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Opinion Piece Criticizes Winfrey For 'Unbalanced' Medical Advice On Hormone Replacement Therapy
Oprah Winfrey "has scored good ratings with her health episodes" of her television show, but "in doing so, she seems to have thrown therapeutic caution to the wind," such as on her shows featuring actress Suzanne Somers" opinions on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Salon contributor and physician Rahul Parikh writes in an opinion piece. Somers, while advocating for the use of bioidentical HRT as a safe alternative to traditional HRT for postmenopausal women, said she used "mega-doses of bioidenticals continuously and aggressively," according to Parikh. Parikh writes that Somers, on television and in her 2007 book, "argues that these hormones are more natural, more effective and safer than what doctors prescribe." According to Parikh, "In reality, ...÷ there are no good medical studies to back up those claims."Parikh says that although "what Somers was advocating was radically different from standards of medical care," Winfrey "was not concerned" and even said that Somers ""might be a pioneer,"" Parikh continues. Winfrey billed the episode as part of a ""great debate"" on hormone therapy, but she "didn"t ask about whether [Somers"] super-hormone regimen could have contributed to Somers" history of breast cancer"; "her hysterectomy, the result of pre-cancerous changes in her uterus from her use of HRT"; or the "validity of Somers" book"s s, many of whom are neither experts in women"s health or endocrinology, nor board-certified physicians, nor experienced researchers," Parikh states. He adds, "It"s not that Winfrey doesn"t try to maintain medical credibility in her shows," but "her efforts seem subpar," noting that her show "reaches millions of people, while each doctor can reach only one patient at a time." Parikh concludes, "That could easily be corrected by Winfrey providing more thought and balance in her medical advice" (Parikh, Salon, 5/15).
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Lilly Resubmits Cymbalta(R) Supplemental New Drug Application For Chronic Pain To U.S. Food And Drug Administration
As projected, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has resubmitted its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Cymbalta(R) (duloxetine HCl) for the management of chronic pain to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lilly"s resubmission is based on a recently completed study in chronic pain due to osteoarthritis, the extension phase of a chronic low back pain study and previously completed studies in pain due to osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. The application is supported by studies in diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) and fibromyalgia.
News of the day
Newborn Brain Cells Show The Way
Although the fact that we generate new brain cells throughout life is no longer disputed, their purpose has been the topic of much debate. Now, an international collaboration of researchers made a big leap forward in understanding what all these newborn neurons might actually do. Their study, published in the July 10, 2009, issue of the journal Science, illustrates how these young cells improve our ability to navigate our environment.
Cardiovascular

August Health Reform Forecast: High Probability Of Hot Debate, Crowded Airwaves

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to unite her divided caucus around a common enemy - the health insurance industry - previewing an August recess line of attack by Democrats trying to maintain momentum on health care reform," Politico reports. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said yesterday, "They are the villains in this. They have been part of the problem in a major way. They are doing everything in their power to stop a public option from happening, and the public has to know" (Thrush, 7/31). A memo circulated among House Democrats with advice on how to carry out the August attacks, the Hill reports. It reads: "Our message is simple. It is now being echoed by the White House. ̣€¦ And it counters the Republican "government takeover" message. ̣€¦ Remove the insurance companies from between you and your doctor - capping what they can force you to pay in out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays and deductibles, and giving you the peace of mind you will be covered for the care you need, if get sick, or if you change or lose your job" (Soraghan, 7/30). "House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md., conceded that Democrats have been losing the message war over the legislation, as Republicans hammer away at its costs and claim it would lead to a "government takeover" of health care," CQ Politics reports. Hoyer said, "We"re responsible for putting together a plan, and so we"ve been focused on thaṭ€¦ Republicans have been somewhat free to conjure up whatever they want" (Roth, 7/31). "This congressional recess, health care will be on the front lines," NPR reports. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a top House Democrat, said "we want to make sure that we come out of August stronger on the health care reform message." Of course, so does the GOP. NPR adds: "The Republican National Committee plans to run radio ads in 60 districts in 33 states referring to health care changes as "the dangerous experiment President Obama and the Democrats in Congress want," and saying the Democrat proposals "just can"t be the right answer." House Minority Leader John Boehner says Republicans are bringing the fight to the Democrats. "I think it"s safe to say that over the August recess, as more Americans learn more about their plan, they"re likely to have a very very hot summer"" (Seabrook, 7/31). "Outside groups, meanwhile, vowed to turn up the volume with television advertisements that have already dominated the airwaves in some states," USA Today reports. An outside analyst at the Campaign Media Analysis Group said, "I think you"re probably going to start seeing a lot more pointed rhetoric. ̣€¦ There will be a healthy clip (of spending) through August" (Fritze, 7/31). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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