News

Coral Gables, Fla. - Stiefel Laboratories has announced it has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Barrier Therapeutics, according to PRNewswire.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Major League Baseball Association (MLB) and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) have teamed up to educate players and fans about the risk of skin cancer, according to PRNewswire.

Mt. Laurel, N.J. - The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) is teaming up with international publisher Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins'(LWW) to launch its own journal that will be available in its entirety online, according PR Newswire.

Silver Springs, Md. - An Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel ruled Johnson & Johnson's experimental drug, ustekinumab, should be approved for treating moderate to severe psoriasis in adults, Reuters reports.

Miami - The formulation of Atralin Gel 5 percent acts to enhance the performance of the active ingredient,tretinoin, against the papules and pustules of acne, according to an expert.

National report - A study published in the June issue of the Archives of Dermatology demonstrate a hair-count method to determine if you're balding, according to HealthDay News.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Medicis' purchase of LipoSonix, an ultrasound technology used to target fat cells, will launch the company into the international marketplace and the body-contouring business, the East Valley Scottsdale Tribune reports.

Tubingen, Germany - Researchers from Tubingen University have discovered that immune response can prevent tumor growth without killing tumor cells, according to ecancermedicalscience.

Irvine, Calif. - Allergan is planning to file a New Drug Application to the FDA by end of the third quarter of 2008 for bimatoprost, a synthetic prostaglandin analog, as a treatment to stimulate eyelash growth, according to a press release.

Las Vegas - Skinvisible, the developer of Invisicare, announces Doreen McMorran will serve as vice president of business development and marketing for the company, Earthtimes.org reports.

Toronto - Psoriasis presentation in childhood marks a stronger genetic component than when the disease onset occurs in adulthook, according to an expert.

Irvine, Calif. - Allergan has announced it has entered an agreement with QLT USA to purchase Aczone (dapsone) Gel 5 percent, according to socalTech.com.

National report - Dermatologists are using third-party bartering agencies to trade their services for services and products - from car repair to advertising.

Pittman, N.J. - The Dermatology Nursing Certification Board (DNCB) is now offering a certification exam for nurse practitioners in dermatology, according to a press release.

National report - The use of biologics is the focus of new psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis management guidelines released by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), HealthDay News reports.

Costa Mesa, Calif. - CareCredit, a GE Money Company patient payment program, celebrates the 100,000th doctor to offer the service, according to a press release.

Shanghai, China - Prof. Xuemin Wang has been appointed to the scientific advisory board of Symrise, a global fragrance and flavoring supplier, according to Life PR.

Houston - New research indicates that shingles may be genetic, Reuters reports.

Montreal - Isotretinoin, the active ingredient in the acne drug Accutane (Roche Laboratories), could more than double the risk of depression, according to results of a study reported by Reuters Health.

Skokie, Ill. - Results of a recent study suggest that ustekinumab, a human monoclonal antibody, directed against interleukin 12 and 23 is an effective treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis, Reuters Health reports.

Toronto - A Canadian research team reports that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reduces the incidence of radiation-induced dermatitis, compared to conventional radiation, in women being treated for breast cancer, according to Reuters Health.

Seoul, South Korea - A new study suggests that vitamin C suppresses proliferation of human melanoma cells, Foodconsumer.org reports.

Schaumburg, Ill. - Following an extensive analysis of recent studies done on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has released new care guidelines for managing the conditions.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Medicis Pharmaceutical has issued a statement announcing its voluntary recall of lot numbers B080037 and B080038 of the antibiotic Solodyn Extended Release Tablets, 90 mg, 30-count bottles, both of which carry an expiration date of December 2009.

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Medicis Pharmaceutical, based here, has announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun a review of Reloxin, the company’s Botox-like anti-wrinkle injectable, the Arizona Republic reports.

As with any legal or insurance planning, the early bird is richly rewarded. Nowhere in practice planning is this truer than in the Buy-Sell agreement. The reason is not so much economic, but political. If this planning is done before any owner is close to a disability, divorce, retirement, or death, all owners are in the same position relative to each other. That makes the negotiation of a standard deal for all owners a much easier and smoother process. Planning early for a Buy-Sell agreement will truly benefit you, your family and your practice.

The results of recent studies on the value of Vitamin D in warding off serious illnesses are fueling the ongoing debate over the dermatologic community's "official" stance that warns against the dangers of sunlight, from which the body most efficiently acquires Vitamin D.

No one in his right mind would accuse Amy S. Paller, M.D., of sitting idly, letting life pass her by.

Mutual funds are a better investment choice than individual stocks for most people

According to one expert, gene profiling using tape stripping, the MelaFind® device as well as confocal microscopy have the potential to assist the dermatologist in catching melanoma early on.