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Labopharm Files New Drug Submission With Health Canada For Novel Antidepressant
Labopharm Inc. (TSX: DDS; NASDAQ: DDSS) announced it has filed a New Drug Submission (NDS) with the Therapeutic Products Directorate of Health Canada for its novel formulation of the antidepressant trazodone.

Spiration Presents Results Of Two Analyses Of Methods For Evaluating Effectiveness Of Bronchial Valve Treatment For Severe Emphysema
Spiration, Inc., a developer of novel medical devices designed to benefit patients with severe and chronic conditions of the lung, presented results of two analyses of methods used for evaluating U.S. Pilot Study effectiveness of bronchial valve treatment for severe emphysema at the annual American Thoracic Society (ATS) International conference taking place in San Diego May 15 to 22, 2009.
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Sen. Grassley Pushes For Exclusion Of Abortion Coverage In Health Care Reform Legislation
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have been privately negotiating over how their panel"s version of health reform legislation will address abortion coverage, Newsweek reports. According to Newsweek, Grassley has been pushing to include measures that would prohibit what he considers "taxpayer-subsidized abortion."Earlier this month, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Raising Women"s Voices and other women"s health advocates intensified efforts to ensure that abortion access was treated like access to all other services in health care reform, according to Newsweek. The article points out, "Though usually publicly debated in the language of personal liberty and morality, abortion is a medical procedure performed by a doctor. It"s currently covered by most private insurance plans and existing government programs, at least under some circumstances. This expanded federal oversight and use of federal dollars raises several thorny issues." Grassley is urging that federally regulated and subsidized plans be prohibited from covering the procedure. Lawmakers also could weigh whether religious organizations -- such as Catholic hospitals or health plans -- could opt out of the coverage.Jill Kozeny, Grassley"s spokesperson, said the senator "is opposed to mandating abortion coverage in health care legislation." According to his office, "At one point during the recent negotiations, there was a (compromise) solution that didn"t work out." Grassley -- who is known as a staunch opponent of abortion rights -- said in March, "I take a view that there is almost anything compromisable in public affairs. Abortion is about the only issue I know of that"s not compromisable."Baucus" office declined to comment on the legislation, citing "longstanding Finance Committee policy not to discuss the specifics of ongoing negotiations." Erin Shields, Baucus" press secretary, noted that the lawmaker has a 100% approval rating from NARAL. She added, "He has always fought for a woman"s right to choose and will continue to do so."According to Newsweek, the House"s and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee"s proposals do not specify covered benefits, instead leaving the decision to an independent commission or the HHS secretary. A recent National Women"s Law Center poll found that 62% of participants would oppose a provision excluding abortion and family planning coverage (Feder, Newsweek, 7/14).
Oncology

General Optical Council Consults On Welsh Language Scheme, Wales

The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched a consultation on its proposed Welsh Language Scheme. Anyone with an interest in the GOC"s work is encouraged to offer their suggestions and feedback on the draft proposals. Under the scheme, when providing services to the public in Wales the GOC will aim to treat the English and Welsh languages equally. Kate Fielding, GOC Director of Communication and Information, said: "Bilingual provision plays a crucial role in enabling the Council to deliver high-quality services to the Welsh-speaking public. Our Welsh Language Scheme needs to be fit for purpose, and we"re asking for stakeholder input to help us achieve this." Measures outlined in the draft proposals include: - Making public/ patient areas of the GOC website available in Welsh; - Producing a Welsh version of the GOC Annual Report; - Offering witnesses in Fitness to Practise hearings the opportunity to address the hearing in Welsh; and - Maintaining a database of individuals and organisations who wish to correspond in Welsh. The consultation has been distributed to patient and public groups, optical and regulatory bodies, community health councils, and Welsh-speaking community contacts. Public notices of the consultation are also appearing in The Western Mail and the Welsh-language magazine Golwg. The consultation closes on 11 September and is available to view and respond to online at http://www.optical.org. About the General Optical Council The GOC is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct amongst opticians. The Council currently registers around 23,500 optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses. 1. As a public body the GOC is required by the Welsh Assembly Government, under the Welsh Language Act 1993, to prepare a Welsh Language Scheme. General Optical Council


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