Relman hands over the reins at NEJM

Article Abstract:

As of July 1, 1991, Arnold Relman will no longer be the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine. Relman has been the editor for nearly 14 years and feels that now is a good time to step down, as the journal is considered by many to be the best medical journal in the world. Relman broadened the focus of the journal to include public health policies, which stirred public debates and promoted action on issues. Examples of the areas that have been discussed in the journal are: 'patient dumping', where hospitals refused to treat patients who did not have medical insurance, which is now against the law; the effects of for-profit and investor-owned health care services; and the right of patients to die. Relman will be a professor at Harvard Medical School, where he will teach and write about issues in health care. Relman wants to get involved in the debate concerning the radical changes he feels will occur by the end of the decade regarding the way health care is provided and medicine is practiced. The search for a new editor of the New England Journal of Medicine will begin soon. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Management, Appointments, resignations and dismissals, The New England Journal of Medicine (Periodical), Relman, Arnold

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FDA panel splits decision on drugs

Article Abstract:

Decisions were recently made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the approval for marketing two drugs derived from biotechnological means. The FDA decided not to approve the drug interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a treatment for kidney cancer. Il-2 has been shown to reduce the size of tumors in 10 to 20 percent of patients with kidney cancer. However, serious, life-threatening side effects associated with the treatment exist, such as the retention of fluid. Additional studies are required by the manufacturer, Cetus Corporation, before the drug will be reconsidered. The FDA did approve the use of interferon alpha, produced by Schering-Plough Corporation, for the suppression of chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis. Studies showed that alpha-interferon suppressed hepatitis virus infections in the liver in approximately half of more than 200 patients. However, in about half of those patients successfully treated, infections recurred. The side effects associated with interferon treatment include tiredness, mild to moderate hair loss, and decreases in the number of white blood cells. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Product development, Drug therapy, Hepatitis C, Schering-Plough Corp., Interferon alpha, Interleukin-2, Kidney cancer, Hepatitis E, Cetus Corp.

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Nobel Foundation Seeks Looser Financial Reins

Article Abstract:

The Nobel Foundation is searching for ways to increase its monetary awards, but that involves reinterpreting the wishes of founder Alfred Nobel. The foundation wants to invest in funds that would bring higher returns and be able to spend realized capital gains on property, stock and bond investments.

Sweden, Finance, Nobel Foundation

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