Paracetamol Linked To Heart Attack Risk, Study Finds
Daily paracetamol could raise the risk of heart attacks, stroke and early death, a major study conducted in Great Britain warns.
It found that patients prescribed high doses of the painkiller for long periods were up to 63 per cent more likely to die unexpectedly. The risk of having a heart attack or stroke was up to 68 per cent higher and there was an almost 50 per cent greater chance of having a stomach ulcer or bleed.
Paracetamol is considered by doctors to be safer than aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeds, and ibuprofen, which has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
But British researchers who looked at studies involving 666,000 patients say the risks may have been underestimated and are calling for a major review to be conducted into the drug’s safety. They think paracetamol may be causing illness by preventing the action of an enzyme in the body called COX-2. (Romania Libera)
Romanian Doctors And Patients, Among Europeans Failing To Report Adverse Drug Reactions
Officials of Romania’s National Medicines Agency said Romanians submitted a little over 2,000 notifications last year regarding adverse drug reactions, compared to 40,000 notifications each in France and Great Britain.
Starting March 6, Romanian patients and those providing care for patients have at disposal an application form that can be used to notify any adverse reactions following the use of certain medicines and vaccines.
Agency head Marius Savu said any additional information regarding the safety of medicines can be unveiled only by reporting any suspected adverse reactions. (Adevarul)
Romania May Cut VAT On Food As Of Mid-2015, Finance Minister Says
Romania’s Finance Minister Darius Valcov said the value added tax on food products may be lowered to 9% instead of the current 24% starting mid-2015.
The deadline was set for mid-2015 to see whether revenue collections to the state budget are enough to cover the planned VAT cut.
“We cannot make a decision in this respect sooner than April–May because there will be no economic data for the first quarter sooner than April-May,” Valcov said. (Romania Libera)
Government Oks RON955M Financial Aid For Animal Breeders
Romania’s Government approved in its Wednesday meeting two decisions whereby animal breeders will receive financial aid worth nearly RON955 million.
The Government decided that RON680.023 million will be allocated to cattle breeders, following the financing requests submitted throughout 2014. It also decided that RON275.651 million will be allocated to sheep and goats breeders, following the financing requests submitted in 2014. (Puterea)
Chamber Of Deputies Rejects Law Regulating Romania’s Cyber Security
The Chamber of Deputies rejected Wednesday, with 287 votes in favor and four abstentions, the law regulating Romania’s cyber security.
The defense committee, the committee for information technology and the committee for legal matters drew up a joint report rejecting the law, after the Constitutional Court declared the law unconstitutional.
Social democrat lawmaker Sorin Iacoban said a new law is necessary. (Adevarul)