Fans of cheap generic drugs might want to pay attention. Because if there’s a better example of “you get what you pay for,” it is not obvious. Indian generic drug giant Ranbaxy was just slapped with a $500 million penalty for selling four contaminated, sub-standard drugs, and also lying about it by falsifying records. And [...]
The post Generic Roulette appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Local NYC news outlets are abuzz with the news that there has been an outbreak of measles among ultra-orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn this year. It’s thought that a family visiting from London that had not been vaccinated against the disease initiated the current outbreak. The infants and toddlers who acquired the disease in Brooklyn [...]
The post Seeing spots? They may be measles! appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Despite multiple problems associated with long-term use of narcotics for pain control—addiction, abuse, nausea, and constipation— they remain the best (and sometimes only) option for the millions of Americans that suffer from moderate-to-severe chronic pain. Now, a study adds another problem to the list of liabilities associated with the use of opiate narcotics—erectile dysfunction (ED). [...]
The post Opiates: Bad to the bone appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

When dining out at a restaurant, you might be getting more than you’re paying for — in terms of calories, fat and cholesterol that is. According to two new studies published in JAMA, even though fast food often gets a bad reputation, smaller chain restaurants may actually be more harmful to your health. And it [...]
The post Nutritional content of smaller-chain restaurants may be worse than fast-food appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Seeing the handwriting on the wall — historically unprecedented declines in cigarette sales matched with accelerated sales for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) – old-line “Big Tobacco” companies are now selling, or getting ready to sell, their own versions of the new devices. First in line was Lorillard, which purchased Blu e-cigarettes last April 2012. Now, RJReynolds [...]
The post Big Tobacco enters e-cigarette market. Hooray. appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Angelina Jolie’s Op-Ed, which ran in The New York Times yesterday, is an important piece for women who are dealing with concerns about breast cancer — meaning just about all women, and their loved ones. Not only did she provide wide visibility for women facing breast cancer, she also touched on ideals of femininity and [...]
The post Angelina’s choice was a personal one – yours should be too appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that everyone consume no more than 2300 milligrams (mgm) of sodium per day (about a teaspoon of salt), and that some people at risk consume no more than 1500 mgm. Respected medical associations, especially the American Heart Association (AHA), have been vigorously promoting this rather drastic lifestyle intervention [...]
The post Sodium controversy continues appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/GETTY IMAGES

Before rotavirus vaccines were on the market, the disease caused more than 200,000 annual emergency room visits, 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations and 20 to 60 child deaths in the United States alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and is responsible for an estimated half a million deaths of [...]
The post Rotavirus vaccine: Safe and effective appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.