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Dr. Joe recently acquired a new laser. Because he has always tried to treat patients in a most conscientious manner, he had a clause placed in his laser purchase contract that provided that Dr. Doe, a laser expert, would come to Dr. Joe' s office to help him with his first day of treatments.

Princeton, N.J.--Barrier Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company that specializes in dermatologic products, is now marketing and selling Vaniqa Cream (SkinMedica) in Canada.

Washington--The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission (EU) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have agreed to a five-year extension of their confidentiality arrangements regarding medicines for human and veterinary use.

San Diego--IDM Pharma, based here, has begun phase 2 clinical trials in Europe for its melanoma vaccine Uvidem, which IDM is developing in collaboration with Paris-based pharmaceutical firm Sanofi-Aventis.

Exton, Pa.--Antares Pharma and a firm specializing in treatments for dermatological conditions have signed a feasibility development agreement to develop and apply Antares' transdermal delivery ATD? gel platform to formulate an active compound contained in a topical skin product.

Denver--Responding to research indicating that certain anti-cholesterol drugs also have anti-cancer properties, a recently published review of studies says there is no clear evidence to support that proposition.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

Certainly, CICs can be ideal tools, if established and maintained properly, and if suited to the individual doctor's or group's economic need.

Cleveland - With 20 years' experience in working withcomposite tissue allograft transplants, Maria Siemionow, M.D.,Ph.D., tells Dermatology Times she has laid the groundwork for whatlikely will be the world's first human face transplant.

Counterfeit prescription drugs pose a "potentially serious health threat" in the United States — one that can result in serious or deadly consequences for patients because of unscrupulous acts of profiteers who take advantage of a lack of uniform regulation and enforcement.

I am certain that most of you have heard the following comments made by a well-meaning patient: "I first saw a dermatologist for my problem. I then went to a doctor for further evaluation."

Certainly, CICs can be ideal tools, if established and maintained properly, and if suited to the individual doctor's or group's economic need.

Las Vegas — As dermatologists continue to incorporate biologics into their treatment approaches, Alan Menter, M.D., of Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, and president of the International Psoriasis Council, discusses the efficacy and safety of five currently available biologic agents and the importance of transitioning patients onto these drugs without flare.

With three dermatologists in his office and about 15 patients on Accutane, Dr. Rusonis says it is going to be a lot of additional time and work for the office staff.

Atlanta — The ultimate approach to treating a skin cancer is to remove it in its entirety without leaving a scar, and while every therapy strives for this goal, none yet reach it.

The best facial rejuvenation techniques can be diminished if the face appears to grow younger while the neck on down continues to look older.

Q. Why can't I find a shampoo that combines salicylic acid with tar for my seborrheic dermatitis patients?

National report — From griseofulvin to terbinafine, oral medications to rid patients of fungal disease have evolved to treat a broader spectrum of disease, with fewer side effects. Topical medications have improved, as well, but still are not nearly as effective as oral prescriptions.

National report — It's important that physicians be aware of potential drug interactions with commonly prescribed therapies used to treat onychomycosis, a leading clinician tells Dermatology Times.

National report — Categorizing urticaria and following up with effective treatment can prove to be very challenging to the clinician, according to Aniko Kobza Black, M.D., attending physician, St. John's Institute of Dermatology and St. Thomas Hospital, London.

Danville, Pa. — When a patient presents with a spontaneous abscess with surrounding cellulitis, physicians should suspect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to Dirk M. Elston, M.D.

National report — Drug companies have begun responding to infectious diseases, which are growing not only in prevalence, but also, in some cases, in virulence and drug resistance, an expert tells Dermatology Times.

How much of your personal investment portfolio should be dedicated to municipal bonds depends on variables such as your tax bracket, your tolerance for risk and your age.

Time and motion studies aren't just for assembly line workers; dermatology practices can benefit, too. Unnecessary walking is a prime time-waster in many physician practices. Don't think it's happening in your practice? Put on a pedometer tomorrow when your first clinic starts. At the end of the day you'll be amazed at how far you've walked.

Hershey, Pa. — An increased risk of developing a variety of cancers has long been associated with kidney transplants, but a direct correlation has never been made between renal transplants and the development of melanoma — until now.

New Orleans — A new plasma-based system (Plasma Skin Resurfacing/PSR, Gyrus Medical) appears effective for repeated treatments using nonablative energy parameters.

Atlanta — Although many physicians remain skeptical about the use of injectable silicone, Stephen Mandy, M.D., of Miami discussed the benefits of using the synthetic polymer to treat acne scarring at the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Meeting here.

National report — Children infected with herpes simplex virus can be safely treated with valacyclovir — an antiviral commonly prescribed to treat adult herpes infection, according to research by Richard F. Jacobs, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Arkansas Children's Hospital.

The parasitic disease is regarded by the World Health Organization as one of the most serious infectious diseases worldwide.

Philadelphia - The emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and new approaches to treatment of various bacterial illnesses are capturing the interests of dermatologists.