Thursday, October 14, 2004

Differences in health service use for depression across Ontario (Canada)
Report, in Adobe Acrobat format, from the Central East Health Information Partnership that " focuses on the geographic distribution of health services related to mental illness, particularly depression, in Ontario. Hospitalization data and physician billing records data were analyzed. Primary care physicians and hospital emergency rooms are often the entry point to the health care system for individuals suffering from depression, however, care is also provided by community mental health services. Therefore, data on community-based care and services were presented to help provide a more complete illustration of service utilization patterns.."  
  

Drug Import Programs Defy Federal Warnings, Reap Benefits
Medscape Business of Medicine story - "Several cities and states have lost patience with national leaders who continue debating the relative benefits and dangers of importing less-expensive medicines from other countries. Some cities, in fact, already are saving millions of dollars through their own import programs, in defiance of federal government warnings..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].