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Senate Judiciary Committee Vote On Sotomayor Reset For July 28
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday postponed its vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor until July 28 at the request of Republican members who said they need one more week to review written answers she recently submitted to the panel, CongressDaily reports. Both Republicans and Democrats expect Sotomayor to be approved by the committee and confirmed by the Senate, CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 7/21).The delay came as Senate Republicans continued to weigh whether they would vote to confirm Sotomayor, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced plans to vote for Sotomayor and issued a statement calling the judge "committed to applying the law impartially without bias or favoritism." Four other moderate Republicans have said they will support Sotomayor, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) indicated that more might follow suit. "There are a number of Republicans who have announced they plan to vote for her," Leahy said, adding, "There are a number of others who"ve not made that announcement yet, but plan to vote for her" (Peterson, Wall Street Journal, 7/21). Leahy said he is confident that Sotomayor will be confirmed in time for the Supreme Court"s first meeting on Sept. 9.Some strong conservatives, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), have said they will oppose Sotomayor (Hirschfeld Davis, AP/Denver Post, 7/22). Among the Senate Republicans who have not announced their intentions are Sens. John Cornyn (Texas), who serves on the Judiciary Committee, and Judd Gregg (N.H.) (Wall Street Journal, 7/21).NARAL Endorses Sotomayor NARAL ProChoice America recently said that it will endorse Sotomayor, the AP/Seattle Times reports. The group said that Sotomayor"s testimony shows that she is a stronger supporter of privacy rights than the last two Supreme Court nominees -- Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. Sotomayor said several times during her confirmation hearings that privacy rights include a woman"s right to have an abortion, NARAL said. According to the AP/Times, NARAL did not endorse Sotomayor until now because of uncertainty over her views on abortion rights (Hirschfeld Davis, AP/Seattle Times, 7/21).

Plexxikon Announces PLX4032 Phase 1 Data Showing Objective Responses In Metastatic Melanoma Patients
Plexxikon Inc. today announced preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical study investigating PLX4032 (R7204). PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing mutation that occurs in most melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors. In patients whose cancer harbors this mutation and who were treated with therapeutic doses of PLX4032, tumor shrinkage and extended progression-free survival have been observed. Currently, two extension studies are being conducted in mutation-positive melanoma and colorectal cancer patients. Following the initial positive findings announced today, larger clinical trials to support a registration program for product approval are targeted to start later in 2009. Plexxikon and Roche are co-developing PLX4032 under their 2006 license and collaboration agreement.
News of the day
Federal Official Comments On HIV Travel Ban, Needle Exchange In U.S. At Conference
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci told delegates at the 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town, South Africa "that a bill to lift the ban on funding needle exchange programmes was working its way through Congress, and restrictions on HIV-infected people entering the U.S. were also almost certain to be lifted in the near future," Plus News/IRIN reports. Fauci added, "With regard to science and policy, we will stay on the right path." Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, was also present at the conference and discussed U.S. policies related to global HIV/AIDS (7/20).
Oncology

Care Watchdog Staff Praised For Exam Success, Scotland

Staff at Scotland"s care watchdog have been praised for completing a specialist course aimed at improving care standards across the country. A total of 40 Care Commission staff have gained an academic qualification which will help them raise the standard of care and improve the well-being of people throughout Scotland. The bulk of the group were presented with their Regulation of Care Award (RoCA) (Scotland) certificates by Public Health Minister Shona Robison at a ceremony at the Apex Hotel in Dundee on Monday, May 11. Care Commission Convenor Professor Frank Clark, CBE, said the personal accomplishments of the 40 graduates would yield important benefits for all connected with the care sector. He said: "The Care Commission is at the forefront of developing a new and modern approach to the regulation of care. Our work is about raising the standard of care and keeping people safe and well cared for, whilst also making a strong contribution to the development of Scotland"s scrutiny landscape. "We are currently working with the Scottish Government to help implement their vision of a new, streamlined network of scrutiny bodies across the country and, in the meantime, it is still "business as usual" in terms of how we regulate care in Scotland. "This qualification is helping us drive up the standards of care and it is very pleasing to see 40 new recipients of the RoCA award. All of these graduates are already hugely experienced and proficient in regulating care across Scotland, but this qualification has enhanced their practice and will give them even greater credibility. "The people who will really gain are those who use care services, their families and friends and people who work in the care sector. By involving these groups, we will continue our drive to improve the standard and regulation of care across Scotland." Shona Robison said: "I am delighted to present these awards, which mark the end of a year of hard work and commitment by graduating students. "Well qualified regulatory staff help drive up the quality of care services through effective and professional regulation.The award gives service providers confidence in the regulators who have the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience to do the job well. Members of the public are also reassured that the people who regulate care services on their behalf are well-trained and confident in their roles." The RoCA award is the first professional qualification in regulation available to Care Commission staff, augmenting and enhancing their existing skills and experience. As well as theory, it is also closely-linked to their practical, frontline duties. The qualification has been developed in partnership with Cambridge-based Anglia Ruskin University, the Care Commission and the Scottish Social Services Council. The latest graduates are the fourth wave to complete the course. Eventually, all permanent Care Commission Officers will have this qualification in regulation. The need for skilled staff within the Care Commission has never been greater since the launch last year of the new grading system for Scotland"s care services. Services are now awarded grades over a range of key areas - a move is designed to make it easier for members of the public to check the quality and performance of a care service and make a better informed choice about whether to use it or not. Notes The Care Commission"s role is to regulate the quality of Scotland"s 15,000 care services providing care to 320,000 people. The RoCA distance learning programme lasts for one year with candidates undertaking a range of modules and assessments alongside their work for the Care Commission. The RoCA students learn through online discussions and group meetings. The programme leads to 60 credits at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level 9. The full list of RoCA graduates: Shona Adam, Howard Armstrong, Chris Barratt, Averil Blair, Angela Bradford, Karen Bradley, Maureen Campbell, Claire Capstick, Jacqueline Clark, Molly Clunie, Andrea Daley, Elizabeth Dawson, Jacqueline Dennis, Anne Dolan, Donna Harvey, Andrea Herkes, Paul Hersee, Margaret Hughes, Morag Kelly, Margaret Kirk, Lisa Kirkbride, Ingrid Laing, Patsy McDermott, Lorraine McDonald, Catherine Payne, Kirsty Porter, Alison Precup, Derek Priest, Isabel Purdue, Karen Robertson, Mandy Ross, Lorna Shewan, Morag Skinner, Miriam Smith,Mary Soutar, George Stewart, Sandra Thompson, Christine Tweddle, Tony Valbonesi, Brenda Wilson Care Commission


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