Category: Drugs
Health care industry spends $30B a year on advertising
Marketing drives more testing…more treatments. It’s a big part of why health care is so expensive… it’s the fancy, high-tech stuff things that get marketed.
Are you OK? Cellphone app detects opioid overdose
The app, called Second Chance, detects overdose-related symptoms about 90 percent of the time by tracking your breathing and movement.
Drug users seeking out deadly opioid fentanyl
More than half of drug users in San Francisco’s gritty Tenderloin district say they purposely seek fentanyl, despite its dangers
When Medicine Makes Patients Sicker
A KHN review of thousands of FDA documents reveals how drugs that are poorly manufactured or contaminated can reach consumers.
Setting Limits On Weed Use Behind Wheel
Existing tests can detect marijuana use, but they don’t indicate the level at which a driver would be considered “under the influence.”
Why you shouldn’t take antibiotics for colds and flu
So as winter approaches, rather than rushing out to your doctors at the first sign of a sniffle, try and ride it out.
After legalization, teen pot use falls in Washington state
Among 8th graders, prevalence of marijuana use fell from 9.8% to 7.3%. Among 10th graders, use fell from 19.8% to 17.8%. No changes were seen among 12th graders.
To be blunt: Don’t drive high
Driving while high doubles your chance of getting in a crash — and it’s illegal.
How to get rid of unused medications
King County has over 100 locations where you can return your unused medications and it’s free! There are many drop-boxes in grocery stores, pharmacies and health clinics.
Patients Protest Sky-High Insulin Prices
Insulin prices tripled, then doubled again and now lists over $300 for a single vial. Most people with Type 1 diabetes need multiple vials every month to live.
What’s a clinical trial?
How can doctors work out what treatments actually work? Here’s where a type of study called a clinical trial is useful.
Costco moves to cut use of antibiotics in agriculture
Costco, one of the largest food retailers in the country, has taken a major step to reduce the risk to human health posed by antibiotic use in agriculture.
Countering misinformation about flu vaccine is harder than it seems
In general, the “just the facts” approach has limited effectiveness.
Fentanyl deaths rise in Washington State
In the first half of 2018, there were 81 deaths linked to fentanyl, versus 48 deaths recorded during the same time period last year, a 70% increase in deaths.
Probiotics not helpful for young children with diarrhea, study
A probiotic treatment did not show any benefit for young children brought to the hospital with acute gastroenteritis.