Investigation of the effect of the dual orexin receptor antagonist almorexant on ophthalmological, spermatogenic, and hormonal variables in healthy male subjects.

Background/aims: The aim of this single-center, double-blind study was to investigate the effect of a 4-week once daily administration of 200 mg almorexant on tear film break-up time, spermatogenesis, hormone levels, and pancreatic elastase in stool in healthy male subjects.

Methods: Almorexant 200 mg or matching placebo was administered in the evening for 4 weeks once daily to 56 healthy male subjects. Changes in ophthalmological variables, sperm composition, hormone levels, and pancreatic elastase levels in stool were evaluated periodically up to 8 weeks after discontinuation of drug administration.

Unforeseen ethical/legal complications with screening tests in the capitation model of medical aid schemes.

In the South African health care system patients/consumers are divided into those who can afford private care and those who rely on state medical assistance. The system is under pressure to fund delivery of medical care to its beneficiaries. We consider the effects of different funding models on medicolegal liability of health professionals serving the private sector.

Clinical, legal and ethical implications of the intra-ocular (off-label) use of bevacizumab (avastin)--a South African perspective.

Choroidal neovascularisation is a potentially visually devastating element of various forms of eye pathology. Recent research has focused on neurovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as a cause. AMD can be classified as being exudative (wet) or atrophic (dry).