Pfizer updated CHANTIX label to quit smoking with more warnings

Pfizer’s CHANTIX label in the U.S. to include a warning for neuropsychiatric symptoms, including changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. – Cigarette smoking is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, with more than 438,000 U.S. deaths annually attributable to smoking. Patients who smoke cigarettes should be counseled to quit. CHANTIX was approved in May of 2006 in the U.S. as an aid to smoking cessation.

HIV is infecting men, women and children of all ages

Educating the public about the real risks is a better HIV prevention strategy, says Bradford McIntyre, aHIV+ since 1984, from Positively Positive, Vancouver, Canada. – Not everyone, who becomes infected with HIV, originates from a ‘High Risk’ group. The common usage of the words ‘high risk’, in reference to people, who are most likely to become infected with HIV, has led many to believe misguidedly that they are not at risk. Unfortunately, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth.

GVAX cancer immunotherapy improves prostate cancer survival

Interim analysis supports continuation of Cell Genesys’ VITAL-1 Phase 3 Clinical Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer – Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for VITAL-1, the first of two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, has completed a pre-planned interim analysis and has recommended that the study continue, as GVAX cancer immunotherapy improves prostate cancer patients survival.

Lhx2 creator gene for brain tissue repair

UCI study identifies the specific role for gene linked to cortical development, cerebral cortex points to potential stem cell treatments. – University of California, Irvine researchers have identified a gene that is specifically responsible for generating the cerebral cortex, a finding that could lead to stem cell therapies to treat brain injuries and diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer’s.

Ortho Evra contraceptive transdermal birth control patch label update

Ortho Women?s Health & Urology, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has updated the prescribing information for ORTHO EVRA (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system) to include further epidemiologic data. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved additional changes to the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal (Skin) Patch label to include the results of a new epidemiology study that found that users of the birth control patch were at higher risk of developing serious blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), than women using birth control pills. VTE can lead to pulmonary embolism.

Canadians support ban on smoking in cars with kids

Protecting children from second-hand smoke is critical as infants and children are more severely affected by exposure to second-hand smoke than adults. This is because children are smaller, have immature immune systems and higher respiratory rates. – The majority of Canadians (82 per cent) say they support a ban on smoking in vehicles with children younger than 18 years of age, according to a national poll released by the Canadian Cancer Society. The poll results also show that more than two-thirds of smokers (69 per cent) support a ban.

U.S. abortion rate continues long-term decline

A new report finds that the number of abortions in the US dropped to 1.2 million in 2005. That’s the lowest level since 1974. – In 2005, the U.S. abortion rate declined to 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15?44, continuing the downward trend that started after the abortion rate peaked at 29.3 in 1981, according to a new Guttmacher Institute census of U.S. abortion providers.

Thousands birds culled in West Bengal, India

India and Bangladesh searched for new cases of bird flu as authorities pressed ahead with plans to slaughter hundreds of thousands of birds and poultry to stop bird flu spread. – As per latest information received, a total mortality of 85006 poultry birds has been reported from Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal.

Consumer Healthcare supports FDA over OTC cough and cold medicines withdrawal

FDA Bulletin on Kids’ Oral, Over-the-Counter Cough and Cold Reaffirms Industry’s October 2007 Voluntary Withdrawal; Agency announcement reinforces need for increased communication with consumers. – On behalf of the leading makers of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) offered its support for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision against the use of oral OTC cough and cold medicines in children under the age of two.

Combined hormone therapy increases lobular breast cancer risk

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center leads first study designed to evaluate the association between combined HRT use and the risk of lobular breast cancers. – Postmenopausal women who take combined estrogen/progestin hormone-replacement therapy for three years or more face a fourfold increased risk of developing various forms of lobular breast cancer, according to new findings by researchers.

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