Original clinical study reports, which contain far more detail than published randomized trials, should be made available to independent researchers seeking to verify efficacy and safety claims.

In support of this argument, the history of the influenza antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which was approved by the FDA in 1999, was cited. The widespread belief in oseltamivir's efficacy, was based on a meta-analysis of 10 trials conducted by the manufacturer prior to licensure.  But the authors pointed out that the FDA, which was aware of these clinical trials, concluded that oseltamivir had not been shown to reduce complications and required a statement on the drug's label to that effect.  Moreover, oseltamivir was not given an FDA indication for prevention of spread of influenza.

To this, [authors] commented, "If FDA is right, the drug's effectiveness may be no better than aspirin or acetaminophen.'"

Representative Bob Filner recently introduced the Chiropractic Care to All Veterans Act (H.R. 329). The bill would require the Veterans Administration (VA) to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major VA medical facilities by 2014. You too can help ensure chiropractic care is available to those who have placed their lives in service to our country. H.R. 329 is in need of cosponsors to assist its likelihood of passage.

CLICK HERE to urge your legislators to cosponsor the bill.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that generic drugmaker Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories can sue Novo Nordisk for what Caraco says are exaggerated descriptions of the scope of patents Novo Nordisk holds on a diabetes drug.

A group of Democratic senators has introduced a bill that would allow people to sue generic drugmakers over failing to update their drug labels to include all known risks. The bill is meant to counter last year's Supreme Court decision in a generic drug dispute.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and TeamCME today announced that quality training programs and resources for doctors of chiropractic who wish to be included in a new national registry of certified medical examiners for the transportation industry are available in cities across the country, following news that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its final rule on a new safety program.

The vast majority of computerized drug warning alerts generated in hospitals are overridden, suggesting that these systems need refinement.

Seniors are using brand-name drug discount coupons even though their use is prohibited by Medicare, according to a survey from the National Coalition on Health Care. And when they do, the prescription often ends up being more expensive for the insurer than it otherwise might have been, the coalition said in the statement.

As policymakers balance the books in Medicare, our research confirms that drug coupons are wasting Medicare and taxpayer dollars.

An Arkansas state judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a $1.1 billion penalty after a jury found the company guilty of using fraudulent tactics to sell its Risperdal anti-psychotic medicine.

TCA successfully defends scope of practice rules. 

The Texas Chiropractic Association on Friday announced a brief summary of the Third Court of Appeals decision:

The case presented three questions:

Are the two TBCE rules that allow chiropractors to make certain “diagnoses” valid?  Answer: Yes. 

Can chiropractors perform MUA?  Answer: No.

Can chiropractors perform needle EMG?  Answer: No.

Read more in this article.

The Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, at Austin, Texas has published its decision in the case of TMA v TBCE.  This article reports on excerpts of this decision, the significant portions of which are:

"We will affirm the judgment in part and reverse and remand in part."

"in five issues on appeal, TCA challenges the district court's judgment invalidating TBCE rules regarding needle EMG, MUA, and 'diagnoses.' TBCE brings three issues challenging only the portions of the judgment invalidating the needle-EMG and MUA rules."

"We overrule the Chiropractor Parties' issues concerning needle EMG."

"We overrule the Chiropractor Parties' issues concerning MUA."

"In its remaining issues, TCA (but not TBCE) challenges the district court's judgment invalidating rules authorizing chiropractors to make certain 'diagnoses.'"

"TCA replies, and we agree ... We thus lack jurisdiction to consider the Physician Parties' "cross-point" and dismiss it."

"TCA responds that when read in the context of the rule as a whole [TBCE Rule] does not exceed the statutory scope of chiropractic .... We agree."

"Chiropractors may render diagnoses regarding findings and examinations within the statutory scope of chiropractic ....  We sustain TCA's third issue."

"The Physician Parties argue that [chiropractors] can only treat, but not diagnose, the subluxation complex. We find this argument unpersuasive."

" A subluxation complex is part of the biomechanical condition of the spine or musculoskeletal system of the human body and, thus, may be analyzed, evaluated, examined, and diagnosed by chiropractors."

"TBCE' s ... definition of "subluxation complex" ... a -- neuromusculoskeletal condition ... is part of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. To that extent, it comports with the statutory scope of chiropractic."

"We sustain TCA's fourth issue."

"The district court erred in its judgment invalidating ... TBCE's scope-of-practice rule, we reverse that portion of the judgment."

"We remand the case for further proceedings regarding the Physician Parties' alternative constitutional challenges. ... we affirm the remainder of the district court's judgment that [certain parts] of TBCE's scope-of-practice rule are void."