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 'ceo'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:59:49 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050461&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fhealth-care-for-very-rich-is-different.html Another glimpse of health care for the very rich comes by way of a BNet post by Jim Edwards about the beleaguered CEO of Forest Laboratories.The background is that:The CEO is fighting to retain his place atop the company against both investor Carl Icahn, who wants his own directors on Forest’s board, and the Department of Health & Human Services, which wants to exclude Solomon from the drug business as a punishment for the company settling a $313 million investigation by the Department of Justice over its illegal marketing of Levothroid and other drugs.We had posted about the government threat to disbar him from government business after his company here. Edwards noted that despite these setbacks, Solomon's total compensation actually increased:Forest Labs (FRX) reported that CEO How... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050461 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:16:00 +0100 5050461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952748&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fmanagers-coup-how-hired-hands-got.html We have frequently discussed the perverse incentives provided to the leaders of health care organizations.  They almost never pay a penalty for presiding over organizational actions that are unethical, harmful to patients, or even criminal (e.g., see posts here and here for some very recent examples.)  However, they often collect outrageously huge compensation disproportionate to any reasonable measure of their organizations' performance.  (e.g., see posts here and here for relevant recent examples.)Now two news articles, based in turn on research studies, further illuminate how hired managers and executives have become so wealthy and unaccountable.The first news article was in the New York Times, and was in turn based on an accounting study.  In summary, a recent,... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952748 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:47:00 +0100 4952748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893342&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fshould-phenomenal-1-million-ceo-be.html A recent story with some local color once again illustrates the cognitive dissonance evoked by current patterns of compensation of health care leaders.Let me start chronologically. The Stratospheric Compensation of the CEO, and Its JustificationIn 2009, the compensation given to the CEO of the Palomar Pomerado Health, a public health system in the vicinity of San Diego, California, provided some headlines. As reported then by the San Diego Times-Union,Palomar Pomerado Health CEO Michael Covert has received a 26 percent — or $154,000 — pay raise.The increase, approved by the hospital district’s board of directors last month, is retroactive to July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year, board Chairman Bruce Krider said.The increase brought Covert’s pay from $582,000 a year to $736,000 ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893342 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:40:00 +0100 4893342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862467&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fmillion-dollar-plus-hospital-ceo.html Health care leaders' compensation has again been in the news. Below are highlights from stories about four medical centers, emphasizing the magnitude of executive compensation, how it is related, or not to hospital and executive performance, and whether and how the organizations' boards chose to justify it. The medical centers are in alphabetical order. University of Pittsburgh Medical CenterCompensationAccording to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:In tax documents released Friday, Jeffrey Romoff, president and CEO of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, received $4.01 million in salary, bonuses and benefits that year.Also,Other top earners at UPMC include neurosurgeons Ghassan Bejjani, $2.37 million in salary and benefits, and Richard Spiro, $2.23 million; cardiothoracic surgeon James ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862467 Wed, 25 May 2011 18:31:00 +0100 4862467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841388&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fseverance-package-to-un-severed-ceo.html The latest jaw-dropping story about executive compensation in health care has been unfolding in California, but at least now I have a diagnosis for this syndrome.  A Generous Retirement Package, Paid Before RetirementIn April, the Los Angeles Times reported about the generous retirement package given to an outgoing public hospital district CEO in California:When he turned 65 two years ago, Samuel Downing received a $3-million retirement payment from a public hospital district in Salinas, Calif., where he serves as president and chief executive.But Downing continued working at his $668,000-a-year job for another two years, and after he retires this week, he will receive another payment of nearly $900,000. That comes on top of his regular pension of $150,000 a year.Note that not only wa... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841388 Thu, 19 May 2011 21:11:00 +0100 4841388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821152&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8_ncvLrxyio%2F Having finally capitulated to long-standing calls from investors to provide a dividend (see here), Amgen ceo Kevin Sharer is now under attack over his compensation. In the run up to the annual meeting next week, one shareholder advisory firm argues there is a ‘disconnect’ between his pay and performance, and is urging stockholders to reject an Amgen proposal to ratify his package. In a 22-page report, ISS Proxy Advisory Services recommends shareholders vote no “in light of the disconnect between the ceo’s 53 percent pay increase and the company’s above-median benchmarking, in contrast to lagging and mediocre shareholder returns.” ISS goes on to argue Sharer received 200 percent of the CEO peer median figure. And so, “further analysis is warranted.&... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821152 Thu, 12 May 2011 14:43:45 +0100 4821152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753972&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fb_qg-ukLNv0%2F The ongoing refusal by Johnson & Johnson to partipicate in the Medicines Patent Pool, which is an initiative designed to streamline patent licensing for producing generics of patented HIV meds and offering lower prices in poor countries, has now generated a scolding from Doctors Without Borders, the international humanitarian organization. In a statement, the group accuses the health care giant of turning its corporate back on HIV patients by undermining access to key AIDS drugs. J&J holds patents on rilpivirine, which is being developed as a first-line HIV treatment, as well as darunavir and etravirine, two meds that treat HIV patients who have become resistent to other drugs. The missive appears carefully timed. Later this week, J&J will hold it annual shareholder meeting,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753972 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:28:30 +0100 4753972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4715016&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYiEPmFQ6yMo%2F And so another work week will soon draw to a close. This means, of course, the time has come to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda includes spring cleaning, taking one of our short people to a soccer match and catching up on some sleep. What about you? Anything special planned? A walk in the park? Reaching out to an old friend? Maybe planning the rest of your life? Whatever you do, have a great time. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits. Catch you soon… EU Backs Boehringer Pradaxa Stroke Prevention Drug (Reuters) US Will Negotiate Medicare Drug Prices: Obama (Pharma Times) EU OKs Bydureon Diabetes Med From Lilly & Amylin (Reuters) Genzyme MS Drug Shows Promising Five-Year Results (Mass High Tech) Glaxo To Sell Plant And Eliminate 250 Jobs (Memphis Business Journal) Glaxo To Se... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4715016 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:33:47 +0100 4715016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704953&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FvChY-ezO6Pc%2F Outraged by the track record displayed by Johnson & Johnson ceo Bill Weldon, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees pension fund is urging shareholders to vote against the executive compensation proposals for Johnson & Johnson - and Pfizer, too. Why? Simply put, neither J&J ceo Bill Weldon or Pfizer ceo Ian Read deserve the money they are getting. Reasons To Be Upset? According to AFSCME, despite underperforming its peers over 1- and 3-year total shareholder return timeframes - 5.14 percent in the past year versus 19.15 for rivals, Weldon is one of the highest paid ceo’s making far more than his peers. There is excessive pay and flat share performance during his tenure: over the past nine years, Weldon received nearly $194 million while J&#038... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704953 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:01:23 +0100 4704953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693508&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FrnpVtSoFzBk%2F Once again, another working week will soon draw to a close. And this, of course, is our signal to begin daydreaming about weekend activities. Our modest agenda includes chauffering our short people around town, taking a nap or two and attending the latest installment in what we call the ‘Let’s See Them Before They Die’ concert series. And you? Anything special planned? Maybe a walk in the park? Curling up with a good e-book? Or you could finish your taxes, even if no one is in Washington to process your return. Whatever you do, have a great time. See you soon… Amgen CEO Got $21M Compensation In 2010 (Associated Press) Indian Company Ends Sale Of Lethal Injection Drug To The US (The Atlantic) FDA Will Be Severely Limited By Government Shutdown (CNN Money) Canadian P... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693508 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 11:43:35 +0100 4693508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4627023&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQC6EHv3GSyQ%2F Good morning, everyone. A spot of snow is falling on the Pharmalot corporate campus today. So much for spring. Nonetheless, we persevere thanks, in part, to a cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Southern Pecan. Meanwhile, we are gearing up for those meetings and deadlines, and trust you are doing the same. To help you along, here are some tidbits from around the world. Hope you have a productive day and catch you soon… Novartis Must Wait Longer For FDA Decision On COPD Drug (Reuters) Glaxo Scraps Plan To Market Prostate Cancer Med (Associated Press) Former Pfizer CEO And His Severance (Associated Press) Medicare Ordered To Pay For Off-Label Drugs (American Medical News) Bristol Pays CEO Andreotti $11M In Compensation (Associated Press) Gilead HIV Drug Meets Main Trial Goal (Reut... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4627023 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:05:07 +0100 4627023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622504&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FGD7EsfMNbB4%2F In this age of skyrocketing compensation for chief executives and dwindling prospects for drugmakers, there is increasing investor angst that boardrooms are either out of touch, unimaginative or simply indifferent to the protestations that pay packages do not match shareholder interests. The issue has engulfed Johnson & Johnson’s Bill Weldon and, in years past, Dan Vasella at Novartis, for instance. So what to do? Well, pharma boards could start by shifting away from an emphasis on financial measurements - such as EPS, or earnings per share, and EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization - to calculate and compare performance, and start focusing on pipeline innovation, according to The Hay Group, a consulting firm that measured ceo pay and incentiv... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622504 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:40:01 +0100 4622504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615427&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9mVJw9XqOAA%2F For those wondering when Bill Weldon will gracefully relinquish the corner office at Johnson & Johnson headquarters, well, he has no plans to do so until the widespread manufacturing problems are fixed. In an effort to rebut increasing speculation about his departure and criticism of his oversight, he says that he has more work to do and that he will retire when he is good and ready. “That’s, to me, what is first and foremost in my mind,” Weldon tells Bloomberg News in response to questions about the widespread recalls and recent FDA consent decree (see here and here). “People that know me said I’ll fix this problem and, you know, I will fix it.” And the 62-year-old ceo dismisses retirement talk: “It will be the right time (at some point). When it is, I don’t know... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615427 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:16:03 +0100 4615427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600794&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbOAeC2w3-i8%2F There are two ways to look at the 2010 compensation package given Johnson & Johnson ceo Bill Weldon. On one hand, the J&J board cut his overall take home by 7 percent, to $28.7 million from $30.8 million, since his performance bonus was slashed - by 45 percent to $1.9 8 million - thanks to all those product recalls and subsequent fallout among some consumers, investors and industry watchers. In other words, he suffered. On the other hand, Bill received a 3 percent merit raise, as noted previously (see here). Whatever your view, the payout reflected a rather dismal year - by most standards - for the venerable health care giant. In addition to congressional hearings; a manufacturing plant that is still closed for retooling; an erosion of consumer trust; $900 million in lost sales; ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600794 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:54:20 +0100 4600794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600798&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FNPe3p37WgVo%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. A spot of rain is falling on the Pharmalot corporate campus, but our spirits remain sunny. Of course, a cup or two of stimulation can help - our flavor this morning is Rain Forest Nut. Meanwhile, there are meetings and deadlines that await. So here are some interesting items to help you along. Have a great day and do stay in touch… Pfizer To Move Antibacterials Research To Shanghai (The Day) Abbott CEO Compensation Fell 2.5 Percent Last Year (Dow Jones) DEA Seizes Execution Drug In Georgia (Associated Press) Japan Nuclear Catastrophe Spurs Debate Over Radiation Pills (Bloomberg News) Those $4 Rx Programs Can Save US Billions (Reuters) Cephalon Sues US Over Fentora Generic Approval (Bloomberg News) Aegerion Receives Orphan Status For Lipid D... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4600798 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:53:04 +0100 4600798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560596&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FBmQMqz6sngk%2F Maybe there was a perverse logic at work when Genzyme screwed up its manufacturing so badly? The serious gaffes led to a $175 million consent decree with the FDA and closed a key plant; left patients with little or no supplies; angered investors, including Carl Icahn, who waged a proxy fight; and prompted a board probe into insider stock sales (back story here, here, here and here). But the mess also drove down Genzyme stock to the point where Sanofi-Aventis found that making a bid was too tempting to ignore. And so now the big drugmaker is paying $20 billion - or $74 a share plus contingent value rights - to acquire the beleaguered biotech which, of course, does offer Sanofi entree into biologics and other therapeutic areas. Meanwhile, Genzyme ceo Henri Termeer is going to float away hol... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560596 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:31:36 +0100 4560596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545255&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fj7-yb8Q-oVg%2F Rise and shine, everyone, another shiny day is on the way. What lies in store? Meetings and deadlines, no doubt, and we relate. To cope, we are brewing our mandatory cup of stimulation and invite you to join us. Meanwhile, we will pause to hustle one of the short people off to the local schoolhouse. So here are a few tidbits. Also, please note that we posted some items last night, but placed them above our morning greeting in the event some people did not see them. Have a great day and stay in touch… Traditional Drug Discovery Model Is Ripe For Reform (Nature) McKesson Fights $212M Pricing Fine Levied By Arizona (Courthouse News) Lilly To Outsource Bioanalytical Work (Pharma Times) Eisai To Cut 900 Jobs Over Five Years (Bloomberg News) Panel Told No Guarantees Against Unethical Resea... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545255 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:00:30 +0100 4545255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540741&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fx62YBPV-DcA%2F You can be forgiven for losing count. The latest stain on the once-venerable health care giant is a recall of 585,000 surgical sutures in the UK due to a risk the products are not sterile. Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit actually issued a notice to healthcare providers in December, but the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issued an alert earlier today. The sutures are marketed under various brand names - Ethilon, Ethibond, Mersilene and Mersilk - and are used to close surgical incisions and wounds. Some of the products in the 140 lots that were recalled may not have been sealed properly, posing a risk that they could become infected, according to the notice, which you can read here. J&J tells the Associated Press that the problem was caused by... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540741 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:02:20 +0100 4540741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489726&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F17%2Ffree-webinar-on-happiness-feb-22%2F We’re all seeking paths to increase happiness in our lives. Indeed, there are many different ways to improve your chances of happiness, but sometimes we just don’t know where to begin. Have I got the answer for you! The PBS series, This Emotional Life is hosting a free webinar and interactive discussion about happiness with some of the top happiness experts, in cooperation with Psych Central. Join us on Tuesday, February 22nd at 4:00 pm EDT (1:00 pm PDT) for the discussion — Holding on to Happiness in the Face of Life’s Challenges. Learn and listen in on a discussion about the most effective ways to find happiness. Featuring: Gretchen Rubin, author of the best-seller The Happiness Project, an account of the year she spent test-driving studies and theories about how... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489726 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:36:27 +0100 4489726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309562&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fsome-call-it-tyranny-top-leaders-of.html The state of California, and its flagship university system, the University of California, have been under extreme financial pressure lately.  The 36 Executives' DemandsHowever, that apparently has not decreased the University's hired managers' and executives' sense of entitlement.  They are threatening to sue if their pensions are not increased.  As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle,Three dozen of the University of California's highest-paid executives are threatening to sue unless UC agrees to spend tens of millions of dollars to dramatically increase retirement benefits for employees earning more than $245,000.'We believe it is the University's legal, moral and ethical obligation' to increase the benefits, the executives wrote the Board of Regents in a Dec. 9 letter ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309562 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:58:00 +0100 4309562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294580&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fhackensack-university-medical-center.html Last year was an embarassing one for Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), a large academic medical center affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  In April, former state senator Joseph Coniglio was convicted of fraud (against the public) and extortion for a scheme that involved him being paid $5000 a month for undefined consulting work for HUMC while he promoted the hospital's interests in the state legislature (see post here).  A subsequent investigative report revealed widespread self-dealing on the part of the HUMC board (see post here).  Soon after, the HUMC CEO, John Ferguson, announced his retirement, per the Newark Star-Ledger.Scandal Leads to Apparent ReformsSo when I read an article from last week on NorthJersey.com entit... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294580 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 22:47:00 +0100 4294580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265858&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F16%2Fwhat-are-doctors-doing-on-facebook%2F In a survey of 405 postgraduate trainee doctors (residents and fellows) from France, researchers examined how doctors are using Facebook — not only for themselves, but also in their interactions with patients. Facebook, if you’ve been sleeping for the past year and didn’t notice TIME magazine just named Mark Zuckerberg — Facebook’s CEO and founder — Person of the Year, is the world’s largest social networking site. It allows you to connect with other acquaintances (they use the term “friends,” but this is a ridiculous use of the word since most people’s Facebook connections are not traditional friends) easily, online. Perhaps too easily. The relationship between doctor and patient (or therapist and client) isn’t one based up... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265858 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 16:49:39 +0100 4265858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214036&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fconfidentiality-clause-or-oath-of.html The advancement of modern scientific medicine depends on the search for and dissemination of truth. Academic medicine, like the rest of academia, ought to be based on openness, transparency, and academic freedom. The 1940 American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure opened with:The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Yet we have written about dark clouds of secrecy spreading over medicine and health care. The increasingly powerful leaders of health care increasingly use opacity and secrecy to keep what they are doing out of the public eye. We have frequently discussed the anechoic effect, how it is just not done to discuss certain topics, particularly those related to the adverse effects ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214036 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:27:00 +0100 4214036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133612&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fgreat-investment-oppotunity.html A sad commentary on the current morality of the health care "business," as provided by the New York Times. Sam Waksal is back in the biotechnology business:Mr. Waksal says his new venture, Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, will be 'a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company from the get-go,' replete with everything, including its own research and products on the market or in clinical trials that it acquires from others. 'You’ll see a company that next year will be doing significant revenues in a growth area, with earnings, probably five Phase 3 programs and a couple of Phase 2 products,' Mr. Waksal said Sunday in a telephone interview. Phase 3 and Phase 2 are the late and middle stages, respectively, of clinical trials. Several of Mr. Waksal’s former colleagues from ImClone have joined him at ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133612 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:21:00 +0100 4133612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124961&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fblogscan-florida-doctors-endorse-ex.html Rick Scott was the CEO of for-profit hospital chain Columbia/ HCA.  The company ended up settling civil and criminal charges for $1.7 billion.  Like many other examples in the march of legal settlements about which we have often posted, no individual who authorized, directed, or implemented the relevant bad behavior suffered any sort of negative consequence or paid any penalty.  Rick Scott left the company, but with a golden parachute.  Now he his running for Governor of Florida, using a substantial amount of his own money (but money that probably mostly came from Columbia / HCA). (See post here.)  He may be in the lead.  And the Florida Medical Association has just endorsed him.  In the Health Beat blog, Maggie Mahar is all over this story.  Read it... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124961 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:35:00 +0100 4124961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060548&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsynthes-and-its-subsidiary-plead-guilty.html In December, 2009, we updated the story of Swiss-based medical device company Synthes and the marketing by its Norian division of a bone cement.  At that time, US authorities charged the company with use of an unapproved product in about 200 patients, three of whom suffered untimely deaths.  At that point, four US based Synthes executives had pleaded guilty to charges related to this affair.  Last week, another shoe dropped.  As reported by the Associated Press,A medical devices company will admit criminality and pay the maximum $23 million fine for illegally testing bone cement on about 200 spinal patients, three of whom died in surgery, U.S. prosecutors said Monday.Norian Corp. trained surgeons to conduct unapproved clinical tests of its bone cement from 2002 to 2004,... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060548 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:52:00 +0100 4060548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031185&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fpay-for-what-redux-surrealistic-pay-for.html Pay-for-performance has been a persistently fashionable mantra for health care business leaders and policy advocates, particularly as applied to physicians to control costs and perhaps even improve quality.  We have been highly critical of current methods proposed to measure performance and tie pay to it (e.g., here), and other bloggers, notably Dr Robert Centor at DB's Medical Rants, have vigorously pursued this issue (e.g., here).It is beyond ironic that meanwhile, the pay of health care organizations' leaders seems less and less related to their performance.  For example, in a recent series on local executive pay in the Boston Globe there were these examples:HologicHologic Inc. gave its chief executive, John W. Cumming, a $1.5 million “retention payment’’ ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031185 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:51:00 +0100 4031185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013258&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F29%2Ffraser-kirk-and-adjustment-disorders%2F In Australia, David Jones’ publicist Kristy Fraser-Kirk is suing the company she works for and its former CEO Mark McInnes for sexual harassment. David Jones is sort of like Macy’s, except it’s based in Australia. According to news reports, Ms. Fraser-Kirk, 27, is suing David Jones, Mark McInnes and nine directors of the company. She is seeking compensation for a number of different claims, including breach of contract, as well as punitive damages of $37 million. Not exactly chump change. But then again, maybe that’s what it takes to send a clear message about how sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the modern workplace. But due to the publicity surrounding the case in Australia, she’s now making a new novel claim — that the publicity has led to a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013258 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 10:20:49 +0100 4013258 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3998926&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fhealth-care-leaders-in-maine-fail-to.html From down east Maine comes a telling story about the problems of contemporary health care leadership.  I assembled this case from three articles by Meg Haskell in the Bangor Daily News, links are below. (1-3)Complaints About the CEO's Clinical PoliciesThe story begins with complaints about clinical policies instituted by the CEO of Acadia Hospital.[Acadia CEO David] Proffitt has come under fire in recent weeks from current and former Acadia Hospital employees who say the incidence and severity of staff injuries have risen since he initiated a policy that essentially eliminates the use of mechanical and physical restraints with mentally ill patients who become violent. (2)The concerns were raised with government agencies:Since the end of July, the federal Occupational Safety and H... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3998926 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:40:00 +0100 3998926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946400&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Flogical-fallacies-in-defense-of-million.html We recently posted about the latest example of generously paid health care leaders, million dollar plus hospital CEOs in the Baltimore area (here).  Such stories are appearing more often in the media, and increasingly generating skeptical, anguished, or angry responses.  Defending Millionaire Hospital CEOsSo it should be no surprise that the defenders of rich hospital CEOs are starting to rally.  The Baltimore Sun published two letters defending the million dollar plus compensation received by many local hospital CEOs.  But what arguments they made.First, let us examine in detail  the arguments made by Carmela Coyle, "president and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association."  She opened with this description of hospitals as organizations:Famed management expert... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946400 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:23:00 +0100 3946400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3925089&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIJjaeSI4FKc%2F Eliminating jobs is never easy, but some CEOs suffer less than others when it comes time to living with the consequences. For instance, did you know that the CEOs of the 50 companies that trimmed the most jobs since the latest recession began took home 42 percent more pay than their peers at S&P 500 firms? Who were the layoff leaders? Topping the list was Fred Hassan, the former Schering-Plough ceo, according to a report by the Institute for Policy Studies. Hassan received a $33 million golden parachute when the drugmaker was bought by Merck last year. Meanwhile, 16,000 jobs are being eliminated (background). Hassan’s total 2009 pay of nearly $50 million could cover the average cost of these workers’ jobless benefits for more than 10 weeks. Next up is the king of recalls, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3925089 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:01:48 +0100 3925089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920789&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fmore-hospital-ceos-join-millionaires.html As we predicted, more stringent requirements by the US Internal Revenue Service for financial reporting by not-for-profit organizations, including hospitals and hospital systems, have produced an enlarging parade of revelations of obese pay packages for hospital leaders.  The latest report came out courtesy the Baltimore Sun:Baltimore-area hospital CEOs and presidents boast seven-figure salaries, club and gym memberships, and paid financial planning and tax services as part of compensation packages from their nonprofit employers.According to a survey of Baltimore-area hospitals, the highest-ranking executives were often the recipients of financial payouts and perquisites that many private-sector companies have abandoned in the face of intense public debate about excessive CEO pay. The... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920789 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:09:00 +0100 3920789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3914933&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fcan-1-billion-group-of-babies-provide.html The issue of executive compensation in health care seems to be attracting more media attention.A St Louis Post-Dispatch editorial noted how executive compensation for for-profit health insurance CEOs has grown. It started with a quote from Steven Hemsley, the CEO of UnitedHealth:Today the American people are questioning whether or not we receive fair value for the $2.6 trillion we, as a society, are expecting to spend this year on our health care system. The vast majority, including those of us at UnitedHealth Group, believe the answer is, 'No.'Here is a summary of the compensation information:Modern Healthcare, a leading health industry trade journal, published its annual executive compensation survey this week. Topping the list is Stephen Hemsley, quoted above, who gave a speech to the D... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3914933 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:49:00 +0100 3914933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865227&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fbeing-health-insurance-executive-means.html WellPoint, the largest US for-profit health care insurance company, has provided a steady stream of examples of poor management and bad behavior for the edification of Health Care Renewal readers.  Most recently, a company whose core functions include reliably and confidentially managing electronic data on policy-holders allowed what should have been private data from nearly half a million people to appear on-line (see post here.  For other examples, look here.) This week, the Los Angeles Times recounted what happened to a highly placed WellPoint executive who tried to improve the company's behavior.  Leslie Margolin was the public face of Anthem this year when it sought to raise individual insurance rates as much as 39%. The move triggered a backlash in ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865227 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:52:00 +0100 3865227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865228&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fgolden-parachute-for-making.html In late 2009, we posted about problems at a Genzyme plant that manufactured some fabulously expensive drugs, e.g. Cerezyme whose cost to patients approximated $160,000 a year. We thought then that for a drug costing that much, the company ought to have figured out a conservative process to provide pure and unadulterated product. In a later post we also why a company that could afford to make its CEO very rich could not afford to adequately maintain its manufacturing facilities.  In May, 2010, we posted about a legal settlement of charges related to its manufacturing problems requiring Genzyme to pay a $175 million fine and function under US government supervision.Recent news articles suggest that the fix of the company's inabilities to manufacture pure, unadulterated drug remained rem... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865228 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:48:00 +0100 3865228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805786&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fwhere-no-hospital-ceos-are-below.html In Lake Woebegon, all children are above average.  Now it seems that hospital CEOs have moved there.  Ventura County, Where No CEO is Below AverageThe Ventura County (California) Star reported on the uniformly high remuneration of the CEOs of local, mostly small, not-for-profit hospitals and hospital systems.T. Michael Murray reaped $330,545 in 2008 as chief executive officer of St. John’s hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo. He drew an additional $187,071 in bonuses with $73,113 more in benefits and other compensation.His total package, according to IRS records, reached $590,729.And he may have been underpaid, according to a statewide survey of 118 nonprofit hospitals. The report by the Payers & Providers healthcare business publication suggests the base salary for CEOs aver... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805786 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:38:00 +0100 3805786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802342&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fhospital-ceo-as-debt-collector.html Last year we noted that the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) required more detailed reporting starting in 2009 by US not-for-profit organizations. Many US health insurance companies/ managed care organizations, most hospitals, nearly all medical associations, nearly all disease advocacy organizations, all health care charities, and nearly all medical schools are not-for-profit organizations. We suggested then that this reporting might lead to more transparency about the leadership and governance of these organizations.  The 2009 990 forms seem to be trickling into public view, sometimes leading to some striking disclosures about how US not-for-profit health care organizations are lead.The California Watch blog just reported about the interesting part-time job of a hospital CEO:The fo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802342 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:17:00 +0100 3802342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767033&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fnot-your-average-joes-health-plan.html A Denver Post article offered a brief glimpse into the health benefits of corporate leaders, on the unusual occasion of a former CEO now in legal fight for the health benefits in the style to which he had become accustomed:Poor Joe. He's not getting the health-care benefits he was promised.His former employer merged with another company, and then another, and then another. And, you know how it goes after a slew of mergers. Suddenly the new, conglomerated monster just doesn't care about retirees any more.Joe isn't going to sit back and take it like an average Joe. He's suing his former employer in U.S. District Court in Manhattan for breach of contract, breach of faith, breach of fiduciary duty and even promissory estoppel.The Joe in question was really:Lord & Taylor's CEO.Joseph E. Bro... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767033 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:37:00 +0100 3767033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710519&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fwellpoint-dont-know-much-about-computer.html Big US based health care insurance companies have not been covering themselves in glory in the last week.Aetna's Math ErrorsFirst, there was the case of Aetna's mathematical prowess, e.g., as reported by the Los Angeles Times:A second insurance company in California has killed plans for double-digit rate hikes for individual policyholders because of errors in its filing that would have inflated premiums, state regulators said Thursday.Connecticut-based Aetna Inc. had sought an average 19% increase in rates for its 65,000 individual customers, but pulled back after multiple math errors in its paperwork were found by its own staff and by an independent consultant working for the state.Aetna's decision follows a similar move by Anthem Blue Cross, which canceled a rate increase of as much as 3... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710519 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:49:00 +0100 3710519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695520&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fedwin-lee-on-tiger-we-are-now-riding.html Some insights about why the leadership of large health care organizations has gone so wrong may be found on a blog I just discovered entitled "Dismounting Our Tiger," written by entrepreneur Edwin Lee. In particular, this post, triggered by the miserable results produced by BP in response to the gulf oil spill, posits the series of steps by which people become leaders of most big organizations, presumably including health care organizations:1.They always followed orders and met the cultural expectations of their organization. They went along to get along. Early in their careers they were faced with a choice: they could make a difference or get promoted; they chose to get promoted. (Those who attempt to make a difference make waves for senior management and fellow workers who then deal with... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695520 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:59:00 +0100 3695520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652370&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Ffinding-out-about-health-care.html A persistent theme for Health Care Renewal has been how concentration and abuse of power in health care trap patients and heath care professionals in a maze of bureaucracy, perverse incentives, deception, and conflicts of interest.  To anyone who has to make the transition from person to patient, some of these problems become immediately obvious.  Consider, for example, this account of "going into a hospital for a minor procedure":The very idea of being a patient is anathema. To people of my generation -- the 'me' generation -- who like to be in control, the experience begins with loss of control. First the paperwork -- three or four times paperwork has to filled out and given to a succession of strangers. Then they take all of your belongings, they tell you to take your clothes ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652370 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:04:00 +0100 3652370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644726&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fkind-of-blackmail-not-for-profit-health.html Here is another case in the annals of over-paid executives of not-for-profit health care organizations, this time from the Burlington (VT) Free-Press,Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont overpaid its former chief executive officer by $3 million over an eight-year period and has been ordered to pay the money back to its subscribers by 2012 in the form of reduced premiums, a top state regulator said Wednesday.The action by the state Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration Department follows last year’s disclosure that William Milnes, the nonprofit firm’s former CEO, received a $7.2 million payout when he stepped down in 2008.Furthermore, note that [Commissioner of the Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration Department Paulette] Thabault said h... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644726 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:49:00 +0100 3644726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3629601&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fbp-ceo-says-thanks-video-of-the-day%2F Tony Hayward, BP CEO, is so very appreciative of the country’s support during this disaster. Do you think this video will help improve BP’s public image? via Huffington Post Post from: BlissTree BP CEO Says Thanks: Video of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3629601 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 12:30:54 +0100 3629601 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573637&cid=t_102266_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F18%2Fwhen-twitter-gets-creepy-people-who-force-you-to-autofollow%2F The third Twitter post in a row. But this one ain’t positive. It is about privacy and spam. Let’s first explain some basic things about Twitter. People can follow you without your approval, at least if you  have a public account. You can follow them back if you like. You just have to click on [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573637 Tue, 18 May 2010 00:30:15 +0100 3573637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595541&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Freading-between-lines-scrappy-wellpoint.html Giant US for-profit insurance company/ managed care organization WellPoint has provided numerous examples of problems with the current way health care organizations are lead.  Here we discussed charges that recent rate increases by its Anthem subsidiary may have violated previous agreements not to directly fund from premiums the golden parachutes of executives who left after the merger of Anthem and WellPoint; that WellPoint used magical accounting to make administrative costs appear to be from patient care; and that WellPoint investigated patients who developed cancer to find minor errors in their policy applications, and  used these as excuses for post-hoc cancellations (rescissions) of their policies.  And here we discussed a long list of WellPoin... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595541 Mon, 17 May 2010 16:26:00 +0100 3595541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573643&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Freading-between-lines-scrappy-wellpoint.html Giant US for-profit insurance company/ managed care organization WellPoint has provided numerous examples of problems with the current way health care organizations are lead.  Here we discussed charges that recent rate increases by its Anthem subsidiary may have violated previous agreements not to directly fund from premiums the golden parachutes of executives who left after the merger of Anthem and WellPoint; that WellPoint used magical accounting to make administrative costs appear to be from patient care; and that WellPoint investigated patients who developed cancer to find minor errors in their policy applications, and  used these as excuses for post-hoc cancellations (rescissions) of their policies.  And here we discussed a long list of WellPoin... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573643 Mon, 17 May 2010 16:26:00 +0100 3573643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3546833&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19-million-means-never-having-to-say.html Johnson and Johnson, the giant diversified health care company, recently shut down a factory that manufactured non-prescription childrens' medication, and recalled its products.  The findings from a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of the plant were striking.  As described by Reuters,The company recalled 40 widely used children's pain and allergy medications, saying some may have a higher concentration of their active ingredients, while others may be contaminated. J&J has had four recalls in the past year of over-the-counter medicines.In an FDA report issued on Tuesday, inspectors said they found thick dust, grime and contaminated ingredients at the J&J plant that produces Children's Tylenol and dozens of other products recalled last week.This infuriated t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3546833 Sat, 08 May 2010 19:05:00 +0100 3546833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515318&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwomen-in-the-workplace-is-it-2010-or-1910%2F photo: Thinkstock Bad news about the fight for workplace equality. Only 15 of this year’s Fortune 500 companies have woman CEOs – the same percentage as last year. Robin Marty of Care2 points out that most of the companies women lead are “women focused” companies – your food and cosmetic businesses. But Marty also points out that there are a few positive points about this year’s list. Xerox replaced one woman CEO with another – a first for the Fortune 500 companies. And almost half of the companies with female CEOs are in the top 100. Marty also questions what’s keeping women from succeeding to the extent that men do in business, especially since now, two women earn a business degree for every man who does. And women are steadily reaching positions of po... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515318 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:00:17 +0100 3515318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501494&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fpay-for-hypocrisy-for-health-insurance.html A few weeks ago, we discussed the cognitive dissonance produced by huge salary boosts for top executives of health care companies with miserable ethical track records.  One of our examples contrasted a long list of ethical violations by US giant health insurance company/ managed care organization WellPoint and the huge raises given its CEO and top executives.  Now more ethical questions are being raised about WellPoint.Rate Hikes Retrospectively for Golden ParachutesAn op-ed published in several California newspapers (here via the Sonoma Index-Tribune) claimed that the huge rate hike that WellPoint's California subsidiary proposed earlier this year, an action that helped to revitalize the US legislative health care reform process, was meant to recoup costs of a pre... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501494 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:09:00 +0100 3501494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463857&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6ULydgCBvF0%2F But it’s still not a bad deal. Dick Clark, who engineered the acquisition of Schering-Plough, got $11.9 million in total compensation last year, a 31 percent drop according to calculations by the Associated Press that were based on the proxy filing the drugmaker made with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week. Clark, who is 64 and nearing mandatory retirement, had a base salary of $1.8 million, up less than 1 percent from 2008, and a $2.85 million performance bonus, which was up a hefty 27 percent. His perks, meanwhile, fell 24 percent to $56,003, including $10,959 for home and personal security, $25,448 in unspecified commuting costs, $8,571 for personal use of corporate aircraft and $11,025 in company matches to his retirement plan (by comparison, Hassan received $169,45... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463857 Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:19:21 +0100 3463857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448806&cid=t_102266_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=3429131&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fnew-investigations-of-boston-scientific.html It appears that device-maker Boston Scientific has a new set of troubles.  The Boston Globe just reported:Stepped-up government scrutiny of Boston Scientific Corp. stems from heightened concern over medical safety and disappointment that the company made new missteps after resolving previous problems with the Food and Drug Administration, analysts said yesterday.The Natick medical-device maker, which has been working to settle patent suits and federal investigations dating back years, recently was notified of fresh investigations begun by the Department of Justice and the Securities Exchange Commission into problems that forced it to recall implantable heart defibrillators this month.Boston Scientific said March 15 that it had halted shipments and recalled unsold units of seven brands... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429131 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:39:00 +0100 3429131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429154&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Flie-to-your-kids-and-feel-good-about-it%2F If someone tells you they never lie to their kids, they’re lying. Some truth-stretching is essential in order to spare youngsters from life’s harsh realities, or just make parents’ lives a little easier. Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” coined his own term for it: Truthiness – truth that comes from the gut, not books. So, here are four instances when we give you permission to lie straight to your kids’ faces. Santa/Easter Bunny/Tooth Fairy Dilemma We know this one is controversial. Some hardcore parents spill the beans from day one about Santa Claus and the rest of them being big fat phonies. But those families miss a lot – leaving out cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer, hunting for eggs on Easter Sund... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429154 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:33:39 +0100 3429154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408636&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FFXDVbCJL-Tg%2F And so, another work week will soon draw to a close. We look forward to spending time with one of our not-so-short people and taking the official Pharmalot mascot for a long walk in the woods. Of course, there are also errands to run. What about you? Something special planned? While you ponder, here are a few items to help with those last-minute planning sessions today. Whatever the weekend brings, we hope you enjoy. See you soon… More States Join CVS/Caremark Task Force Probe (Bloomberg News) AstraZeneca Freezes Salaries For CEO, Other Execs (Dow Jones) EU Plans Recall Of Indian-Made Generic Plavix (Reuters) US Charges Pair For Illegally Importing Diet Meds (Wall Street Journal) Pfizer Loses Lipitor Patent Suits In South Korea (Bloomberg News) photo thx to tipiro on Flickr creative ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408636 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:19:57 +0100 3408636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403967&cid=t_102266_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F03%2F21%2Fhimss-2010-attendance-numbers%2F I always find the attendance numbers for a conference interesting. Ok, I pretty much find any statistics interesting. Just ask me about the statistics for my various websites and I can tell you them up and down. I’m a stats addict. So, it seems fitting that I share the HIMSS attendance stats: Registration: 27,855, compared to 27,627 at HIMSS09, healthcare industry experts learning about the latest solutions for improving healthcare through IT. Professional registration outpaced 2009 by 8.5% with 13,846, compared to 12,766 in 2009, registrants in this category Nearly 30% of those registering come from healthcare provider settings 11% of registrants are CIO and CTOs; nearly 10% are CEOs Almost 8% are from countries outside of the United States Here’s a nice graph of the number... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403967 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:08:35 +0100 3403967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403969&cid=t_102266_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2010%2F03%2F18%2Fvideo-interview-of-evan-steele-ceo-of-srssoft-emr%2F I must admit that one person that I was very excited to meet at HIMSS was Evan Steele, the CEO of SRSsoft. Evan and I had interacted a number of times online. Plus, I love an EMR vendor CEO that has a blog. Not just any blog, but one that broadens the discussion about EMR software and provides an alternate view to EMR adoption. Turns out that many people at HIMSS don’t like the hybrid EMR style of software that Evan Steele and SRSsoft are trying to create. There is certainly an argument to be made against it, but personally I like to see people approaching the challenge of clinical documentation in different ways. I also love how SRSsoft focuses so much effort and energy on the physician. If more EMR vendors had this focused, we’d have much better EMR software. Now this kind of... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403969 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:27:29 +0100 3403969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378519&cid=t_102266_106_f&fid=34805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FAwfulPlasticSurgery%2F%7E3%2FVOZ7y9KAZGo%2F No, he hasn’t had a... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit MyWebsite.com for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Awful Plastic Surgery) Awful Plastic Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378519 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:40:30 +0100 3378519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3280018&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F16%2Fmindapps-releases-ecbt-trauma%2F We’re pleased to announce that our partner MindApps has released a new iPhone/iPod Touch app known as eCBT Trauma. As you can guess, eCBT Trauma is focused on individuals who are coping with posttraumatic stress disorder — PTSD — in their lives. “With eCBT Trauma, we wanted to help people who have experienced a trauma by providing education and interventions to help them cope with the symptoms of PTSD,” said Michael Hufford, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder and CEO of MindApps. “eCBT Trauma can serve as an adjunctive tool for therapists to use with their clients, or as a standalone intervention.” eCBT Trauma is an iPhone application that provides users with a way to assess their symptoms after experiencing a trauma, graph their symptoms ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3280018 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:53:00 +0100 3280018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171890&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrBfejxnclPI%2F By Mark A. CalabriaPerhaps I am a little confused, but didn’t the Obama Administration tell the American public only months ago that TARP was turning a profit?   But now the same administration is proposing to assess a fee on banks to cover losses from the TARP. Maybe President Obama is coming around to the realization that the TARP has indeed been a loser for the taxpayer. He appears, however, to be missing the critical reason why: the bailouts of the auto companies and AIG, all non-banks. This is to say nothing of the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, whose losses will far exceed those from the TARP. Where is the plan to re-coup losses from Fannie and Freddie? Or a plan to re-coup our rescue of the autos? If the effort is really about deficit reduction, then it completely misses ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171890 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0100 3171890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100748&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwith-leaders-like-these.html My current favorite book about the global financial meltdown, aka great recession, The Sellout, by Charles Gasparino, featured vivid portraits of the bad leadership that lead to the collapse.  For example:Richard S Fuld, Jr, former CEO of Lehman Brothers (now bankrupt) - Fuld had become more isolated and arrogant. (p.208)As the firm's leverage increased, Fuld's grip on his management and board grew. He was revered by so many people in his circle of senior advisers that almost no one dared to speak out about the firm's risk and leverate, and almost never to Fuld himself. Everyone else was so scared to be cursed at in public or even fired that they simply kept their mouths shut.Fuld's leadership was more like that of a cult leader than even that of an imperial CEO. (p. 20... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100748 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:04:00 +0100 3100748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089237&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2F98-million-dollar-man.html We seem to have a new candidate for the award for best-paid CEO of a not-for-profit academic medical center, as reported in the New York Post,Wall Streeters aren't the only ones raking in big bonuses during tough economic times.Hospital presidents and CEOs also collect fat bonuses and 'incentive payments,' even as health-care systems cry poverty, claiming they struggle to break even against government cutbacks, tightwad insurers and skyrocketing costs.While warning of layoffs and slashed patient services, many hospitals shower their top execs and department heads with bonuses and perks. They include housing allowances, chauffeurs, first-class air travel, tuition for their kids and country-club memberships.Under new IRS rules, the extras are disclosed for the first time in recently filed 20... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089237 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:29:00 +0100 3089237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082380&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fperson-no-7-also-known-as-83rd-richest.html This one nearly snuck by.  A Settlement and Some IndictmentsIn May, 2009, we posted that international Swiss-based medical device manufacturer Synthes settled charges that it was paying surgeons who conducted clinical trials for the company with company stock, and in June, 2009, we posted that Synthes was indicted based on allegations that it had subjected patients to an experimental use of its Norian XR bone cement product on the spinal cord, a use not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and that its executives had lied to the FDA about these actions.  It was noteworthy that the indictment named but did not charge the then CEO of the company as "Person No. 7" who allegedly decided not to conduct clinical trials of Norian XR, but rather to have surgeons use it in a c... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082380 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:48:00 +0100 3082380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3066982&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fcompensation-madness-insiders-hijacking.html As we learn more about the causes of the global financial melt-down, aka great recession, the lessons appear more applicable to health care.  My latest example comes from last week's Wall Street Journal.  There appeared an article by a Professor from the Faculty of Management of McGill University (Montreal, Canada) on executive compensation that has important lessons for health care (Mintzberg H. No more executive bonuses. Wall Street Journal, Nov 30, 2009.  Link here.)Prof Mintzberg's first major premise was that current executive compensation at major corporations resembles a rigged casino:Although these executives like to think of themselves as leaders, when it comes to their pay practices, many of them haven't been demonstrating leadership at all. Instead ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3066982 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0100 3066982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3035877&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fwas-is-worst-biotech-ceo-worth.html Recently, we posted about misadventures of the leadership of biotechnology giant Genzyme.  Although the company has long priced its drug Cerezyme for the rare Gaucher's disease at a stratospheric level, it did not sufficiently reinvest money in its manufacturing facility for the drug.  Deferred maintenance at a production facility running at maximum capacity has apparently lead to two different kinds of contamination problems, forcing a shut-down of the plant, and now a shortage of the drug.  For this, Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer was just labeled the "Worst Biotech CEO of '09" by TheStreet.com.It was not always thus.  A 2008 profile of Mr Termeer in Boston Magazine chronicled the rise of Genzyme from a "startup [which] operated 15 stories above the Combat Z... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3035877 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:15:00 +0100 3035877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989406&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FJLhTlq5XXQc%2F The man who once told his shareholders he is the equivalent of a cheap date (in so many words) is also the highest-paid exec in Switzerland, according to a list published by Handelszeitung, the Swiss business journal (Swisster has translated for us). The newspaper writes that the pay given Novartis ceo Dan Vasella jumped by more than 20 percent in 2008 to 20.5 million francs. Dan is regularly criticized for serving as chairman and ceo by shareholder groups who would like to see the roles split in order to provide more oversight. But Dan has been arguing that he actually saves them money - separating the two jobs would be inefficient and costly. Hmmm……Meanwhile, the list ranks Roche chairman Franz Hummer in third place, although his income dropped 30 percent to 15.2 million fran... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989406 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:06:14 +0100 2989406 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977243&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fpaging-and-paying-dr-coca-cola.html A few weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times Booster Shots blog announced that "Dr. Coca-Cola will see you now," noting opposition to the recently revealed alliance between the Coca-Cola Company and the American Academy of Family Physicians:[in] a sharply worded letter sent Wednesday to Dr. Douglas E. Henley, the academy’s chief executive.'We urge the AAFP to regain its credibility by rejecting the deal with Coca-Cola,' the letter stated. 'If the AAFP declines to do that, we urge your organization to reassert its support for the public health (and its own independence) by supporting a warning label on caloric sugar-sweetened beverages and a federal tax on soft drinks to support health promotion or health insurance programs.'The letter was signed by 22 doctors, nutritionists and health adv... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977243 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:24:00 +0100 2977243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916081&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FziYjmUwKyB8%2F According to reports, executives from bailed out companies Citigroup, Bank of America, GM, Chrysler, GMAC, Chrysler Financial and AIG are going to see major pay cuts this year, which will be enforced by the president’s “pay czar,” Kenneth R. Feinberg. WaPo: NEW YORK — The Obama administration plans to order companies that have received exceptionally large amounts of bailout money from the government to slash compensation for their highest-paid executives by about half on average, according to people familiar with the long-awaited decision. The administration will also curtail many corporate perks, including the use of corporate jets for personal travel, chauffeured drivers and country club fee reimbursement, people familiar with the matter have said. Individual per... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916081 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:30:50 +0100 2916081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904996&cid=t_102266_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FMA9xqieJimg%2F We are very excited to announce the first SharpBrains Summit, a virtual conference to take place January 18-20th, 2010.  Over 25 leading speakers (see confirmed speakers below) and a professional audience will discuss emerging innovation and technology for lifelong cognitive health and performance. The Summit will highlight the convergence of neurocognitive research, non-invasive technology and healthcare, discuss emerging best practices, and help predict how a growing range of tools may provide solutions to cognitive health and performance-related issues. We are now finalizing agenda and contacting sponsors and partners. Details will be ready, and registration open, by the end of October. In the meantime, please Save the Date if you are interested in participating: January 18-20th 2010 ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904996 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:19:36 +0100 2904996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2820174&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fsafety-net-medical-center-ceo-gets.html From theBostonChannel.com comes this story on executive compensation in a not-for-profit health care organization,Boston Medical Center – a financially troubled hospital – gave its outgoing CEO a one-time, nearly $3.5 million payment, in addition to her $1.3 million annual salary, Team 5 Investigates reported Friday.Elaine Ullian, 61, has led the city’s major 'safety net' hospital for the last 15 years. She recently announced she will retire when her contract expires in January.The hospital's financial situation is such that hospital leaders say it could face closure in the years ahead. It is currently suing the Executive Office of Health and Human Services over how it gets paid for treating poor and uninsured patients.Team 5 Investigates discovered, in a review of the hospital’s f... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2820174 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:16:00 +0100 2820174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2768618&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fcaptains-outrageous-for-cape-annes.html While on a brief vacation on lovely Cape Anne, Massachusetts, one of my daily automated Google searches provided an article of local interest. The person nominated to be CEO of the local hospital system had been at the center of controversy while in his previous position as leader of a hospital system in Cincinnatti, Ohio. When I got back, I put some relevant terms into Google, and lo and behold, came up with one of the more complicated and colorful, if unhappy stories about problems with health care leadership and goverance I have seen lately. So, to the tune of "lions and tigers and bears, oh my...."Let me start with some background, and then to try to tell this story chronologically, noting issues as they came into public view. Northeast Health System is a regional hospital system in no... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2768618 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:13:00 +0100 2768618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751909&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fceo-begs-questions-about-paying.html We previously posted about financial ties between Professor David Polly at the University of Minnesota and medical device maker Medtronic. The main issues we discussed were 1) that when the good doctor spoke to a US congressional committee in support of research that might reflect favorably on one of Medtronic's products, he did not reveal that he was paid by Medtronic for "lobbying related costs (according to the Wall Street Journal); and 2) that many of the specific activities for which Dr Polly was paid by the company seemed related to marketing or lobbying, not science or education.Now the Pioneer Press (Minneapolis - St Paul, MN) and other papers have reported that the payments to Dr Polly have interested not only US Senator Charles Grassley, but at least one active Medtronic sharehol... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751909 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:14:00 +0100 2751909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730066&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fny-mayor-pharmaceutical-executives-dont.html We just posted about the onrush of people into health care management, including many with little knowledge of or experience in health care. According to the Associated Press, one prominent politician defended at least pharmaceutical company managers who "don't make a lot of money." [Warning, irony and sarcasm ahead.]Billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical companies and their chief executives on Friday, declaring that they 'don't make a lot of money' and shouldn't be scapegoats in the health care debate.The mayor — and wealthiest person in New York City with a fortune estimated at $16.5 billion — made the comments on his radio show Friday during a discussion about health care."You know, last time I checked, pharmaceutical companies don't make a l... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730066 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:19:00 +0100 2730066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511156&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F23%2F6-steps-to-manage-your-time-better-an-interview-with-russell-bishop%2F Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Russell Bishop, currently Senior Editor-at-Large for the Huffington Post and founder of Bishop & Bishop, a consulting and coaching company. Russell is the author of numerous articles on the power of choice and awareness, and has two books in development. An expert in personal and organization transformation, Russell has coached leadership teams, entrepreneurs, and CEO’s in 34 countries around the world. He has lectured for executive MBA programs at UCLA, University of Texas and Washington University. Russell received a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of California and currently resides in Santa Barbara, California. I’m glad that my husband Eric didn’t overhear our conversation, because Eric... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511156 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:43 +0100 2511156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510433&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fscrushy-owes-288-billion-for-damages.html As reported by the Wall Street Journal, here is another reminder about just how bad the leadership of health care can be,Richard Scrushy was hit with a staggering $2.88 billion civil judgment in a suit brought by HealthSouth Corp. shareholders, one of the largest findings ever from the era of massive corporate scandals.The plaintiffs said that the former chairman and chief executive helped artificially inflate HealthSouth's earnings for at least six years through an accounting scam uncovered in 2003.Lawyers said Thursday's judgment appears to be the largest financial penalty ever levied against a single executive.Mr. Scrushy was once the poster child of highflying CEOs. He was paid salary and perks of as much as $40 million a year, performed at company events in his country band and travel... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510433 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:18:00 +0100 2510433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452703&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fhow-do-you-find-a-good-therapist-an-interview-with-dr-john-grohol%2F Today I have the great pleasure of interviewing a hero of mine, the brilliant mind behind PsychCentral.com, the Internet’s largest and oldest mental health network … Dr. John Grohol. John is the CEO and founder of Psych Central and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues online since 1992. He lives with his wife and six cats north of Boston. I wanted tot interview him about therapy, since many of his blog posts deal with the relationship between therapist and patient, and I don’t think anyone else writes about it as candidly and intelligently as John. Question: In your very popular post “The 12 Most Annoying Bad Habits of Therapists,” you mention some red flags to watch out for. For folks who are currently shopping for the right shrink, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452703 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:25 +0100 2452703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441289&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fhealthsouths-digital-hospital-from-era.html The trial for a civil law-suit against Richard Scrushy, the former CEO of for-profit rehabilitation hospital chain HealthSouth, is currently in progress. One bit of testimony provided a reminder about how supposed "innovations" in health care are uncritically accepted. As reported by the Birmingham (Alabama, US) News:HealthSouth Corp. Chief Executive Jay Grinney has concluded his testimony in the Richard Scrushy civil trial, ending with a devastating critique of the so-called 'digital hospital.''It was a very bad business decision that made no sense,' Grinney said of the half-completed Scrushy brainchild on U.S. 280 he inherited when he took over in 2004.Ending his sixth hour of testimony over two days, Grinney said the hospital had an original budget of $200 million, and that much had alr... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441289 Wed, 20 May 2009 20:11:00 +0100 2441289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390259&cid=t_102266_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fwomens-gynecological-exams-another-victim-of-the-troubled-economy%2F “… At Mother’s Day, a new survey from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), www.ovarian.org, reveals some startling facts about women’s health: more than 52 percent of women expect the economy will impact their gynecological health choices, in many cases delaying or skipping their annual gynecological exams altogether.” “… New Survey From National Ovarian Cancer Coalition [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390259 Thu, 07 May 2009 04:08:50 +0100 2390259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2263911&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fhealth-care-ceo-who-didnt-put-his-own.html We recently posted about executives at two different not-for-profit health care insurance companies/ managed care organizations whose pay seemed to keep levitating, despite organizational financial losses, and commented on how the compensation of top executives of health care organizations seems always to go up, regardless of the financial fortunes, or quality of the products or services provided by their organizations. (Posts here and here.)Today's Boston Globe, however, provided a contrast. The background is that the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a renowned Harvard teaching institution, is facing a budget shortfall.Paul Levy, the guy who runs Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was standing in Sherman Auditorium the other day, before some of the very people to whom he m... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2263911 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:17:00 +0100 2263911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2232511&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2F43-million-dollar-ceo-for-not-for.html The US stock markets are at lows unseen for more than 10 years, unemployment is rising, around the world national deficits are increasing, and times are tough for ostensibly not-for-profit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the state's largest health care insurer/ managed care organization. Per the Boston Globe:Blue Cross-Blue Shield's business was affected by the stock market decline, the recession, and the increasing cost of medical care.Membership at the state's largest health plan declined about 40,000 to just over 3 million.'The decline in membership had an impact on results,' said chief financial officer Allen Maltz. 'In addition, many of our customers changed their benefits plans to products that have much lower margins.'Blue Cross-Blue Shield insures employees of national... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2232511 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:12:00 +0100 2232511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200359&cid=t_102266_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2009%2F02%2F19%2Fallscripts-market-share-and-hitech%2F I recently found an interesting post about AllScripts market share after the acquisition of Misys last year. Based on recent research, Allscripts is estimated to own about 21% of market share for the practice management system space. Further, of the 18% or so of medical providers who have adopted electronic health records, Allscripts has around 17% of that market. 21% of the EHR market is pretty huge. Congratulations AllScripts. I previously posted a really cool viral EHR video by AllScripts. I really like things like this that AllScripts is doing. It’s nice that a technology company is using technology to encourage EHR adoption. I have been a little soured towards AllScripts after I posted about AllScripts CEO being a HIT advisor to Obama. I just can’t comprehend how an EHR ve... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200359 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:53:22 +0100 2200359 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990694&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fquestions-of-benefits-vs-risks-for-upmc.html Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an investigative report on the liver transplant program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center which provided a troubling view of some the issues affecting US health care.Let me summarize the main points, as I would like to organize them, using quotes from the article, and my parenthetic comments.Liver Transplantation Strategies at UPMC were Aggressive and RiskyEarlier this decade, UPMC made an aggressive bid to reclaim its leadership by hiring an innovative surgeon named Amadeo Marcos, who promised to double the number of liver transplants the hospital did. Dr. Marcos delivered on his pledge. In doing so, however, he resorted to practices that some colleagues found questionable. These practices included:Lowering Standards for Donor Live... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990694 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:36:00 +0100 1990694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921193&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F436233429%2F Eager to appease anxious shareholders, the drugmaker quietly disclosed plans to mail a ’say on pay’ questionnaire to shareholders with its 2009 proxy. And the results will be available in the compensation, discussion and analysis section of the 2010 proxy statement. “This survey is evidence of our commitment to seek and consider shareholder input, as we did in 2006 with the shareholder survey on majority voting for directors,” Pat Russo, who chairs the board’s nominating and corporate governance committee, says in a statement, which is tucked away on the Corporate Governance page of the Schering-Plough web site. The survey stops short of the advisory vote on compensation offered by some US companies, but may benefit investor relations, IR magazine notes. Altho... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921193 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:50:43 +0100 1921193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901297&cid=t_102266_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emrandhipaa.com%2Femr-and-hipaa%2F2008%2F10%2F23%2Fone-emr-companys-view-of-cchit-certification%2F I posted the 2008 CCHIT List of Ambulatory EHRs and asked if any EMR Companies were interested in commenting on the CCHIT process. Joe Rubinsztain of gMed was willing to do a guest post on gMed’s experience getting the 2007 CCHIT Certification and the motivation for an EMR to become CCHIT certified. Joe provides some interesting insight into an EMR company’s perspective on CCHIT. CCHIT certification is the government’s way to ensure a common EMR denominator. In principle, this is a good idea to help confused physicians choose interoperable products with common features. In practice, however, CCHIT testing is young and requires fine-tuning to ensure that all requirements are practical and relevant. gMed recently earned CCHIT 2007 certification and we found the process useful,... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901297 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:26:43 +0100 1901297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883291&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fascension-healths-descent-away-from-its.html This week, the Wall Street Journal continued its series on US not-for-profit hospitals and health systems with a story about how Ascension Health is abandoning inner-city Detroit for the more affluent suburbs,Ascension Health, the country's largest nonprofit hospital system, says its mission is to serve all, 'with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable.' But in this city, where one in four people don't have health insurance, it's become harder for the poor and vulnerable to find Ascension.Last year, Ascension's local subsidiary closed Riverview Hospital, the third hospital it has shut down in Detroit in the past 10 years and the only hospital that remained on the city's blighted east side. Meanwhile, 30 miles away, in a suburb of multimillion-dollar homes, Ascension is open... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883291 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:35:00 +0100 1883291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1871105&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F416720606%2F In an era where ceo compensation is hotly debated, one sport is keeping tabs on the overpaid, but not overworked. So proxy advisor Glass Lewis has come up with a list of the most eggregious examples that it calls ‘Pay Dirt,’ which focuses on “the best examples of boards and compensation committees that have failed in their fiduciary duty to link pay with performance.” The 42-page report slices and dices ceo pay and performance several ways, but we noticed that King Pharmaceuticals ceo Brian Markison shows up on the firm’s ranking of the S&P 500 Overpaid 25, a dubious distinction. To be specific, Brian ranked No. 23 with about $30.3 million in total compensation, while King stock fell about 36 percent and earnings per share growth plummeted nearly 37 perce... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1871105 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:46:25 +0100 1871105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1860605&cid=t_102266_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F08%2Ffda-issues-a-warning-letter-to-labcorp-regarding-the-illegal-marketing-of-the-ovasure%25e2%2584%25a2-test%2F On September 29, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of In Vitro Diagnostic Device Evaluation and Safety (OIVD), Center for Devices and Radiological Health, issued a warning letter (FDA Warning Letter) to the Chief Executive Officer of the Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) regarding the illegal marketing of the OvaSure™ ovarian cancer [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1860605 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:39:45 +0100 1860605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825538&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Ffailed-masters-of-universe-running.html The Wall Street Journal Health Blog recently reported about some New York City hospitals worried about the current financial/ economic crisis, but for interesting reasons:To give you a sense of how the crisis on Wall Street is affecting New York hospitals, we need only provide the names of some financial execs who are on the board and donor list of of New York-Presbyterian Hospital.The chairman of the board is John Mack, Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley — you know, that big investment bank that just scrapped its business model? Serving alongside him was Richard Fuld, CEO of Lehman Brothers, the one that’s now reorganizing under bankruptcy protection. Another board member is John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch, which is selling itself to Bank of America. The hospital’s chairman emeritu... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825538 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:59:00 +0100 1825538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794367&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Funiversity-of-minnesota-courts-mcguire.html We have posted quite a bit about leadership problems at one of the US biggest for-profit managed care organizations/ health care insurers, the UnitedHealth Group (UHG), most recently here.UHG has not always been known for being particularly patient-, employer-, or physician-friendly. For example, as reported by the Hartford Courant, "UnitedHealth Group Inc., the largest U.S. health insurer, will refund $50 million to small businesses that New York state officials said were overcharged in 2006."We have previously discussed how UHG promised its investors it would continue to raise premiums, even if that priced increasing numbers of people out of its policies (see post here); allegations that the UHG acquisition of Pacificare in California lead to a "meltdown" of its claims paying mechanisms ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794367 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:10:00 +0100 1794367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798530&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F393128872%2F Gérard Le Fur, who was ousted as the Sanofi-Aventis ceo last week after less than two years on the job, could receive up to $11.3 million this year from the drugmaker before leaving in December, The Financial Times writes. Regulatory filings show the board agreed in February to pay Le Fur a “termination benefit” equal to 24 months of his last total remuneration in the event of his “removal from office,” the paper writes. If he receives 11 months’ pay this year at the same rate as his 2007 salary of about $3.8 million, a further 24 months would give him nearly $11.3 million before stock options, pension benefits and his future earnings as a scientific adviser to management. With Sanofi set to publish the “financial conditions” of its reshuffle shor... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798530 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:33:51 +0100 1798530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1763871&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fhealth-care-leaders-at-30000-feet.html The Times of Trenton (New Jersey, USA) reported this insight about the leadership of large health care organizations:Bristol-Myers Squibb [BMS] is preparing to shut down its aviation operation at Trenton-Mercer Airport, sell four aircraft and dismiss about 32 employees as the drugmaker and leading Mercer County employer seeks to cut costs, according to sources familiar with the company's plans.The company will sell its two Gulfstream V jets and two Sikorsky S-76C helicopters, terminate pilots, mechanics and other personnel, and move out of its hangar at the airport in Ewing.Other corporations with aviation operations at the airport include Unisys and drugmakers Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Merck, Hughes said.Bristol-Myers' two jets could sell for approximately $40 million each dependi... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1763871 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:23:00 +0100 1763871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1671466&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2F10-years-later-eerie-echo-of-fall-of.html This week, as reported by Steve Twedt in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, accounting irregularities were found at the West Penn Allegheny Health System,An independent review of West Penn Allegheny Health System finances has found that it overstated payments from vendors and patients by $73 million over the past two years, a move that is expected to result in substantial operating losses.'This is significant,' said analyst Jeff Schaub of Fitch Ratings in New York, who spoke to WPAHS officials yesterday.WPAHS President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christopher Olivia sent a system-wide e-mail yesterday morning assuring staff that the reductions 'have no direct implications on the System's pension plan' and that WPAHS has 'now adopted an industry 'best practice' accounting methodology to help e... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1671466 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:19:00 +0100 1671466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1461244&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F295745323%2F Almost 40 percent of Glaxo shareholders either abstained or voted against the drugmaker’s pay plan at the annual meeting yesterday, a poor showing for Glaxo directors and execs who have repeatedly sought to justify compensation packages. Investors holding about 29 percent of Glaxo shares chose not to vote on plan yesterday, according to figures released by Glaxo. Of those who voted, about 86 percent supported the plan, while 14 percent were against it. That compares with 92.5 percent who supported the plan last year, when 1 percent of votes were withheld. Several shareholders attending the meeting spoke out against pay levels of Glaxo executives and directors, according to Bloomberg News. They complained the compensation was “excessive” and not linked to the performance... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1461244 Thu, 22 May 2008 11:05:56 +0100 1461244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1460958&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Ffiercepharmas-top-10-big-pharma-ceo.html 1. Miles White - Abbott - $33.4M2. Fred Hassan - Schering-Plough - $30.1M3. Bill Weldon - Johnson & Johnson - $25.1M4. Bob Essner - Wyeth - $24.1M5. Robert Parkinson - Baxter - $17.6M6. Daniel Vasella - Novartis - $15.5M7. Richard Clark - Merck - $14.5M8. Frank Baldino - Cephalon - $13.5M9. Sidney Taurel - Eli Lilly - $13M10. Jeff Kindler - Pfizer - $12.6MGo here to find the other seven who didn't make the cut. (Source: PharmaGossip) PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1460958 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:12:00 +0100 1460958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1454777&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F294222746%2F The latest installment of the ongoing hoopla over Fred Hassan’s compensation began yesterday when Schering-Plough exec Sue Wolf fired off comments in response to a Forbes magazine piece that stated his $19 million cash and stock bonus in 2006 was based largely on the drugmaker’s market cap. “Market capitalization,” wrote Wolf, Schering-Plough’s corporate secretary, vp for governance and associate general counsel, “was not a performance metric for any incentive plan since Fred joined Schering-Plough.” However, the drugmaker did use market cap as a metric in 2006, according to the 2007 proxy (please see page 25). Interestingly, market cap was never listed in the 2006 proxy as a part of the plan to be adopted by shareholders for measuring compensation... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1454777 Tue, 20 May 2008 11:43:06 +0100 1454777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1451975&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F293494275%2F Should Fred return the cash? That’s the question raised by Forbes, which notes that the bonus would have been “endangered” had the Enhance study of the Vytorin and Zetia cholesterol pills been released in November 2006 or March 2007 as had been expected. The final release earlier this year has caused a sharp drop in the use of the two drugs and in Schering-Plough’s stock price. “It would certainly make me want to investigate the situation further, particularly if I was shareholder,” Paul Hodgson of The Corporate Library, a corporate governance research firm, tells the mag. “It would seem to me that given Hassan’s reputation for open-mindedness in terms of compensation, that if there were some doubts about whether he should receive a bonus, he... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1451975 Mon, 19 May 2008 13:38:53 +0100 1451975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429317&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F286045829%2F When Schering-Plough shareholders show up in the oh-so convenient location of The University of Memphis next Friday for the annual meeting, their proxy statements won’t include one detail about Fred Hassan’s compensation. Although page 34 notes that the ceo received about $30 million in compensation last year, a more recent award of 836,000 options isn’t listed. Now, the drugmaker may argue that an annual grant was also awarded last year after the proxy was filed and, unlike last year, there were no scandals causing shareholder and government scrutiny. So what’s the big deal? But consider that the latest options award, which we estimate are currently worth about $6.7 million based on the value assigned last year’s options award (see page 37), have an exercise ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429317 Thu, 08 May 2008 12:25:48 +0100 1429317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429318&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F286007702%2F The Amgen ceo confronted an often testy group of shareholders Wednesday, his first annual meeting with investors since the biotech entered a prolonged crisis. “Last year was awful. I deeply, deeply regret that,” a calm and confident Sharer told the crowd of several hundred during an hourlong presentation at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, California, The Los Angeles Times writes. He also sought to reassure investors by maintaining Amgen was off to a good start this year and suggested many of Amgen’s woes should be viewed along with problems affecting all drugmakers. “I’m not making any excuses…but things are pretty stormy out there right now.” Some shareholders appeared unconvinced and the meeting turned contentious when investors were ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429318 Thu, 08 May 2008 11:07:47 +0100 1429318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1413599&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F281416067%2F That’s according to the latest ranking by Forbes magazine, which scrutinized performance versus pay for 175 ceo’s. Kevin came in at…drum roll…No. 169 thanks to his many accomplishments - Amgen stock dropped, on average, 4 percent each year while he earned $12.3 million, on average, annually. Click here to watch ABC News single him out. Simply put, Kevin has presided over a crisis: The stock is down about one-third in the past year, thanks to various FDA warnings over health risks associated with its Aranesp and Epogen meds, not to mention reduced Medicare reimbursement. Congress is investigating marketing practices and the SEC is probing a failure to disclose that a key clinical trial ended over safety concerns, which only became known after an industry newsletter p... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1413599 Thu, 01 May 2008 12:09:47 +0100 1413599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1404201&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F279323334%2F Last week, the drugmaker announced Bob Essner will retire as chairman on June 27, six months earlier than planned. You may recall late last year that Wyeth disclosed he would remain chairman through December 31 - and as an employee who would receive the same $1.73 million salary he was paid in 2007. Since he’s retiring halfway through the year, he won’t receive the entire $1.73 million, though. Instead, a Wyeth spokesman tells us that Essner, 60, will receive a prorated salary. Although Bob will apparently still be entitled to a bonus based on his 2008 salary that is “consistent with (his) position.” So Bob will have earned at least $860,000 before any extra goodies for six months of unspecified transition work with Bernard Poussot, the new ceo who had already spen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1404201 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:00:51 +0100 1404201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1396431&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F276843265%2F One day, Fred Hassan may look back and pine for 2007. Why? Schering-Plough stock rose nearly 14 percent during the year. And his board of directors awarded him with $24.7 million in compensation, a 2.2 percent increase. Never mind the $1.59 billion loss - there was a 20 percent gain in revenue. Overall, Schering-Plough’s performance has been “excellent” since Hassan took over in April 2003 when compared to its prior results and against seven other large drugmakers, according to the proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. His compensation was exceeded by execs at two drugmakers in what Schering-Plough considers its “peer group,” Abbott Labs and Johnson and Johnson, the Associated Press notes. Last year’s salary totaled $1.67 mil... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1396431 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:10:33 +0100 1396431 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1366898&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F268314347%2F No wonder JP is cackling. Even though he’s had a testy relationship with investors over his pay, he was granted options that could yield up to nearly $5 million long after he retires next month, The Times of London reports. JP was granted options last year after saying in 2006 that he planned to retire. But the options won’t pay out until the end of the 2009-2010 financial year, even though any improvement in the share price will be on the watch of Andrew Witty, who is about to succeed JP. Back in 2002, soon after he joined the company, JP angered investors over an incentive scheme that could have paid him $18 million, the Times reminds us, adding that the package so infuriated investors that they voted it down at the annual meeting. At the eleventh hour, the plan was scrapped ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1366898 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:33:44 +0100 1366898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344616&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F262141492%2F It took Kevin Sharer nearly a year to admit the biotech was having a crisis, and that’s probably because he finally realized he wouldn’t get as much money as he had in the past. His 2007 compensation was down nearly 29 percent - to $13.2 million - from $18.6 million the year before, according to the proxy filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Of course, that’s still a lot of money, isn’t it? Especially for a company with a laundry list of problems and embarassments - an FDA panel urged tighter restrictions for its Aranesp flagship med after studies found increased risks of cardiovascular disease, tumor growth and death. Congress is investigating the marketing and safety of several of its drugs. The SEC is probing its failure to tell Wall Street that a k... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1344616 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:50:25 +0100 1344616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1331368&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fsmoked-out-funding-lung-cancer.html A few weeks ago, we posted about conflicts of interest affecting a widely publicized study of using CT scans to screen for lung cancer. The study, basically a large case-series, was susceptible to multiple kinds of study bias that challenged its validity. Yet its authors used this limited and flawed data to strongly advocate such screening. Two lead study investigators, Dr Claudia Henschke and Dr David Yankelevitz of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, held multiple patents on technology used for the screening, and had licensed one patent to General Electric, a manufacturer of CT scans, and exchanged another for rights in a start-up manufacturer of lung biopsy devices. They did not disclose these conflicts in the articles they published describing study results, including one in t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1331368 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:36:00 +0100 1331368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1327469&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fblogscan-imperial-pharmaceutical-ceos.html On the PharmaLot blog, Ed Silverman has two posts about how pharmaceutical executives continue to rake in humongous compensation whose magnitude seems unrelated to their performance or the performance of their companies. The CEO of Cephalon got more than $15.8 million, including the value of stock options, while the company is dealing with an Federal Trade Commission lawsuit which contends the company blocked sales of a generic competitor, and despite settling a suit about off-label marketing (see post here.) The CEO of Bristol-Myers-Squibb got $13.5 million after the company's stock price fell, the company took a charge for losses on sub-prime mortgages, and several top financial officers left (see post here.) Again, as we noted earlier, imperial CEOs seem rampant in health care organizat... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1327469 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:38:00 +0100 1327469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1325487&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F257343092%2F Despite tougher generic competition, a thinning pipeline and an embarassing loss in subprime securities, Jim Cornelius made out well in 2007. His compensation rose to $13.5 million, with a salary of approximately $1.4 million, a bonus of just under $1.1 million, about $2.2 million in incentives, and other compensation totaling $424,954, according to the Associated Press. “Other” compensation included required company jet travel, car and housing allowances. The bulk of his compensation came from stock options and restricted stock, worth about $8.4 million on the date they were granted. You can see the details in Bristol’s proxy statement. Of course, Cornelius didn’t become ceo until Feb. 11, 2008. Until then, he had been working as interim ceo since September 2006. H... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1325487 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:51:23 +0100 1325487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1316797&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F254889502%2F Not bad, eh? The stock rose aboug 15 percent last year, so perhaps shareholders may shrug this off. Still, that does seem a bit steep, does it not? In any event, the Abbott ceo received compensation valued at nearly $29 million last year, including a salary of $1.7 million and non-equity incentives worth $4 million, according to an Associated Press analysis. The bulk of his compensation was in stock options and restricted stock that were valued at $22.1 million when granted in January, February and September of last year, an increase of 51 percent over similar stock compensation in 2006. Miles also received just over $1 million in other compensation, including $851,678 in pension plan-related payments and $103,292 for nonbusiness related flights on corporate aircraft, according to the prox... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1316797 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:37:23 +0100 1316797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1305018&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F251765245%2F Pfizer increased Jeff’s pay package by 10 percent to $12.6 million last year, even though the drugmaker’s earnings plunged. Kindler’s salary was increased to nearly $1.5 million in 2007. His bonus, however, was reduced to $3.1 million, from $3.3 million in 2006. The Pfizer ceo also received stock and option awards that were valued by the company at about $7.6 million on the day they were granted. His other compensation totaled about $440,000, which included nearly $175,000 for using company aircraft, more than $42,000 for a car and $10,000 for financial counseling, according to the proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Apart from his 2007 compensation, Kindler also realized more than $750,000 on vesting restricted stock units, the Associated P... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1305018 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:24:29 +0100 1305018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1303452&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F251611541%2F The drugmaker’s former ceo, who retired last year but remains chairman received total compensation valued at $20.09 million in 2007, his last year at the helm, amounting to a 9 percent raise, the Associated Press reports. Despite repeated rejections and delays in winning FDA approval, Bob received a base salary of $1.73 million in 2007, up 4 percent from the prior year. He received no bonus, but got $3.2 million from Wyeth’s nonstock incentive plan. Then there were restricted stock shares and options awarded him last April, when the company valued them at $14.93 million. Essner also received perks and other compensation totaling $232,057, including $95,246 for the use of a corporate jet, $15,096 for personal auto use, $51,855 in company matches to two retirement plans, $39,460 ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1303452 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:43:08 +0100 1303452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1298815&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F250393668%2F Bill Weldon received $22.8 million in compensation in 2007, the same year the health care giant began cutting 4 percent of its workforce, or roughly 4,800 jobs. In 2006, he walked away with $20.6 million, or about a 10 percent pay hike. Here’s the math: In 2007, Weldon received a base salary of $1.73 million, according to a proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Weldon, 59, received stock awards and options valued at $5.34 million when they were granted in February 2007, plus another $9.19 million in annual performance bonus, according to Associated Press calculations. Then, there was other compensation totaling $3.22 million, which included $2.95 million in deferred compensation called dividend equivalents; $77,625 in contributions to his retirement plan;... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1298815 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:59:12 +0100 1298815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1283631&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F246842325%2F Is your retirement fund evaporating with the stock market plunge? Are oil prices causing you to wear more sweaters? Well, consider David Brennan. He had to stomach a drop in compensation to just $4.3 million last year, thanks to a smaller bonus and fewer reimbursements for relocation costs, according to AstraZeneca’s annual report (please see page 106). The drugmaker paid Brennan nearly $2 million in salary, compared with almost $1.9 million in 2006, and his bonus fell to about $2 million from $2.17 million. Meanwhile, his reimbursements tumbled to $263,000 from $1.34 million, although that is still a great deal. The 54-year-old American, who moved from the US to AZ headquarters in London when he became ceo in January 2006, must be carting an awful lot of possessions across the pond... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1283631 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:51:04 +0100 1283631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1258593&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F241499423%2F Dan has found a new way to justify to shareholders his continued presence as both ceo and chairman of Novartis - he is saving them money. Speaking at the drugmaker’s annual general meeting, he defended his dual role by saying that separating the two jobs would be inefficient and costly. In companies where the jobs are held by different people, Dan argues that too much time and energy is spent settling conflicts, MarketWatch reports. As a result, costs rise - and not just because two people are being paid large sums. There “is an even higher price to be paid, the price of inefficiency and conflict,” he intones. To back up his assertion, Dan cites a recent study by the Booz Allen consulting firm and contends that about 11 percent of ceo’s leave their jobs due to confl... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1258593 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:00:14 +0100 1258593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1107127&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F203387034%2F Rise and shine. We can tell the pace is slowing down for many people, but we remain busy. And so here are a few items to keep you occupied as you sort through the morning… EC Approves Hospira’s Version Of J&J’s Procrit (PharmaTimes) Lilly’s Taurel Takes A Cut Without CEO Pay (Bloomberg News) Canadian Rx Growth Slows, But Generics Soar (PharmaTimes) Par Pharma’s Quarterly Revenue Rises (MarketWatch) FDA Issues Non-Approvable Letter To Indevus For Bladder Drug (Forbes/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1107127 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:46:00 +0100 1107127 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1101719&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F202189866%2F After 37 years with the drugmaker, Sid Taurel, who is only 58, is saying farewell. He will give up his duties as chairman at the end of this month, and as ceo and a Lilly director on March 31. Replacing him as ceo will be John Lechleiter, a chemist by training who is currently president and chief operating officer. There’s no indication who will become chairman, however. In a statement, Taurel says Lechleiter, 54, (in the photo at right) has been preparing to succeed him for “several years,” and that “2008 is the right time for him to assume his place as the leader of the company.” The reason Taurel cites for choosing now to retire is performance: “The company,” he says, “has executed very well over the past couple of years, exceeding both ou... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1101719 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:32:40 +0100 1101719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=979400&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F175036474%2F This comes a bit earlier than may have been expected. The drugmaker’s vice chairman, who spent 31 years at Pfizer, will leave at the end of the year. Of course, Shedlarz wasn’t expected to remain in place indefinitely, either. After spending a decade as cfo, he and former exec vp Karen Katen both lost out to Jeff Kindler in the race to succeed Hank McKinnell as ceo. And he nearly walked out after receiving the bad news. But Kindler, who needed Shedlarz around to maintain relations with Wall Street, quickly offered him the No. 2 role. And Shedlarz remained visible, in some respects, as a result. He was even quoted just as much as Kindler in key press releases. However, the timing also reflects the arrival of a new cfo, Frank D’Amelio, an experienced cost cutter who was wit... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=979400 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:08:10 +0100 979400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=962699&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F172045817%2F The drugmaker’s No. 2, who will soon succeed the retiring Bob Essner as ceo, characteristically downplays the recent setbacks Wyeth suffered attempting to get FDA approval for two drugs believed to have huge sales potential - one for treating post-menopausal symptoms and the other for schizophrenia. “It’s an overreaction to say, ‘Two delays, problem, problem,’” Bernie tells The Star-Ledger of New Jersey (which owns Pharmalot). “My belief is that we should get these drugs approved in the end.” And he goes on to note that the FDA approved two other Wyeth drugs this year - an oral contraceptive and a renal cancer treatment. Five more drug candidates, he continues, have been filed with regulators, which suggests only more surprises await him. L... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=962699 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:13:29 +0100 962699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=950973&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F170081358%2F Discussions are already under way to find ways to retain Stout and Viehbacher through changes in their responsibility and remuneration, in a process designed to minimize any disgruntlement and reflect gratitude for their past work. However, Glaxo directors are keen to stabilize the drugmaker after the disruption caused by the long-running and high-profile succession race. Perhaps the pair can be placed on the compensation committee? Then they could help decide just how much to pay Witty. (more…) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=950973 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:47:36 +0100 950973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941990&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F167958057%2F In the run-up to the horse race that resulted in Glaxo choosing Andrew Witty as its next ceo, there were whispers that he held an advantage for a geographic reason - unlike his rivals, Witty didn’t spend as much time in the US. The retiring ceo, JP Garnier, lives in Philadelphia, where Glaxo has US headquarters. Meanwhile, David Stout, who heads global pharma, is a US citizen, and Chris Viehbacher, heads Glaxo pharma in the US. Why should this have mattered? A lot of Glaxo’s largest investors in the UK have been antsy this year over the drugmaker’s stock performance, given the need to replace big sellers going off patent and, of course, the thrashing over the Avandia diabetes pill debacle. Getting the attention of top management seemed, at times, difficult when they were ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941990 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:15:46 +0100 941990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=939953&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F167895158%2F The Roche ceo expresses unflinching confidence that the drugmaker will succeed in its $3 billion hostile bid for Ventana Medical Systems in an interview with The Financial Times (subscription may be required). But there is “no intention of increasing the price” of $75 a share, which was first announced in June, apparently to Ventana’s chagrin. And Franz Humer remains ”very confident” Ventana will succumb. The offer closes on Nov. 1. Ventana, however, has consistently argued that the price - which is now below the level at which the company is trading - is too low, and few shareholders have sold to Roche. For his part, Humer stresses there had been no rival offers for Ventana and “the value can only be realised with Roche”. (You can watch the video,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=939953 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:10:05 +0100 939953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=934115&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F166907158%2F The 43-year-old head of Glaxo’s European pharma division was chosen by the board at the end of last week, beating out Chris Viehbacher, who heads the US unit, and David Stout, the chief operating officer. Witty will succeed JP Garnier, who turns 60 this month, in May. Witty, who joined Glaxo in 1985 and became head of the European unit in 2003, has worked in the US, Asia and South Africa, and is credited with successfully reorganizing the European business. But he takes over at a precarious time. The drugmaker is struggling as older meds lose patent protection and is still reeling from the controversy over its Avandia diabetes pill, which earlier this year was linked to increased heart attack risks. “Andrew’s appointment follows a rigorous selection process by the board of direct... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=934115 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:01:18 +0100 934115 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=922081&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F164207911%2F We had heard earlier this year that Bob Essner, 59, was probably going to leave his job as Wyeth ceo long before retirement age. The unconfirmed nugget came up in a furtive conversation after Bernie Poussot, 56, was promoted to chief operating officer in January. And so we weren’t surprised last week when the drugmaker announced that Essner will be retiring on Jan. 1, and Poussot will ascend the throne. To us, the news was ‘hardly shocking.’ This was confirmed today, however, when John “Jake” Mascotte, who chairs Wyeth’s nominating and governance committee, told the WSJ Health Blog that Essner had, in fact, made what he called a “lifestyle choice” to duck out a long time ago. No special date was ever mentioned, but then Essner last month tol... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=922081 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:51:33 +0100 922081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=914492&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F163035335%2F That appears to be what Dan is now thinking, according to slightly cryptic remarks he made to reporters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the other day where he was announcing a new research deal between Novartis and MIT. “My thoughts on this are that in both models you see successes and failures and it would be a mistake to believe there is only one model for success,” he said. Moreover, he doesn’t plan to step down any time soon, Reuters reports. At one time, he had spoken of 2008 as his departure date and just two months ago, there was a report in a Swiss newspaper that Vasella may propose that Joerg Reinhardt, who is currently head of vaccines and diagnostics, as his successor. But Dan now says any thoughts of departure were based on a rule the company once had that direc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=914492 Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:21:02 +0100 914492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908782&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F162131316%2F Bernie will take over from Bob as of January 1, although Essner will remain chairman for an unspecified period of time (see statement). The move is hardly shocking and, in fact, was telegraphed back in January, when Poussot, 56, was promoted to chief operating officer. At the time, he was already president and vice chair. Despite its troubles, Wyeth continues to tap current execs as ceo. Essner, 60, a marketing veteran, succeeded Jack Stafford in May 2001, four years after the drugmaker withdrew the Pondimin and Redux diet pills that were at the center of the fen-phen scandal that resulted in $21 billion in charges. Since then, Essner has managed to steer Wyeth past the difficulties - until this year. Over the past few months, Wyeth has suffered one setback after another trying to get new ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908782 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:42:14 +0100 908782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=894333&cid=t_102266_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F160572418%2F JP Garnier turns 60 next month and he retires in May, which means the drugmaker’s board must soon make up its collective mind about who will succeed the indefatigable leader as ceo. The race is between three insiders and The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) provides a quick update on the status of the process… Andrew Witty, a 44-year-old Briton, has reorganized Glaxo’s European operations to run more efficiently, assigning marketing execs by disease and centralizing some back-office jobs. He won praise internally for delivering solid sales in Europe despite tough generic competition and increasingly frugal state health-care systems. Dave Stout, a 54-year-old American, has clout in Washington, an important asset as politicians increasingly speak of the need to r... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=894333 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:45:15 +0100 894333 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=815342&cid=t_102266_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F146745482%2Fa_brain_for_balance_and_profit.html If you agree that unbalanced doctor–nurse relationships cut out weath from both sides … or that CEO–employee rapport problems stall profits for most firms … you’ll also agree there are likely better ways to relate at work. How so? For instance, toss in a few current brain keys about how talents grow and develop or how diverse people draw higher productivity from multiple intelligences, and you’ll also open radical challenges to deep seated conventional wisdom.Cultures can become a firm's best currency, and that transformation happens easier than you may think.Simply rewire your firm's mental plasticity for better balances between people and profit. Rather than rely on one boss ... ask instead ...Do rigid hierarchies stifle i... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=815342 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 03:04:10 +0100 815342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=545215&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F15%2Fthought-for-the-day-we-cannot-be-silent%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Events, Thought for the DayWe cannot be silent is one slogan printed on specialty clothing offered by a company called Privacy. Other slogans include United We Cure and Mission. Purpose. Cure. The slogans say a lot -- but the accomplishments of Carolyn Jones, Founder and President/CEO of Privacy, say a whole lot more.Think about this:Jones lost her mother to breast cancer on November 16, 2000 during a time when too many questions about the disease were left unanswered and not enough options were available for women fighting for their lives.Times have changed, in part due to outspoken pioneers like Jones, who are spreading the word and funding the cause.Part of the Privacy corporate goal is to support medical research and to educate women about early detection an... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=545215 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 545215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=473746&cid=t_102266_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fcharleston-area-alliance-value-of.html The Charleston Area Alliance will be holding its CEO Roundtable Luncheon on April 4 where the topic for discussion will be "The Value of Blogging In Business."I will be participating on a panel of Charleston area business bloggers along with Matt Ballard, CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance who blogs at the CAA Blog and Skip Lineburg, Chief Creative Officer of Maple Creative who blogs at Marketing Genius from Maple Creative.I'm looking forward to sharing my ideas on business blogging and provide some practical tips to help local CEOs, professionals and other small business owners leverage the use of blogs in today's business market.For more information about the event and how to register go to this link. The event is limited to 30 participants so don't wait to register.Tags: blogs, bloggin... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=473746 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 06:45:00 +0100 473746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478746&cid=t_102266_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F12%2Fgenerex-regulatory-affairs-request%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Opinion, Blogs, ProductsAt the request of the Regulatory Affairs Manager at Generex, I am posting the following to defend the accuracy of the packaging and the claim of the product. The initial blog addressed a product called Glucose RapidSpray. The reader feedback, as well as the regulatory affairs response, is listed below. In no way, does Generex imply this product is to be used to treat hypoglycemia. The comment to the original post stated: The nutritional label on the product (available as a PDF on their web site) says the product has 188mg of carbs (or .188g) per serving (5 sprays). A typical glucose tablet has 4g... that's about 21x more carbs in a single glucose tablet than in 5 sprays of RapidSpray. Considering you typically us... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478746 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478746