March 3, 2004 - The Minnesota State Board of Investment adopted a resolution today that would encourage the drug company, Pfizer, and other drug companies, to change their business practices. Minnesota's pension funds own about 476 million dollars in Pfizer stock. Governor Pawlenty, who sits on the investment board, proposed the resolution after the company cut off supplies to Canadian drug wholesalers that sell to Americans. Some worry that the proposed action could decrease Pfizer's stock price and hurt retirees who depend on the state's pension fund. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 8, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on need for fundraisers for people who don't have insurance. Sometimes even those with insurance need help. It seems the higher medical costs rise the more fundraisers there are for people who can't pay all their bills. Dinners, raffles and auctions are a few of the ways people donate money.
March 10, 2004 - This week, a flurry of studies presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans could have lasting implications for treatment of patients with heart problems. One report suggested lowering cholesterol levels far below the level that most doctors consider adequate can substantially reduce the risk of heart attacks. Another suggested implantable cardiac defibrillators -- or ICDs -- could prevent sudden death in patients with moderate heart problems. A third found that drug-coated coronary stents -- which have been used to unclog large heart arteries -- are showing promise in clearing tiny heart arteries as well. Last week Minnesota-based Boston Scientific received FDA approval to sell its drug-coated stent.
March 23, 2004 - U-S health officials say patients taking anti-depressants should be closely monitored for signs of suicidal thoughts. The Food and Drug Administration stressed that it's still not clear if there's a connection between antidepressants and suicide, but yesterday it called on drug makers to put stronger warnings on their labels. The drugs under scrutiny are all newer-generation antidepressants including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin. Dr. Jon Hallberg says the call for new warnings reinforces the notion that doctors and manufacturers need to give patients more information about the drugs they're taking.
April 20, 2004 - Recent immigrants to Minnesota may have survived torture in Latin America, war trauma in Southeast Asia, even famine in Afric, but a new study says their health may be at greatest risk after they've lived in the US for several years. The study , by the Greater Twin Cities United Way, found that many immigrants struggle with diabetes and mental health problems after they adjust to American life. More than half of the state's foreign-born population has arrived since 1990. Kathy Lentz is the Director of Community Building Strategies for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. She says the fact that many of the new arrivals are refugees raises particular health problems.
April 21, 2004 - Duluth resident Paul Ojanen gives an audio guide tour along First Street in downtown Duluth, also known as "Alcoholic Central."
April 21, 2004 - As part of the series “Keeping Track of Sex Offenders,” Mainstreet Radio’s Erin Galbally reports on sex offender ‘wound therapy’ programs in Minnesota.
April 22, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty heads to St. Louis today in the hopes of using the state's shareholder power to force the world's largest drug company to lower prescription drug prices for Americans. The governor intends to speak in support of a shareholder proposal that would limit how much Pfizer can charge for its drugs. Minnesota owns less than one percent of Pfizer's total value but Pawlenty hopes his visit will get the ball rolling on a shareholder initiative to lower prescription drug prices. Pawlenty is optimistic that others will join his cause. But critics say any proposal to change pricing is unlikely to pass because it would harm Pfizer's stock price. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.... {Governor Pawlenty's main goal is to recruit enough shareholders to force Pfizer officials to cut drug prices in the U.S. and allow drug reimportation from foreign countries where price controls and other market factors force drug companies to charge less. Pawlenty says he's been trying to persuade large pension fund managers from states like New York and California to join his cause. In any case, it won't happen this year. His proposal isn't on the agenda because the state missed the company's deadline. But it probably won't hurt and could help to wait a year because passing a shareholder resolution is a tough challenge. Pfizer shareholders have not approved any proposals in recent memory. Nevertheless, Pawlenty will argue free trade is allowed on everything from toasters to automobiles and it's only fair that the practice be extended to prescription drugs.
April 22, 2004 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports Governor Tim Pawlenty was unsuccessful in his efforts to persuade the shareholders of Pfizer, the world's largest drug company, to charge Americans less for prescriptions. In report, Pawlenty speaks on re-importation of drugs.
April 23, 2004 -