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    Urban medical schools feel weight of uninsured  Aug 29, 2008
    "Don't miss this on msnbc.com Health What he can't get for free is paid with other federal funds, he added.Unlike Wilson, many without insurance don't even bother to seek care because they can't afford it, said Smitherman, co-author of the book, "Taking Care of the Uninsured: A Path to Reform," published last year."They will do alternative medicine, over-the-counter medicine, have their friend do something," he said. "They will do anything to try to save the $200 to $300 that they would have... (MSNBC -- Health)

    5 Acid Reflux Medications: Which One is Best for You?  Aug 29, 2008
    Popular over-the-counter medications like Tums, Maalox, Rolaids and Mylanta neutralize stomach acid and provide fast-acting relief in mild or isolated cases of acid reflux ... Most patients suffering from mild acid reflux will treat themselves with over-the-counter medications, Sheth said ... You should see a doctor if your symptoms are not controlled by over-the-counter medicines because it could be a sign of a more serious condition, Sheth said. (Fox News)

    How to Choose the Right Pet Health Insurance Plan  Aug 29, 2008
    5 billion a year on veterinary services, over-the-counter drugs and other health supplies for pets. Tremendous advancements in veterinary technology have helped increase the life span of cats and dogs. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)

    This Allergy Season, Stay Alert to Drowsy Driving Dangers  Aug 29, 2008
    "As an allergy sufferer, I was surprised to learn that some over-the-counter medicines may cause drowsiness. In fact, the allergy medicine I used to take made me drowsy. I thought there was something wrong with me because I was so sleepy - which was pretty dangerous considering all the driving I do with my kids, said Lori. "Then I discovered Claritin, which relieves my worst allergy symptoms for 24 hours without making me drowsy. When you spend as much time driving as I do, you need to be... (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)

    Teens' abuse of cough medications soaring  Aug 29, 2008
    The ingredient sought by youthful drug abusers is dextromethorphan, or DXM, which comes in a wide variety of over-the-counter pills and syrups that researchers say are promoted by Web sites telling users how to take them recreationally ... "The Internet has fueled the fire, and the only way to address it is through education,'' said Elizabeth Assey, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a Washington organization of over-the-counter drugmakers. The organization contends... (Yahoo News -- Substance Use)

    How to Reduce Your Risk of Medication Errors  Aug 28, 2008
    vice president of healthcare quality and information for the U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention, a non-profit group that sets the official quality standards that prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States are required to meet ... It is also important to keep an updated list of all medications you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements), and sharing this list with a family member or other caregiver. (Pekin Times, IL)

    HEALTH BLOG: Digging into the latest cancer studies  Aug 28, 2008
    The experiment found that applying 4% lidocaine gel, an over-the-counter topical anesthetic, to the skin of the breasts and chest wall reduced mammogram discomfort more than a placebo gel or acetaminophen, ibuprofen or placebo pills did. The women in the study expected to be uncomfortable, so it's not known whether the findings would apply to women who didn't expect much discomfort, the researchers write. (USA Today -- Money)

    TUMS Wave at Bristol Motor Speedway Sets Guinness World Record(R) for Largest Audience Wave  Aug 28, 2008
    GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette and NicoDerm, as well as many medicine cabinet staples, alli. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)

    Kline column: The battle between lazy and greedy never ends  Aug 27, 2008
    This form would show that I had already tried a much cheaper (at least for the insurance company) over-the-counter product allowing me to go on taking the prescription stuff that actually works. Since I had tried this completely ineffective OTC product, I assumed getting approval with nearly two weeks to go would be relatively easy. (Swampscott Reporter, MA)

    Dermazone Solutions gets go-ahead for drug production  Aug 27, 2008
    It previously has manufactured over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Dermazone met state requirements by instituting comprehensive standard operating procedures and ensuring the facility is, at all times, working in compliance with a state law designed to safeguard public health, the release said. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)

    USF Healths Morsani outpatient center opens  Aug 27, 2008
    A Sweetbay Pharmacy in the center allows USF Health patients instant access to over-the-counter and prescription medication with their in-house service, the release said. USF physicians and providers have the ability to send all prescriptions electronically from exam room to computers directly in the downstairs pharmacy, making the entire health care visit all-inclusive, the release said. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)

    Bad circumstances claimed teen  Aug 26, 2008
    He continued to receive Ibuprofin and an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine. Staffers noted he was talking to people who weren t there April 29, the same day that he laid out in the sun most of the day, despite the availability of shade. (Montrose Daily Press, CO)

    DHEA May Not Boost Brain Power, Well-Being  Aug 26, 2008
    Because of this, over-the-counter synthetic DHEA supplements are marketed as a weapon against the effects of aging. Studies have come to mixed conclusions as to whether the supplements do in fact improve cognitive function, well-being, libido and depression symptoms in older adults. (MEDLINEplus)

    Adcock shares fall on first day back  Aug 26, 2008
    Its divisions are over-the-counter medicines, prescriptions, generics and hospital products. It has more than 600 products on the market. (Business Report, South Africa)

    Dr Feelgood: Vibrating mascara: spin or substance?  Aug 25, 2008
    Scores: 1 star placebo, 2 stars sticking plaster, 3 stars over-the-counter remedy, 4 stars should be available on the NHS, 5 stars miracle cure. Also in this section. (Independent)

    Women DON'T have a higher pain threshold than men and don't get ...  Aug 25, 2008
    Even widely used, over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol have less of an effect on women, it has been found. Scientists told the conference in Glasgow that their findings could be used to prevent thousands of sick days each year, saving the country millions of pounds. (Daily Mail)

    FDA to revamp criteria for kids' cold medicine  Aug 24, 2008
    WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to revise standards for over-the-counter cough and cold medications for children, a step that could lead to removing the popular products from the market ... "This is the beginning of getting drugs that are widely used in children in the over-the-counter world using the same modern approach we've started using for prescription drugs," Woodcock said ... A week before the FDA convened a panel of experts to consider the petition in... (AZCentral -- News)

    Matrixx Initiatives to Webcast 2008 Annual Stockholder Meeting Tuesday, August 26, 2008  Aug 23, 2008
    Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. (Nasdaq: ), an over-the-counter healthcare company that develops and markets products that provide consumers with "better ways to get better(R)," will host its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders at 10:00 a.m. PDT on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at the Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona ... About Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. is engaged in the development and marketing of over-the-counter healthcare... (PR Newswire)

    If they're incumbents, vote 'em out  Aug 23, 2008
    Named after Jason Surks, who died of an accidental overdose of Xanax, the campaign will focus on the dangers and problems associated with prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse. A common misconception is that prescription drugs are not as addic tive or abused as the more familiar illicit drugs such as marijuana and heroin. (NJ.com -- Times)

    Pillar Rock USA Corp. Presents: Hangover, Drinking Behavior Survey and Comparison of Over-the-Counter Hangover Relievers  Aug 22, 2008
    FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Pillar Rock USA Corp., finalist for the HIA 2008 Rookie of the Year Business Achievement Award in Long Island N.Y., conducted a study of drinking behavior and comparison of available hangover remedies in the market. With students back in Universities and holidays coming up, the Fall season is usually the higher alcohol consumption period of the year. (PR Newswire)

    Lupin buys 30% in Aussie company  Aug 22, 2008
    "; }else{ user_status=". The privately-held Generic Health was founded in 2004 by Gavin Upiter, managing director, and a pharmaceutical executive with extensive international experience in the industry. (Business Standard)

    The Snore Wars  Aug 22, 2008
    There are some over-the-counter sprays that work by coating the soft palate. But if you use the spray, be sure to reapply it after you drink any liquid. (Time.com)

    PharmaCare Charged With Dealing in Stolen Property  Aug 21, 2008
    "Defendants bought and sold approximately $7.9 million of stolen over-the-counter medications and health and beauty aids, which had not been legitimately obtained," said the nine-count indictment unsealed Aug. 13. The Internal Revenue Service and other agencies busted a shoplifting ring that was allegedly run by two brothers who marketed the stolen medications and other drugstore products. (Law.com)

    Acne affects nearly everyone  Aug 21, 2008
    "If your skin is really oily, you could use Clearasil," he said, mentioning another over-the-counter treatment. "We recommend a gentle washing in the morning and at night, and after activities," he said. (Sioux City Journal, IO)

    Anti-Aging Skin Treatments That May Work  Aug 21, 2008
    Also, she says, over-the-counter retanol creams have the ability to do prompt some retanol production and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, but again, not as much as prescription-strength items do. They're the least expensive way to go. (CBS News -- Early Show)

    Closings, shelters, hotlines, sandbags  Aug 21, 2008
    Include any over-the-counter items you would need in the event of evacuation. Free Sandbags. (Daytona Beach News Journal)

    Education Needed To Decrease Teens' Misconception About Emergency Contraception  Aug 21, 2008
    26, 2006) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced approval of Plan B, a contraceptive drug, as an over-the-counter (OTC) option for women aged 18 and older. Plan B is often referred to as. (Science Daily)

    Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss  Aug 21, 2008
    Over the next few days, repeated self-administered ear cleaning with the use of an over-the-counter kit does. . (New England Journal of Medicine)

    GlaxoSmithKline announces strategy overhaul after weak profits  Aug 20, 2008
    GSK said it wanted to place more emphasis on vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, consumer healthcare and expansion in emerging markets, marking a shift away from its reliance on prescription drugs. GSK's stock price tumbled by 3. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)

    Women's Health Office Funds Cut  Aug 20, 2008
    A compromise was finally reached last August that allowed over-the-counter sales of the drug to people at least 18 years old. Martha R. Nolan, a vice president at the Society for Women's Health Research, a Washington advocacy group, said that big budget bites in Washington are often the beginning of the end and that she worries that this is retribution for the Plan B controversy. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)

    Aetna expands hospice care availability to San Antonio members  Aug 20, 2008
    The coverage includes all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, medical equipment and supplies to treat the patient s terminal illness. All four levels of hospice care routine, continuous care, general inpatient care and respite care are covered. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)

    Walgreen's First for Nationwide Launch of Pediatric Electrolyte Strips From Healthsport, Inc.  Aug 20, 2008
    HealthSport, Inc. () is a fully integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of unique and proprietary branded and private label edible film strip nutritional supplements and over-the-counter drugs. The Company owns three subsidiaries -- Enlyten, Inc., InnoZen, Inc. and Cooley Nutraceuticals, Inc. Enlyten () was created to market and distribute HealthSport's products. (Primezone Releases)

    What you need to know  Aug 19, 2008
    Include any over-the-counter items you would need in the event of evacuation. Search for Cars s from local dealers. (Daytona Beach News Journal)

    Pill A Ray Of Hope For Sun Lovers  Aug 19, 2008
    AN over-the-counter pill claims to protect your skin from the sun. Doctors recommend sun worshippers take it in conjunction with - not instead of - sunscreen. (New York Post -- Entertainment)

    Wrinkle Removers, Backed by Science  Aug 19, 2008
    Dr. Robyn S. Gmyrek, an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University, is also skeptical of over-the-counter wrinkle creams. If something shows true biological activity, it s regulated as a drug, she said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)

    Indigestion may increase brittle bone risk  Aug 19, 2008
    Innumerable people take over-the-counter drugs or may be even prescripted drugs for heartburn and indigestion. However researchers warn that drugs used to treat heartburn and indigestion may in fact up the risks of brittle bone diseases like osteoporosis. (HealthJockey.com)

    Overdosing OTC DrugsGrowing Problem  Aug 18, 2008
    You Can Overdise on Over-the-Counter Drugs Related Links ... pop an over-the-counter pill for relief from aches and pains. (WOKR13 Rochester)

    Medical opinion: Sometimes no treatment is the best treatment  Aug 18, 2008
    In the early stages, the infection can be managed by drying the ears and using over-the-counter eardrops containing 70 percent ethyl alcohol or simple homemade mixture of equal parts of vinegar and alcohol ... Over-the-counter drops are also good for drying the ears. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)

    A multitude of health issues on the rise  Aug 18, 2008
    Failed kidneys and most other maladies are caused by convenience fast trash food and beverages, over-the-counter pain medications and what physicians prescribe ... Behind premature health problems like cancer and other illnesses, there is not necessarily a smoker, but one who consumes all the American junk fast foods, which includes legal over-the-counter medications. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)

    The right treatments can save your skin  Aug 16, 2008
    Instead, use an eye cream that contains one of the three ingredients dermatologists recommend to prevent and repair fine lines: retinoids, which stimulate cell turnover, increase , and are available as retinol in over-the-counter products (we like RoC Retinol Correcxion Eye Cream, applied at night), or in higher dose prescription creams such as Retin-A and Renova; peptides, which are protein fragments that help to boost collagen production (try Dr. Brandt r3p Eye Cream, day and night); and... (MSNBC -- Health)

    Don't Let a DUI Spoil Tailgating Fun ... or Worse  Aug 16, 2008
    Most states take into account any substance, including marijuana, prescription drugs and even over-the-counter drugs, such as antihistamines, which may impair a driver's ability think clearly and safely operate a motor vehicle. "If you're pulled over on suspicion of drunken driving, police typically use three methods of determining whether a driver has been driving under the influence," says Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney with FindLaw. (Pekin Times, IL)

    Why You Should Get Your Hearing Checked Today  Aug 16, 2008
    Wax build-up can easily be addressed by using an over-the-counter wax remover like Debrox from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. Environmental causes of hearing loss from noisy workplace conditions are also a major factor, as is the growing incidence of noise-induced hearing loss blamed on the popularity of iPods and other MP3 music players -- a growing problem for hearing impairment in young people. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)

    Spirit Management to Pilots: 'Call in Sick - and You're Fired.'  Aug 15, 2008
    They also are not allowed to take many common over-the-counter medications while flying because of potential side effects. "Pilots know their limits, and when they are fit to fly -- and when they aren't," said Capt. Creed. (PR Newswire)

    5 Ways to Treat Acid Reflux Symptoms Naturally  Aug 15, 2008
    Lifestyle and dietary changes that include eliminating sugary and fatty food, exercising and quitting smoking can help, as can over-the-counter and prescription medications. But there are several natural remedies that can be used instead of or in addition to medications, according to Dr. Allan E. Sosin, founder and medical director of the Institute for Progressive Medicine in Irvine, Calif. (Fox News)

    Not All Hearing Aids Are Created Equal  Aug 15, 2008
    Professor Jerry Punch of the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and Susanna Love Callaway, a lifelong education alumna and international student from Denmark, published their study on over-the-counter hearing aids in a recent issue of the American Journal of Audiology ... Punch and Callaway set out to find the answer by subjecting 11 over-the-counter hearing aids to the same test protocol as traditional hearing aids. (Science Daily)

    Cross Bay Chemist located in Howard Beach. (photo by Frank Pantina)">  Aug 15, 2008
    Queens Chronicle - Cross Bay Chemist Celebrates Its Four Year Anniversary. Friday August 15, 2008. (Queens Chronicle, NY)

    Cross Bay Chemist Celebrates Its Four Year Anniversary  Aug 15, 2008
    Friday August 15, 2008. Cross Bay Chemist located in Howard Beach. (Queens Chronicle, NY)

    Teens' abuse of cough medications soaring  Aug 14, 2008
    The ingredient sought by youthful drug abusers is dextromethorphan, or DXM, which comes in a wide variety of over-the-counter pills and syrups that researchers say are promoted by Web sites telling users how to take them recreationally ... "The Internet has fueled the fire, and the only way to address it is through education,'' said Elizabeth Assey, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a Washington organization of over-the-counter drugmakers. The organization contends... (Yahoo News -- Substance Use)

    Long-Term Acid Reflux Therapy Can Be Cost-Effective  Aug 14, 2008
    For patients with only an average risk for bleeding, however, this therapy is only cost effective if PPIs are purchased at over-the-counter costs, rather than as a prescription ... In this analysis, which used over-the-counter PPI prices, aspirin plus PPI therapy was cost-effective, but as PPI effectiveness increased and patients' starting age became older, it became less cost-effective. (MEDLINEplus)

    Monsoonal Rain Means Allergies For Borderland Residents  Aug 14, 2008
    To treat this and other allergens, several over-the-counter remedies are available, but if that doesn't work, you may need to see a doctor. The most obvious solution to these kinds of allergic reactions is staying indoors. (KFOXTV.com, TX)

    Leiner facility up for sale  Aug 14, 2008
    -based generic vitamin and over-the-counter drug maker, this summer rejected its lease at the Carowinds-area plant as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to court records ... Leiner had struggled since early 2007 when a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection raised concerns about expiration dates and impurities in some over-the-counter medications manufactured in Fort Mill, according to a federal affidavit ... At its peak, Leiner supplied Wal-Mart, Costco, CVS and other pharmacy... (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)

    Longs Drugs absorbed by CVS  Aug 13, 2008
    Longs has been struggling in recent months as more generic drugs replace higher-priced brand names, and with the switch of the prescription allergy medicine Zyrtec to over-the-counter status. Warren F. Bryant, chairman of Longs, said the merger was a natural step for a company that started with a single store in 1938 and was built into a major regional force. (Fresno Bee)

    Flea Control Tips for Cats and Dogs  Aug 13, 2008
    Many pet owners find that over-the-counter and even prescription parasite treatments fail to rid the pet of fleas and most cat and dog owners are left wondering why ... Next, treat the dog with an over-the-counter flea shampoo to kill and eliminate the fleas and their eggs that are present on the pet s skin and coat. (Suite101.com)

    Acid reflux drugs may heighten fracture risk  Aug 13, 2008
    "Furthermore, use has been increasing in recent years, likely because of a number of factors, including increasing affordability with the emergence of generic and over-the-counter formulations," the study said. It's unclear why proton pump inhibitors may be tied to a higher risk of fractures, but the study suggests it may be because the drugs, which inhibit the production of acid, also accelerate bone mineral loss. (Globe and Mail)

    Big bad steroids in the city (and kampong)  Aug 13, 2008
    Corticosteroids also lurk in tablets, syrup, ampoules and topical preparations such as eye-drops, nasal drops and sprays and inhalers, as well as over-the-counter products such as skin ointments, skin-lightening creams and hair tonics. And guess what. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)

    Powerful Antacid Drugs Raise Fracture Risk  Aug 13, 2008
    Another new study, this one in the Aug. 11/25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, concluded that it is cost-effective to add over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors to the regimens of patients over age 65 with clogged arteries who take long-term, low-dose aspirin. Aspirin carries a risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. (MEDLINEplus)

    Timeline: 100 years of altered states  Aug 13, 2008
    1932 In America, amphetamine is marketed as Benzedrine in an over-the-counter inhaler to treat nasal congestion. 1936 Reefer Madness, an American anti-marijuana film, describes how a bunch of beatniks get hooked on the 'devil's weed', and sink into outlaw behaviour. (Guardian Unlimited)

    Combining Aspirin With Acid Blocker Reduces Bleeding  Aug 13, 2008
    In a new study, researchers at the University of Michigan Health System reveal that, from the perspective of a long-term payer, over-the-counter PPIs are worth the price for coronary heart disease patients taking low-dose aspirin as a preventative measure. At prescription costs, however, PPIs are cost-effective only for elderly patients and patients at high risk for upper GI bleeding. (Newsmax)

    Gunmen in Mexico kill 12 in brazen attack  Aug 12, 2008
    If simple lifestyle changes and over-the-counter remedies can't control chronic snoring, more sophisticated surgical and nonsurgical treatments are another option. More on LATimes. (Yahoo News -- Mexico)

    This Allergy Season, Stay Alert to Drowsy Driving Dangers  Aug 11, 2008
    "As an allergy sufferer, I was surprised to learn that some over-the-counter medicines may cause drowsiness. In fact, the allergy medicine I used to take made me drowsy. I thought there was something wrong with me because I was so sleepy - which was pretty dangerous considering all the driving I do with my kids, said Lori. "Then I discovered Claritin, which relieves my worst allergy symptoms for 24 hours without making me drowsy. When you spend as much time driving as I do, you need to be... (Pekin Times, IL)

    Safe and Effective Flea Treatments ...  Aug 11, 2008
    Hartz is not the only dangerous over-the-counter flea treatment that may be unsafe and researching others experiences with certain brands of flea treatments will help a cat owner avoid a product that could kill their pet ... These doctors would not recommend flea treatments that could poison their patients and often discourage owners from buying cheaper over-the-counter brands. (Suite101.com)

    The War On Sweat  Aug 11, 2008
    As more brands reach the limit for over-the-counter products--which has not changed in many years--part of what makes today's clinical-strength iteration more effective is how it is used. "The best time to apply it is at night," says Dr. Dee Anna Glaser, a professor of dermatology at Missouri's St. Louis University. (Time.com)

    Mid-Summer Skin Cancer Alert  Aug 10, 2008
    Over-the-counter, there are a number of products that contain Retinol. Retinoid are Vitamin A derivatives and you can also get them by prescription for deeper penetration and more biological effects. (CBS News)

    New drug abuse threat is emerging  Aug 10, 2008
    In addition, some teens use prescription and over-the-counter drugs in combination with alcohol, which can lead to dangerous drug interactions or other medical consequences. Parents must be aware of this drug risk in their own medicine cabinets. (Fresno Bee)

    WMU 2G sells out of antlerless deer licenses  Aug 10, 2008
    Also, beginning Monday, Sept. 8, applicants may apply over-the-counter at county treasurers offices in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. Beginning Monday, Nov. 3, hunters may apply over-the-counter for unsold antlerless licenses in all other WMUs. Share this story. (Somerset Daily American, PA)

    Chatter is the Best Medicine: Speak Up for Your Health  Aug 10, 2008
    MiraLAX (R), the No. 1 doctor-prescribed laxative, is now only available over-the-counter to treat occasional constipation. MiraLAX is different. (Pekin Times, IL)

    How to Reduce Your Risk of Medication Errors  Aug 9, 2008
    vice president of healthcare quality and information for the U.S. Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention, a non-profit group that sets the official quality standards that prescription and over-the-counter medications in the United States are required to meet ... It is also important to keep an updated list of all medications you are taking (including over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements), and sharing this list with a family member or other caregiver. (Pekin Times, IL)

    Scars? cellulite? Solutions for skin imperfections  Aug 9, 2008
    What doesn't work: Over-the-counter stretch-mark creams, which claim to rebuild collagen but don't. Quick cover-up: A self-tanner helps minimize the look of new and older marks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)

    Oregon illegal drug use called higher than average  Aug 9, 2008
    Gibson said the decline was due mostly to tougher enforcement and strict control of pseudoephedrine an over-the-counter cold remedy that is a key ingredient for meth under recent laws passed by the Oregon Legislature and Congress. High-intensity drug trafficking areas are designated around country to concentrate federal resources in those areas. (Ontario Argus Observer, OR)

    Child Development: Lack Of Time On Tummy Shown To Hinder Achievement  Aug 8, 2008
    16, 1997) Over-the-counter antihistamines are widely available, heavily marketed, inexpensive and regularly used by parents to control a child s cold and flu. (Apr. (Science Daily)

    August is National Medicine Abuse Awareness month  Aug 8, 2008
    Recent studies show medicine abuse, including the abuse of over-the-counter cough medicines, as an alarming trend among young people. Some teens are intentionally taking excessive amounts of OTC cough medications, up to 50 times the recommended dose, to get high from the active ingredient dextromethorphan. (Wakefield Observer, MA)

    What's in a name?  Aug 8, 2008
    "This is a very urgent problem," said Diane Cousins of U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official standard-setting authority for prescription and over-the-counter medicines. "What we have seen is that the number of reports of similar-named drugs is increasing, and the number of different products implicated in medication errors is increasing.". (NJ.com -- Times)

    Pre-cancerous condition linked to chronic acid reflux faces several hurdles  Aug 8, 2008
    The wide-spread availability of over-the-counter antacid medications may contribute by suppressing symptoms such that only the most severe and persistent cases of acid reflux are recommended for screening. Additionally, in order to screen for Barrett's, the oesophagus must be examined with a small light and camera (endoscope) which is not a routine procedure. (EurekAlert!)

    10 infant deaths tied to cold meds  Aug 7, 2008
    NEW YORK - At least 10 infant deaths in Arizona in 2006 were linked to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies underscoring the danger of giving the medications to children younger than 2, researchers report ... Parents may assume that over-the-counter means safe, she noted, but in fact, cough and cold medications have never been proven safe and effective for children of any age. (MSNBC -- Health)

    Amid the slugs, athletes are warned on Chinese medicine  Aug 7, 2008
    Several athletes have previously been banned for illegal elements found in innocuous over-the-counter medicine. Chinese star basketball player, Yao Ming, is a strong believer in traditional medicine that dates back 2,000 years. (Scientific American)

    Women's Health Office Funds Cut  Aug 7, 2008
    A compromise was finally reached last August that allowed over-the-counter sales of the drug to people at least 18 years old. Martha R. Nolan, a vice president at the Society for Women's Health Research, a Washington advocacy group, said that big budget bites in Washington are often the beginning of the end and that she worries that this is retribution for the Plan B controversy. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)

    The new over-the-counter test and cure for chlamydia  Aug 7, 2008
    It is the first oral antibiotic to be approved for over-the-counter sale in Britain. But leading GP Dr Trevor Stammers claimed it was a 'sticking plaster' solution to an epidemic of sex infections. (Daily Mail)

    Survey shows fewer Ala. teens puffing away  Aug 7, 2008
    Smokers who are trying to quit can call the toll-free line to talk with counselors and sign up for over-the-counter quit aids like nicotine patches. Teens can call the line for counseling, but health officials are waiting on an opinion from the attorney general's office to see if nicotine patches can be distributed to them. (AL.com)

    Infant Deaths Linked to Cold Meds  Aug 7, 2008
    At least 10 infant deaths in Arizona in 2006 were linked to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies -- underscoring the danger of giving the medications to children younger than 2, researchers report ... Parents may assume that over-the-counter means "safe," she noted, but in fact, cough and cold medications have never been proven safe and effective for children of any age. (Newsmax)

    Chlamydia drug over-the-counter  Aug 6, 2008
    The medicines regulator has decided the drug will be made available over-the-counter later this year. If untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health problems - including cancer - later in life. (BBC News -- UK)

    FBI to reveal evidence in anthrax case  Aug 6, 2008
    One of the nation's leading military anthrax researchers, Ivins, 62, died July 29 after taking an overdose of over-the-counter medication. He had been told by authorities that they were preparing to seek his indictment on capital murder charges. (Los Angeles Times)

    GlaxoSmithKline announces strategy overhaul after weak profits  Aug 6, 2008
    GSK said it wanted to place more emphasis on vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, consumer healthcare and expansion in emerging markets, marking a shift away from its reliance on prescription drugs. GSK's stock price tumbled by 3. (Yahoo News -- Pharmaceutical Industry News)

    Summer brings out bugs in Oregon  Aug 6, 2008
    Over-the-counter antihistamines can relieve itching. Seek immediate medical attention if a red "bull's-eye" rash appears; it may signal Lyme disease. (OregonLive, OR -- News)

    Survey: Over 40% of Americans are "problem sleepers"  Aug 6, 2008
    They found many people turn to drugs to solve sleep problems; almost 1 in 5 Americans took prescription or over-the-counter medicines at least once a week to help them sleep. Although sleep medications are usually recommended for no more than two weeks, 14 percent of those surveyed took some type of pill on at least eight of the past 30 nights; five percent turn to pills every night of the month. (Xinhuanet, China)

    Consumer Reports survey: 44 percent of Americans are 'Problem Sleepers'  Aug 6, 2008
    Many people turn to drugs to solve sleep problems; almost 1 in 5 Americans took prescription or over-the-counter medicines at least once a week to help them sleep ... Other remedies were less effective: when over-the-counter drugs were used, they helped 57 percent of people most nights, a consistent sleep and wake routine helped 50 percent on most nights and muscle relaxation helped 40 percent on most nights. (EurekAlert!)

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