Special Reports
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<ѻýҕl>Slippery Slope: Diet Drugs No Help for Heartѻýҕl>
In another edition of the Slippery Slope series examining use of surrogate endpoints in drug approvals, ѻýҕl and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel find diet drugs are approved without solid evidence of benefits, but with hints of harm.
Apr 19, 2015
<ѻýҕl>Killing Pain: Benzo 'Boost' Can Be Deadlyѻýҕl>
Adding a benzodiazepine to an opioid painkiller can increase the effect of the opioid, or in the language of addiction, benzos can boost the high -- but the combo can be deadly, according to this Killing Pain report from ѻýҕl and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Feb 25, 2014
<ѻýҕl>Cystic Fibrosis: Charity and Industry Partner for Profitѻýҕl>
When a disease-related charity becomes a venture capitalist, count the pharmaceutical industry among the winners, but the charity is not far behind as John Fauber explains in this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/ѻýҕl investigation.
May 19, 2013
<ѻýҕl>Deaths Trigger DEA Probe of Pain Specialistѻýҕl>
Treating pain is challenging, and sometimes perilous, for both physician and patient, as is illustrated by Lynn Webster, MD, president-elect of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, who is the subject of an investigation triggered by as many as 20 deaths among his patients.
Feb 20, 2013
<ѻýҕl>Advair: How Safe Is This Drug?ѻýҕl>
The asthma drug Advair is used by millions of patients worldwide and for many patients it is an effective treatment, but the drug is often used as first line therapy, an unapproved and possibly dangerous indication as this investigation by ѻýҕlToday/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reveals.
Nov 18, 2012
<ѻýҕl>Anatomy of an Epidemic: The Opioid Movieѻýҕl>
The national clamor over abuse of prescription opioids is now at a fever pitch, but little has been said about what drove the boon in opioid prescriptions. This latest report from ѻýҕl/ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analyzes a pivotal Oxycontin marketing video, it's impact and its aftermath.
Sep 09, 2012
<ѻýҕl>Researcher Sounded Alarm on Medtronic's Infuse Years Agoѻýҕl>
As part of a continuing investigation into a bone morphogenetic protein-2 product marketed as Infuse, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/ѻýҕl describe a first-hand account of early signs of problems with the device as well as efforts to minimize the clinical significance of those problems.
Jun 28, 2011
<ѻýҕl>Medtronic Records Reveal Royal Rewardsѻýҕl>
Since it won FDA approval in 2002 for use in spinal fusions,recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, or BMP 2, has generated annual sales of $800 million. Many of those sales represented off-label use, a trend that has lately stirred the interest of Congress and the media. ѻýҕl and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel revealed many aspects of this marketing approach in an earlier special report; here, we report information gathered in our follow-up investigation. Related: Operator-Dependent Results Cloud Picture
Dec 29, 2010
<ѻýҕl>Recovery of Hurricane-Devastated Medical Center Begins With Small Stepѻýҕl>
GALVESTON, Tex. -- Eleven weeks after Hurricane Ike turned the University of Texas Medical Branch into a backwater of the Gulf of Mexico, the doors of John Sealy Hospital here swung open for acute care in a symbolic step toward recovery.
Nov 26, 2008