After hearing a speech from President Barack Obama this week, the American Medical Association endorsed health reform. And it left the door open for a public insurance option. This week U.S. drug regulators advised the public not to use Zicam cold remedies. They said Zicam can damage the sense of smell. In research news, studies found that testing pregnant women for group B strep bacteria reduces infections in babies and that flu drugs are safe to use during pregnancy.
Stay well.

This Issue:

In the News:

AMA Avoids Denouncing Public Health Plan
Many doctors don't like the idea of a public plan to compete with private health insurance. But members of the American Medical Association (AMA) have left the door open to such a plan. A policy adopted this week supports "health reform alternatives that are consistent with AMA principles." These include universal access and freedom to choose health insurance. President Obama spoke to the AMA on Monday. The President favors a public option. He was warmly received. But a few members booed when he said he did not support limits on malpractice awards. The Associated Press reported on the AMA meeting.

Tests Reduce Baby Strep, but Miss Cases
Testing pregnant women for group B strep bacteria has prevented many infections in babies. But the tests also missed more cases than expected, researchers said this week. U.S. health officials recommended in 2002 that all pregnant women be tested for group B. Usually group B doesn't make adults sick. But it can cause serious illness in newborns. The program increased testing from 48% to 85% of pregnant women, a study found. Those who had group B in their bodies were given antibiotics to protect their babies. But about 60% of the newborns who did get infected were born to mothers who had been tested and found to be free of group B bacteria. Researchers now will try to find out why the bacteria were not detected in these women. The Associated Press wrote about the study. It appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.

FDA: Zicam Can Damage Sense of Smell
People should stop using Zicam brand cold remedies, U.S. drug regulators said this week. The products can cause damage to the sense of smell, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. About 130 people have reported this problem, the Associated Press said. But the FDA did not issue a recall. Instead, it said Zicam's maker now must prove that the products are safe and effective. The company, Matrixx Initiatives, said Zicam products are safe. However, it may remove them from the market. Matrixx did not have to get FDA approval before it started to sell Zicam in 1999. That's because it is a homeopathic remedy. These products often contain herbs, minerals, flowers and sometimes very small amounts of certain drugs.

Study Finds Flu Drugs Safe in Pregnancy
Drugs used to treat influenza are relatively safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, a study released this week concluded. The study focused on Tamiflu and Relenza. These antiviral drugs can shorten the time that someone with flu has symptoms. Pregnant women have a higher than average risk of serious illness with flu. Researchers reviewed previous studies. They found that neither of the two drugs appears to affect a baby's growth or development. Only small amounts get into breast milk, they said. One study they reviewed was never published. It found that in a group of 90 pregnant women only 1 baby had a birth defect. That's about average or below average. Canadian Press wrote about the study. It was published online by the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.