Conflicted Scientists, Fish Oil Therapy and Migrant Surgeons

By RONI CARYN RABIN
The New York Times
Published: Jan 13, 2009

New Rules for Off-Label Drug Marketing

New guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration will make it easier for pharmaceutical companies to promote drugs for unapproved uses by distributing medical journal articles to physicians, The Associated Press reports. Currently the companies are barred from advertising so-called off-label use — giving drugs to patients with conditions for which the medicines are not approved.

Report: Research Scientists Still Not Disclosing Financial Ties

The F.D.A. hasn't done enough to force scientists running clinical trials to disclose financial conflicts of interest, according to a new report by the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some 42 percent of marketing applications approved by the F.D.A. were missing required financial information.

Surgeons Spread Thin

A shortage of general surgeons is forcing many hospitals to rely on temporary doctors to fill the void, The Wall Street Journal reports, and some general surgeons are taking to the road, going from hospital to hospital to make a living. Critics say the practice means doctors are operating in medical settings they aren't familiar with and may not provide continuity of care. Itinerant surgeons also add to hospital costs.

Fish Oil Tested Against Rare Childhood Disease

Doctors at Children's Hospital Boston are using fish oil to treat babies and children born with a rare condition called short bowel syndrome, the Boston Globe reports. Children with this condition need to be fed intravenously, but I.V. nutrition damages their livers. The new treatment replaces the standard supplement with one made of fish oil, which doesn't cause liver damage, doctors say. They have treated 112 children so far.

Administration Criticized for Weak Anti-Smoking Policies

The American Lung Association has blasted the Bush administration and Congress for failing to pass a bill that would have given the F.D.A. authority to regulate tobacco and for not ratifying an international tobacco control treaty, Reuters reports. The group says the 39-cent federal cigarette tax is way too low and also criticizes federal officials for not requiring state Medicaid programs to cover smoking cessation programs for the poor.

Peanut Butter Used Commercially Caused Illness, Officials Say

Health officials are urging restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and universities to throw out peanut butter linked to a salmonella outbreak in 43 states, the Associated Press reports. The recalled peanut butter was distributed by King Nut Companies of Ohio and is not sold directly to consumers. Minnesota health officials say their tests found a match between samples from a King Nut container and bacterial strains involved in the outbreak. The manufacturer is challenging the finding.

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