Oklahoma hospital used dirty gastroscopes on almost 1,000 patients; no infections reported

An unnamed hospital in Oklahoma used contaminated gastroscopes in procedures performed on nearly a thousand patients in recent months, device maker Pentax Medical told U.S. regulators last month, putting the patients at risk of exposure to bacteria that can cause infections.

Early after routine heart procedures, other operations become riskier

(Reuters Health) - Patients who have so-called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures to restore blood flow to the heart may be more likely to have complications with non-cardiac surgery than other people, a U.S. study suggests.

Extreme hypertension in pregnancy tied to kidney disease

(Reuters Health) - Women who develop preeclampsia, a form of dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, are 5 times more likely to develop end-stage kidney disease later in life than women who have normal blood pressure during pregnancy, a Swedish study suggests.

Women may be missing out on outpatient hospital care in northern India

Women account for only a little over one third of appointments at a major hospital in India's capital, New Delhi, highlighting extensive gender discrimination in access to healthcare services, researchers say.

Patent court to review Alexion's Soliris patents on Amgen challenge

The U.S. patent office will review patents on Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc's blood disorder treatment Soliris, after Amgen Inc challenged them, court filings showed on Friday.

CDC, FDA report 215 cases of respiratory illness possibly tied to vaping

U.S. public health officials on Friday reported a rise in the number of cases of respiratory illness possibly related to the use of e-cigarettes from across 25 states.

Higher education doesn't protect equally against secondhand smoke

Higher levels of education promote health by helping people avoid many environmental health risks, but this benefit may not extend equally to all races and ethnicities when it comes to secondhand smoke, a U.S. study suggests

Patent court to review Alexion's Soliris patents on Amgen challenge: filings

The U.S. patent office will review three patents on Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc's drug Soliris, after rival Amgen Inc filed a petition challenging them, court filings showed on Friday.

Congolese girl, 9, dies of Ebola in Uganda: hospital official

A 9-year-old girl has died of Ebola in the East African nation of Uganda, a hospital official said, a day after she tested positive for the disease after crossing the border from neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Congolese girl, 9, dies of Ebola in Uganda- hospital official

A nine-year-old girl has died of Ebola in the East African nation of Uganda, a hospital official said, a day after she tested positive for the disease after crossing the border from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Novartis takes aim at Roche's star MS drug

Swiss drugmaker Novartis on Friday stepped up its challenge to Roche's multiple sclerosis franchise, highlighting study results for its MS hopeful ofatumumab that could compete with its cross-town rival's drug Ocrevus.

Ebola death toll in east Congo outbreak climbs above 2,000

The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo's year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday, as responders battle to overcome community mistrust and widespread security problems.

Novartis advances hunt for piece of Roche's growing MS empire

Swiss drugmaker Novartis on Friday threw down the gauntlet at Roche's multiple sclerosis franchise, touting study results for its MS hopeful ofatumumab that it hopes will muscle in on its crosstown rival's drug Ocrevus.