News Release

Society for Women's Health Research News Service to provide series on women and pharmacology

Articles to be distributed on topics ranging from sex differences in drug metabolism to understanding herbal supplements

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Society for Women's Health Research

Washington, DC – Beginning June 24 and continuing through September 19, the Society for Women's Health Research News Service will distribute a series of articles on women and pharmacology; the first article covers sex differences and drug metabolism and is available at www.womens-health.org/press/NewsService/pharm.htm. The Women's Health Research News Service specializes in the latest research findings on sex differences in medicine, as well as health issues unique to women. All articles are available at www.womens-health.org/press/NewsService/newsservice.htm and may be received via e-mail every other week by contacting SarahG@womens-health.org.

"There is much confusion over medications in general, particularly for women," said Phyllis Greenberger, MSW, president and CEO of the Society for Women's Health Research. "We hope this series on pharmacology will provide valuable information to the public, especially life-saving information on how drugs, dosage and interactions may affect women."

The seven articles to be distributed throughout Summer 2002 will cover the following topics:

  • June 24: Sex differences and drug metabolism
  • July 11: What are me-too drugs and why are they necessary?
  • July 25: Understanding generics
  • August 8: The risk of heart arrhythmia in women
  • August 22: Women and polypharmacy: The risks of taking multiple drugs
  • September 5: Pharmacogenomics: The future of individualized medicine
  • September 19: What women need to know about herbal supplements

"The most definitive examples of the importance of understanding biological sex differences in drug response are the eight drugs removed from the market in recent years because of excessive harm to women," said Raymond Woosley, MD, PhD, dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. The Institute of Medicine explored therapeutic interventions in their May 2001 report, Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health: Does Sex Matter?, recommending that future pharmacological research investigate differences between men and women. With this new understanding of the importance of sex differences in health and treatment, the Society for Women's Health Research is working with both public and private industry to ensure that the unique health needs of women are met and that the public is well informed.

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The Women's Health Research News Service, on-line at www.womens-health.org/press/NewsService/newsservice.htm, specializes in content on the latest research findings on sex differences. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from autoimmune disorders to skin cancer to AIDS, and from post-traumatic stress disorder to how gender affects success of organ transplantation. Articles are available via automatic e-mail delivery every other week by contacting SarahG@womens-health.org.

The Society for Women's Health Research is the nation's only not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to improve the health of women through research. Founded in 1990, the Society brought to national attention the need for the appropriate inclusion of women in major medical research studies and the resulting need for more information about conditions affecting women. The Society advocates increased funding for research on women's health, encourages the study of sex differences that may affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, and promotes the inclusion of women in medical research studies. Visit the Society's Web site at www.womens-health.org for more information.


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