Scientists believe that personalized medicines created through a patient's genetic profile will not have widespread use for another 15 to 20 years.

A report by the Royal Society, an independent academy of leading scientists, says more research into the genetics of complex diseases, DNA testing, international guidelines and investment are needed before targeted therapies will be widely available

A new study shows acne patients taking antibiotics for at least six weeks are twice as likely to develop an upper respiratory tract infection as opposed to those not taking the drugs.

Researchers studied 118,496 acne patients, 71.7 percent of which had been prescribed topical or oral antibiotics for one year. They found during that time 15.4 percent suffered at least one upper respiratory tract infection

A comparison of five schizophrenia drugs finds most newer treatments fare no better than an older generic drug, despite higher costs, according to a study released Monday.

The only exception is Eli Lilly and Co.'s Zyprexa, which may be better than the other medicines. Apart from being the most expensive drug, the study found Zyprexa users experienced dramatic weight gain and developed a higher risk of diabetes

The world's largest maker of HIV/AIDS drugs, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, suffers a setback in the development of a new kind of AIDS medication. Two cases of serious liver problems have been reported in patients taking its experimental drug Aplaviroc, causing the company to stop further testing.

Phase III tests of the product on patients who have not received other HIV therapies has ended

A survey by The Washington Post

A random survey of 680 adult evacuees staying in shelters in the Houston area from Sept. 10 to 12 found that 52 percent had no health insurance coverage at the time of the hurricane. Of those with coverage, 34 percent say it is through Medicaid and 16 percent through Medicare