Americans say discussions about clinical trials should be part of standard of care
An overwhelming majority of Americans (86%) agree that health care professionals should discuss clinical trials with patients diagnosed with a disease as part of their standard of care, according to a new national public opinion survey commissioned by Research!America. And three-quarters of respondents (75%) agree that taking part in clinical trials is as valuable to our health care system as giving blood. But Americans are split on whether it's important for everyone to take part in a clinical trial if they are asked - 44% agree while 45% disagree and 12% are not sure.
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27 Phase III and 8 Phase II Alzheimer's drugs on track to launch in next 5 years
Twenty-seven Alzheimer's drugs in Phase III clinical trials and eight drugs in Phase II clinical trials may launch in the next five years, according to a revised Alzheimer's pipeline analysis presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) by ResearchersAgainstAlzheimer's (RA2), an UsAgainstAlzheimer's network. The pipeline analysis offers projections for drugs currently in Phase II and Phase III clinical trials and identifies critical milestones in drug development, including estimated trial completion, estimated regulatory filing and estimated launch date.
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Older Americans don't get - or seek - enough help from doctors & pharmacists on drug costs
The majority of Americans over age 50 take two or more prescription medicines to prevent or treat health problems, and many of them say the cost weighs on their budget, a new poll finds. But many older adults aren't getting - or asking for - as much help as they could from their doctors and pharmacists to find lower-cost options, the new data reveal.
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Noted experts critically evaluate benefits of medical marijuana for treatment of epilepsy
Although cannabis had been used for many centuries for treatment of seizure disorders, medical use became prohibited in the 20th century. However, with the loosening of laws regarding medical marijuana, research and clinical use of marijuana-derived substances are increasing. This has prompted the editors of Epilepsy & Behavior to produce a special issue that presents an in-depth assessment of the potential of cannabinoids for the effective treatment of epilepsy. Cannabinoids are components of the cannabis plant.
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Just one alcoholic drink a day increases breast cancer risk, exercise lowers risk
Drinking just one glass of wine or other alcoholic drink a day increases breast cancer risk, finds a major new report by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF). The report also revealed, for the first time, that vigorous exercise such as running or fast bicycling decreases the risk of both pre- and post-menopausal breast cancers. Strong evidence confirmed an earlier finding that moderate exercise decreases the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer.
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Alzheimer's experts call for changes in FDA drug approval standards
Leading Alzheimer's disease researchers and a prominent patient advocate today published an analysis, "Single Endpoint for New Drug Approvals for Alzheimer's Disease," urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clarify and modernize its current approach for approving new treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
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The accidental discovery of LSD
Bicycle Day on April 19 honors not the two-wheeled mode of transportation, but the colorful ride taken by Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman who accidentally discovered LSD 74 years ago. In search of new medicines, Hoffman was trying to stabilize lysergic acid, a derivative of a fungal compound used in a migraine medicine. He ended up synthesizing a compound called lysergic acid diethylamine, or LSD. Later, he accidentally exposed himself to it and felt dizzy with hallucinations.
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