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Popular Articles

Inquiry Reveals Appalling Gaps In Care For Parkinson's
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson"s Disease has released a shocking new report that documents severe inequalities in access to Parkinson"s services in the UK.

Prescription Drug Use Dropped In 2008, Though Spending Increased, Medco Research Indicates
Use of prescription drugs in the U.S. declined in 2008 -- the first such decrease in a decade -- but total spending on such treatments increased by 3.3%, according to a report released on Wednesday by Medco Health Solutions, the AP/Washington Post reports. The report attributed the decline in sales to fewer new drugs being introduced in 2008, popular medications becoming available as non-prescriptions and concerns about certain drugs" safety. Total spending increased largely because of increased use of "specialty" medications for chronic and complicated illnesses, which often are more costly and sometimes require special considerations for storage or delivery to patients, according to the AP/Post. Profits on specialty drugs in 2008 increased by about 16%. The average costs for other brand-name drugs increased by more than 8% in 2008, the largest increase in five years. According to the report, spending on prescription drugs would have been higher but less costly generic medications accounted for 64% of all prescriptions in 2008.The report predicted that prescription drug use in the U.S. will increase by no more than 1% in 2009 and 2010. However, price increases are expected to contribute to an increase in total spending of 3% to 5% in 2009 and 4% to 6% in 2010 (Seaman, AP/Washington Post, 5/13).
News of the day
Cord Blood Awareness Month: Understanding Still Low, Despite Medical Advancements
Despite rapid advances using a child"s own cord blood stem cells in regenerative therapies to repair damaged tissue due to injury or disease, most pregnant women today don"t learn about the ability to save their newborn"s cord blood. According to research published in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 3 out of every 4 pregnant women consider themselves only "minimally informed."
Mental Health

Caldera Medical Announces FDA Clearance Of Novel Treatment For Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Caldera Medical, Inc. announced that it has received FDA clearance and CE Mark certification for the Ascend Pelvic Floor Repair System with Apical Support, a novel treatment for female pelvic organ prolapse. Ascend® is the latest addition to the Caldera Medical family of products designed to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Caldera"s product line includes the Desara® Sling System, a universal sling that allows surgeons their choice of multiple surgical approaches by utilizing reusable instrumentation. Caldera is the only U.S. company offering this unique solution, which benefits surgeons, hospitals, and the environment. Pelvic Organ Prolapse is one of the most common quality of life conditions facing women. In fact, nearly 50% of women who have given birth vaginally will develop this condition. Furthermore, a woman"s lifetime probability for undergoing a surgical treatment to correct POP is approximately 11%, and approximately 29% of surgically managed patients require reoperation due to reoccurrence of the condition. Patients with POP often present with a dual diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence, and Caldera"s SUI offering, Desara, can be used together in the same surgical procedure as Ascend. Ascend introduces several key differentiators to the market. Notably, Ascend provides apical support from the anterior compartment through unique implant geometry utilizing CentraSoft™ mesh technology and a patented surgical method that is designed to both reduce invasiveness and enhance patient outcomes. CentraSoft™ mesh technology provides a thin, lightweight central mesh designed to conform to the patient"s anatomy with stronger lateral arms for support. For patients with both anterior and apical defects, Ascend offers the ability to treat both defects with one surgical implant, reducing the potential for complications and the cost to the healthcare system. Bryon L. Merade, CEO, commented, "We are very excited about Ascend"s cutting edge technology and the option it provides surgeons to treat their patients with minimally invasive techniques utilizing the fewest number of implants possible. Ascend underscores our commitment to improving women"s health." Tomas Antonini, M.D. of Round Rock, TX, one of the nation"s leading urogynecologists, said, "Ascend fulfils a need surgeons have had for years for an implant that can treat both anterior compartment and apical prolapse at the same time and in the same procedure. The ability to treat these two defects with a single implant will address a common cause of failures seen in these types of repairs. Caldera has once again brought a unique technology to market in an effort to improve the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence." Caldera Medical


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