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In brief

Swiss reject genetic engineering ban: Last weekend, Swiss voters rejected by a margin of two to one a proposal to ban most types of genetic engineering (6 June, p1696). Support for the proposal was strongest in the German speaking cantons. The turnout was 40%, in line with recent Swiss referendums. The Swiss pharmaceutical industry had lobbied hard against the proposal.

Calcium channel blocker withdrawn: Roche has voluntarily withdrawn its new antihypertensive and antianginal drug mibefradil (Posicor) because of the risk of serious drug interactions. Mibefradil could potentially interact with 25 other drugs, including other cardiovascular agents, antihistamines, and antibiotics. Around 400000 people worldwide take the drug, which is licensed in 38 countries.

UK task forces will be funded: Health Minister Alan Milburn told the BMA's junior doctors' conference that regional task forces will continue to be funded until the targets set out in the new deal on hours have been met. Over 15% of posts are still outside the target, which states that no junior doctor should work more than 56 hours a week, irrespective of contracted hours.

Israel renews approval of imports of Viagra: Israel's health ministry has decided to once again allow personal imports of sildenafil citrate--they were banned last month after six men died in the United States (30 May, p1625). However, each container of pills must carry a leaflet in Hebrew explaining the dangers, as well as the manufacturer's label.

Definition of obesity changed in the United States: Up to 55% of the US population is now defined as overweight under new guidelines from the US government's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. A person with a body mass index of 25-30 is overweight; anyone with a body mass index of 30 or above is obese, according to the new definitions.
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This article has been cited by other articles:

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