| Prilosec as Effective as Expensive Prescriptions, Study Finds
A widely available nonprescription drug -- Prilosec OTC -- is as effective a treatment for heartburn and acid reflux disease as prescription drugs costing almost 10 times more, according to an analysis from Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs, a public education project of Consumers Union. "Many people with heartburn and acid reflux could save $1,000 to $2,000 a year by taking an over-the-counter drug that's just as effective as high-priced prescription drugs," said Gail Shearer, director of the project. "These are dramatic savings, and illustrate why consumers should talk to their doctors about identifying effective, lower-cost medicines," Shearer added. The over-the-counter drug Prilosec costs $19 to $26 a month on average nationwide, and can be even cheaper at large discount stores.
Aspirin trial to test effect on cancer
DOCTORS and volunteers are being recruited to test the aspirin as a means of preventing one of Scotland's most lethal cancers. The humble painkiller is being used with an anti-ulcer drug to try to prevent Barrett's oesophagus from developing into cancer of the oesophagus, or gullet. Barrett's oesophagus is responsible for around half of all oesophageal cancers. Patients with the condition have stomach acid that rises into the oesophagus, usually causing heartburn. The acid damages the cells in the lining of the oesophagus and in some cases they turn cancerous. .
This Week in Agriculture
Few changes in U.S. balance sheets. USDA's monthly World Supply & Demand Estimates Report Friday morning contained no shifts in the U.S. balance sheet for corn and only an adjustment in projected wheat prices. But soybean carryover rose on a cut in exports and cotton carryover surged for the same reason. USDA also made global production shifts on corn, but kept Brazil's bean crop unchanged. Bush budget plans. Release of the fiscal year 2008 budget plan by the Bush administration included a few changes for USDA programs, but no wholesale shifts. The intention to hold no general signup for the Conservation Reserve Program due to high corn prices caught some attention, as did USDA signaling it planned no signups in 2007 and 2008 for the popular Conservation Security Program. Defending the farm bill plan.
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