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Fireworks: Eye Injuries Are Common
Independence Day and fireworks often go hand-in-hand. And even though fireworks have long been a tradition during this holiday, the American Optometric Association (AOA) cautions that they also carry the risk of serious injury to the eyes.

Many Americans Support Increased Domestic Funding To Address HIV/AIDS, Report Says
Many Americans support increased funding to address HIV/AIDS in the U.S. according to a report released Wednesday for the National AIDS Coordinating Committee with support from the MAC AIDS Fund, Reuters Health reports.The report -- titled "Impressions of HIV/AIDS in America: A Report on Conversations With People Throughout the Country" -- aimed to provide a better understanding of perceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among average U.S. residents. For the report, researchers interviewed "people in five focus groups, which featured a cross-section of Americans living in urban, suburban and rural settings. Several experts in HIV/AIDS also contributed to the report," according to Reuters. Focus group participants were generally supportive of increased domestic funding for HIV/AIDS programs, particularly prevention, education and vaccine research programs. The report found that HIV/AIDS has fallen "off the radar" of many Americans but that many people are sympathetic to HIV-positive people. The report also found that some people continue to attach a stigma to HIV and do not understand how the virus is transmitted. Many participants also said HIV-positive people have "risky lifestyles," the report found. "Many people we spoke with had inconsistent views of HIV/AIDS," lead researcher Jonathan Rochkind said, adding, "Even though most people were aware of the primary ways HIV is transmitted, when presented with the idea of being in casual contact with people who are HIV-positive, they often said it was a possibility HIV could be transmitted that way and that they were concerned about the risk." Rebecca Haag, CEO and president of the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, said the report "highlights the empathy people have for those living with HIV/AIDS, and an understanding that access to medical care and drug treatment is critical." Haag added, "Unfortunately, the reality in this country is that about one-half of those living with HIV/AIDS are not in care and treatment" (Reuters Health, 5/13).
News of the day
Teva Announces Approval And Launch Of Tri-Lo Sprintec Tablets
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for the Company"s Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market a generic version of Ortho McNeil Janssen"s oral contraceptive, Ortho Tri-Cyclen® Lo. Shipment of this product, for which Teva"s trade name is Tri-Lo Sprintec, has commenced.
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Drug Industry Increases Lobbying Efforts And Targets Democrats

The drug industry began ramping up its lobbying efforts in 2003, when Medicare Part D began, and now is targeting Democrats. CQ Politics reports: "The industry is increasingly employing Democratic lobbyists with ties to the Obama administration and congressional leaders such as Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. A few years ago, when Republicans controlled Congress and the White House, industry representatives were solidly allied with the GOP. Such efforts might be having an effect. The drug industry sealed a deal recently with Baucus to offer $80 billion in drug discounts for seniors as part of Medicare. The agreement might preempt efforts by liberal Democrats to seek even deeper concessions from the drug industry. The drug companies have opposed a government health insurance component that President Obama and more liberal Democrats are seeking, a provision that could lead to more control over drug prices." CQ Politics notes: "Pharmaceutical manufacturers spent more than any other health care sector on lobbying in the first quarter of this year, shelling out almost $50 million to influence the federal policy making, 17 percent more than they did on average for each quarter of 2008, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosure statements by CQ Moneyline. The industry"s top trade organization, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), spent $6.9 million during the first three months of this year on lobbying expenses, a 37 percent jump from what it spent on average per quarter last year. Overall the pharmaceutical and drug products industry hired 1,309 lobbyists in the first quarter of this year including three dozen former members of Congress, the Center for Responsive Politics found in an analysis of lobbying disclosure filings. PhRMA has built up an extensive lobbying team that now includes both an in-house staff of at least 26 people and 40 outside firms, according to lobbying disclosure forms filed with Congress ... when it comes to campaign money the industry has clearly been shifting its bucks to Democrats" (Roth, 6/30). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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