Health Highlights: Nov. 5, 2008

Nov. 6 -- Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Drug Tricks Body Into Burning Fat

An experimental drug called SRT1720 tricks the body into burning off fat and protected mice against weight gain and insulin resistance even when they ate a high-fat diet, French researchers say.

The drug, a chemical cousin of the red wine extract resveratrol, shiftsmetabolism into the fat-burning mode that's normally triggered when energylevels are low, BBC News reported.

After 10 weeks of treatment, a low dose of SRT1720 partially protectedagainst weight gain in mice on a high-fat diet. At higher doses, the drugcompletely prevented weight gain, said the study, published in the journalCell Metabolism.

While these results are promising, scientists said more research into thesafety and effectiveness of the drug is needed before it could be used in humans, BBC News reported.

-----

Big Increases Seen in Medicare Drug Plan Premiums, Co-Payments

American consumers can expect to see large increases in Medicare drug-plan premiums next year, along with higher co-payment costs, according to consulting firm Avalere Health.

The firm's analysis predicted premiums at the 10 largest drug plans will rise an average of 31 percent, with some rising more than 60 percent, the Wall Street Journal reported.

For example, the 2.7 million enrollees in the nation's biggest Medicare drug plan -- AARP Medicare Rx Preferred, sponsored by UnitedHealth Group -- are expected to face an average premium increase of 18 percent, to $34.92 a month. The plan will still have the same $7 co-payment for generic drugs, but enrollees who buy brand-name drugs on the insurer's preferred drug list will pay 21 percent more ($36.40) for each purchase.

The 1.4 million enrollees in the third-largest drug plan, Humana Inc.'s PDP Enhanced, will see an average premium hike of 51 percent, to $39.56 a month. Average co-payments for generic drugs will rise 75 percent, to $7, and increase 60 percent, to $40, for preferred brand-name drugs.