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Sebelius, DeParle Ready To Tackle Health Care Overhaul
The friendship between "working moms" Kathleen Sebelius and Nancy-Ann DeParle "could pay big dividends for President Obama now," USA Today reports. The two have a lot in common in the policy world as well. Sebelius, the secretary of Health and Human Services, and DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform, "first met at the White House mess in 1997, during the battle for a patients" bill of rights to combat the constraints of managed care." Their relationship was then "built over a dozen years on topics ranging from the children"s health insurance program to raising their own children. Now, they are the "tag team for Obama"s most ambitious domestic policy goal: an overhaul of the nation"s health care system."
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Phase 1 Study For Halozyme's Insulin-PH20 Published, Highlights Findings For Faster Acting Insulin Formulations
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO), announced publication of a Phase 1 study reporting an acceleration of insulin absorption and increased insulin effects within minutes after co-administration of its hyaluronidase (PH20) enzyme with two mealtime insulin products, Humulin® R (regular human insulin) and Humalog® (insulin lispro). A rapid and short-acting insulin profile would more closely mimic the mealtime insulin release that occurs in non-diabetics and could lead to improved treatment for diabetes patients. These results were published in the June 2009 issue of the journal Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.
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Low Oxygen Levels In Prostate Tumors Can Predict Recurrence: Long-Term Study
Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers have discovered that low-oxygen regions in prostate tumors can be used to predict a rise in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a marker of tumor recurrence in prostate cancer. The long-term study results were presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Orlando, FL.
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Medical Defence Union Cautions Members About Assisted Suicide Discussions, UK

Doctors are being reminded that assisting a suicide is illegal in England and Wales and that they should not give advice to patients to help them travel abroad to take their own lives. The Medical Defence Union (MDU), the UK"s leading medical defence organisation, which has over 50 per cent of UK doctors as members, issued the warning in response to the RCN adopting a neutral position on the issue of assisted suicide and the media debate which has followed. Ian Barker, MDU solicitor, said: "As a result of the RCN stating in news reports that it wishes to "engage in a debate"* with its nurse members about assisted suicide and the recent media interest in this issue, our members may be approached by patients for advice about ending their life with the help of an assisted suicide group abroad. We are reminding them that they could face a criminal investigation if alleged to have assisted with the act - even if that assistance was in the form of advice to the patient. Even if criminal proceedings do not follow, the GMC may still decide to investigate the doctor"s fitness to practise. "The best thing a member can do if they are asked for help in these circumstances is to phone us for specific advice and not to engage in a discussion with the patient." Section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 states: "A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years." In 2008, the Director of Public Prosecutions decided that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute the parents of Daniel James after he travelled to Dignitas, the Swiss assisted suicide clinic, to commit suicide**. The MDU points out however that, in its view, this decision was case specific and does not change the legal position for doctors caring for a patient. Further information * "Debate needed" on assisted death, BBC news, 25 July, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8168926.stm ** No charges following death by suicide of Daniel James, CPS, 9 December 2008 http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/179_08.html Medical Defence Union


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