Health

Health FDA approves once-a-day inhaler from Glaxo
By Associated Press Published: May 10, 2013 at 12:12 PM PDT
The Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a new once-a-day inhaler drug from GlaxoSmithKline for patients with chronic lung disease.
Health Gene test may help guide prostate cancer treatment Gene test may help guide prostate cancer treatment
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Chief Medical Writer Published: May 8, 2013 at 7:42 AM PDT
A new genetic test to gauge the aggressiveness of prostate cancer may help tens of thousands of men each year decide whether they need to treat their cancer right away or can safely monitor it.
Health Baxter drug fails to slow Alzheimer's in big study Baxter drug fails to slow Alzheimer's in big study
By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Chief Medical Writer Published: May 7, 2013 at 9:35 AM PDT
Baxter International Inc. says that a blood product it was testing failed to slow mental decline or to preserve physical function in a major study of 390 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Health Clean dentists: Do you know how sanitary your dentist's office is? Clean dentists: Do you know how sanitary your dentist's office is? (Video)
By Anna Canzano, On Your Side Investigator Published: May 6, 2013 at 6:02 PM PDT
A situation in Oklahoma where thousands of patients were potentially exposed to HIV and hepatitis got us thinking about dentist safety here in Oregon. We were surprised to learn that a local group in the dental industry is actually trying to roll back the rules on patient protection.
Health FDA wants cancer warnings for tanning beds FDA wants cancer warnings for tanning beds
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer Published: May 6, 2013 at 12:54 PM PDT
Indoor tanning beds would carry new warnings about the risk of cancer and be subject to additional regulations, under a proposal unveiled by the Food and Drug Administration.
Health Bashful? Pfizer to sell the little blue pill online Bashful? Pfizer to sell the little blue pill online
By LINDA A. JOHNSON AP Business Writer Published: May 6, 2013 at 7:10 AM PDT
In a first for the drug industry, Pfizer Inc. told The Associated Press that the drugmaker will begin selling its popular erectile dysfunction pill Viagra directly to patients on its website.
Health U.S. suicide rate rose sharply among middle-aged U.S. suicide rate rose sharply among middle-aged
By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Published: May 3, 2013 at 8:42 AM PDT
The suicide rate among middle-aged Americans climbed a startling 28 percent in a decade, a period that included the recession and the mortgage crisis, the government reported Thursday.
Health Is anti-bacterial soap safe? FDA takes 40 years to decide Is anti-bacterial soap safe? FDA takes 40 years to decide
By MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer Published: May 2, 2013 at 12:40 PM PDT Last Updated: May 3, 2013 at 10:43 AM PDT
Federal health regulators are just now deciding whether triclosan — the germ-killing ingredient found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes sold in the U.S. — is ineffective, or worse, harmful.