Monthly Archives: April 2012

College Kids Often Use Cell Phones While Driving: Study

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Distracted driving due to texting and use of other electronic devices is common among college students in California, according to a new study. Previous research has shown that using cell phones while driving increases the risk of crashes fourfold, and that handheld and hands-free phones are equally dangerous. The risk of crashing while texting is eight to 16 times higher than normal. The new study included nearly 5,000 students, average age 21, from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD); San Diego State University; the University of San Diego; California State, San Marcos; and eight smaller colleges in the region. The researchers found that 78 percent of the students reported using a cell phone to talk or text while driving, 52 percent said they used hands-free devices while driving at least some of the time, 47 percent used hands-free devices at least half of the time while driving and 25 percent frequently used hands-free devices. Half of the students said they send texts while driving on the freeway, 60 percent send texts while in stop-and-go traffic or when driving on city streets, and 87 percent send texts while at traffic lights. Only 12 percent … Continue reading →

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Drop off old prescriptions for National Prescription Take Back Day

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - People with expired or unneeded prescription drugs can get rid of them safely Saturday by participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's fourth National Prescription Take Back Day. Law enforcement agencies, military bases, hospitals, universities and businesses across the county will accept dropped-off medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to the DEA. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. "Getting these potentially harmful drugs off the streets of our community is an important step in decreasing prescription-drug abuse among our youth," said William Sherman, acting special agent in charge of the DEA's San Diego office. During the most recent Prescription Take Back Day, in September, authorities collected 7,113 pounds of medications from San Diego and Imperial counties. Nationally, a total of over 188.5 tons of medications was turned in at 5,327 drop-off sites. Misuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem in the United States, according to medical and law enforcement officials. The substances often fall into the hands of recreational users -- many of them minors raiding their parents' medicine cabinets -- or are improperly discarded, posing public-health risks. A 2009 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health … Continue reading →

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Gilenya Heart Side Effects – European Medicine Agency Gives New Recommendations

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

Editor's Choice Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology Also Included In: Multiple Sclerosis Article Date: 27 Apr 2012 - 13:00 PDT email to a friend printer friendly opinions Current Article Ratings: 2 (1 votes) The Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommends that patients' that are deemed necessary to receive Gilenya should have their heart activity monitored for a minimum of one night after taking the first dose of Gilenya, and that doctors should seek advice on appropriate monitoring from a cardiologist. The new recommendations also include that all patients who start Gilenya therapy should have their heart activity monitored prior to taking the first dose and continuously for a minimum of six hours afterwards, whilst those whose heart rate is lowest six hours after receiving the first dose should be monitored for at least two hours extra. Patients developing considerable clinical heart problems like bradycardia (low heart rate) or atrioventricular (AV) block, a conductivity problem in the heart, should be monitored at least overnight and until the problems have been resolved. Since March 2011, Gilenya, the first disease-modifying MS treatment available as an oral formulation, has been authorized in the EU to treat relapsing-remitting MS in patients … Continue reading →

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Marketsensus: Overcoming Side-Effects Means the Difference Between Profit and Loss for Drug Companies

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

Drugs targeting the incretin system such as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are likely to account for the biggest share of the growing market due to their high safety and efficacy profiles. Incretin mimetics Glucagon-like-1 (GLP-1) agonists will also be able to garner a significant share of the diabetes market. New York, NY (PRWEB) April 24, 2012 According to new research available from Marketsensus, there are a number of molecules currently in development for the treatment of diabetes. The annually increasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes will be the key driving factors for the growth in the value of the diabetes market over the next few years. Research shows that products currently in the market do not serve the unmet need that exists in terms of safety and patient compliance and so the market continues to present opportunities for stronger pipeline candidates. However, for a company to capture this unmet need, it will need to overcome prevailing product weaknesses and adverse effects. These are the biggest challenges currently hindering most pipeline products. Drugs targeting the incretin system such as dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are likely to account for the biggest share of the growing market due to their high safety and … Continue reading →

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Taunton Police: Drug dealing, habits result in violence, victimization

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

If anyone thinks drug abuse is a victimless crime theyre kidding themselves. House and vehicle break-ins, home invasions, shoplifting and violent rip-offs are all collateral damage, so to speak, of todays drug trade, according to Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh. Its by now an age-old problem, he said, that addiction compels some people to resort to victimizing innocent people in order to satisfy their craving. Despite tips from the public and the occasional cooperation of informants, statistics indicate that illicit drug activity in Taunton this year has been keeping pace with 2011. Last year, police responded to 111 drug-related incidents in the Silver City, according to TPD data. Each of those incidents led to at least one arrest. As of this past Thursday there were 24 recorded incidents in 2012, compared to 26 at the same juncture in 2011. Walsh, a 24-year TPD veteran who became chief in 2010, said dealing pot has become more dangerous. Theres more violence, especially, he said, when it comes to the marijuana trade. Walsh says its not uncommon nowadays for pot dealers and their potential customers to violently rob each other of either cannabis or cash. Part of the reason, he explained, is a … Continue reading →

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FDA: Don't use certain hepatitis and HIV drugs together

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

By Thomas H. Maugh II / For the Booster Shots blog April 27, 2012, 9:56 a.m. The Food and Drug Administration warned Friday that doctors should not prescribe and patients should not use the hepatitis C drug Victrelis (boceprevir) and the anti-HIV drug ritonavir at the same time because such use reduces the effectiveness of both drugs. Patients already using the two drugs simultaneously should not stop taking them without consulting their doctor, however, the agency cautioned. Ritonavir, a protease inhibitor, is commonly used to boost the effectiveness of other protease inhibitors and is found in Reyataz (atazanavir/ritonavir), Prezista (darunavir/ritonavir) and Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir). Clinical trials have shown that using the two drugs simultaneously reduces the level of both compounds circulating in the blood and can thus lead to a virologic rebound in which the HIV virus develops resistance to the drugs. A similar effect has been observed with the recently approved hepatitis C drug Incivek (telaprevir), and a warning already appears on the label of that drug. A warning against co-use of the drugs will now be placed on Victrelis' label. LATimesScience@gmail.com Twitter: @LATMaugh Go here to see the original: FDA: Don't use certain hepatitis and HIV drugs together … Continue reading →

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Teen shot over drugs says mother

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

27 April 2012 Last updated at 07:54 ET The mother of an 18-year-old shot in Londonderry has said she believes he was targeted because he was a drug user. The teenager was shot in both legs at Rinmore Drive in Creggan shortly after 22:00 BST on Thursday. He was treated in hospital before being discharged. His mother was told to take him to the location, and waited at the top of a lane while he was shot twice. "I know what happened was wrong but hopefully he'll get help," she said. The dissident group Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) is suspected to have been behind the attack, which been condemned by politicians and police. The woman said she believed he was targeted "because he was dealing in drugs to feed his habit". I just did what had to be done "It should never have come to this, he shouldn't have been doing what he was doing," she said. "I don't agree with drug dealing and hopefully we can work from here to get him the help he needs." Follow this link: Teen shot over drugs says mother … Continue reading →

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Drugs at The Star a sure bet

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

Redfoo at the launch of Marquee nightclub at The Star casino. Picture: James Morgan Source: The Sunday Telegraph JMo hits the purple carpet at the Marquee opening, the most anticipated nightclub launch of the year. Video still of Drug tests conducted by Channel 7 news on the casino Gaming floor at The Star. Source: The Sunday Telegraph Video still of Drug tests conducted by Channel 7 news on the casino Gaming floor at The Star. Source: The Sunday Telegraph THEY promised a "drug-free" nightclub - but tests for narcotics inside The Star's $20 million Marquee have uncovered traces of cocaine and "ice". The drugs were detected in male and female toilets as well as a bar-top in the lavish new club's VIP room. The alarming results come just weeks after The Star's boss, Larry Mullin, launched the nightclub, telling The Sunday Telegraph: "We don't tolerate drugs, we don't want any of that crap in here." In a special joint investigation with Seven News -- spanning a fortnight -- tests were conducted across more than 10 sites at The Star and found evidence of the drugs cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis and opiates. Testing was overseen by Seven reporter, former high-ranking NSW Police … Continue reading →

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N. Augusta pharmacy collects expired medicine as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

Staff Writer North Augustas Parks Pharmacy collected almost 100 pounds of medication Saturday during its first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. SARA CALDWELL/STAFF Officer Travis Smith checks a bag of prescription medicine at the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day drop off at Parks Pharmacy in North Augusta. SARA CALDWELL/STAFF Parks Phamarcy and North Augusta Public Safety participated in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday. The Drug Enforcement Administration event educates people on how to properly dispose of unused medicine. We collected medicine over 10 years old, owner Steve McElmurray said. Twice a year, the Drug Enforcement Administration puts on the event to educate people on how to properly dispose of unused medicine, pharmacist Laura Knotts said. Parks Pharmacy teamed up with North Augusta Public Safety. We want to get unused prescription drugs out of local homes, she said. When they stay in the house, there is a greater chance of misuse and abuse. Most patients who have abused prescription medicine have gotten it from a friend or family member, Knotts said. Visit link: N. Augusta pharmacy collects expired medicine as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day … Continue reading →

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Irish Pharmacy Union in medicines warning

Posted: Published on April 29th, 2012

Speaking at the IPU's annual conference, which is being held in Galway this weekend,incoming President Rory O'Donnell said the latest example is the shortage of Eltroxin, a drug used to treat thyroid problems. Mr O'Donnell says in many cases pharmacists typically receive little or no warning that these medicines are going out of stock, and there is often little information on when these stocks will be replenished. He called on the Department of Health to ensure that an adequate supply of vital medicines is constantly available to minimise threats to patient safety. In response the Department of Health said medicine shortages can occur at times and accepted that there was a shortage of Eltroxin at the moment. It said "considerable work is currently ongoing, involving all the relevant parties, and it is hoped that this action will alleviate the supply shortage in the very near future." The department said it; along with the Irish Medicines Board, the manufacturers of drugs, wholesalers and the pharmacies themselves are all responsible for "securing a stable supply of medicines from a globalised market". Link: Irish Pharmacy Union in medicines warning … Continue reading →

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