Research, Policy Advances Needed to Fulfill Promise of Genetic Medicine, Experts Say at AAAS

Personalized medicine has been touted as the next revolution in health care, but progress in bringing the right treatment to the right patient at the right time has been limited and will require some policy changes to blossom, according to Dr. Mark B. McClellan, former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

By AAAS, USA.

Health Policy Resource.

Improved Child, Youth and Family complaints process

The Ministry is introducing a new, improved Child, Youth and Family complaints process from the end of July 2008.The improved process has two steps. The first step is a review and assessment, by Child, Youth and Family. The second step is a review by a Chief Executive Advisory Panel. The Advisory Panel is designed to provide an additional avenue of independent review for people who are not satisfied with the initial review.

By MSD, New Zealand.

Family and Children Policy Resource.

Anheuser-Busch to Stop Caffeinating Alcoholic Beverages

Anheuser-Busch will remove the caffeine, guarana, and ginseng from its flavored malt beverages Tilt and Bud Extra, and is calling on its competitors in the industry to similarly stop making pre-packaged caffeinated alcohol beverages. The move comes as part of agreements reached with the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest(CSPI), which in February threatened to file suit against the company over the drinks, and a group of 11 state Attorneys General, which has separately been investigating the company.

By CSPI, USA.

Health Policy Resource.

NASA’s James Hansen to Deliver Keynote at CSPI Conference on Rejuvenating Public-Sector Science

James Hansen, the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and Representative Brad Miller (D-NC) will deliver keynote addresses at an upcoming conference on rejuvenating public-sector science, sponsored by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. The title for Hansen’s address will be Threat to the Planet: The Dark and Bright Sides of Global Warming. Miller will speak on Preserving Scientific Integrity: The Role of Congressional Oversight.

By CSPI, USA.

Health Policy Resource.