MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'agreement'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:22:15 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050583&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-doctors-should-participate-in-the-debt-ceiling-debate%2F2011.07.20 Joe Scarborough reminds us that the divisions in American government are hardly new, paraphrasing Benjamin Franklin’s observation that “When you assemble a number of men, to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble . . . all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?” (This comes from a September 17, 1787 speech by Mr. Franklin to urge ratification of the U.S. Constitution, read on his behalf because he was too ill to deliver it in person. The Constitution was ratified the same day.) I suppose we should be encouraged that Congress’s prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, local interests and selfish views are as American as apple pie,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050583 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:00:00 +0100 5050583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028069&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fcase-of-bleeding-heart-prosecutors-how.html ConclusionsThis seems to be the most recently documented example of important but overlooked, or concealed changes in government policies that have enabled the health care system to become more unethical, dishonest and corrupt, and hence more dysfunctional.Here we discussed a Supreme Court decision interpreting US anti-trust law that has been used to prevent medical societies from enforcing ethical rules, and hence helped medicine to become increasingly commercialized, and to increasingly put money ahead of patient care.Here we discussed little discussed legislation from 1945 that allowed US insurance companies/ managed care organizations to avoid federal anti-trust investigation and enforcement, and hence to increased market power.Here we discussed failure of the executive branch, an... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028069 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:09:00 +0100 5028069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975825&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fs2-Usb210eI%2F By Sallie JamesSen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,  Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and the White House have just announced that they have made a deal to extend Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA, the program that extends extra unemployment and health care benefits to workers who lose their jobs because of globalization) until 2013, as part of a broader deal that would see passage of the three outstanding preferential trade agreements with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. The extension of TAA would be included in the legislation to implement the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement, “improved” (i.e., made less liberalizing) by the administration in December. Interestingly and alarmingly, because implementing the FTAs... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975825 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:17:38 +0100 4975825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934028&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Ftwo-more-settlements-one-more-corporate.html And the legal settlements for health care organizations keep right on marching along.  Here are the basics, per the Wall Street Journal, starting with the outline of the first settlement for Novo Nordisk:Drug maker Novo Nordisk A/S's U.S. affiliate has agreed to pay more than $25 million to end investigations by U.S. authorities related to the marketing of NovoSeven and several diabetes drugs.In one settlement, Novo Nordisk Inc., the U.S. affiliate, agreed to pay $25 million to end a probe and settle a civil lawsuit related to alleged improper marketing practices regarding Novo Seven, which is used to treat patients suffering from rare bleeding disorders. The complaint had alleged that Novo Nordisk promoted NovoSeven for unapproved uses. Here is the outline of the second settlement:Se... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934028 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:12:00 +0100 4934028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911450&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmxymmNehZsA%2F By Malou InnocentAs confirmed by yet another U.S. government report, this one prepared by the Democratic majority staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, America’s nation-building mission in Afghanistan has had little success in creating an economically viable and politically independent Afghan state. The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung writes: The report also warns that the Afghan economy could slide into a depression with the inevitable decline of the foreign military and development spending that now provides 97 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. [Emphasis added] U.S. leaders could look at that statistic and justify prolonging the mission. In fact, the report suggests, “Afghanistan could suffer a severe economic depression when foreign troops leave in 2014... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911450 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 17:10:41 +0100 4911450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876384&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-doctors-and-dentists-start-requiring-mutual-privacy-agreements-with-patients%2F2011.05.28 We (especially doctors themselves) like to think docs are smart. While all are very well educated in medicine, it doesn’t mean they’re actually smart at much else. Docs are well known to lose gobs of money in stupid ‘investements’ like Avacado farms and ostrich ranches (and yes, there are those with the chicken ranch problems, as well). Here’s a dumb thing some docs are adopting I hope goes away quickly, as it’s actually not in the best interest of medicine: When I walked into the offices of Dr. Ken Cirka, I was looking for cleaner teeth, not material for an Ars Technica story. I needed a new dentist, and Yelp says Dr. Cirka is one of the best in the Philadelphia area. The receptionist handed me a clipboard with forms to fill out. After the usual patient information form, there... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876384 Sat, 28 May 2011 21:00:21 +0100 4876384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820781&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fwas-wright-medical-ceo-really-pleased.html This story fits into the "if you believed that one, I have a bridge to sell you" category.  Let's go back seven months to 2010, when we discussed the legal settlement, which included submission to deferred prosecution and corporate integrity agreements by Wright Medical, a device manufacturer.  We noted that the company CEO, one Gary D Henley, said he was "pleased to announce these agreements and look[ing] forward to working with the independent monitor as we continue our commitment to the highest standards of ethical and legal conduct."  At the time, we wondered whether the only real reason he was pleased was that he got to keep his job (with total compensation of greater than $2 million a year) and hang onto his stock options (then consisting of 43... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820781 Fri, 13 May 2011 20:21:00 +0100 4820781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789203&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fl0GNcXjeCls%2F By Daniel GriswoldOur friends at the Economic Policy Institute are at it again, issuing another study this week that shows some particular trade agreement has costs X thousands of jobs over a certain number of years. The latest target of EPI’s flawed model is the North American Free Trade Agreement. Enacted in 1994, NAFTA has created a free trade zone comprising the United States, Canada, and Mexico. According to the EPI report, U.S. trade deficits with Mexico as of 2010 displaced production that could have supported 682,900 U.S. jobs; given the pre-NAFTA trade surplus, all of those jobs have been lost or displaced since NAFTA. This estimate of 682,900 net jobs displaced takes into account the additional jobs created by exports to Mexico. The report’s author, Robert Scott, claims it f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789203 Fri, 06 May 2011 01:40:06 +0100 4789203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709168&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fjohnson-and-johnson-runs-afoul-of.html Johnson and Johnson, the once highly reputed international pharmaceutical and device company, cannot catch a break.  International Bribery ChargesAs reported by Bloomberg, the latest story is about bribery claims across multiple countries and two continents:Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), the world’s second-biggest seller of medical products, will pay $70 million after admitting that the company bribed doctors in Europe and paid kickbacks in Iraq to win contracts and sell drugs and artificial joints.Subsidiaries of J&J paid bribes to doctors and hospital administrators in Greece, Poland and Romania, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice said today in filings at U.S. District Court in Washington. The company also made illegal payments to Iraqi officials to... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709168 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:47:00 +0100 4709168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684270&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpKlx44gYfOU%2F By Daniel GriswoldTo no great surprise, the Obama administration announced today that it has cut a deal with the government of Colombia to address concerns about labor protections and to finally move toward enacting the long-stalled free-trade agreement between our two countries. This is welcome news for trade expansion and for strengthening our ties to a key Latin American ally. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos is expected to arrive later this week in Washington to cement the deal. In exchange for the agreement, Colombia has reportedly agreed to expand its efforts to protect union members from violence and to more vigorously prosecute those responsible. As my Cato colleague Juan Carlos Hidalgo and I documented in a Cato study earlier this year, concerns about labor protections were ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684270 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:54:59 +0100 4684270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4544943&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6jeuUQdVw-o%2F By Daniel GriswoldPresident Obama and Mexican President Calderon announced this afternoon that the U.S. government will finally allow qualified, safety certified Mexican truckers to deliver goods in the United States, fulfilling a commitment our government made more than 17 years ago in the North American Free Trade Agreement. It’s about time. America’s violation of the agreement had resulted in sanctions against $2.4 billion worth of U.S. exports to Mexico. According to one press report today, The plan, announced at a news conference by the two presidents, will allow for half of those tariffs to be lifted immediately. It will establish a reciprocal, phased-in pilot program that allows Mexican trucks to operate inside the U.S. provided they comply with a series of safety and driver-ski... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4544943 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 19:59:44 +0100 4544943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489636&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fe2n1jTBYksY%2F By Christopher PrebleIn testimony yesterday before the House Armed Service Committee, Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated that the United States has an “interest” in keeping troops in Iraq past the agreed date of withdrawal, December 31, 2011.  Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) pressed Gates by asking: How can we maintain all of these gains that we've made through so much effort if we only have 150 people there and we don't have any military there whatsoever," Hunter asked. "We'd have more military in Western European countries at that point than we'd have in Iraq, one of the most central states, as everybody knows, in the Middle East? The logic of Rep. Duncan’s question provides some interesting context. His logic implies that the thousands of U.S. troops stationed in wealthy, develo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489636 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:48:45 +0100 4489636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4446032&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqZDR45Q5V5o%2F A trade deal being negotiated between Canada and the European Union could cost Canadians another $2.8 billion annually in drug costs - notably, by delaying the availability of lower-cost generics in Canada by about 3.5 years - if certain proposals are cemented, according to a new report commissioned by generic drugmakers. During the talks, the EU has sought various changes in Canadian laws and regulations governing intellectual property concerning brand-name meds. These include extending the term of patent protection by up to five years if drugs are bogged down in the regulatory approval process; lengthening the period of data exclusivity from eight years to 10 years or more; and strengthening notice of compliance regulations by adding an appeals process. The upshot is that Canadian payers... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4446032 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:24:19 +0100 4446032 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265627&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Felan-eisai-settle-for-related-reasons.html The parade of legal settlements of bad behavior by major health care organizations marches on. The latest to shuffle by are Elan Corp, based in Ireland, and Eisai Inc, based in Japan, for actions taken in the US.  According to Bloomberg:Elan Corp. will pay $203 million and a U.S. unit of the Irish drugmaker will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge to resolve an investigation of its marketing of the epilepsy medicine Zonegran.Elan will pay $102.9 million to resolve civil claims and $100 million in criminal fines and forfeitures, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Japanese drugmaker Eisai Inc., which bought the drug from Elan in 2004 for $128.5 million, also will pay $11 million to settle civil claims.The Elan Pharmaceuticals unit will plead guilty in federal court in ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265627 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:00:00 +0100 4265627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241686&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fabbott-laboratories-and-pig-roasts.html Help.... The health care muck is now being raked so fast I can't keep up.Abbott Laboratories, Prolific Stenters, Pig Barbecues, EtcIn the last week, multiple media outlets picked up the story of the cozy relationship between Abbott Laboratories and a doctor now accused of implanting too many cardiac stents for too much money.  The essentials were, as summarized from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Baltimore Sun articles -Dr Mark Midei was a prolific user of cardiac stents for patient with coronary artery disease (blocked cardiac arteries)In the June deposition, Dr. Midei estimated that in 2005 — before research revealed that many stents were unnecessary — he performed about 800 stent procedures. Instead of dropping in subsequent years, however, the number of ste... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241686 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:45:00 +0100 4241686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241949&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FU1IRA4muioM%2F Generally, trade agreements are discussed behind closed doors, but a New Zealand talk paper was leaked the other day and contains ideas that run counter to suggestions being pushed by US and the global pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the Public Citizen advocacy group, which publicized the leak, calls it a “direct challenge to the monopoly interests of major pharmaceutical corporations.” The disclosure comes amid negotiations that are being held this week in New Zealand among eight countries and the US that are participating in the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, or FTA. At issue is the extent to which the FTA would move beyond intellectual property standards in the World Trade Organization’s Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS agreem... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241949 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:45:36 +0100 4241949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233166&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa_QwBH92uOI%2F By Doug BandowThe U.S. and South Korean governments have agreed to changes in the free trade agreement negotiated by the Bush administration. The president rightly lauded the FTA as a good deal for Americans: “This agreement shows the U.S. is willing to lead and compete in the global economy,” the president told reporters at the White House, calling it a triumph for American workers in fields from farming to aerospace.” Approving the FTA has taken on added urgency after the European Union negotiated a similar accord with the South. Once that agreement takes effect, Europeans would have better access than Americans to the world’s 13th largest economy. Protectionism is always foolish, but especially so when one’s competitors are promoting open markets. The accord also offer... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233166 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:29:51 +0100 4233166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086250&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F34uxWd1bbcA%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe next G20 Summit, to be held November 11-12 in South Korea, is right around the corner. For free traders, the summit has taken on added meaning because of the promise President Obama made during the most recent G20 Summit held last June in Toronto to advance the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement (FTA): The last time I was in Korea, I said that I would be committed to moving [the FTA] forward. And today I indicated to President Lee that it is time that our United States Trade Representative work very closely with his counterpart from the ROK to make sure that we set a path, a road, so that I can present this FTA to Congress…. I want to make sure that everything is lined up properly by the time that I visit Korea in November. And then in the few months that follow that, ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086250 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:29:28 +0100 4086250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4055956&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FtsVcPs4lKRU%2F The proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has been causing a ruckus for nearly two years as consumer activists object to provisions that may allow European nations to seize low-cost generics under the guise of counterfeit products. The talks are designed to uphold intellectual property standards, according to this statement from US Trade Rep: “ACTA…will include state-of-the-art provisions on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, including provisions on civil, criminal, and border enforcement measures, robust cooperation mechanisms among ACTA Parties to assist in their enforcement efforts, and establishment of best practices for effective (intellectual property rights) enforcement.” But critics say the initiative goes too far and, with a final deal expect... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4055956 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:15:33 +0100 4055956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4045390&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVlI5FAUruKA%2F The ongoing trade talks between India and the European Union are inflaming passions among some consumer activists, who worry a Free Trade Agreement will limit access to medicines. And so a protest was held in front of the Indian Commerce Ministry in New Delhi in which an effigy of the minister was burnt. And then the police start swinging batons at the members of Delhi Network of Positive People, who are agitating on behalf of people with HIV and AIDS. Activists say the trade talks include proposals that could delay or restrict Indian generic drug makers by extending patent terms for brand-name meds, requiring data exclusivity and imposing tighter rules on enforcing borders. A recent report in the Journal of the International AIDS Society suggests prices could rise and access delayed to im... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4045390 Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:05:41 +0100 4045390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031186&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwright-medical-settles-but-wait-there.html Everyone loves a parade, and so the parade of legal settlements by prominent health care organizations continues.  The latest to march into view is Wright Medical Group, as reported by Bloomberg:Wright Medical Technology Inc. agreed to pay $7.9 million to resolve U.S. criminal and civil investigations into whether it paid kickbacks to induce doctors to use its hip and knee devices.Prosecutors in Newark, New Jersey, today charged Wright with conspiring to violate a federal anti-kickback statue through consulting contracts with orthopedic surgeons. The U.S. agreed to drop the case in 12 months if a monitor agrees that Wright has reformed the way it hires consultants.Wright, based in Arlington, Tennessee, also agreed to a $7.9 million civil settlement with the Justice Department and insp... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031186 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:51:00 +0100 4031186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885332&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyJGSdDLReOg%2F Several of today’s front pages feature iconic images of U.S. troops marching onto troop transports and into the sunset in Iraq. Today’s story by Ernesto Londoño in the Washington Post, features Lt. Col. Mark Bieger of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division,  “This is a historic mission!” Beiger bellows as his troops prepared to depart Baghdad for the last time, ”A truly historic end to seven years of war.” No disrespect to Col. Bieger and his troops, but the war isn’t over, and it won’t be so long as there are significant number of U.S. troops in Iraq at risk of being caught in the cross-fire of a sectarian civil war. The Iraqi government, more than five months after nationwide elections, remains in limbo. Talks over a power shari... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885332 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:40:04 +0100 3885332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3812956&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa4AacbiOrYs%2F By Christopher PreblePresident Obama’s announcement that the U.S. will meet the August 31 deadline for removing combat troops from Iraq is welcome news. It is encouraging that the president remains on track to end the war in Iraq as he promised to do. The president should continue this progress and adhere to the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and remove the 50,000 troops that will remain in Iraq by the end of 2011. Although political and security uncertainties remain, these concerns should not delay the withdrawal. There will always be excuses, especially from those who favored the war at the outset, for an open-ended presence. Such a policy reversal would be neither warranted nor wise. An expeditious military withdrawal from Iraq, and a handover of security responsibilities to th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3812956 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:58:29 +0100 3812956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635705&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fattempt-to-hold-health-care-leaders.html We have frequently noted how health care organizations accused of kickbacks, fraud, and other unethical and sometimes illegal behavior involving how they produce or market health care products or services often are allowed to settle the charges only with a fines to the companies, and sometimes with corporate integrity agreements.  Almost never are the people who authorized, directed, or implemented the unethical behavior required to pay any sort of penalty.  We recently commented on a case in which an executive of a medical device company accused of exaggerating the performance of a diagnostic test in development was charged, not with misleading doctors or patients by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but with misleading investors by the US Securities... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635705 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:30:00 +0100 3635705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3632258&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FW3E_vSN8ivw%2F By Daniel GriswoldThirty-nine members of Congress from both major parties sent a letter to President Obama this week urging him to seek passage of the long-stalled free trade agreement with our South American ally Colombia. The agreement to eliminate trade barriers between our two countries was signed in November 2006, but under the influence of their trade-union allies, Democratic leaders in the House have refused to even allow a vote. As signers of the letter point out (go here for a Cato analysis), the agreement would be good for our economy and good for U.S. foreign policy.  So far, the delay in passage has forced U.S. exporters to Colombia to pay $2.7 billion in extra duties that would have been eliminated if the agreement had become law. The bipartisan supporters also rightly note t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3632258 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:47:02 +0100 3632258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607814&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FEr0E-HGqV_8%2F The Free Trade Agreements being negotiated between the US and other nations has come in for some criticism by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), which is a group body of independent experts that is charged with monitoring implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by participating nations. And in a new report, the CECSR notes that the intellectual property obligations included in the Free Trade Agreement between the US and Colombia may hurt access to medicines and recommends a revision of the IP provisions. “The Committee is concerned that bilateral and multilateral trade agreements signed by (Colombia) may affect the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, in particular of disadvantaged and marginali... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607814 Fri, 28 May 2010 12:30:24 +0100 3607814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560218&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7gyl_CIugRU%2F By Sallie JamesThe Kerry-Lieberman-Graham (is he still part of these efforts?) climate bill summary has been leaked. I’m sure my colleague Pat Michaels will weigh in on its contents soon, but in the meantime I thought I would comment on the trade-related aspects of the bill, or at least the summary that is now in the public domain. As Scott Lincicome points out, the drafters have gone to great pains to emphasize that this bill is, like, totally about saving the environment.  (Which, by the way, is a bit of a turnaround). I’ve blogged before about why advocates of “border adjustment measures” need to be careful about the justification they offer.  In short, the World Trade Organization does not look too kindly upon disguised protectionism, and any legal challenger... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560218 Wed, 12 May 2010 16:48:23 +0100 3560218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515339&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOzLA9q35N5o%2F By David BoazTim Carney has a blog post at the Examiner that’s worth quoting in full: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued its 2009 congressional scorecard, and once again, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Tex. — certainly one of the two most free-market politicians in Washington — gets the lowest score of any Republican. Paul was one of a handful of GOP lawmakers not to win the Chamber’s “Spirit of Enterprise Award.” He scored only a 67%, bucking the Chamber on five votes, including: Paul opposed the “Solar Technology Roadmap Act,” which boosted subsidies for unprofitable solar energy technology. Paul opposed the “Travel Promotion Act,” which subsidizes the tourism industry with a new fee on international visitors. Paul opposed the largest spending bill in history, Obama’s $... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515339 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:24:48 +0100 3515339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508449&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F7UyDiZlYCdo%2F The drugmaker has formally agreed to a settlement with US Department of Justice that calls for paying $520 million to resolve charges that it improperly marketed its widely used Seroquel antipsychotic for unapproved uses, The New York Times reports. The deal is expected to be announced in the morning. Although a corporate integrity agreement is part of the deal, there are no criminal charges. This is not surprising, though. A settlement was expected ever since AstraZeneca set aside the money last fall to resolve two federal investigations and two whistleblower lawsuits over off-label marketing (background). The move also followed huge fines paid by Pfizer and Eli Lilly last year. The investigation, which was underway at the same time that AstraZeneca has been battling numerous lawsuits ov... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508449 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:35:46 +0100 3508449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494298&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAyhd8t2Aymo%2F By Jim HarperSecrecy breeds suspicion, and little in the intellectual property area has garnered more suspicion than ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. ACTA is a multilateral trade agreement that has been under negotiation since 2007. But the negotiations haven’t been public, and access to key documents has only been provided to people willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It is inconsistent with the U.S. public’s expectations to have government officials negotiate public policies without providing public access to the deliberations and the documents. There are some limitations and exceptions to this principle. Generic diplomatic relations probably develop best in an environment where candor can prevail. Issues related to national security may require secret ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494298 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:02:47 +0100 3494298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448806&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fwhat-me-worry-leaders-prosper-despite.html There were two examples in the recent news about how the leaders of health care organizations seem to prosper no matter what questions are raised about their organizations' ethics or performance.WellPointIt seemed that anger over a rate increase by a subsidiary of the huge insurance company/ managed care organization WellPoint was one reason for the revival of efforts in the US to enact some sort of health care reform legislation.  In our comment on this controversy, we noted that questions about the ethics of WellPoint's actions have appeared again and again.  Wellpoint...settled a RICO (racketeer influenced corrupt organization) law-suit in California over its alleged systematic attempts to withhold payments from physicians (see post here).subsidiary New York Empire Blue Cross ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448806 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:19:00 +0100 3448806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197610&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F46Mw8U1RmtU%2F By Daniel GriswoldThis has not been a good week for the national Democratic Party. Along with losing the Massachusetts Senate seat, the party took another step toward making hostility to trade liberalization a plank of party orthodoxy. As my Cato colleague Sallie James flagged earlier today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a press release yesterday criticizing a Republican candidate in upstate New York for contributing to the Cato Institute. And, of course, everyone knows that Cato is “a right wing extremist group that has long been a vocal advocate for extremist, unfair trade policies that would allow companies to ship American jobs overseas.” Among our sins, in the eyes of the DCCC, is that Cato research has supported tariff-reducing trade agreements, such as t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197610 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:23:51 +0100 3197610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023103&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcl_3Rv3NzC8%2F Sunday marked the third anniversary of the signing of a free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia. It is an embarrassment to our great nation that this agreement with an important Latin American ally still sits on the shelf three years later, a victim of congressional trade politics. As my Cato colleague Juan Carlos Hidalgo and I argued in a 2008 Free Trade Bulletin, and as I wrote in a more recent op-ed, the FTA with Colombia is a win-win for Americans. It fully opens the Colombian market and its 44 million pro-American consumers to our exports, while deepening our ties with one of our most dependable allies in the Western Hemisphere. The AFL-CIO and other opponents of the agreement demand that Colombia further reduce violence against trade unionist before approval can b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023103 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:33:31 +0100 3023103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992644&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fomnicare-ivax-settle.html Settlements and kickbacks and corporate integrity agreements, oh my (to the tune of "lions and tigers and bears, oh my")To quote the BusinessWeek version of the story:A $112 million settlement involving alleged drug kickbacks that the Justice Dept. announced with the nation's largest nursing home pharmacy and a generic drug manufacturer on Nov. 3 is part of a wide-ranging investigation of suspected Medicaid fraud by the pharmaceutical industry.Under Tuesday's settlement, Omnicare will pay $98 million plus interest to the federal government and a number of state Medicaid programs to settle allegations that it participated in kickback schemes with IVAX, J&J [Johnson & Johnson], and two nursing home chains. IVAX, a subsidiary of Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA), agreed t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992644 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:46:00 +0100 2992644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2846347&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_TKxtI_qwPg%2F Scott Lincicome sharpens his pencil today and calculates that Congressional failure to ratify the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement–a deal that was signed almost three full years ago–has so far cost American exporters $2 billion.  That tally increases $1.9 million each and every day. Since that time [the trade agreement signing], American exporters have paid approximately $1.9 million per day in Colombian tariffs that they wouldn’t have paid if the Democrat-controlled Congress had just passed the FTA back then and thus allowed it to enter into force. By my math, that means that Congress’ and (now) the President’s partisan stalling has resulted in a pointless tax on American businesses of almost $2 billion ($1.9798 billion = 1042 days times $1.9 million) a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2846347 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:32:08 +0100 2846347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678683&cid=t_152888_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F07%2Fdsm-v-update-and-transparency%2F Discussion: Is the Risk Syndrome for Psychosis Risky Business?”, this describes in detail the proposal for a new disorder called “Risk Syndrome for Psychosis.” You can access the proposed criteria for the disorder, including the text discussing characteristics, associated features, differential diagnosis, etc…. So far, there are 23 comments posted, constituting a rigorous debate about the pros and cons of the proposal. Whether or not 23 comments constitutes a “rigorous debate” anywhere, I’d point out of the seven work group members featured at the top of this article, only two of them bothered to engage in this live discussion. What’s that say about their interests in engaging in actual, legitimate scholarly discussion? (On a side note, if y... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678683 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:42:50 +0100 2678683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510273&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZOD3T40B9_U%2F The “buy America” provision in the misnamed stimulus bill was supposed to protect jobs in the U.S.  Alas, by encouraging foreign protectionism, the measure is likely to end up destroying American jobs. Indeed, the provision has all the earmarks of a grand political fiasco.  Reports the Financial Times: Confusion reins. For fear of missing out on contracts, many companies are demanding that all their suppliers are Buy American-compliant regardless of any exemptions. “Those companies that can comply are of course thrilled and are trumpeting that in their marketing. Those that cannot are in agony and are losing business and cutting workers,” says David Ralston, a government procurement lawyer at Foley & Lardner. “The many companies that find themselves in the gray area... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510273 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:35:01 +0100 2510273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2416846&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fnovo-nordisk-accepts-deferred.html Back in early 2007, we noted that several large drug companies were under investigation for possible involvement in the Iraq oil-for-food sanctions scandal. More than two years later, a US Department of Justice press release from last week includes the following:Novo Nordisk A/S (Novo), a Danish corporation based in Bagsvaerd, Denmark, has agreed to pay a $9 million penalty for illegal kickbacks paid to the former Iraqi government. Novo agreed to pay the fine as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the Department. The matter is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into the U.N. Oil-for-Food program.A criminal information was filed today against Novo in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia charging Novo with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fra... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2416846 Mon, 18 May 2009 21:58:00 +0100 2416846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389728&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fwellcare-settles-accepts-deferred.html 'Tis the season for deferred prosecution agreements for health care organizations. As reported by the Wall Street Journal:WellCare Health Plans Inc. agreed to pay $80 million to settle a Florida Medicaid fraud investigation that has embroiled the company since the fall of 2007, previously prompting a management shake-up and restatement of more than three years of the company's earnings.The settlement resolves federal and state criminal probes into allegations that WellCare defrauded Florida benefits programs for low-income adults and children of about $40 million by improperly inflating what it spent on care.WellCare, based in Tampa, Fla., administers medical benefits for about 2.5 million enrollees in government-sponsored plans in several states.Under a deferred prosecution agreement, the... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389728 Wed, 06 May 2009 19:21:00 +0100 2389728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287231&cid=t_152888_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F23%2Fjama-and-deangelis-respond-but-deangelis-should-resign%2F In an attempt to whitewash their own actions and responsibility to uphold the highest standards of academic publishing, Catherine D. DeAngelis and Phil B. Fontanarosa — editors of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) — published an editorial defending their handling of a conflict of interest and blasting the professor who brought it to their attention. In a classic example of shooting the messenger, it’s my opinion that DeAngelis and Fontanarosa absolve themselves of all blame, and suggest that any reports where they called Lincoln Memorial University Assistant Dean of Students and Professor Jonathan Leo Ph.D., a “a nothing and a nobody” were “erroneous.” (In other words, the editors of JAMA are apparently suggesting that the Wall... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287231 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:38:13 +0100 2287231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947099&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fyet-more-investigations-of-umdnj.html We have frequently discussed the plight of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the largest health care university in the US. Facing indictment for federal crimes, the university operated under a deferred prosecution agreement and the supervision of a federal monitor from 2005 to 2007. We most recently blogged about UMDNJ here, and see links backward.UMDNJ may no longer be under the monitor's supervision, ostensibly because of internal reforms of its management, but a recent story on NJ.com from the Newark Star-Ledger questioned the success of these reforms.The state's medical university was overcharging the federal government by millions of dollars, even while under federal oversight for similar violations of the law, according to internal reports.Those document... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947099 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:18:00 +0100 1947099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1909357&cid=t_152888_177_f&fid=38134&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbabybound.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F21%2Fthis-seems-fair%2F I see absolutely no flaw in this agreement.  This baby machine Kelly better get off her ass and start producing so I don’t have to drag her into court and wave this legally binding contract in her face. Don’t make me do it K.  Get to work!        (Source: B a b y B o u n d) B a b y B o u n d blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1909357 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:55:33 +0100 1909357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1841253&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F406366468%2F This looks to be the biggest such case involving a biotech. And this involves three - count ‘em, three - drugs that were allegedly marketed for years on an off-label basis in order to greatly widen the potential patient populations, according to court documents. The Cephalon payment includes $375 million in a nationwide Medicaid fraud settlement and $50 million for a corporate criminal plea (here’s the settlement agreement). The drugs in question - Actiq, a “medicated lozenge on a handle” approved only for pain in cancer patients and later linked to some 100 deaths; the Gabitril epilepsy med for adults and children over 12 years, but was pitched as an alternative to Valium and Zanax, and for treating for depression; and Provigil, a narcolepsy med that was promoted f... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841253 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:43:39 +0100 1841253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1806490&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F395106149%2F More than 100 advocacy groups from around the world are asking officials from countries negotiating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement to immediately publish the draft text of the document. The concern is that undisclosed provisions will undermine access to low-cost generics, among other things, such as require Internet service providers to monitor all consumer Internet communications. “The lack of transparency in negotiations of an agreement that will affect the fundamental rights of citizens of the world is fundamentally undemocratic,” the groups wrote in their letter. “It is made worse by the public perception that lobbyists from the music, film, software, video games, luxury goods and pharmaceutical industries have had ready access to the ACTA text and pre-text d... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1806490 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:20:09 +0100 1806490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1386810&cid=t_152888_109_f&fid=34753&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.relaxedtherapist.com%2Fmy-client-wont-do-as-i-say%2Fwhatif%2F One of the major challenges to the therapeutic alliance arises when the client fails to follow the therapist’s advice. Therapists can often be heard to complain that clients reject their instructions (sorry, “advice”) out of hand: Don’t they want to get better? Why won’t they do as they’re told? When considering how you will respond to a client who is not following your advice, there are three questions you should ask yourself: why should your clients do anything you say? why should your client do what you’re saying now? why wouldn’t clients follow your suggestions? Why should clients do anything you say? Take a moment to consider your role and relationship to your clients. Are you: a taxi-driver: your client presents you with a destination to which ... The Relaxed Therapist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1386810 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:16:01 +0100 1386810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155817&cid=t_152888_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fwho-will-monitor-monitors.html We have discussed deferred prosecution agreements involving a number of notable US health care organizations, e.g, a hospital (Roger Williams Medical Center), health care university (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey), not-for-profit health care insurer (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island), pharmaceutical company (Bristol-Myers-Squibb), and multiple medical device companies (Biomet, DePuy, Smith and Nephew, and Zimmer).Deferred prosecution agreements may be made between federal prosecutors and corporations, including not-for-profit corporations. I am not a lawyer, but my best interpretation is that pursuant to these agreements, usually the corporation involved agrees to specific compliance measures, often including the appointment of a "monitor," and in return, the pro... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155817 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:35:00 +0100 1155817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015911&cid=t_152888_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F181979143%2F The drugmaker struck a deal with the US Attorney in Philadelphia, and will sign a corporate integrity agreement after agreeing to a misdemeanor violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The probe reportedly focused on whether Cephalon sales reps were improperly marketing its Provigil narcolepsy drug, which docs have prescribed to treat depression and ADHD. The settlement doesn’t come as a surprise. Cephalon has been under a microscope for off-label marketing for awhile. Last February, the FDA sent the drugmaker a warning letter ordering an end to promotional material for Provigil that included claims that the drug could be used to treat fatigue, which isn’t an approved use. Two months ago, Cephalon sent letters to docs this week warning that several deaths have been linked... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015911 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:30:39 +0100 1015911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580261&cid=t_152888_109_f&fid=34753&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.relaxedtherapist.com%2F%3Fp%3D57 One of the major challenges to the therapeutic alliance arises when the client fails to follow the therapist’s advice. Therapists can often be heard to complain that clients reject their instructions (sorry, “advice”) out of hand: Don’t they want to get better? Why won’t they do as they’re told? When considering how you will respond to a client who is not following your advice, there are three questions you should ask yourself: why should your clients do anything you say? why should your client do what you’re saying now? why wouldn’t clients follow your suggestions? Why should clients do anything you say? Take a moment to consider your role and relationship to your clients. Are you: a taxi-driver: your client presents you with a destinat... The Relaxed Therapist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580261 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 07:00:13 +0100 2580261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561333&cid=t_152888_109_f&fid=34753&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.relaxedtherapist.com%2F%3Fp%3D57 One of the major challenges to the therapeutic alliance arises when the client fails to follow the therapist’s advice. Therapists can often be heard to complain that clients reject their instructions (sorry, “advice”) out of hand: Don”t they want to get better? Why won”t they do as they”re told? When considering how you will respond to a client who is not following your advice, there are three questions you should ask yourself: why should your clients do anything you say? why should your client do what you”re saying now? why wouldn”t clients follow your suggestions? Why should clients do anything you say? Take a moment to consider your role and relationship to your clients. Are you: a taxi-driver: your client presents you with a destinat... The Relaxed Therapist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561333 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 07:00:13 +0100 2561333