Can Selection Bias in Trials Allow Hydrochlorothiazide to Be Banned?
Messerli and Bangalore stated that “there is no evidence that hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in its usual dose of 12.5-25 mg daily reduces myocardial infarction, stroke or death,” but they failed to provide a systematic analysis of the data. This contrasts with a review of randomized trials of at least 1 year duration comparing one of 6 major drug classes with placebo or no treatment, including at least 70% of participants with blood pressure140/90 mm Hg at baseline. Of 57 trials identified, 24 trials with 28 arms (n=58,040) met the inclusion criteria. HCTZ reduced mortality (relative risk [RR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.96), stroke (RR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.57-0.71), and cardiovascular events (RR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.66-0.76). Low-dose HCTZ reduced coronary heart disease (RR 0.72; 9...

Agreement Strengthens Protection of Reproductive Health and Rights in Nine CIS Countries - 17 May 2012
ST. PETERSBURG -- UNFPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States signed a cooperation agreement on advancing reproductive health and rights in the region. The agreement was signed by Regional Director Thea Fierens on behalf of UNFPA and by the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly. A former governor of Saint Petersburg, Ms. Matvienko is the first woman in the countryrsquo;s history to hold what is considered to be the third most influential political tenure in the state. (Source: UNFPA News)