Woman loses UK High Court case on assisted suicide

A woman with multiple sclerosis has lost her High Court case to guarantee her husband immunity from persecution if he assists her commit suicide. Under UK law, aiding or abetting a suicide is a crime punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. However, wheelchair bound Debbie Purdy, 45 wanted clarification on how prosecutions for assisted [...]

News Brief: Recent Events in Global Health Law

Chile’s Health Minister Soledad Barria is resigning over concerns that the government failed to notify people who had tested positive for HIV/AIDS.  Washington Post
Half of all American doctors responding to a nationwide survey say they regularly prescribe placebos to patients.  Similar results have been found in surveys from Denmark, Israel, Britain, Sweden and New Zealand.  N.Y. [...]

Scholar’s Corner: Recent Scholarly Works in Global Health Law

Internet Pharmacies: Global Threat Requires a Global Approach to Regulation

Carlisle E. George
Middlesex University
 
Hertfordshire Law Journal , Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 12-25, 2006
 
Abstract:     
This paper investigates the growing phenomenon of selling drugs and medical services over the Internet via Internet Pharmacies. It discusses some of the benefits of Internet Pharmacies and some [...]

South Africa Uses Innovative Technology to Encourage AIDS Testing and Treatment

As reported by the BBC, South Africa is about to use text messaging technology to spread the word about getting tested for HIV/AIDS.  Starting on December 1, 2008, 1 million text messages will be sent in both English and local dialects like Zulu encouraging people to get tested and treated for HIV/AIDS. 
Estimates suggested that the [...]

Scholar’s Corner: Recent Scholarly Works in Global Health Law

Doctors as Advocates, Lawyers as Healers
Georgia State University – College of Law
Georgia State University College of Law, Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2008-08
Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy, Vol. 29, 2008
Abstract:
This essay explores some counterintuitive propositions to see what they may add to our understanding of the role of doctors and lawyers in [...]

AIDS Treatment Should Start Earlier Than Previously Thought

The Washington Post is reporting that AIDS treatment should begin sooner than originally thought.  A study partially paid for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found a 70% improvement in those who started therapy when their T-cell count was between 350 and 500, compared to those who waited until their T-cell count dropped [...]

News Brief: Recent Events in Global Health Law

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao vows that China’s food exports would meet international standards and win the trust of people around the world by improving legislation in food safety and product quality.  Associated Foreign Press
Pakistan’s Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the federal and Sindh governments to establish a Federal Mental Health Authority (FMHA), calling the establishment of [...]

Scholar’s Corner: Recent Scholarly Works in Global Health Law

International Trade Policy and Domestic Food Safety Regulation: The Case for Substantial Deference by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body under the SPS Agreement

Michael J. Trebilcock
University of Toronto – Faculty of LawJulie A. Soloway
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE, David Kennedy, James Southwick, eds., Cambridge University Press, 2002
 

Abstract: [...]

Gates Foundation Awards Grants to 104 Research Organizations

On Wednesday, October 22, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced the 104 groups of scientists that won funding in Round 1 of the Grand Challenges Explorations.  Winners came from from 22 countries and five continents and received $100,000 to research their innovating medical ideas. 
Some of the winners include:

Pattamaporn Kittayapong of Mahidol University in Thailand [...]

Federal Panel Recommends Vaccine Aimed at Smokers

The Washington Post is reporting that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an influential government panel, has recommended that smokers get the pneumoccal vaccine.   The pneumoccal vaccine, already recommended for people 65 years of age or older,  is supposed to prevent pneumonia, meningitis and other illnesses.  The vaccine is given as a one-time dose and is [...]