injectable filler

In a sign of their value in a shorthanded clinical workforce, nurse practitioners (NPs) in group practices saw their compensation increase 4.9% last year, outpacing physicians as a whole, according to the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).Compensation for primary care physicians rose 2.9% in 2009, the MGMA reports in its latest Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data.

Adding science to years of anecdotal claims, scientists find that dieters who drink two cups of water before meals lose more weight. Drinking two cups of water before all three meals helped dieters lose weight and keep it off.  The findings only worked in people who were middle-aged and older, but water might help younger dieters, too.

An injectable cosmetic filler that smooths out facial wrinkles has been suspended from use after it was found to cause painful redness, bruising and swelling in some patients.    Novabel is marketed as “the gentle, powerful, versatile dermal shaper” by its manufacturer, Merz.

Teens in the United States got about 12,000 Botox treatments last year. It’s a disturbing statistic, but not as upsetting as it seems at first glance, although the New York Times cited “outrage” after 18-year-old celebrity, Charice, recently had a Botox treatment, which apparently was for both cosmetic and medical reasons. Even celebrity watcher Perez Hilton called that treatment “sick.” As a wrinkle-fighting drug, Botox seemingly makes little sense except for older faces.

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) and Eisai Inc. announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the company of the confirmed scheduling of an Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting on September 16, 2010, for the review of the lorcaserin New Drug Application (NDA).

It’s interesting to read the most recent dermatology and plastic surgery statistics, where they all show Botox injections being in decline, but Allergan reported a 36% surge in profit for the second quarter. This profit was partially due to higher sales of  Botox. In fact Botox sales were up 7% over last year.

Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN) on Monday reported a 36% surge in profit for the second quarter, boosted by higher sales of its anti-wrinkle treatment Botox.

Wrinkles used to be your only fleeting worry when you ponied up for Botox, but now the cost of your health could be at stake. A surge in the number of misbranded fake versions of Botox have proliferated the market, and law enforcement officials have taken both notice and action, reports the Today Show

Merz Aesthetics today announced it is now shipping Asclera™ (polidocanol) Injection sclerotherapy treatment to doctors’ offices throughout the U.S.  Previously only available in Europe, Asclera™ was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a study published in the June issue of Phlebology, leading experts conclude that polidocanol is a highly effective sclerotherapy treatment.

A new Health Canada report is warning of complications — including gangrene of the lip in one case — suspected of being associated with the most popular injectable wrinkle fillers on the market.