Guidant Corp.’s program to pay $2,500 to patients to replace a heart device that has had malfunctions is nowhere near sufficient to cover costs of the procedure. The offer covers only about 10% of the cost of the replacement procedure. How is this fair? How is this the right thing to do?
Website My Space fun for Kids but a Boon for Predators
The popular social networking website My Space, has experienced unprecedented growth in recent months. Kids and teens spend hours browsing the website talking to friends and meeting new ones. However, parents must be aware that sexual predators are using the site to make contact with these kids. As is typical with sexual predators, they use websites popular with teens in order to strike up relationships with them. I urge any parents with teenaged children to monitor their computer use and beware of this looming threat.
Ortho Evra Patch Maker Says Blood Clot Risk Doubles with Birth Control Patch
Women who use the Ortho Evra birth-control patch face twice the risk of developing blood clots as those who take the Pill, the patch’s manufacturer said late Thursday, citing recent company-funded research.
The finding comes from one of two studies comparing the patch and Pill, said Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, maker of the once-a-week patch, based in Raritan, N.J.
Colorado Set to Open Up Sex Abuse Statute of Limitations
Having passed a Senate committee by a 5-1 vote, the full Colorado Senate will hear testimony concerning opening up the statute of limitations regarding sexual abuse of minors. The legislation is strongly opposed by the Colorado Catholic Conference. Archbishop Chaput of the Archdiocese of Denver has argued publicly that the bill unfairly targets the Catholic Church and excludes public institutions.
When church lawyers were asked if they’d support the bill if public institutions were included, the attorneys stated that they’d have to check with their superiors.
Florida Legislature Considering Raising Driver Age Limit
The Florida Legislature is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 17 years old. Citing the high incidence of crashes for 16 year olds, HB 975 would raise the age one year.
FDA Places New Restrictions on Guidant
New limits imposed by the FDA on Guidant, maker of an implantable heart defibrillator found to be defective, will make it difficult for new products made by the company to be approved for commercial sale, as the agency applies pressure to the company to improve its manufacturing procedures.
Canadian Cop Charged in Taser Incident
An Edmonton cop, who was once hailed as a hero for saving a man from a burning building, has been charged with assault after a teen was allegedly Tasered while in a police cellblock.
Colorado Catholic Conference Grasping at Straws
When lawyers for the Colorado bishops came before a Senate committee hearing a bill that would open a 2 year window on the sexual abuse statute of limitations, their arguments grew more desperate as the testimony wore on. At one point, a church lawyer actually stated that the church had fixed the sexual abuse problem by 1991! Incredible as it may seem, the church seems bent at going to any lengths to insulate itself from the criminal behavior of its priests. Fortunately, the state Senators were unimpressed with their arguments and voted 5-1 in favor of opening the statute of limitations. The one dissenting voter continued to focus on the costs of litigation and implied that this was a trial lawyer ruse. The other members of the committee were not so swayed. The full Colorado Senate will hear the bill in the near future.
FDA: Certain Parkinson’s Drugs Lead to Greater Risk of Gambling
The FDA is reporting that certain drugs used to treat tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease actually increase the risk of pathological gambling. The latest results are consistent with earlier observations and add to evidence that Parkinson’s drugs may lead to impulsive behavior as they make up for depleted dopamine, a brain chemical whose deficiency marks the disease. The researchers found no reports of gambling problems for patients taking antipsychotic drugs, which inhibit dopamine.
“Black Box” Drug Warnings Often Ignored by Healthcare Providers
In a Wall St. Journal article published today, many patients are told to use drugs with black box warning in spite of these drugs being unsuitable for them.