Pharmacists Encourage Patients To Seek Their Guidance When Choosing OTC Medications

Pharmacists Encourage Patients To Seek Their Guidance When Choosing OTC Medications

Eighty-three percent of Patients Select OTC Products Recommended by Their Pharmacist

Washington, D.C. (Vocus) February 25, 2009 -- According to the most recent Pharmacy Today Over-the-Counter Product Survey conducted by the American Pharmacists Association (http://www.pharmacist.com/) (APhA), pharmacists believe that 83 percent of consumers purchase over-the-counter products that were recommended by their pharmacist. With more than 100,000 nonprescription medications on the market and more than 1,000 active ingredients, it's critical that patients consult their pharmacist to maximize the benefits from medications and minimize the potential for harmful drug interaction and/or side effects.

The survey, completed by nearly 1,000 APhA member and non-member pharmacists, also reveals that on average pharmacists counsel 31 patients per week about over the counter medications. Patients who seek their pharmacist's advice include patients suffering from an acute or chronic condition (92 percent), patients that are worried about using an OTC product with other prescription medications (84 percent), and patients worried about taking OTC products with a specific disease/condition (74 percent).

"Pharmacists are the only health professionals specifically trained in nonprescription medications," said John A. Gans, APhA's Chief Executive Officer. "Patients can take an active role in self care by reading medication labels, knowing the active ingredients in their medications, and asking their pharmacist questions."

One of APhA's goal in conducting the annual Pharmacy Today Over-the-Counter Product Survey is to educate consumers that pharmacists have the knowledge and training to help them select right OTC medications. As part of the survey, pharmacists are asked to tabulate the OTC products they recommend per week in 77 different product categories. The results of the survey are published as a supplement to the February issue of Pharmacy Today (http://www.pharmacytoday.org/index.htm). Click here to view the entire Pharmacy Today Over-the-Counter (http://www.pharmacytoday.org/index.htm) Supplement.

As the medication experts, pharmacists are trained in both prescription and over-the-counter medications and can provide patients with important information about how medications may interact with certain foods, other medicines or dietary supplements. Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers and APhA encourages patients to actively seek their advice about the proper use of medications.

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association (http://www.pharmacist.com/), founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, health systems, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the uniformed services.

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Contact Information Erin Wendel

American Pharmacists Association

http://www.pharmacist.com/

202.429.7558

Clinical Guidelines for Treating Chronic Pain Highlight Opioid Addiction Risk Assessment

Clinical Guidelines for Treating Chronic Pain Highlight Opioid Addiction Risk Assessment

Expert panel finds that SOAPP® is likely to be helpful for risk assessment and stratification

Newton, MA (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Inflexxion, Inc., a company that creates scientifically validated and cost-effective solutions for critical areas of health care, is pleased to announce that its Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP) has been identified by an expert panel as likely to be helpful for assessing the risk of opioid addiction in patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

SOAPP is a brief paper-and-pencil self report tool that allows clinicians to assess a patient's risk of addiction before initiating opioid therapy.

The multi-disciplinary panel of experts, convened by the American Pain Society and the American Academy of Pain Medicine, conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence to develop a set of authoritative clinical guidelines on the use of opioid medications to treat chronic non-cancer pain. The guidelines, published in the February 2009 issue of The Journal of Pain (Volume 10, Number 2), recommend that clinicians routinely conduct a complete benefit-to-harm evaluation before starting opioid therapy, and do periodic follow-up screenings of patients who may be at risk for abuse or addiction.

"Proper patient selection is critical and requires a comprehensive benefit-to-harm evaluation that weighs the potential positive effects of opioids on pain and function against potential risks," write the authors. "Thorough risk assessment and stratification is appropriate in every case."

According to the authors, screening tools that assess the potential risks associated with continuous opioid therapy (COT) based on patient characteristics are likely to be helpful for risk stratification. The authors identify SOAPP Version 1 and the revised version, SOAPP-R, as among the tools that appear to have "good content, face, and construct validity."

In addition to SOAPP, the guidelines highlight the utility of Inflexxion's Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM)®, a complementary tool for identifying whether a patient, throughout the course of long-term opioid therapy, may be exhibiting aberrant behaviors associated with abuse of opioid medications.

"We at Inflexxion are very pleased to see both SOAPP and COMM included in these recommendations," says Kevin L. Zacharoff, M.D., Director of Medical Affairs at Inflexxion. "These guidelines underscore the importance of risk assessment and reassessment in this patient population. The inclusion of the SOAPP and COMM in these recommendations helps to validate Inflexxion's mission, which is to help to reduce health-related risks, enhance clinical outcomes, and positively influence quality of care."

The SOAPP and COMM tools are available for download at no cost through Inflexxion's PainEDU website (www.PainEDU.org), along with a clinician tutorial that includes video case examples.

SOAPP was developed by Inflexxion with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and an unrestricted educational grant from Endo Pharmaceuticals.

About Inflexxion, Inc.

Founded in 1989, Inflexxion creates innovative behavioral health solutions for prevention, education, and disease management. Our clinically tested programs address substance abuse and addiction, chronic pain management, college health, and other health and wellness issues. Our pharmaceutical risk management division provides Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) assistance to companies that research, manufacture, and market opioid pain medications and other therapeutic agents with potential abuse problems. Key offerings include NAVIPPRO(TM), PainEDU.org, painACTION.com, and SOAPP®. Inflexxion is based in Newton, MA.

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Contact Information Lara Romanowski

Inflexxion

http://www.painedu.org

617-614-0406

Stemedica Advances its Certification to Become a Licensed Manufacturer of Adult Stem Cells for U.S. Based Clinical Trials

Stemedica Advances its Certification to Become a Licensed Manufacturer of Adult Stem Cells for U.S. Based Clinical Trials

Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has filed with the Food and Drug Branch of the State of California's Department of Public Health for certification as a licensed manufacturer of adult stem cells for U.S.-based Phase I and Phase II Clinical Trials.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Stemedica Cell Technologies (http://www.stemedica.com), Inc. ("Stemedica") announced today that it has filed with the Food and Drug Branch of the State of California's Department of Public Health for certification as a licensed manufacturer of adult stem cells for U.S.-based Phase I and Phase II Clinical Trials. Readiness for manufacture includes obtaining a California Drug Manufacturing License for the Stemedica facility in San Diego, California.

"Completion of this certification will allow us to manufacture stem cells under contract for clinical trials for Stemedica as well as for other companies and research centers in California and across the United States. This marks a significant milestone along the journey toward the future availability of stem cell treatment for patients who so urgently need it," said Dr. Maynard Howe, Vice Chairman and CEO at Stemedica.

To prepare for inspection, Stemedica fully reconstructed its facility according to FDA requirements, which had previously focused on research and development. Stemedica's manufacturing facility now includes a fully compliant manufacturing wing with entry-level gowning rooms, two ISO class 8 sterile gowning suites, an ISO Class 7 Manufacturing Clean Room, an ISO Class 7 Processing Clean Room, a Good Manufacturing Process compliant materials warehouse and a controlled-access Quality Control testing laboratory.

"As soon as Stemedica secures its license from the State of California's Department of Public Health, we plan on filing for one or more IND's (Investigative New Drug) for specific indications with the FDA using our proprietary technology. The final major step by the Food and Drug Branch within the Department of Public Health is an in-depth, in-person inspection by their personnel. We're particularly proud of the fact that we are ready for, and capable of, seeking licensing in California, which has exceptionally stringent standards," said Dr. Alex Kharazi, Vice President, Research & Manufacturing at Stemedica.

"Becoming a Licensed Manufacturer of clinical grade adult stem cells is a significant scientific and medical step forward for the Company," said Dr. Nikolai Tankovich, Stemedica's President and Chief Medical Officer. "Securing this status will allow us to become a primary CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization) for other for-profit companies and the many research organizations interested in advancing stem cell research through clinical application. Additionally, achieving this regulatory status within the manufacturing world will provide Stemedica with the foundation to advance its own Phase I and Phase II Clinical Studies once approved by the FDA."

About Stemedica Technologies, Inc.

Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc. (www.stemedica.com (http://www.stemedica.com)) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that is committed to the development and manufacture of best-in-class adult stem cells for use by approved research institutions and hospitals for pre-clinical and clinical studies. Within the United States, the Company is currently developing regulatory pathways for stroke, traumatic brain injury and wound repair. Outside the United States, Stemedica provides its adult stem cells to hospitals and research centers that are conducting studies under protocols approved by the appropriate regulatory agencies. These studies are focused on the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, sight restoration and wound repair. Stemedica is based in San Diego, California.

Media Contact for Stemedica: Dave McGuigan -- dmcguigan (at) stemedica.com.

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Contact Information Dave McGuigan

Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc

http://www.stemedica.com

+1 858 658 0910

New survey: Flu Shot Still not Catching on, Especially at Retail Clinics

New survey: Flu Shot Still not Catching on, Especially at Retail Clinics

A new survey from global market research firm Synovate shows that less than half of Americans (42%) received the flu vaccine during the past six months. Of those, only 10% received it at a pharmacy and just 4% received it at a retail clinic.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) February 24, 2009 -- According to a new survey by leading market research firm Synovate, less than half of Americans (42%) received the flu vaccine during the past six months. Of those, only 10% received it at a pharmacy and just 4% received it at a retail clinic.

Although there is a much higher rate of flu vaccination among older Americans 65+ (80%), especially compared to those in younger age groups, this is still lower than the federal government's target of 90% flu immunization for the elderly.

"While most older Americans have accepted the importance of the flu shot, adoption among those who are younger is still quite low," said Terri Crudup, Vice President for Synovate's Healthcare practice. "This is likely because the messages they've heard have focused on the elderly and those working with people who are ill - such as hospital workers - needing it more than the general population."

Among respondents with at least one dependent in their household, less than half (42%) report that their dependent(s) received the flu vaccine in the past six months, and the majority of them (74%) obtained the flu vaccine from their pediatrician's office.

Of those who had obtained the flu vaccine in the past six months, the majority report having received the vaccine either from their doctor's office (43%) or from their employer (23%). Pharmacies and retail clinics in large stores were less popular venues, especially among those aged 18 to 44, suggesting either low patient awareness or low acceptance of such venues for healthcare access.

"Even though retail clinics are actively advertising their ability to give the flu vaccine, it's clear that people are not often using them for that purpose," said Crudup. "This may be because they don't trust retail clinics, they think that their health insurance will only cover the flu vaccine if it's obtained at a doctor's office and / or that they receive their flu shot when they're visiting the doctor for another reason."

Not surprisingly, people in the lowest annual household income bracket (under $25K) are significantly less likely to obtain the flu vaccine compared to those in higher income brackets.

The survey was conducted by Synovate Healthcare (www.synovate.com/healthcare) via Synovate's Omnibus service (www.synovate.com/whatwedo/omnibus-research) with a nationally representative sample of 879 heads of household ages 18+ during January 2009.

About Synovate

Synovate, the market research arm of Aegis Group plc, generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of research solutions. Synovate employs over 6,000 staff across 62 countries.

For more information on Synovate visit www.synovate.com.

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Contact Information Jennifer Chhatlani

Synovate

http://www.synovate.com

1-312-526-4359

Argo Translation Adds New Resources for Conducting Global Business to ArgoTrans.com

Argo Translation Adds New Resources for Conducting Global Business to ArgoTrans.com

Argo Translation, provider of efficient, accurate translation and localization services (http://www.argotrans.com) focused on quality and clarity for a wide range of companies across North America, announced today it has initiated a new program of adding global business reference material to its website as part of its ongoing commitment to new and existing clients.

Chicago, IL (Vocus) February 24, 2009 -- Businesses of all sizes continue to strive for new revenue opportunities through the expansion of global markets for their products and services. However, “Conducting business in legally and culturally sensitive ways in offshore markets has never been more challenging,” said Peter Argondizzo, president of Argo Translation.

In order to help its current and future clients step up to these new demands, Argo has committed to expanding the reference materials and recommendations it makes through its website at http://www.argotrans.com/resources.php.

The resources offered in this section will include a list of informative books that cover many aspects of doing business in global markets. There will also be a section devoted to technology issues and tips for preparing documentation and marketing materials for a global audience.

About ARGO Translation

Having successfully executed projects requiring simultaneous translations in 46 different languages, ARGO Translation provides specialized and professional translation services for a multitude of domains ranging from legal and technical to marketing and financial and everything in between. Argo provides efficient, accurate translation and localization services focused on quality and clarity for a wide range of companies across North America.

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Contact Information Katie Porter

Argo Translation

http://www.argotrans.com

+1.847. 901.4070

Worldwide Laser is Pleased to Announce Additional Laser Applications which are Environmental Friendly & Green

Worldwide Laser is Pleased to Announce Additional Laser Applications which are Environmental Friendly & Green

Worldwide Laser is committed to helping protect our environment by providing eco friendly laser systems including Co2, Yag, Fiber, and UV that will eliminate the need for paper labels, ink solvents and chemicals from industrial production resulting in a safer, cleaner, more environmentally and earth friendly manufacturing process while providing maximum product identification and consumer protection.

Gilbert, AZ (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- Worldwide Laser is committed to helping protect our environment by providing eco friendly laser systems including Co2, Yag, Fiber, and UV that will eliminate the need for paper labels, ink solvents and chemicals from industrial production resulting in a safer, cleaner, more environmentally and earth friendly manufacturing process while providing maximum product identification and consumer protection.

Please take a look below at some of our recent environmentally friendly laser applications. Pictures are attached to the right and correspond to the descriptions below:

Laser Marking on Glass bottle in

beverage industry replaces paper label

Laser Marking bottles eliminates paper

labels in cosmetic and beverage products

Laser Marking glass eliminates paper label

Worldwide Laser provides earth friendly laser systems that will enhance product identification for it's customers allowing increased company recognition for end users. No chemical, no paper, and significantly reduced natural resource use in industry means eco friendly Laser Systems from Worldwide Laser. Contact us at 480.892.8566 option 5 or e-mail info@wlsc.com or visit www.wlsc.com for additional information.

More Pictures attached to the right.

Laser bar code Laser printing Laser date code & Laser printed date

replaces pad print replaces ink printer replaces ink printer

    

The positive environmental impact of laser systems from Worldwide Laser is especially visible in industrial applications where ink and adhesive paper labels are traditionally used. When the process of paper labels and the inks associated with paper labels is eliminated the positive environmental impact is significant, less paper production and less pollution associated with paper production, less ink used to print the labels, less glues and solvents used to apply the labels. Laser systems from Worldwide Laser provide all these benefits plus Co2 lasers, YAG, Fiber lasers, and UV laser systems from Worldwide Laser provide for eye appealing, easily readable product and company identification. In addition to the significant positive environmental impact of the laser systems, Worldwide Laser customers save money through the elimination of expenses related to the purchase of inks, solvents, glues and paper labels, also laser systems require no consumables or additives to operate and are maintenance free for up to five years.

Elimination of product contamination and creating an eco friendly manufacturing process which protects the environment and employees are areas and applications where laser systems from the Worldwide Laser family of eco friendly Co2, YAG, Fiber, & UV lasers provide important environmental protection and allow industry to produce products and consumer goods in an earth friendly environmentally sensitive manner. Using Worldwide Laser eco friendly laser systems eliminate the need for inks, chemicals, and solvents all of which are harmful to the environment and also contaminate the pharmaceutical, medical devise, and food product industries.

Laser Systems from Worldwide Laser including Co2, YAG, Fiber, and UV all have the ability to meet industrial production requirements, protect your products and customers with proper product identification and do so in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner. Eco friendly laser systems from Worldwide Laser will also help eliminate product contamination caused by ink, chemicals, and solvents. Product contamination is an important consideration in all industries for protection of consumers and employees and especially important in food, beverage, pharmaceutical and medical devise industries. Give us a call at 480.892.8566 option 5 or e-mail info@wlsc.com to discuss how our eco friendly laser systems can be used in your industry and at your facility.

Co2, YAG, Fiber, and UV laser systems from Worldwide Laser replace ink, chemical, & electro chemical etch marking methods resulting in a safer, cleaner, more environmentally and earth friendly manufacturing process while providing maximum product identification and consumer protection.

About Worldwide Laser

Worldwide Laser headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona and founded in July of 1986 builds laser cutting, laser marking, and laser engraving systems; types of systems are Co2, YAG, Fiber, and UV (10600nm, 1064 -1067nm and 355nm wavelength)

Worldwide Laser is one of the only remaining manufacturers of T.E.A. mask Co2 (LP2000 series) lasers which can be driven either by spark gaps or thyratrons. In the mask T.E.A. Co2 laser business Worldwide Laser is one of the leading suppliers for new and refurbished parts, laser systems and beam delivery components for Lumonics Laser Mark Series Lasers. Co2 lasers from Worldwide Laser can either be sealed beam or T.E.A and range from 10 to 400 watts. Worldwide Laser also builds diode and lamp pumped YAG (LP9000 series) lasers along with Fiber lasers for various laser marking, laser cutting, and laser etching operations. Worldwide Laser provides YAG and Fiber laser systems that range from 6 watts to 600 watts.

Worldwide Laser offers Galvo based and fixed beam laser systems either as stand alone or with complete product handling designed and built by the laser system experts in the Worldwide Laser systems division info@wlsc.com or www.wlsc.com.

Newly added are the LP9000U series of UV lasers at the 355nm wavelength which are ideal for many aerospace, medical, medical devise, pharmaceutical and laser marking plastic applications. The LP9000U series of lasers are extremely eco friendly and can often be deployed directly in clean rooms. The LP9000 YAG, Fiber, or UV laser systems along with the Co2 LP8000 laser series can be utilized for high speed and high quality laser marking or laser cutting.

Worldwide Laser has installed systems and service operations in 12 countries on 3 continents in addition to North America.

Worldwide Laser offers custom laser controller software & laser consulting and Worldwide Laser provides two levels of windows-based laser controller software for all of our environmentally friendly Co2, YAG, Fiber, & UV laser systems. (Zap-IT and Pro-Lase)

For added information contact 480.892.8566 option 5, e-mail info@wlsc.com or visit our website www.wlsc.com.

Let the laser experts at Worldwide Laser design and install the correct laser marking solution for your products and help build an earth friendly and green manufacturing process at your plant.

At Worldwide Laser we know lasers. Contact us today at 480.892.8566 option 5 visit www.wlsc.com.

In the previous newsletter we highlighted AspenWare www.aspenware.ca which produces extremely earth friendly wooden cutlery. This process can replace and eliminate the use of plastic spoons, forks, and knives which never degrade in land fills.

Please visit www.aspenware.ca for more information on wooden cutlery. Co2 laser systems from Worldwide Laser help Aspenware to keep the manufacturing process environmentally and earth friendly as the laser eliminates all inks, chemicals, and solvents otherwise required for marking company logos and consumer information.

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Contact Information RONALD ANDERSON

Worldwide Laser Service Corporation

http://www.wlsc.com

480 892-8566

Carestream Molecular Imaging Releases Western Blot Kits For Added Convenience, Better Performance

Carestream Molecular Imaging Releases Western Blot Kits For Added Convenience, Better Performance

Carestream Molecular Imaging today released convenient, cost-effective kits for performing western blots -- a popular analytical technique used to detect proteins.

New Haven, CT (Vocus) February 23, 2009 -- Carestream Molecular Imaging, a division of Carestream Health, Inc., today released convenient, cost-effective kits for performing western blots (http://mistore.carestreamhealth.com) -- a popular analytical technique used to detect proteins. KODAK X-SIGHT Western Kits provide industry-leading components and step-by-step protocols designed to deliver peak performance from X-SIGHT Nanosphere Conjugates in western blots.

"The X-SIGHT Nanosphere Conjugates, when used with the components supplied in the Western Kit, outperformed our current western blot method," said Kevin McCarthy, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Pathology, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport. "The whole process was faster, easier and the signal obtained was immediate, more stable and brighter -- with less background noise."

KODAK X-SIGHT Western Kits are built on X-SIGHT Nanospheres (http://mistore.carestreamhealth.com), which are available in four distinct wavelengths including three in the near-IR range. The kits are offered in several different wavelength combinations that include up to three X-SIGHT Nanosphere Conjugates, making them ideal for multiplex applications (http://mistore.carestreamhealth.com). Each kit is optimized for 10 blots and includes best-in-class membranes and buffers to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios. A separate Accessory Kit is also available for use with any of the X-SIGHT Nanosphere Conjugates or any other commercially available fluorescently-labeled secondary antibody conjugate (nanoparticle or dye).

The new kit delivers added productivity and can reduce costs when compared with purchasing each component separately or in larger quantities than may be necessary. Components suppliers include Fisher BioReagents (Fairlawn, NJ) part of Thermo Fisher Scientific and Millipore Corporation (Billerica, Mass.).

The kits are available worldwide. U.S. customers can place orders directly or through channel partners. For more information, go to http://mistore.carestreamhealth.com.

About Carestream Molecular Imaging

Carestream Molecular Imaging group, a division of Carestream Health, Inc., develops and markets high performance digital imaging systems, imaging agents, film and accessories under the KODAK brand for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments. For more information, visit mi.carestreamhealth.com or call 1-877-747-4357, express code 7. Outside of the United States, call 1-203-786-5657.

About Carestream Health, Inc.

Carestream Health, Inc., is a leading provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions; molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments; and x-ray film and digital x-ray products for the non-destructive testing market. Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., and serving customers in more than 150 countries, Carestream Health is an independent company operating within the family of companies owned by Onex Corporation (TSX: OCX.TO) of Toronto, Canada. For more information about Carestream Health, contact your Carestream Health representative or visit www.carestreamhealth.com.

KODAK is a trademark of Kodak used under license.

X-SIGHT is a trademark of Carestream Health.

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Contact Information Jim Barillo

Carestream Health, Inc.

http://mistore.carestreamhealth.com

585-627-6440

Robette Brooks

CCS PR

303-699-8861