A drug called fenofibrate could help reduce the risk of retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness for the UK’s working age population.The findings were revealed in a new study by the University of Sydney and presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association in Florida.Fenofibrate has already been used in the UK for nearly thirty years as a way of controlling cholesterol levels. [click link for full article]

Women with fibromyalgia may experience significantly improved daily function and symptom relief after taking part in a program that includes walking, strength training and stretching, according to an article published in Archives of Internal Medicine (JAMA/Archives), November 12th issue. When the program is combined with education about managing the disease the benefits are even better, explain the researchers. About 3.4% of women and 0. [click link for full article]

Men who are overweight or obese when diagnosed with prostate cancer are at greater risk of death after treatment, according to a new study in the December 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study, by Dr. Jason Efstathiou from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and colleagues, found that a greater body mass index (BMI) at the time of cancer diagnosis was an independent risk factor for prostate cancer-related death. [click link for full article]

Lack of access to maternity leave and workplace discrimination is contributing to poor mental health in pregnant women according to a new study in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by Wiley-Blackwell. [click link for full article]

Cephalon, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPH) announced it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market FENTORA(R) (fentanyl buccal tablet) [C-II] for the management of breakthrough pain in opioid tolerant patients with chronic pain conditions. Breakthrough pain is characterized by its rapid onset, moderate-to-severe intensity, and relatively short duration. [click link for full article]

Arterial Remodeling Technologies (”ART”) announced that it has closed on a new venture financing round of €5.5 ($7.8) million from investors Matignon Technologies and SGAM Alternative Investments (using existing funds as well as a new fund dedicated to cardiovascular investments: “SEFTI”). [click link for full article]

Akesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB:AKES), an emerging diabetes drug-development company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AKP-020, a novel vanadium compound, to test its safety and efficacy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. dgd Research, Inc. of San Antonio has begun screening patients in a Phase IIa, controlled U.S. [click link for full article]

A new rule issued this week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will ensure that patient care involving off-label medications will be guided by objective, evidence-based drug information, a move championed by ASHP. [click link for full article]

The following summarizes efforts that address health issues among minorities. Breast cancer: The Austin branch of Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Nov. 17 will launch an initiative to train minority women from nine low-income housing developments as breast cancer advocates, the [click link for full article]

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Thursday debated a package of recommendations that are designed to reduce barriers to care for low-income beneficiaries, CQ HealthBeat reports. The three recommendations are as follows:The [click link for full article]