Insidermedicine in 60 - April 4, 2008

From Washington - A bill has been passed in a U.S. House of Representatives committee that would give the FDA the power to regulate tobacco. The bill would authorize the FDA to enforce cigarette labeling, restrict sales, recall products seen as unreasonably harmful, and set standards for "reduced-risk" products. Smoking is responsible for 400,000 deaths each year in the U.S.

From California - A new study suggests that fasting a few days before receiving chemotherapy may help protect patients from potentially dangerous side effects. Researchers examined the effects of chemotherapy on mice, and found that mice that fasted before a chemotherapy dose survived, while half of the well-fed mice died. The researchers are now planning to begin human trials.

And finally, from Vancouver - The Canadian Medical Association has launched mydoctor.ca, a website that allows patients to share information with their doctors online. The service has been likened to an online version of the house call, allowing doctors to better manage their workloads, and patients to receive personalized medical advice without making an appointment. The CMA is recommending that doctors charge an annual fee for a subscription to the service.

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

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• congress
• house
• of
• representatives
• food
• drug
• cigarettes
• smoking
• warning
• tobacco
• nicotine
• fasting
• cancer
• chemo
• cma
• medical

[iernurse]

Agree. The other interesting thing is the power of labeling as a powerful deterrant for smoking. I think Canada uses visual images of lung cancer, gum disease etc...From what I understand it is pretty powerful.

[premed99]

Nice to see that the FDA will finally regulate the tobacco industry. Pretty scary that it took that long though.