Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Scientists Search For Sleepless Souls Suffering Lifelong Insomnia, Scotland
Most people have experienced the odd sleepless night before a crucial exam, a job interview or before going on holiday, but few people get by with just a couple of hours of sleep a day, every day.
generic viagra online
Health Information Technology Lobby Group Rallies Support For Certification Group; Critics Question Group's Ties
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society has asked HHS to give the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology authorization to determine which electronic health records systems can receive funding from the economic stimulus package, the Washington Post reports. In a letter dated April 27 to HHS officials, HIMSS officials wrote, "To ensure continuity, recognize CCHIT as the certifying body" of EHRs.Some health care industry officials have raised issue with giving CCHIT the responsibility of certifying EHR products because of the commission"s associations with various IT and health care companies, the Post reports. CCHIT has ties with HIMSS, which played a role in its inception in 2004 and is now managed by Mark Leavitt, the former chief medical officer of HIMSS. In 2005, the commission received a three-year, $7.5 million contract from HHS.According the Post, Internal Revenue Service tax documents show that HIMSS technically paid Leavitt"s salary through 2008, which was reimbursed by CCHIT. However, Leavitt said he is accountable only to CCHIT"s board members and he "was not supervised by HIMSS." He said he expects CCHIT will be "the body or one of several certifying bodies that are recognized" by HHS in part because it already is tasked with certifying health IT products. According to Leavitt, some of the commission"s critics are IT vendors who have failed to meet CCHIT"s standards. The Post reports that the provision in the stimulus package that requires health care providers to demonstrate "meaningful use" of health IT has become an issue because federal officials, IT systems vendors, and physicians and patient advocates have not been able to reach a consensus on the definition of meaningful use. Under the provision, providers must demonstrate meaningful use of health IT in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments for adopting the technology (O"Harrow, Washington Post, 5/21). Blumenthal
News of the day
Depression Medications May Reduce Male Fertility
As many as half of all men taking the antidepressant medication paroxetine (trade names Seroxat, Paxil) may have increased sperm DNA fragmentation -- a predictor of compromised fertility. Research led by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center also found that the changes are reversible with normal levels of sperm returning after discontinuation of the drug.
Public Health

EyeGate Pharma Announces That EGP-437 Improved Signs And Symptoms Of Dry Eye Syndrome In A Phase II Study

Based on the top-level analysis of a Phase II study, EyeGate Pharma announces that EGP-437, a corticosteroid solution administered by a non-invasive ocular drug delivery system, improved signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). For the dry eye clinical trial, EyeGate worked with Ora, Inc., a leading global clinical research and development organization located in Andover, MA. Over the past 30 years, Ora has been a pioneering force in the development of advanced research models across the field of ophthalmology. This Phase II single-center, randomized (105 patients), double-masked, placebo-controlled patient study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a corticosteroid solution (EGP-437) administered by the EyeGate® II Delivery System (at two dose levels) twice over a three-week period. Ora"s Controlled Adverse Environment (CAE) clinical research system, which simulates the acute environmental challenges regularly faced by DES patients, was used for this study. In the top-level analysis, investigators observed that EGP-437 significantly (p About Dry Eye Syndrome Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) is the most prevalent form of ocular discomfort and irritation, accounting for one in four patient visits to a general ophthalmologist. It is estimated that as many as 20 to 40 million Americans suffer from DES, including a significant number of patients who suffer from DES after Lasik surgery. Symptoms such as pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and irritation decrease the quality of life for patients and can ultimately lead to loss of function and blindness. The incidence of DES is increasing due to environmental factors, the aging population and the increasing prevalence of co-morbid diseases such as diabetes. There is no cure for DES, and the few treatment options currently available primarily provide temporary symptomatic relief. About Ora, Inc. Ora is the world"s leading independent ophthalmic drug and device development firm. Ora provides technology-based concept-to-market services and solutions that accelerate development timelines and improve the scientific quality of clinical research. Over the past 30 years, Ora has played a central role in the development and FDA approval of more than 30 ophthalmic products. For more information, please visit http://www.oraclinical.com. EyeGate Pharma


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009