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The Big Business of Curing Head Lice

By Snigdha Prakash

Published September 27, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

A Silicon Valley dermatologist seeks his fortune in head lice. He claims to have found a new cure for head lice: a non-toxic lotion that suffocates them to death. When he managed to get his findings published in a respected scientific journal, one of the leading venture capitalists of Silicon Valley came calling. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports.

Snigdha Prakash

Pieces by National Desk reporter Snigdha Prakash can be heard on NPR's All Things Considered and Morning Edition. The majority of Snigdha's past reports have focused on topics related to entrepreneurship, business, banking and the economy.

Stories From This Author

The Plot Thickens with a Generic Blood Thinner

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A small Canadian firm takes on two of the largest drug companies in the world with its surprise launch of a generic copy of the best-selling blood thinner Plavis. Apotex began shipping its generic version to U.S. stores today. The makers of Plavix sold $6 billion of the popular heart drug last year.
Medical Journal Issues Vioxx Study Correction

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A correction published today on the New England Journal of Medicine's Web site undermines a key feature of Merck's defense against the thousands of lawsuits filed over its painkiller Vioxx.
Data: Vioxx Heart Risks Began Earlier than Thought

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New data obtained by NPR about the painkiller Vioxx show that all patients who took the drug were at increased risk for heart attack, stroke and other complications -- even those who took it for short periods of time. About 20 million Americans are estimated to have taken Vioxx before it was withdrawn in 2004.