Wiser medication use could save US $213 billion a year in avoidable health care costs

The Canadian PressJune 19, 2013 07:31

TRENTON, N.J. - If doctors and patients used prescription drugs more wisely, they could save the U.S. health care system at least $213 billion a year, by reducing medication overuse, underuse and other flaws in care that cause complications and longer, more-expensive treatments, researchers conclude. The savings would come by reducing medication overuse, underuse and other flaws in care that cause complications and longer, more expensive treatments, researchers conclude.

Beverage group: Banning food stamps from being used for sugary drinks won't make US healthier

The Canadian PressJune 18, 2013 19:04

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The American Beverage Association says efforts by the mayors of 18 cities to stop food stamps from being used to buy sugary drinks won't make the nation healthier. Mayors from cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are reviving a push against letting food stamps be used for soda and other sugary drinks. They say in a letter sent to congressional leaders Tuesday it's time to evaluate approaches limiting the use of the subsidies for sugar-laden beverages in the interest of fighting obesity.

Scientists find way to prevent alcohol damage to liver

Yonhap News AgencyJune 18, 2013 23:01

SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- A team of South Korean scientists has discovered a way to prevent damage to the liver by alcohol, the science ministry said Wednesday, possibly allowing people to drink without having to worry about serious consequences, at least in a physical sense. It has been widely documented that alcohol produces reactive oxygen, which in turn damages the liver, causing hepatitis or even hepatocirrhosis, according to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. However, little had been known about exactly what triggers the production of reactive oxygen.

New Brunswick health minister says catastrophic drug plan on the way

The Canadian PressJune 18, 2013 16:32

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick's health minister says he expects to begin rolling out parts of a catastrophic drug program as early as this fall. Hugh Flemming said Tuesday a complete prescription and catastrophic drug program will be in place before the next election in September 2014. "I'll set my career on it," Flemming told the legislature. "We're going to have a prescription drug plan so that every New Brunswicker will have prescription drug coverage. The expensive drugs will be covered."

Canada-U.S. team develops promising 'sharp-shooter' drug aimed at several cancers

The Canadian PressJune 18, 2013 15:33

TORONTO - A team of Canadian and U.S. researchers has developed a new "sharp-shooter" drug they hope may be a breakthrough in treating several types of aggressive cancer. The drug, known for now as CFI-400945, is a new class of cancer agent that targets an enzyme involved in some malignancies, among them certain types of breast cancer, and ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic and prostate cancers.

New Hampshire nears approval of medical marijuana law

Thomson ReutersJune 18, 2013 17:33

Past care tied to later treatment's success

Thomson ReutersJune 18, 2013 17:32

By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - If a person doesn't have much success with one pain treatment, they may say the next one they try doesn't work so great either, suggests a new study from Germany. Previous studies have found that people receiving a dummy pill in clinical trials don't fare as well once they're switched to the real drug, compared to those who have been getting the real treatment all along, according to Dr. Ulrike Bingel, the study's lead author from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.

Obamacare-like groups tied to lower costs: study

Thomson ReutersJune 18, 2013 17:02

By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Large independent doctor practices that focus on primary care tend to spend less money and are more likely to meet guidelines for Americans on Medicare than smaller groups, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the so-called Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) created by the 2010 Affordable Care Act may improve the quality of care while lowering spending, said the study's lead author.