Health Highlights: May 5, 2008

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors ofHealthDay:

Insulin Pumps Linked to Deaths, Injuries Among Young People

Between 1996 and 2005, there were 13 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries reported among young people using insulin pumps to treat type 1 diabetes, says a U.S. Food and Drug Administration study. The pumps offer an alternative to multiple daily injections of insulin by syringe.

The researchers didn't advise against the use of the pumps, but called for more safety studies of the popular devices and urged parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children's use of the pumps, theAssociated Pressreported.

In some cases, the insulin pumps malfunctioned, and in other cases users were careless or took risks, according to the study of young people, aged 12 to 21. The findings are published in the May issue of the journalPediatrics.

"Parental oversight and involvement are important. Certainly teenagers don't always consider the consequences," said lead author Dr. Judith Cope, theAPreported.

For example, some teens didn't know how to use the pumps correctly, while others didn't take care of the pumps or dropped them, the study found.

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Wal-Mart Expands Discounted Drug Program

Under an expanded discounted prescription drug program, Wal-Mart announced Monday that it will offer up to 350 generic drugs at $10 for a 90-day supply. The retailer will also offer several women's medications at a discount and lower the price of more than 1,000 over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

This is the latest phase of a program that began in 2006 by offering customers a 30-day supply of generic prescription drugs for $4. Almost all of the prescription drugs in the $4 program are included in the $10 program, theAssociated Pressreported.

Several women's medications -- including drugs to treat breast cancer and hormone deficiency -- will be added to the list of discount prescriptions available for $9, the company said.