Tuesday, July 10, 2012

FDA unveils safety measures for opioid painkillers

Drugmakers that market powerful painkiller medications will be required to fund training programs to help U.S. doctors and other health professionals safely prescribe the drugs, which are blamed for thousands of fatal overdoses each year.

The safety plan released by the Food and Drug Administration on Monday is designed to reduce misuse and abuse of long-acting opioid pain relievers, which include forms of morphine, methadone and oxycodone. The agency's plan mainly involves educating doctors and patients about appropriate use of the drugs.

The FDA has issued a number of warnings on prescription pain relievers in recent years but with little effect. Inappropriate use of the drugs caused nearly 425,000 emergency department visits in 2009, according to government figures. The drugs were blamed for 15,600 deaths that year, up from 14,800 in 2008.

The FDA said companies that sell the drugs must offer two to three hours of training to prescribers, either for free or for a small fee. The courses will be designed by companies that provide continuing medical education for health professionals, not by the drugmakers themselves.

The agency wants companies to provide training to least 60 percent of the 320,000 U.S. prescribers of the drugs within three years of launching the programs. The programs, which will be vetted by FDA regulators, must be available by March 2013.

"Responsible physicians will welcome the education benefits provided by this program," said Dr. Lynn Webster of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

In addition to training, drugmakers will be required to distribute safety brochures to patients explaining the risks of the drugs and instructions to seek emergency care in event of an overdose.

The FDA spent more than three years developing the so-called risk management plans for the drugs, with input from industry and health care professionals.

Some health care experts stressed that training should be required for all prescribers. But FDA officials said the programs will be optional for now because making them mandatory would require a new law by Congress.

The new FDA plan covers about 30 opioid drugs, including Purdue Pharma's OxyContin, Johnson & Johnson's Duragesic patch and Pfizer's Embeda. Opioids are drugs that simulate the effects of natural narcotics, such as the opium poppy. They are typically prescribed for people already taking pain medications, including cancer patients, to treat severe pain flare-ups.

The products targeted by the FDA feature extended-release formulations designed to give long-lasting effects. But that potency carries serious risks when doctors prescribe them inappropriately, and when patients abuse them as stimulants.

The FDA reports that many physicians prescribe the painkillers for patients with migraine headaches, an unapproved use. Patients will also sometimes chew extended-release pills that are designed to be swallowed, causing an overdose.



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Cambodian deaths tied to common child illness

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Seasonal firefighters seek health care coverage

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One in 10 Malawians to need food aid: report

"Workers load food donations of maize, beans and cooking oil in a hangar at the Malawian capital Lilongwe. More than 10 percent of Malawi's inhabitants will need food aid over the next few months following massive crop failure in the south, a report said Monday. (AFP Photo/Mike Huggins)" title

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US health insurer WellPoint buys Amerigroup

"Medical drips at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. US health insurer WellPoint is buying Amerigroup, a manager of publicly funded health programs, for about $4.9 bn, the companies said Monday. (AFP Photo/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI)" title

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Sitting less may extend American lives: study

"American adults may boost their life expectancy by two years by sitting for fewer than three hours a day, researchers said Tuesday, while admitting this was a tough task. (AFP Photo/Martina Stanek)" title

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Lose 70 Pounds In 90 Days

Getting A Flat Stomach: there is No Secret If your looking for a flat stomach. The key to achieve it isn't to do a whole lot of crunches. It's really simple common sense. There is no single exercise that will burn fat off you're tummy alone. To get ripped is to diet and work with total body exercises.… By: Finest Fusionist in  Health and Fitness  >  Weight Loss   Feb 17, 2011   0   Likes: 3



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Successful Weight Loss – Do You Know The Big Secret?

mile markers’ on your journey to lose weight. These mile markers, or goals, will help you track where you are and how far you have to go to reach the final destination, a slimmer, healthier you.

Ask yourself these two questions:

1. How much weight do you want to lose?

2. What is your target date to have that goal reached?

Write it down on a sheet of paper. Writing down your goals is a very good way to remind yourself of what they are and where you are heading. You might even think of putting them on

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Presentation of Rezidor�s Interim Report Q2-2012

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Jul
2012Rezidor Hotel Group AB will release the Interim Report for the Second Quarter on Friday, 13 July at 08:30 CET.


(1888PressRelease) July 05, 2012 - A combined telephone conference and live webcast concerning the report will be presented by the President and CEO, Kurt Ritter, and Deputy President & CFO, Knut Kleiven, on the same day at 15:30 CET.

To follow the webcast, please visit www.investor.rezidor.com.

To access the telephone conference, please dial:

Sweden:

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-Fitness In The Village- Free Outdoor Zumba Class This Summer on Sunday, July 8th

"Fitness In The Village" Free Outdoor Zumba Class This Summer on Sunday, July 8thShare: Tweet07
Jul
2012"Fitness In The Village" Free Outdoor Zumba Class This Summer on Sunday, July 8thHosted by Urban Active to promote a healthy community with benefits of working out outdoors.


Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, OH (1888PressRelease) July 07, 2012 - Urban Active Fitness hosts its very popular Zumba class for "Fitness In The Village" this summer on Sunday, July 8th from 10-11 AM. It will take place on the lawn beside the Urban Active facility at Legacy Village. The class is open to the public for all ages and skill levels to help the community get healthy and gain the benefits of working out outdoors!

According to the Huffington Post, a 2011 study found that outdoor exercise was associated with greater decreases in tension, confusion, anger and depression when compared to indoor activity. And a 2010 study found that even just five minutes of exercise in a green space can improve mood and self-esteem, the BBC reported.

Zumba is the heart pumping class that combines red hot music with addictive dance moves! Zumba features interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms are combined to tone and sculpt the body while burning fat. Learn how to make fitness fun by adding Latin flavor and international zest to the workout while 500-800 calories per hour!

Since its creation in 2001, Zumba has become nothing short of a revolution. Coining the term "fitness party" and making fitness fun, Zumba spread like wildfire, and has become the world's largest - and most successful - dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries!

"Fitness In The Village" will be held on the lawn beside the Urban Active location at Legacy Village:
25145 Cedar Rd. Lyndhurst, OH 44124 (216) 291-8555

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Herbalife India supports Bangalore delegation for International Children's Games (Children's Olympic)

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Jul
2012Company joins the effort of Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation to encourage young athletes at grass roots level.


(1888PressRelease) July 07, 2012 - Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), a global nutrition company, today announced its support of the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation, an independent, non-profit, accredited, Special Mission Sports Foundation as the 14-member Bangalore city contingent prepares to participate in the 46th International Children's Games (ICG) scheduled to be held at Daegu- South Korea from 12th to 17th July 2012. The delegation was felicitated in Bangalore, by Ajay Khanna, country head, Herbalife India in the presence of other dignitaries such as Mr. BNS Reddy, DIGP, Dr. MP Ganesh, Mrs. Reeth Abraham and Mr. Ashish Ballal. In line with Herbalife's global philosophy of nurturing sports talents, Herbalife India has committed to provide the young athletes with nutrition support to ensure these athletes are in perfect health to deliver their best performance at the games. The 9-member football team from Bangalore will be competing with global teams at Daegu.

Wishing the delegation the very best, Ajay Khanna, Country Head, Herbalife India, said, "At Herbalife we are always looking for ways to encourage and grow the potential of budding athletes by providing them the support they need to hone their talents. We are humbled by this opportunity to contribute in a small measure towards the Olympic journey of these talented children who have been working hard to make a mark on the global stage. On behalf of the Herbalife India family, we would like to wish them well in their quest in Daegu,"

He further added, "I also want to congratulate the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation for their effort to secure representation for Bangalore city at the games and their effort to encourage and train children at the grass roots level through initiatives like Bangalore School Games and Magic Feet initiative."

Speaking at the event, Elvis Joseph, Director, Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation, said, "We are happy that Herbalife India has decided to partner with us in this endeavour. We have a lot of young talents in India. However, we face challenges in terms of the infrastructure to ensure that the young children receive proper training and guidance. Our goal is to take a bigger contingent to participate at the most prestigious international events for children with the help of companies like Herbalife. In fact, we are working towards getting Bangalore to host the ICG in 2016, in their 50th year."

Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation has taken the task of promoting, nurturing and professionalizing sports from the grass root level to international standards, making its first historic representation at the International Children's games at Athens, Greece in 2009. The foundation has successfully sent the under 15 Boys football team at the 43rd ICG Athens Greece, 44th ICG Manama Bahrain, 45th ICG Lanarkshire Scotland and now the 46th ICG Daegu South Korea 2012.

The ICG, endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been hosting the Games since 1968.The games are being organized every year in different countries of a city hosted by the city Mayor or Governor inviting children from all over the Globe. It had taken 43 years for Bangalore City (first city from India) to participate at the most prestigious International Children Games. The Daegue ICG will witness participation of over 2000 athletes from 80 cities across 50 countries. To know more about the games, please visit http://www.icg-daegu2012.com/daegu/must.html

Herbalife India continues its association with youth icons cricketer Virat Kohli, badminton champion Saina Nehwal, India's very own boxing champion Mary Kom as well as budding athletes like Squash Champion Dipika Pallikal and tennis star Somdev Devvarman to encourage sporting talent and spread the message of health and active lifestyle. Herbalife sponsors over 150 sporting events, teams and athletes around the world. Herbalife's associated sports sponsorships also include the LA Galaxy, FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi amongst others.

About Herbalife Ltd.
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) is a global nutrition company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in 83 countries through a network of independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children. Herbalife's website contains a significant amount of information about Herbalife, including financial and other information for investors at http://ir.Herbalife.com. The company encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

About Bangalore School Sports Foundation
Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation was initiated in 2009, by Mr Elvis Joseph, a state and university medalist, sports promoter by profession with experience in project management, sports administration, turnkey projects, sporting events, training, business development & strategic planning. The Foundation is an independent, non-profit, special mission sports foundation created to serve the State and Nation with programs in Sports Promotion, Instruction, Research, Education, Leadership, Events and Service. The role of the Foundation is to prepare aspiring athletes such as Children, Physically Disabled, Intellectually Challenged, Young Men & Women and Professional Athletes for careers in sports.

Media Contact
Priyanka Bhattacharya
Gutenberg Communications


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Santevia Water Systems Launches New Alkaline Water Pitcher

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Jul
2012 Santevia Water Systems, a division of Wellness Warehouse Inc (Delta BC), announced today their new Alkaline Water Pitcher for the North American market.



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