ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602160062
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
2nd study: Drug prices not rocketing
NEW YORK - A day after one survey reported drug prices rising at twice the rate of inflation, a second batch of statistics painted an opposite picture.
The new numbers, released by the drug industry research firm IMS America, show prices of all prescription drugs actually rose just 1.7 percent in 1995 - well under government cost-of-living figures.
On Wednesday, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores said its smaller survey - of the top 500 prescription drugs - showed list prices charged by drug manufacturers rose 4.6 percent.
- Associated Press
Kids have no trouble buying cigarettes
WASHINGTON - Children are finding it easier than ever to buy cigarettes, despite much-vaunted industry programs to restrict teen access, a new government study shows.
Between 1989 and 1993, underage smokers who reported buying their own cigarettes increased from 58 percent to 62 percent, according to the latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study found that in 1993, 45 percent of minors who tried to buy cigarettes were never asked to show proof of age. Even 12- to 15-year-old smokers could buy their own: 88 percent of those surveyed said that they had bought tobacco products from small stores.
- Associated Press
AIDS death toll rising among blacks
ATLANTA - AIDS is exacting a growing toll on blacks. The virus is now responsible for a third of all deaths among black men ages 25 to 44, the Centers for Disease Control said Thursday.
AIDS also accounts for about a fifth of the deaths among black women in the same age range - a higher proportion than among young white men, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
- Associated Press
Judge: Kids' protein additive necessary
ALBANY, N.Y. - A judge ordered an insurance company Thursday to pay for a nutritional supplement for three children who can't eat most foods.
State Supreme Court Judge Lawrence Kahn's preliminary injunction orders Blue Cross and Blue Shield of the Rochester Area to pay the estimated $1,800 a month it costs to keep Randi, Brooke and Drew Evans on a a protein-enriched formula called Neocate One Plus.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB