A recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Assoc. has shown that hair analysis is not a reliable method of diagnosing nutritional disorders or exposure to environmental toxins. Analysis of samples by different labs demonstrated a wide range of variable findings. The study did not evaluate the effectiveness of hair analysis in detecting drugs. Most brand-name drugs lose their patent protection after a number of years opening up the door for generic manufacturers to compete in the lucrative pharmaceutical market. However a new class of drugs which are genetically engineered and tend to be some of the most expensive are exempt at the current time from generic competition.
Generics tend to be significantly less expensive.
There is no accepted procedure for approving generic versions of these newer drugs. Increasing drug prices are prompting legislators and drug company officials to evaluate this current policy. Abstinence Gains Momentum in Sex Ed Secondary school teachers who were recently polled showed a dramatic increase in the number who are promoting abstinence as a means to avoid pregnancy. At the same time they are avoiding discussing other means of birth control. A little-noticed amendment to the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 has increased federal financing to promote chastity.