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Pfizer To Give Away 70 Of Its Most Widely Prescribed Drugs To Those Who Lost Jobs
Pfizer on Thursday announced a new program that would provide some of its existing customers access to more than 70 types of medications at no cost if they have recently been laid off or lost their prescription drug coverage, USA Today reports. The program -- called MAINTAIN, or Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need -- will begin July 1. To receive the drugs, individuals must show that they have been unemployed since Jan. 1 and that they no longer have prescription drug insurance. They also must prove that they cannot pay for their medications and that they were taking a medication listed under the program for at least three months prior to losing their jobs. Those who meet the eligibility requirements would receive their medications at no cost for up to one year, or until they have insurance coverage. Pfizer will accept applications through Dec. 31 (Petrecca, USA Today, 5/15).According to the AP/Detroit News, medications listed for the new patient drug-assistance program include some of Pfizer"s "top money makers," such as the anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor, the painkiller Celebrex, the fibromyalgia treatment Lyrica and the impotency treatment Viagra (Johnson, AP/Detroit News, 5/14).Ray Kerins, a spokesperson for Pfizer, declined to reveal how much the program would cost the pharmaceutical company or how many potential customers might benefit from it (Bloomberg/Miami Herald, 5/15).According to the AP/News, the program "could earn Pfizer some goodwill" after "long being a target of critics of drug industry prices and sales practices" (AP/Detroit News, 5/14). Scott Morgan, president of ad agency Brunner, said, "It goes beyond goodwill. There"s definitely a marketing strategy behind this about defending against generics and maintaining your consumer base. ... It"s a pretty savvy move" (USA Today, 5/15).
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Global Health Promotion And Health Education The Focus Of Special Journal Issues
The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) are pleased to release special, complementary peer-reviewed journals containing ten articles on strengthening standards and quality assurance systems of global capacity in health promotion and health education.
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Invasive Species Threaten Critical Habitats, Oyster Among Victims
A study of oyster reefs in a once-pristine California coastal estuary found them devastated by invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails, providing new evidence of the consequences when human activities move species beyond their natural borders.
Nutrition

Oregon's First Confirmed Death From Novel H1N1 (swine) Influenza Reported In Marion County, USA

A Marion County woman with confirmed novel H1N1 (swine) influenza died on Sunday. "We are saddened by this death, and our hearts go out to the family," said Dr. Karen Landers, health officer for Marion County. "It"s an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness of flu." This is the first death of a person with novel H1N1 influenza in Oregon and the 28th in the nation. Strains of seasonal flu affect an estimated one in 10 Oregonians annually, and account for approximately 400 annual Oregon deaths and 36,000 nationwide. As of today, there is no indication that the H1N1 influenza is more dangerous than other strains of flu. The Marion County woman was hospitalized for eight days prior to her death. She had multiple underlying health conditions, which placed her at high risk for infection and complications. Marion County Health Department has investigated the case to identify who has been exposed to this case, and to slow further transmission. As is the case of other flu strains, the number of reported cases of H1N1 influenza is declining. The most recent report from the Oregon Public Health Laboratory showed that 168 cases of H1N1 swine influenza in 13 counties had been confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak. The counties are Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla, Washington and Yamhill. The largest numbers of reported cases were in Multnomah and Polk counties, with 50 and 41 cases, respectively. Statewide, the cases ranged in age from infant to 78 years, with an average age of 16. "While flu activity overall continues to decrease in Oregon, we"re still seeing cases of novel H1N1 circulating in our community," said Dr. Mel Kohn, public health director in the Oregon Department of Human Services. "Influenza of any kind is serious. People in high-risk groups ò€" infants, pregnant women and people older than 65 - should see their doctor if they experience flu symptoms," he said. Public health officials continue to press the need to take the basic precautions to prevent the spread of all flu strains. "The most important thing you can do is to wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, and stay home if you are sick," said Dr. Landers. The basic precautions are: -- Avoid close contact with people who are sick -- Stay home when you are sick -- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing using a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow to avoid contaminating your hands -- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as the virus can enter the body this way -- Practice other good health habits (eat healthy, get plenty of rest, don"t smoke) Oregon Dept. of Public Health


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