(March 28, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From Toronto - MRSA caused 2600 deaths in Canada in 2006 and cost the healthcare system nearly $250 million. Based on a study which gathered data from 48 hospitals, it is estimated that Canadian hospitals saw nearly 30,000 cases of MRSA, an increase from previous years. Frequent hand washing, use of alcohol rubs, and screening of asymptomatic patients should be used to prevent this condition.

From Maryland - The FDA is reviewing the safety of the asthma medication Singulair after a suggestion that it may be linked to changes in mood, depression and a raised risk of suicide. The drug manufacturer Merck recently updated prescribing information to inform both patients and doctors of the potential side effects including tremor, depression, suicidal thinking, and anxiousness.

And finally, from the Netherlands - Newer drugs prescribed for schizophrenia may improve compliance but may not be superior in terms of efficacy when compared to older, less expensive ones. In a study of nearly 500 patients with schizophrenia, those who received a newer medication like Zyprexa were nearly 50% less likely to have stopped their medication at 1 year. However, the overall effectiveness of newer drugs were not found to be superior to older ones like Haldol.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.