The FDA is warning consumers not to buy or use the unapproved "Blue Steel" or "Hero" dietary supplements promoted and sold online for erectile dysfunction treatment. The products contain unapproved chemicals similar to sildenafil, that may dangerously affect blood pressure. WebMD Health News
Screening with computed tomography for lung cancer already has experts disagreeing on its value, but now questions about conflicts of interest related to the main proponent of this procedure have stirred up fresh controversy. Medscape Medical News
On March 28, federal health officials launched a Web site that allows comparisons of about 2500 hospitals on measures of quality. Officials say the effort will bring more transparency to the healthcare marketplace, but some providers fear being penalized for treating sicker patients. WebMD Health News
Out-of-pocket prescription costs are increased when patients are given free pharmaceutical samples, according to findings from a nationally representative, longitudinal study conducted in the US. Reuters Health Information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bungled by not checking sooner for formaldehyde in trailers use to house victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Democrats on a House of Representatives Committee said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information
A new critique of the system says that misleading claims and lack of validation may endanger public attitudes toward personalized medicine. Medscape Medical News
The FDA has approved an expanded indication for omeprazole delayed-release capsules and oral suspension (Prilosec), and bendamustine intravenous infusion (Treanda). Medscape Medical News
The American College of Cardiology and WebMD are collaborating to help educate clinicians and patients about cardiovascular risk reduction. Medscape Medical News
Research suggests that in UK colposcopy clinics, the proportion of patients treated under local anesthesia is roughly 80%, which is in line with current consensus guidelines issued in 2004 that recommend that less than 20% of treatments in colposcopy clinics be performed under general anesthesia. Reuters Health Information
