"Health & Medical News"

The Vermont House Agricultural Committee has voted unanimously*to approve legislation that would allow farmers in the state to grow industrial hemp, the? Rutland Herald reported Jan. 31.

Under federal law, growing hemp is banned along with cultivation of marijuana, its close cousin. But supporters of the legislation in Vermont said that passage could set the stage for establishing a new industry if a change in policy occurs.

Popularity: unranked [?]

By Bob Curley

? A bid to end federal student-aid penalties for those with drug convictions was launched with high hopes earlier this year, but now appears to be in deep trouble in Congress.

A broad coalition of drug-reform, educational, and addiction-related organizations?  threw its weight behind a plan to amend the federal Higher Education Act (HEA) and overturn a policy of denying federal financial aid to students convicted of drug offenses. The policy, devised by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) and passed by Congress in 1999, requires students to divulge information about convictions for drug offenses — but not any other crimes — on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Popularity: unranked [?]

Thirteen states this year have seen legislative proposals aimed at limiting financial relationships between physicians and drugmakers. Most bills failed to pass, due to heavy pressure from pharmaceutical lobbyists, experts said, but new efforts are afoot.

The latest proposals include a Michigan bill that would make that state the second in the nation after Minnesota to place a limit — $100 — on the total value of gifts a drugmaker can give a physician in a year. Michigan and Massachusetts are considering so-called sunshine laws requiring drug companies to publicly disclose any gifts, payments, subsidies or incentives worth more than $25.

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Statement by Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:  

 “We welcome Gov. Schwarzenegger’s announcement today that he has released the details of his health care reform proposal. Now all sides have put their cards on the table, and lawmakers can continue shaping the comprehensive health care reform California needs.  

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Popularity: unranked [?]

SACRAMENTO—The Senate Health Committee today passed SB 1683, the Pharmaceutical Drug Right-to-Know Act. The bill, authored by Senator Jack Scott (Alta Dena) and sponsored by CALPIRG, would require drug companies to release the results of all their health studies for every drug sold in California.

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Popularity: 10% [?]

CALPIRG and Senator Scott introduce the Pharmaceutical Drug Right-to-Know Act

SACRAMENTO—Responding to public outcry over recent prescription drug scandals, CALPIRG and Senator Jack Scott (D-Altadena) have introduced legislation in Sacramento to make sure that drug companies finally come clean about the safety of the medicines. The bill, SB 1683, requires drug companies to publicly disclose the results of all their clinical trials for each drug they sell in California.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Washington, DC — In a victory for consumers, the Senate today passed the “Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act” sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) by a vote of 93 to 1.

The bill attempts to please both the powerful pharmaceutical industry and consumer groups.  It increases the amount of money the FDA receives in fees from drug makers to speed the approval of new drugs, and includes language to protect consumers from unsafe prescription drugs.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

SACRAMENTO—Members of the OURx Bill of Rights Coalition gathered in the state Capitol this morning to applaud Governor Schwarzenegger’s signature of AB 2911 (N??ez/Perata), the California Discount Prescription Drug Program. The coalition, comprised of more than a dozen groups representing consumers, the AIDS community, seniors and communities of color, sponsored the bill in the legislature this year.

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Popularity: 5% [?]