Insidermedicine in 60 - October 12, 2007

From Ottawa - The brain drain of physicians leaving Canada in favor of the US has now officially reversed. While the net of physicians leaving Canada for the US was 4,000 over the 15 year period ending in 2004, the past 2 years has seen movement the other way. A recent study shows that 11% of those who left are now considering coming back.

From California - The biotech giant, Genentech, has said it will limit the sale of Avastin to "compounding pharmacies". Avastin, approved for colorectal cancer, is used by eye surgeons to treat macular degeneration at a cost of under $100 per injection. Citing FDA safety concerns of the off label use of Avastin, Genentech is actively marketing its new drug Lucentis which has been in development for 7 years and is now approved for macular degeneration. Lucentis costs $2000 per injection.

Also from California - New research shows that many commonly used lipsticks contain lead. Nearly 40% had levels above that regarded as unsafe for children's candy, one of the only standards for lead levels. Lead has been linked to learning disabilities, delays in language development and poor school performance.

And finally, from Australia - Those who are obese are 6 times more likely to develop cancer of the esophagus. And those with reflux are 5 times more likely to develop cancer. Having both reflux and being obese raises the risk by a factor of 16.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• doctors
• migration
• genentech
• avastin
• lucentis
• macular
• degeneration
• cancer
• pharma
• lipstick
• lead
• candy
• toys
• obesity
• acid