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Key West pharmacy top whistleblower

Posted: Published on September 28th, 2012

Citing a tiny Key West pharmacy as the top whistleblower in the country, a national study released Tuesday showed that whistleblowers are gaining billions of dollars for state and federal governments by exposing fraudulent practices in the pharmaceutical industry. The study from Public Citizen, a Washington consumer watchdog group, reported that that so far in 2012, whistleblowers have sparked $6.6 billion in penalties to be assessed against drug manufacturers, primarily for fraudulently charging high prices in the Medicaid program. The Public Citizen report, which covered whistleblower settlements of more than $1 million in the period from Nov. 2, 2010, through July 18, 2012, reported almost half of the actions came from Ven-A-Care, a Key West pharmacy owned by four men. The study cited a CNBC report that Ven-A-Cares revelations had brought more than $1.3 billion to the federal government since 2001. Another report, from the National Law Journal in 2011, estimated that the pharmacy had helped both state and federal governments recover more than $2.5 billion. The Law Journal estimated that the pharmacy owners and their lawyer received $340 million from the settlements as reward for blowing the whistle. The Public Citizen report noted how important whistleblowers had come during … Continue reading →

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Mayo Clinic finds way to weed out problem stem cells, making therapy safer

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Public release date: 27-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jennifer Schutz newsbureau@mayo.edu 507-284-5005 Mayo Clinic ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have found a way to detect and eliminate potentially troublemaking stem cells to make stem cell therapy safer. Induced Pluripotent Stem cells, also known as iPS cells, are bioengineered from adult tissues to have properties of embryonic stem cells, which have the unlimited capacity to differentiate and grow into any desired types of cells, such as skin, brain, lung and heart cells. However, during the differentiation process, some residual pluripotent or embryonic-like cells may remain and cause them to grow into tumors. "Pluripotent stem cells show great promise in the field of regenerative medicine; however, the risk of uncontrolled cell growth will continue to prevent their use as a therapeutic treatment," says Timothy Nelson, Ph.D., M.D., lead author on the study, which appears in the October issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine. Using mouse models, Mayo scientists overcame this drawback by pretreated stem cells with a chemotherapeutic agent that selectively damages the DNA of the stem cells, efficiently killing the tumor-forming cells. The contaminated cells died off, and the chemotherapy didn't affect the healthy cells, Dr. Nelson … Continue reading →

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Study Shows Stem Cells May Prevent And Cure Alzheimer's

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --In the first study of its kind, researchers at Korea's leading university and the RNL Bio Stem Cell Technology Institute announced this week the results of a study that suggests an astounding possibility: adult stem cells may not only have a positive effect on those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, theycanprevent the disease.Using fat-derived adultstem cells from humans [scientific term:adMSCs, orhuman, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells], researchers were able to cause Alzheimer's disease brains in animal models to regenerate. The researchers, for the first time in history, used stem cells toidentify the mechanism that is key to treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and demonstrated how to achieve efficacy as well as prevention of the symptoms of Alzheimer's with adult stem cells, a "holy grail" of biomedical scientists for decades. Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia (loss of brain function), is the 6th leading cause of death, and affects 1 in 8 people -- more than breast cancer. As of 2010, there were 35.6 million people with Alzheimer's disease in the world, but this number is expected to double every 20 years. It is estimated that the total cost of Alzheimer's is US $604 billion … Continue reading →

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Predicting erectile dysfunction from prostate cancer treatment

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Public release date: 27-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Michelle Kirkwood michellek@astro.org 703-286-1600 American Society for Radiation Oncology Researchers have identified 12 DNA sequences that may help doctors determine which men will suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Identifying these patients in advance of treatment may better inform men and their families as to which prostate cancer treatments are best for their specific cancer and lifestyle, according to a study to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue, in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.Biology.Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The findings could also guide doctors in recommending the most effective treatments that carry the least risk of patients developing ED. The main treatments for prostate cancersurgery, brachytherapy (seed implants) and external beam radiation therapyare all very effective at curing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, each treatment places patients at risk for ED. Although many men will maintain their potency, doctors would like to identify which men are at greatest risk for the development of difficulty with sexual function. In this multi-institutional, multi-national study, researchers from New York's … Continue reading →

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Researchers find risk markers for erectile dysfunction following radiation in prostate cancer

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Public release date: 27-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Mount Sinai Press Office or Einstein Press Office newsmedia@mssm.edu 212-241-9200 The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine In the first study of its kind, a research team led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discovered 12 genetic markers associated with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in prostate cancer patients who were treated with radiation. The findings, to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, are an important step towards helping clinicians determine the best course of treatment for prostate cancer patients and may lead to the development of therapies that alleviate side effects. The main treatments for prostate cancer surgery, brachytherapy (seed implants) and external beam radiation therapy are all very effective at curing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, each treatment places patients at risk for ED. According to the National Cancer Institute, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction following external beam radiation for prostate cancer ranges from 65 percent to … Continue reading →

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Researchers Identify Risk Markers for Erectile Dysfunction Following Radiation Treatment in Prostate Cancer

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Newswise In the first study of its kind, a research team led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discovered 12 genetic markers associated with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in prostate cancer patients who were treated with radiation. The findings, to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, are an important step towards helping clinicians determine the best course of treatment for prostate cancer patients and may lead to the development of therapies that alleviate side effects. The main treatments for prostate cancer surgery, brachytherapy (seed implants) and external beam radiation therapy are all very effective at curing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, each treatment places patients at risk for ED. According to the National Cancer Institute, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction following external beam radiation for prostate cancer ranges from 65 percent to 85 percent. The Prostate Cancer Foundation estimates prevalence of ED following seed therapy at 25 to 50 percent. Many men will be able to regain their potency with time and … Continue reading →

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Actor Martin Sheen to speak about drug abuse, recovery at Western Michigan University

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Courtesy Photo Ambrosia Neldon News Editor Emmy and Golden Globe winner Martin Sheen will speak about his views on substance abuse at a conference at Western Michigan University next week. Sheen, popularly known for his roles in films such as Wall Street and The Badlands, or television roles like in West Wing, also serves as a drug treatment advocate in his spare time. Sheen is an activist for social justice and peace issues and was the first all rise ambassador for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). Over the past ten years, Sheen has supported drug courts and participated in commercials, rallies, U.S. Senate meetings and a variety of other venues in support of NADCP. On Thursday, Oct. 4, Sheen and other speakers will talk about how Kalamazoo residents can combat substance abuse in their community at the fifth annual Coming Together conference in WMUs Fetzer Center. The purpose of this event is to reach out to the community to start and to continue a conversation about the abuse of substances and also the possibilities and hopes for recovery, said Judge William Schma, the president of the Drug Treatment Court Foundation and a retired circuit court judge. We … Continue reading →

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PM confident Bulgaria will beat energy dependency

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Bulgarias delayed entry into Schengen, the countrys energy dependency on Russia and its efforts to counter the economic crisis Prime minister Boyko Borrisov has been speaking to euronews in an exclusive interview in the capital Sofia. Born in 1959, Borrisov set up a successful private security business before turning to politics. He was mayor of Sofia before becoming prime minister of the centre-right government. Hans Von Der Brelie, Euronews: Prime Minister, the watchdog of free competition, the European Commission, has started investigations into Gazprom. Is the Russian gas supplier complying or not to fair competition in Bulgaria? Boyko Borrisov: Bulgaria was one of the EU countries most affected by the gas crisis. Back then, I was mayor of Sofia. The temperature was between 15 and 12 degrees below zero. We spent 10 to 15 days without gas and no one helped us. We are assisting the European Commission with its investigation into Gazprom. Bulgargas and Bulgartransgas handed over all the relevant documents to the Commission a few months ago. Meanwhile we learned our lesson. Thats why we have now built a gas pipeline interconnection with Romania. The interconnection with Greece is at a very advanced stage and will be completed … Continue reading →

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Care in detox deaths inadequate- coroner

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

Three patients who died after receiving treatment for drug dependency at a private Sydney health clinic were not suitable for the treatments and 'received grossly inadequate care' from staff, a coroner has found. Michael Poole, 48, Grace Yates, 24, and James Unicomb, 23 died in separate incidents after receiving rapid opioid detoxification (ROD) treatment at the Psych 'n' Soul Clinic, a private health facility at Ultimo in Sydney, between 2005 and 2010. Mr Poole, who had a long history of depression and methadone use, died in March 2008 from a ruptured brain aneurysm, identified as a berry aneurysm, three weeks after receiving the treatment at the clinic. Ms Yates, who had been taking methadone for her heroin dependency, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on November 2010 from acute bronchopneumonia following ROD treatment. Mr Unicomb, also a methadone user, died from acute toxicity from self-administered multiple drug use in December 2005. He had received a naltrexone implant, which dulls the effect of opiates. Handing down her findings at an inquest into their deaths at Glebe Coroners Court on Thursday, state coroner Mary Jerram told the court that none of the three were 'entirely suitable' for the highly expensive treatment, and … Continue reading →

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NVS Drugs Get Positive CHMP Opinion

Posted: Published on September 27th, 2012

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (:EMA) recently provided two positive opinions for new indications of Novartis AGs (NVS) type II diabetes treatments - Galvus (vildagliptin) and Eucreas (vildagliptin and metformin), along with other medications. The first positive opinion was issued for Galvus plus insulin but with or without metformin for the treatment of patients diagnosed with type II diabetes, when diet, exercise and stable insulin dosage failed to control the glycemic level. The positive opinion was based on data from a randomized, double-blind, 24-week study which showed that the 50 mg twice daily dosage of Galvus when administered along with insulin but with or without metformin resulted in a reduction in blood sugar levels compared to placebo. The second positive opinion was for the use of Eucreas in combination with sulphonylurea when diet, exercise and the combined therapy failed to achieve adequate glycemic control. Data from a study revealed that the 50 mg twice daily dosage of Eucreas in combination with sulphonylurea helped in the reduction of blood sugar levels in a higher number of patients compared to placebo (28.3% versus 5.6%). According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes is considered … Continue reading →

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