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AHRQ News And Numbers: Childbirth Injuries Fall Sharply But More Could Be Prevented
Injuries to mothers during childbirth decreased significantly between 2000 and 2006, according to the latest news and numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The number of mothers who experienced injuries while giving birth vaginally without the use of forceps or other instruments dropped by 30 percent. For mothers giving birth vaginally with the use of instruments and by cesarean section, injuries declined about 20 percent.

Positive Outcome Reached At 16 Weeks For Avexa's ATC Phase III Trial
Avexa Limited (ASX:AVX) announced that the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) met today to review the 16 week data from Avexa"s apricitabine (ATC) Phase III clinical trial. The DSMB reviewed the data and recommended continuation of the study with the 800mg dose. Patients taking the 1200mg dose will be transitioned to the optimum 800mg dose to continue their therapy.
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Advocates Speculate On Release Of White House 'Common Ground' Reproductive Health Policies
Advocates on both sides of the abortion-rights debate are anticipating the White House"s release of its "common ground" reproductive health proposals, including policies aimed at preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing the need for abortion, U.S. News & World Report reports. President Obama in February tasked the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships with determining how to "support women and children, address teenage pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion." Along with the new White House Council on Women and Girls, the office since April has been conducting meetings with advocates on both sides of the abortion-rights debate to develop policy proposals. U.S. News reports that according to some involved in the process, the results could be announced as early as this summer. According to U.S. News, whether the White House can attract more support from conservative groups without alienating abortion-rights advocates at its base represents the "biggest test yet" of Obama"s "vow to be a peacemaker in the nation"s culture wars."The White House solicited recommendations from groups in four areas: reducing unintended pregnancies, increasing access to adoption, supporting maternal health and reducing the need for abortion. The administration has stressed that it wants to avoid influencing women"s decisions on abortion but that there needs to be support for individuals who decide to carry pregnancies to term. To date, the White House has given little indication on what the final plan will look like, and the wait for the proposals" release has left advocates on both sides of the debate "jittery" over whether their interests will be represented, according to U.S. News.Kristen Day, head of Democrats for Life, said that "[t]here were definitely areas of disagreement" during the meetings but that "for the most part, people were respectful and were doing more listening than debating." Nancy Ratzan -- president of the National Council of Jewish Women and an abortion-rights supporter -- said, "I have real concerns about understanding those issues from a faith perspective as opposed to a scientific and individual rights perspective." She added, "You"re creating the possibility that the religious views of some are going to be imposed on others." Richard Land, head of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention, which opposes abortion rights, said, "I"m in a trust but verify mode." Land added that he has "seen some signs that they are eagerly seeking common ground and other signs that they"re not."According to U.S. News, some antiabortion-rights groups have said that too much emphasis on preventing unintended pregnancies through strategies like comprehensive sex education and increased access to contraception could cause them to oppose the White House"s plan, even if they agree with certain aspects. Instead, these groups would like Obama to support the Pregnant Women Support Act, which aims to discourage abortion through assistance to economically distressed pregnant women. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America opposes the bill, which it says would "attempt to influence, rather than inform, a woman"s decision whether or not to have an abortion."Laurie Rubiner, vice president for public policy at Planned Parenthood, said that the Obama administration is "strongly pro-choice" and that she is "hopeful their policy will be helpful on reducing unintended pregnancies." Large religious groups that typically oppose abortion rights -- like the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- also say they are hopeful that the White House"s plan will satisfy groups on both sides. Nancy Wisdo, associate general secretary for USCCB, said the group is "willing to work with anyone who tries to reduce the number of abortions and help women who choose to bring their babies to term." She added that USCCB is "taking the White House at its word that this is going to be a serious effort" (Gilgoff, U.S. News & World Report, 6/16).
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Trinity Biotech Receives FDA Approval For Destiny Max In The USA

Trinity Biotech plc (NASDAQ: TRIB), a leading developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products for the point-of-care and clinical laboratory markets, announced the FDA approval and US launch of its high throughput haemostasis analyzer, the Destiny Max. Trinity has today obtained FDA approval of its Destiny Max analyzer and is now launching the instrument in the U.S. market with immediate effect. The target market for the instrument includes university hospitals, high throughput general hospitals, high volume commercial laboratories and reference laboratories. Key features of the Destiny Max include: -- being the only high throughput instrument on the worldwide market that allows simultaneous and automated measurement of mechanical and optical clot detection, chromogenic and immuno-turbidimetric assays; -- best in class graphical user interface and touch screen technology; -- the most reliable and novel cap piercing solution on the market. As part of its U.S. launch Trinity will be showcasing the Destiny Max at the ISTH Congress in Boston on 11-16 July, 2009 and at the AACC Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago on 21-23 July, 2009. Commenting on the approval Ronan O"Caoimh, CEO said, "I am delighted to announce FDA approval of the Destiny Max analyzer for the U.S. market. This follows the successful launch of Destiny Max in Europe and other international markets, following CE mark approval in December, 2008. The FDA approval and U.S. launch of Destiny Max represents a key strategic milestone for Trinity. This completes the roll out of Destiny Max in all major worldwide markets thus providing Trinity with access to the high throughput haemostasis market, estimated to be US$500 million per annum. This approval by the FDA significantly improves the marketability of the analyzer and represents a clear endorsement of Trinity"s ability to integrate hardware, software, reagents and consumables into a new state-of-the-art instrument platform that will exceed customer expectations. In the few short months since its international launch we have already enjoyed considerable success with the Destiny Max globally with sales in Japan, China, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Based on the market reaction we have received to date, I am more convinced than ever that we now have the best haemostasis instrument available on the market today. The combination of Destiny Max with our mid-throughput Destiny Plus and other instruments, in conjunction with our comprehensive reagent portfolio and strong service commitment means that Trinity is now in a leading position to offer a complete and best in class heamostasis product range to all customers in the market. This will undoubtedly act as a key driver for the growth of our haemostasis business going forward, which we expect will result in a significant increase in our market share." Trinity Biotech


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