News Briefs: Week of Feb. 1-5

This roundup includes the following news briefs:

The AAFP is looking for individuals interested in presenting a CME session at the AAFP's 2010 Scientific Assembly, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Denver. Those interested must submit a CME abstract by March 12.

Topics must reflect the curricular framework that will be offered at the Scientific Assembly. This framework includes sessions on the cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematology/immune, integumentary, musculoskeletal, nephrologic, neurologic, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Other topics include population-based care and patient-based care.

Acceptable abstracts also must be relevant to family physicians, educational, able to be presented in 60 minutes and submitted electronically. For more information, visit the Assembly Abstract Submission Web page.

Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., is taking steps to open a medical school with an emphasis on primary care and global health.

According to a Jan. 28 news release, the school's board of trustees approved the proposal following internal studies and a feasibility study completed by outside consultants.

The news release says the university plans to hold discussions with possible hospital and health system clinical partners and with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

"Two major challenges that must be successfully met are securing a major hospital/health system clinical partner and meeting the very high and demanding accreditation standards of the Liaison Committee for Medical Education," university President John Lahey said in the release. "Quinnipiac will turn its immediate attention to these two requirements and goals."

The first medical school class could be enrolled as early as fall 2013.

Marian University in Indianapolis is moving ahead with its proposal to create Indiana's first college of osteopathic medicine.

In a Jan. 14 news release, the university said it is conducting a feasibility/implementation study that will examine such components as accreditation issues, curriculum design, facility construction and faculty search. The study comes after the Indiana Osteopathic Association, or IOA, which represents about 800 osteopathic physicians in the state, approved the university's proposal in early January.

"Indiana does not currently have a college of osteopathic medicine, and those who want to become an osteopathic physician must go out of the state," Marian University president Daniel Elsener said in the release. "We have been encouraged by the leaders of Indiana's health care industry to consider this venture and we have heard that call."

An anonymous donor has pledged $30 million toward the projected $75 million development cost, according to the news release.

The FDA has added warnings to the product label of the antiretroviral drug didanosine that include information about noncirrhotic portal hypertension associated with use of the drug.

Initially approved by the FDA in 1991, didanosine is marketed by Princeton, N.J.-based Bristol-Myers Squibb as Videx and as Videx EC, a delayed-release formulation approved in 2000. Both drugs are used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to treat HIV infection in children and adults.

The FDA based its action on 42 postmarketing cases of noncirrhotic portal hypertension reported during an 18-year period to the FDA's adverse event reporting system.

However, FDA officials said the clinical benefits of didanosine for certain patients with HIV continue to outweigh its potential risks.

Physicians are encouraged to report adverse reactions associated with any of the aforementioned products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

The Texas AFP has put a face on family medicine by launching a video campaign that explains the virtues, challenges and benefits of being a family physician.

The "I Am a Family Doctor" campaign features short interviews with a series of family physicians who explain what they do, why they enjoy the profession and the differences they make in the lives of their patients. The video is intended to educate medical students and the general public about family medicine.

The Texas AFP is interested in sharing the video with other AAFP chapters. Those who would like more information about obtaining a copy of the video can contact the Texas AFP via e-mail.