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Leading Virologist Says To Expect The Unexpected With Influenza
World renowned virologist Professor Albert Osterhaus told participants at Europe"s largest conference on infectious diseases that the outbreak of influenza A H1N1 is without question the most important event of the past 40 years in human influenza. And he stressed that the current H1N1 threat is a serious one.

New Research Evaluates The Impact Of Working Memory Training And Stimulant Medication On Kids With ADHD
A study to be published in the August 2009 edition of Applied Cognitive Psychology sheds new light on how Cogmed Working Memory Training and stimulant medication address working memory impairments in children with ADHD. Working memory, acknowledged as one of the core deficits in ADHD, represents the brain"s ability to hold and process critical information related to the present moment. This study represents the latest findings from a team of independent UK researchers whose ongoing work examines the impact of Cogmed"s software-based training program on individuals with disorders of memory and attention.
News of the day
Innovative Treatment Approach Offers New Hope For Eczema Sufferers With Moderate To Severe Disease
The British Association of Dermatology annual meeting sees the launch of the first topical calcineurin inhibitor to be approved for the maintenance treatment of moderate to severe atopic eczema to prevent flares and prolong flare-free intervals. PROTOPIC ointment (tacrolimus monohydrate) is already licensed to treat moderate and severe eczema (atopic dermatitis), often involving the treatment of flares as and when they occur.* It is now also approved for twice-weekly application to previously affected skin to prevent these exacerbations and prolong flare-free periods in PROTOPIC-responsive patients. Clinical studies have shown that this new approach brings significant benefits with over 40% of patients with moderate to severe eczema remaining flare-free for at least a year.1 Flares are known to place an enormous burden on patients. The International Study of Life with Atopic Eczema (ISOLATE) found that about 55% of these patients worried about the onset of their next exacerbation and that they spent on average over a third of the year (136 days) with their eczema in flare.2
Mental Health

Merck & Co., Inc. Statement On Medicare Part D Assistance

Merck & Co., Inc. said it supports a proposal to provide additional assistance to Medicare Part D beneficiaries who have reached the coverage gap (donut hole) in their prescription benefit. Merck has a history of working to increase access to affordable health care and prescription drug coverage. In 2006, Merck supported the creation of the Medicare Part D program and continues to support its design and mission. Since its introduction, the Medicare Part D program has shown that beneficiaries" access to medicines has greatly improved and they are saving money. However, the dynamics of the Medicare Part D coverage gap have created some instability in the benefit for the consumer. Providing additional assistance in the coverage gap supports the success of the Medicare Part D program and mitigates cost hurdles for Medicare patients that can lead to lack of treatment adherence. "Our goal is to make sure that every patient who has been prescribed a Merck medicine has access to that medicine," said Richard T. Clark, chairman, president and CEO of Merck. "Merck has been providing free medicines to Medicare Part D beneficiaries through our Patient Assistance Programs for many years. With this new proposal we will go the extra step and offer direct savings to Medicare Part D beneficiaries in the coverage gap regardless of their income." Merck Expands Patient Assistance Programs The Merck Patient Assistance Program remains unchanged; it can provide free medicines to certain Medicare beneficiaries who have trouble affording their medicines. In March, the company increased the number of people who may benefit from the Merck Patient Assistance Program by raising the amount of income potential patients can earn and still qualify to receive Merck medicines for free. Patients in the United States now may be eligible for the program if their household income is at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is set by the U.S. government and they are uninsured or otherwise unable to afford their medicines. This means that patients now qualify if they have a household income of $43,320 or less for individuals, $58,280 or less for couples, or $88,200 or less for a family of four, even if the financial situation is temporary due to unemployment or other reasons. Previously, patients were eligible if they were 200 percent or below FPL, which currently is $21,660, $29,140 and $44,100, respectively. The Merck Patient Assistance Program is one of the oldest and most generous assistance programs in the industry. Over the past seven years, Merck has provided more than 1.7 million prescriptions to patients through the Merck Patient Assistance Program, at a value of $1.9 billion. For more information on Merck"s patient assistance programs visit: visit http://www.MerckHelps.com or call (800) PAP-5400. Merck


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