MEAs aim at early access to high-cost innovative medicines at pre-determined terms that can ensure the financial sustainability of healthcare systems. However, their successful adoption hinges on a consideration of various factors to address the unique challenges faced by different nations. The a

Even in health care systems in which doctors do not bill for each test they administer, the use of diagnostic imaging like CT and PET scans has soared, as has patients’ radiation exposure, a new study has found.The study, published online on Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association

A federal health official’s ruling has cleared the way for 50 different types of cancer to be added to the list of sicknesses covered by a $4.3 billion fund set up to compensate and treat people exposed to the toxic smoke, dust and fumes in the months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.The

For the first time, researchers have determined virtually the entire genome of a fetus using only a blood sample from the pregnant woman and a saliva specimen from the father.The accomplishment heralds an era in which parents might find it easier to know the complete DNA blueprint of a child months

Doctors were told last month that we should stop doing so many screenings for prostate cancer with the prostate-specific antigen test. We learned that sigmoidoscopy is a cheaper, easier and effective alternative to colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. And a study I led turned up strong evidence t

HUMAN genome sequencing is already helping researchers find new treatments for illness. Now an unusual case study suggests that the benefits of sequencing may be enhanced in combination with detailed blood tests.The case involves Michael Snyder, a geneticist who was both the lead author and the subj

CHICAGO — A drug that delivers a powerful poison to tumors without some of the side effects of traditional treatments can delay the worsening of breast cancer and also appears to substantially prolong lives, according to results of a study presented here Saturday.Besides representing an advance in t

CHICAGO — Taking periodic breaks from a commonly used treatment for prostate cancer could shorten men’s lives, researchers reported here on SaturdayIn a large study, intermittent hormonal therapy proved to be less effective than continuous therapy for certain men with metastatic prostate cancer.The

Concern over drug-resistant strains of TB is growing, with similar ‘incurable’ TB emerging in Italy and Iran. Doctors in Mumbai said 12 patients had a “totally drug resistant” form of the infection, and three have died.The Indian Health Ministry is investigating the cases and has sent a team of doct

Analysis of espresso coffee from 20 shops found that one was six times stronger than others. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says too much caffeine can result in miscarriage or a low birth weight. Researchers from Glasgow University tested caffeine levels in espressos bought from High Street coffee