The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a drug, 'BiDil' for the treatment of heart failure in African Americans.

According to The Associated Press report, the FDA defended their stance by calling it a step toward "the promise of personalized medicine

Danielle M. George-All Headline News Staff Reporter

London (AHN)- The British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nurses have signed an international treaty that discusses the lack of skilled medical workers around the world

The Food and Drug Administration has begun a preliminary inquiry into whether epilepsy drugs may increase the risk of suicidal behavior in some patients, particularly those who use them for psychiatric illnesses. The FDA's recent interest in the drugs follows a lawyer's claims against a leading anticonvulsant named Neurontin. The FDA, in turn, asked makers of all epilepsy medicines last month to reanalyze research to see if there was evidence of increased suicide risk. "I don't think we have any suspicion yet that these drugs actually do that," said Dr. Robert Temple, the F.D.A.'s drug policy chief. Antiseizure drugs are becoming widely used to treat some psychiatric illnesses as well as pain

Amanda Bellinder, All Headline News Contributor Wholesale prices for brand name drugs climbed an average 7.1 percent in 2004, the largest hike in five years and more than twice the inflation rate, according to a study released Tuesday by AARP. AARP's annual Prescription Watchdog Report tracked prices drug manufactures charged wholesalers last year for roughly 200 prescription drugs popular with elder Americans. AARP, the nations largest lobbying group for the elderly, began sponsoring the study 5 years ago; since then this report has seen the largest annual jump. "We are disappointed that brand name manufacturers have failed to keep their price increases in line with inflation despite consumer appeals for them to hold the line," AARP chief Bill Novelli said in a statement. "Much more needs to be done to slow down spiraling drug pricing." In 2003 the percentage hike was 7.0, now in 2004 it rises to 7.1 only to continue the trend of increasing drug prices. Since the end of 1999, prices of more than 150 popular name-brand drugs have risen an average 35.1 percent, nearly three times the 13.5 percent inflation rate over that period, the report said. In 2004, inflation was 2.7 percent in 2004. Ambien (10 mg tablets), a sleep aid medication among the top 25 best-selling brand-name drugs on the market in 2003 and 2004, saw the highest price hike at 11.9 percent. Flomax (0.4 mg), used to treat enlarged prostates, rose the least at 1.5 percent. The price for 75 popular generic drugs barely moved in 2004, rising a mere 0.5 percent. While in 2003, manufactures prices for generic drugs rose an average 13.3 percent. The report was prepared by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota

After years of lauding the tasty delights of one of America's favorite snack foods, a Muppet mainstay is changing his tune. With childhood obesity rates rising at an alarming rates, PBS is not only launching an ongoing storyline talking about health and nutrition, but the Cookie Monster will be one the main voices of the new campaign. The famed Sesame Street character will now sing a new song called "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food" instead of his familiar "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me". Sesame Street officials say the show changes each year and this is just a continuation of that policy. The show has targeted various subjects over the years dealing with emotional as well as physical health. In the current climate, the vice-president of research and education says the show is concentrating on teaching kids about healthy eating and exercise. Every episode this season will contain a healthy living tip and the show will introduce new characters like talking carrots and eggplants. Guests will also discuss health related topics, including politicians taping public service announcements with Sesame Street regulars