3 things: If you don’t have your health, what have you got?
January 23, 2007
I wish I could link to the full articles but I haven’t ever tried to access the WSJ online, it’s usually my train read. I’ll try to link to them later but meanwhile, these items caught my eye today:
Drugs in Testing Show Promise for Lupus
The last time a new drug was approved to treat lupus, a serious autoimmune disorder that afflicts an estimated 1.5 million Americans, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president. But after a 50-year stretch without a major advance, there are finally some promising treatments on the horizon.
Several drug makers are in advanced-stage trials for lupus drugs. Human Genome Sciences Inc. will begin enrolling patients in the next two weeks in the largest ever late-stage lupus trial, following positive results in earlier testing; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. is conducting lupus trials on Orencia, its rheumatoid arthritis drug; and Genentech Inc. and ….
I happen to have a particular interest in this right now, but regardless of personal interest, the fact that it’s been FIFTY years since the last major drug was developed is fairly incredible. I hope these late stage trials go well!
Rapid Flu Tests Found to Reduce Antibiotic Use in Adult Patients
The use of tests that can quickly determine whether people have influenza moderately cut down on antibiotic use in hospitalized adults, according to researchers at Rochester General Hospital in New York.
Many hospitals and doctors are trying to reduce the widespread use of antibiotics to curtail the development of bacteria that is resistant to the drugs.
While many doctors still prescribe antibiotics to patients diagnosed with the flu to guard against developing a secondary bacterial infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia …
Reduced usage of unnecessary antibiotics is always a good thing!
Bush’s Focus on Health Care Draws Criticism, New Hope
President Bush’s new focus on shrinking the ranks of the uninsured is appealing to Democrats and others who have long hoped for a renewed debate over how to extend health insurance – but Mr. Bush’s specific plans still face criticism.
“While the administration’s current proposal is deeply flawed, the attention that the president is devoting to the issue could signal real progress in addressing the health-care crisis,” said Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass), who has worked many years on health …
