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 'china'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:23 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169550&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-perils-of-fetal-sex-selection-terminating-pregnancies-based-on-babys-gender%2F2011.08.26 What would you do if you discovered early in your pregnancy that you were pregnant with a girl when you wanted a boy? Would you terminate the pregnancy? With the advent of a new DNA test that can determine the sex of a fetus at 7 weeks gestation with a simple blood or urine test, fetal sex selection is now possible. However, before you proceed to pop the cork on your bottle of champagne, a word of precaution is warranted. The Chinese and India dilemmas present a global warning regarding the perils of fetal sex selection. Boys now outnumber girls in China and India and competition is fierce regarding finding a wife or a mate. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), by the year 2020, there will be between 30 to 40 million more boys than girls in China and the statistics i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169550 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:00:03 +0100 5169550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159196&cid=t_108195_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-26-2011%2F I sometimes wonder if our focus on “doing things right” is what causes us more pain, anguish and difficulty than anything else in life. It’s almost as if those red marks on our graded assignments as kids stay with us when we become adults. In fact, our fear of impending negative feedback often grows as we grow older. We hold our vulnerabilities even closer, wrapping them up carefully like we would a glass vase or a precious piece of china. We’re fearful of sharing our feelings. We hold back our laughter, forgetting that as kids we let it all out from our bellies to our mouths. And to shield our pain, instead of crying, confronting or expressing ourselves, we avoid loved ones when they’ve hurt us. Yet, in order to fully live, to feel completely alive, we must f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159196 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:56 +0100 5159196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130780&cid=t_108195_93_f&fid=35767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fheart-murmur.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Flijiang-and-surroundings.html Canola field with the mountain as backdrop.. Local delicacies.. Scorpions, intestines, worms.. Very different from Chinese food in Malaysia.. This one a bit more familiar.. But somehow mainland Chinese food is quite tasteless.. Grilled tofu.. Very plain..not tasty.. One of the few seafood dish in Lijiang. Mainland Chinese in this part of the country don't eat seafood that much. And this dish is not so nice also.. Store selling yak products.. Another local delicacies.. Most parts of yak can be used including the skull for decoration. Yak meat.. Yak yogurt.. This one is not too bad.. Locals are trained from young to hunt yak.. Leftovers from dog meat.. You know, the story goes that mainland Chinese eat most things that walk, crawl, swim or bark.. Went to Jade Snow Mountain.. I he... Murmurs from the Heart blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130780 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:11:00 +0100 5130780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130781&cid=t_108195_93_f&fid=35767&url=http%3A%2F%2Fheart-murmur.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fold-town-lijiang.html Time flies.. Before I knew it, it has been six months since I last updated this blog.. So I'm a bit older and wiser now.. Anyway, here are some of the photos we took in Lijiang, Yunan province. Old town Lijiang is very pretty at night. We had our supper by the side of the stream. This place is very touristy. Plenty of restaurants along the stream.. but of course, no McDonald yet.. One of the entrances to the old town. Main street of Lijiang old town.. Lots of streams in this old town, perhaps even more important in the olden days for hygiene purpose. Guess no proper sewerage during those days. Now the streams are pretty clean. So the fish inside are able to grow big and healthy. These pretty streams remind me of Shiragawago in Japan. Also with crystal clear stream but with even bi... Murmurs from the Heart blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130781 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:03:00 +0100 5130781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118603&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHUeY2V4PkxI%2F By Justin LoganYesterday, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland made the following comment regarding China’s maiden voyage in the old Varyag carcass it has been tinkering with for over a decade: We would welcome any kind of explanation that China would like to give for needing this kind of equipment. This echoes Donald Rumsfeld’s remarks at the 2005 Shangri-La Dialogue in which he puzzled in quintessentially Rumsfeldian fashion: Since no nation threatens China, one must wonder: * Why this growing investment? * Why these continuing large and expanding arms purchases? * Why these continuing robust deployments? Maybe, like me, the Chinese are reading Aaron Friedberg’s new book on U.S.-China security competition (Friedberg worked on Asia for Vice President Cheney). Perhaps high-ra... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118603 Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:22:51 +0100 5118603 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107899&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRkVSK5_Bu9Y%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope the weekend was invigorating. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine of meetings and deadlines, even if it is a slow time of year. To get started, yes, we are brewing that mandatory cup of stimulation, so feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidibts from around the world. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… Pfizer And UCSD Collaborate On Early Drug Discovery (San Diego Union Tribune) China’s Healthcare Push May Curb Sales For Brand-Name Pharma (Bloomberg News) Nestle Eyes Pfizer Formula Milk Powder Business (Business China) EU Approves Botox For Treating Urinary Incontinence (Reuters) Takeda Pharmaceuticals Faces Rising Number Of Actos Lawsuits (Associated Press) Bayer Is Eyeing Pfizer ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107899 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:50:32 +0100 5107899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096351&cid=t_108195_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F26586270%2F0%2Fneuromarketing%7ESands-Research-Targets-Billion-Brains.htm In 1996, John Keating wrote a book titled Two Billion Armpits: How Experts Sell China What It Really Wants, referring to the size of the consumer goods market in China. Texas-based Sands Research is writing a new chapter that might be titled 1.3 Billion Brains. Most neuromarketing studies have taken place in the US and [...] CommentsGreat to see neuroscience application are going global! by David BrainsGreat post Roger! Thank you. From the 1996 armpit book to ... by Sandra ZorattiRelated StoriesStronger Contracts, Less TrustLicense to MisbehavePrediction Power: Asking Gets Results (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096351 Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:34:10 +0100 5096351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050563&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FYB3H-7Y6N_Y%2F By Archelle Georgiou. “So, how was China?” We recently returned from China and Vietnam and have been asked this question many times by curious friends, family, and colleagues.  Recognizing that we live in a world of soundbites and that no one really wants to hear every detail about our fourteen day trip, I’ve responded by focusing on the experiences and observations that had a lasting impact on how I think.  There were three: one is personal, one is political, and one is professional. Personal: While “Made in China” is present on everything from chatchkas to clothing labels to housewares, and although China’s thriving economy is a frequent topic in the business world…I simply wasn’t expecting to see their ultra-modern infrastructure.  I w... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050563 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:15:31 +0100 5050563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051238&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbCFE16uqAmc%2F And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. As you know, this is our welcome signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is modest - a dip in the pool, an evening of soccer with one of the short people and catching up on some reading. What about you? Given the heat, a few indoor activities may be in order. How about an air-conditioned drive in the country or a movie marathon (if you avoid paying for more than one flick, you have a bargain). You could take a trip to the mall and spur the economy. Or you could stay home and turn on the telly for updates on the debt talks. Whatever you do, have a good time and stay cool. See you soon… Bristol-Myers Buys Amira Pharmaceuticals For Up To $475M (Xconomy) Merck And Simcere Pharmaceutical Form Joint Venture (China Daily) Ex... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051238 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:44:20 +0100 5051238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5036278&cid=t_108195_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F16%2Fexpectation-affects-our-food-likes-and-dislikes%2F What is expectation assimilation? It’s the notion that our taste perceptions are biased by our imagination, and if you expect a food to taste good it will.  However, expectation assimilation also works in the opposite direction.  If you expect a food to taste unpleasant it will (Wansink, 2006). At a cafeteria in Urbana, Illinois, 175 people were given a free brownie dusted with powdered sugar (Wansink, 2006).  They were told the brownie was a new dessert that may be added to the menu.  They were asked how they liked the flavor and how much they would pay for it.   All of the brownies were the same size and had the same ingredients.  However, the brownies were served on a china plate, on a paper plate or on a paper napkin. Those who received the brownie on a china plate said t... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5036278 Sat, 16 Jul 2011 10:28:53 +0100 5036278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008658&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FohGRELOf3NY%2F As drugmakers reevaluate their sales and marketing spending in the US, those dollars are being shifted to Asia, notably China, and Latin America. For instance, spending on meetings and other events rose slighty more than 5 percent worldwide last year to $13 billion. And this amounts to 14 percent of global spending on marketing, according to Cegedim Strategic Data. The growth in meetings and events was largest in China, where spending rose 19 percent, and Latin America, where the increase amounted to 18 percent. Spending in Japan was 14 percent. But spending in the US fell by 17 percent and Europe saw a decline of 7 percent. The trend is hardly surprising, especially given the industry emphasis on these regions. Meanwhile, worldwide spending on sales teams and other marketing channels rose... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008658 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 15:45:50 +0100 5008658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008146&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FD05UyuVj7sQ%2F By Justin LoganYesterday, AEI scholars Dan Blumenthal and Michael Mazza authored an interesting op-ed in the Wall Street Journal with a perplexing title: “Asia Needs a Larger U.S. Defense Budget.” There are a couple of more sensible arguments you could make: For instance, that Asian countries need larger defense budgets, or that U.S. interests in Asia require larger military expenditures that Asian countries can’t or won’t make themselves . Blumenthal and Mazza gesture at both of those arguments but don’t really make either one. As such, the piece is an emblem of what’s wrong with the Asia policy discussion–to the extent it exists–in Washington today. In the opening paragraph, the authors state that “it is…difficult to assess how ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008146 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:07:16 +0100 5008146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997669&cid=t_108195_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D2532 Eating Shrooms May Shrink your Prostate Men! A good piece of tail has always been a man favorite. Not that kind of tail!  I am talking about the turkey tail Asian mushroom that has been found to be 100 per cent effective in shrinking a tumor of the prostate in an Aussie mouse.  This is really exciting news,  if it works on those animals without a tail!  So eating mushrooms may just be what keeps you having sex in the future, and could save your behind! Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from the ‘turkey tail’ mushroom targets prostate cancer stem cells and suppresses tumor formation.  Eat yourself to life, instead of eating yourself to death!  These mushrooms may save a man’s life, at the minimum a very nasty surgery!  If you want to see the status of your prostate it is... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997669 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:47:43 +0100 4997669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997513&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuimXbRgu1h8%2F By David BoazAt the Britannica Blog I take a look at the founding ideas of the United States and the Communist Party of China, both of which are celebrating anniversaries this weekend: The ideas of the Declaration, given legal form in the Constitution, took the United States of America from a small frontier outpost on the edge of the developed world to the richest country in the world in scarcely a century. The country failed in many ways to live up to the vision of the Declaration, notably in the institution of chattel slavery. But over the next two centuries that vision inspired Americans to extend the promises of the Declaration—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—to more and more people. China of course followed a different vision. Take the speech of Mao Zedong on July 1,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997513 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 13:43:57 +0100 4997513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992657&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPQmrKnjF2wg%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe Chinese Communist Party celebrates its 90th birthday today. Pardon me if I do not attend the party. It is undeniably true, as the authorities in Beijing are trumpeting, that the Chinese Mainland under one-party communist rule has enjoyed spectacular economic success during the past 30 years. China’s rapid growth was unleashed by the reforms of the late communist leader Deng Xiaoping that began in the late 1970s, but those reforms—private ownership of business, farms and housing, market pricing, foreign investment, and trade liberalization, among others—were hardly an extension of the Communist Party’s agenda. In fact, those reforms were a direct repudiation of everything the Chinese Communist Party and its co-founder Mao Tse-tung believed and practiced before ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992657 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:50:30 +0100 4992657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4976143&cid=t_108195_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2FoeS-0L-N_Ro%2F We have, here in Boulder, an excellent tea shop, shelves full of just about anything other than coffee that you’d want to steep in a pot of hot water. They have several varieties of Pu-erh tea. This is the kind that comes in large, Frisbee-shaped cakes, compressed that way to stand the rigors of traveling back to Venice with Marco Polo. Milder than I thought it would be, not as smoky. Hoping that drinking it will convince me to stop trying to write and to go to sleep like a normal person. Filed under: Ephemera Tagged: China, Pu-erh tea, tea, Tea house (Source: white pebble) white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4976143 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:32:39 +0100 4976143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921751&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSl0FiwryeeY%2F An Illinois jury has awarded $625,000 to the estate of a man who was given a dosage of the heparin blood thinner that contained a contaminated ingredient, The Chicago Tribune writes. The verdict is the first against Baxter International and its supplier, Scientific Protein Laboratories, among hundreds of such lawsuits. Three years ago, the FDA determined the heparin contained fake ingredients from China. The heparin scandal, you may recall, focused a harsh light on the pharmaceutical supply chain, notably poorly supervised manufacturing in China and the inability of the FDA to perform sufficient oversight. The episode led to Congressional hearings and significant pressure on the agency to upgrade its supervision (see here, here and here). Attorneys for the estate of Steven Johansen of Oak ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921751 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:41:17 +0100 4921751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902696&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbKhZl7DkcDs%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We apologize for the delay this morning, but we were having technical difficulties. To cope, we are having downing several cups of stimulation. Now, though, the time has come to tackle those meetings and deadlines. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits, including news from the ASCO meeting. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… A Contraceptive Pill For Men With No Side Effects? (The Daily Mail) Merck And Ariad Drug Delays Sarcoma In Trial (Reuters) UK Pharma Industry In Crisis (Press TV) Roche Says Avastin And Chemo Cut Ovarian Cancer Growth (Bloomberg News) Bristol Melanoma Drug And Chemo Extended Life In Study (Reuters) Pfizer Divestiture May Hurt Its Credit Rating (Bloomberg News) Chinese Drugmaker Cited For Significant Pollution (East D... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902696 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:47:10 +0100 4902696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893916&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_PKuBogHIcg%2F And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. This is, of course, our signal to daydream about the weekend. Our agenda includes some therapeutic swimming, catching up on our reading and taking in a soccer match with the short people. And you? How about enjoying the weather with a nice bike ride? Or spending time with someone special? Perhaps thinking big thoughts is in order. Whatever you do, have a wonderful time. And be safe. See you soon… Pfizer And Hisun Pharmaceuticals Plan Generic Venture (Bloomberg News) Tianjin Tasly Pharmaceutical To Build A Factory In Maryland (CapitalVue) Drugmakers Bolster US Corporate Philanthropy (Reuters) The New Pricing Game In Germany (Business Week) Endo Sales Reps Granted Class-Action Lawsuit For Overtime (Reuters) Teva Gives Big Golden P... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893916 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:03:23 +0100 4893916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893412&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhYNofFwwjrM%2F By George Scoville Few GOP presidential candidates have proposed specific budget cuts. “Peace is in the interest of Taiwan, China, and the U.S. … But the U.S. should view continuing arms sales to Taipei as perhaps the best means to maintain stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait.” Market liberalization has transformed newly independent states that formerly comprised Yugoslavia. President Obama is simply the new standard-bearer for the bipartisan contempt for constitutional limits on power. Cato chairman Robert A. Levy makes the libertarian case for marriage equality: Thursday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893412 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:08:11 +0100 4893412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883559&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQKoKs62b_gE%2F By Daniel IkensonThe Cato Institute today published its 13th policy paper on the topic of antidumping. “Economic Self-Flagellation: How U.S. Antidumping Policy Subverts the National Export Initiative” describes with compelling anecdotes and data how the outdated assumptions of a 90-year-old law—one purported to “level the playing field” and protect U.S. companies from “unfair” foreign competition—conspire with its overzealous application to erode the competitiveness of U.S. firms. During the decade from January 2000 through December 2009, the U.S. government imposed 164 antidumping measures on a variety of products from dozens of countries. A total of 130 of those 164 measures restricted (and in most cases, still restrict) imports of intermediate goo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883559 Tue, 31 May 2011 15:29:28 +0100 4883559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883908&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F929PtH2PZsw%2F Good morning, everyone, and welcome back. We hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine of meetings and deadlines. And yes, we are coping by brewing the mandatory cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Mocha Nut Fudge - and we invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you get in the groover. Hope your day goes well and see you soon… Five Lessons From The Niaspan Study (Forbes) GlaxoSmithKline Is Downgraded By Goldman Sachs (Associated Press) More Children Dying After Vaccination In India (India Times) JB Chem & Pharma To Hire 1,500 Medical Reps (The Economic Times) Sanofi Diabetes Drug Cuts Blood Sugar & Weight In Study (Reuters) No Workers, No Products: A Bleak Future For Renovo (Pharma Tim... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883908 Tue, 31 May 2011 12:03:14 +0100 4883908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872070&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FygGpOWnMfZM%2F By George Scoville Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty received an “A” grade from Cato in 2010 (PDF) for his fiscal record in Minnesota, but in terms of national fiscal policy, he hasn’t gone far enough on ethanol subsidies. Regarding North Korea, “the United States should indicate its willingness to rethink its commitment to nonproliferation if the North continues its nuclear program. Maybe it would be better if South Korea and Japan were able to defend themselves than keeping them forever reliant on the United States and keeping America forever entangled.” Why is the federal government involved in state and local transportation issues? “Regulating, restricting, or eliminating [oil futures markets] would not bring prices down or make them more predic... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872070 Thu, 26 May 2011 14:50:20 +0100 4872070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862505&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fm92vhIhzrek%2F By Daniel IkensonThe Washington Post ran a story in yesterday’s print edition about the U.S. antidumping order against Wooden Bedroom Furniture from China—a case I described seven years ago as the “Poster Child for [Antidumping] Reform” because its sordid details explode the myths upon which rest the rationalizations for the law’s existence. Those details are nowhere to be found in the WP article, which was published, presumably, to make a few other points.  One such point—the only one with which I agree—is that antidumping duties aren’t very effective at restoring or preserving U.S. jobs.  As the article demonstrates, since the imposition of AD duties on Chinese furniture beginning in 2005, imports from Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries not subject to the AD restri... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862505 Wed, 25 May 2011 19:05:02 +0100 4862505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4829305&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9d0neOmCpbU%2F Late last week, the FDA approved a much-anticipated hepatitis C treatment from Merck, which the drugmaker inherited as part of its acquisition of Schering-Plough (see here). The move, which is the first FDA endorsement of a new hepatitis C med in a decade, came just 10 days before Vertex Pharmaceuticals is expected to win approval of its own drug, setting off a new round of speculation about what is certain to be an expensive and highly interesting battle. The US market alone offers substantial potential with an estimated 3.2 million Americans suffering from the afflication, including an untold number who may not be aware they are infected. Both Merck and Vertex, of course, will work hard to raise awareness. And their meds would be used in combination with older treatments - peginterferon ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4829305 Mon, 16 May 2011 13:09:51 +0100 4829305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780488&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FGuogHFPFGkk%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. A sunny day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we hope we have solved our recent tech problems. We appreciate your patience. Meanwhile, we are brewing the usual cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Mocha Nut Fudge - and perusing the news of the world. Let us know if you hear something interesting. And, of course, have a productive and rewarding day… Pfizer Earnings Rise On Lower Costs (Associated Press) Novartis CEO Not Thrilled With Health Care Reform (Fortune) Shanghai Pharma Raises $2.2B, Investors Include Pfizer (Bloomberg News) Could Chemicals In Wine Improve Stent Performance? (Health Day) Teva To Buy Japanese Generic Drugmaker (Globes) FDA Approves Boehringer/Lilly Diabetes Drug (Pharma Times) Parex... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780488 Tue, 03 May 2011 12:02:39 +0100 4780488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758780&cid=t_108195_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Flatest-science-news.html Crowdsourcing a clinical trial to treat ALS – Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a pretty grim disease. Victims experience progressive muscle weakness, leading to death; patients survive a median of only two to five years following the onset of symptoms. Currently, there are no effective therapies. So it's not surprising that when a preliminary study shows a hint of efficacy, patients will do what they can to get access to the drug and share their experiences with fellow patients. A company called PatientsLikeMe has now used this tendency to share information to crowdsource a sort of clinical trial, obtaining data on the effectiveness of off-label use of a drug. China seizes 26 tonnes of melamine-tainted milk powder – It's the food story we hoped we'd heard t... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758780 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:00:16 +0100 4758780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753973&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6I6iFNkZiNw%2F Hello, everyone. Another shiny day is unfolding on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we have successfully begun hustling the short people off to the local school house. As for us, we have a busy day planned since we will host a webinar later about pharma ad agencies and procurement issues (look here). Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to get you started. Hope today is a productive one and see you soon… Merck Hep C Drug Boosted Cure Rates In Trials: FDA (Bloomberg News) Abbott Trilipix & Statin Combo Can Cause Heart Problems: FDA (Reuters) Painkillers Make Antidepressants Less Effective: Study (The Globe & Mail) Cardinal Health Pays $8M To Settle Kickback Claims (Kansas City Business Journal) Mitsui Buys CMO Operations In China (Outsourcing Pharma) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753973 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:03:01 +0100 4753973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4719886&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRQQo0k1r9IM%2F By David BoazJack Goldstone, who will speak Monday at a Cato Forum, “Civil Resistance and Revolution in the Arab World,” has two interesting articles published today in Foreign Affairs and the Washington Post. In the Post, Goldstone, who is the Hazel Professor and director of the Center for Global Policy at George Mason University, suggests that China’s rapid economic growth is going to slow down. In Foreign Affairs, more relevantly for Monday’s forum, his topic is “Understanding the Revolutions of 2011” (reg. req.). The magazine’s summary: Revolutions rarely succeed, writes one of the world’s leading experts on the subject — except for revolutions against corrupt and personalist “sultanistic” regimes. This helps explain why T... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4719886 Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:35:06 +0100 4719886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709238&cid=t_108195_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Ffive-more-science-stories-3.html Fukushima did not get any worse and is no Chernobyl? – Nothing had changed when they elevated Fukushima to the same level as Chernobyl, leaked radiation has gone down, although efforts are ongoing to cool the nuclear fuel and prevent any further radioactive material from escaping. The change simply recognises that it overall it was worse than at first thought. BUT this is still no Chernobyl. The Chemist of Life and Death – Science has always been capable of huge innovation, and frightening destruction. The life of one scientist encapsulates that tension more than any other – Fritz Haber. Milk poisoning in northwest China ‘deliberate’ – Three children who died after drinking tainted milk appear to have been the victims of deliberate poisoning, Chinese sta... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709238 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:00:03 +0100 4709238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704957&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTqt7VZfCzXA%2F For those who had any doubt about where R&D money is headed…look east. As in the Far East. A recent survey of 241 execs from drugmakers and biotechs finds that R&D budgets are rising just 1 percent overall this year. Meanwhile, outsourcing is expected to rise 11 percent, to 41 percent of the R&D undertaken, and most companies favor investing more of their clinical work in China. There is a price to pay, though. In the three-month period prior to the survey, price increases by contract research organizations outnumbered decreases by a 5-to-1 ratio. Looked at another way, 35 percent of the drugmakers and biotechs reported a price hike from CROs, compared with 6 percent that reported a price drop, according to the survey by RW Baird, the Wall Street brokerage. “We ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704957 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:08:46 +0100 4704957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4696954&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3Eb37NoKR6k%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope the weekend was refreshing and enjoyable. Now, though, the routine of meetings and deadlines has returned. To cope, yes, we are brewing that mandatory cup of stimulation. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to get you going. Let us know if you hear anything interesting and have a great, productive day… Endo Pharma Buying American Medical For $2.6 Billion (Associated Press) Intercell Suspends Trial For MRSA Vaccine (Bloomberg News) Actress Sues Lilly For Using Her Face In Prozac Ad (New York Post) Novartis Stops Tasigna Trial In Patients With GIST (Reuters) Inspiration Pharma Eyes Plant In Ireland And 500 Jobs (Irish Post) Merck KGgA Considers Job Cuts At Serono Unit (Reuters) Merck And Sun Pharma Near Generics Deal (LiveMint) British M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4696954 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:51:13 +0100 4696954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693265&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fuh40eOjEgtc%2F By Mark A. CalabriaEarlier this week I repeatedly heard the claim that if the federal government does not guarantee credit risk in the mortgage market, foreigners won’t buy U.S. mortgage-related debt.  Before we test whether that claim is true, let’s first determine just how important are foreign investors in the U.S. mortgage market. For the most part, foreign investors do not hold U.S. mortgages directly, but either hold Fannie and Freddie debt and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) or hold private-label MBS.  As the private-label securities lack a government guarantee, we can ignore that segment of the market.  The chart below depicts the percentage share of foreign ownership of these securities in recent years: The chart illustrates that, at times (particularly around ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693265 Fri, 08 Apr 2011 21:21:02 +0100 4693265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4693272&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgCEly6uUjxk%2F By David BoazThe government of China finally confirmed that it has detained the artist Ai Weiwei. Meanwhile, Evan Osnos writes from Beijing for the New Yorker about China’s “Big Chill”: Step by step—so quietly, in fact, that the full facts of it can be startling—China has embarked on the most intense crackdown on free expression in years. Overshadowed by news elsewhere in recent weeks, China has been rounding up writers, lawyers, and activists since mid-February, when calls began to circulate for protests inspired by those in the Middle East and North Africa. By now the contours are clear: according to a count by Chinese Human Rights Defenders, an advocacy group, the government has “criminally detained 26 individuals, disappeared more than 30, and put more than 200... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4693272 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:59:05 +0100 4693272 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684274&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCEIDqKmv1ug%2F By George Scoville It's time for a little less hubris. It's time for a government shutdown. It's time to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. It's time for an adult conversation on the federal budget, and Chairman Ryan's plan is a good start. It's time to rethink our strategy in Afghanistan: Wednesday Links is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684274 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:46:04 +0100 4684274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684324&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdont-believe-the-hype-acupuncture-and-alternative-medicine-is-not-so-popular%2F2011.04.05 Everybody’s Doing It One argument that often comes up when skeptics and proponents of so-called complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) debate is the question of the popularity of various CAM practices. Advocates of CAM often claim these practices are widely used and growing rapidly in popularity. Obviously, CAM proponents have an interest in characterizing their practices as widely accepted and utilized. Even though the popularity of an idea is not a reliable indication of whether or not it is true, most people are inclined to accept that if a lot of people believe in something there must be at least some truth to it. The evidence against this idea is overwhelming, but it is a deeply intuitive, intransigent notion that can only rarely be dislodged. It might therefore be useful to g... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684324 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:00:21 +0100 4684324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653308&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fhd7HTNdwtwA%2F By Daniel GriswoldBack in February, more than 100 House members introduced a bill that would make it easier to slap duties on imports from China. I explain why picking a trade fight with China would be a bad idea all around in an article just published in the print edition of National Review magazine. Titled “Deal with the Dragon: Trade with the Chinese is good for us, them, and the world,” the article explains why our burgeoning trade with the Middle Kingdom is benefiting Americans as consumers, especially low- and middle-income families that spend a higher share on the everyday consumer items we import from China. We also benefit as producers—China is now the no. 3 market for U.S. exports and by far the fastest growing major market. Chinese investment in Treasury bills keeps intere... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653308 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:36:46 +0100 4653308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642998&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Ff-2Dp6cVgAU%2F Hello, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend was relaxing and enjoyable. Now, though, the time has come to resume that routine of meetings and deadlines. To cope, we are quaffing our mandatory cup of stimulation. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few items from around the world. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… AstraZeneca Raises Forecast After Settling Tax Dispute (Bloomberg News) Novartis Invests In Chinese Vaccine Maker (InPharma Technologist) Pfizer Employee Arrested For Carrying Knife On Plane (New York Post) Speculation Rises That Roche Is A Takeover Target (Pharma Times) Pfizer Recalls Two Drugs Over Mislabeling (MoneyControl) Non-Profit Proposal Would Save 25 Pfizer Research Jobs (The Day) Actelion Board Seeks Rejection ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642998 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:00:50 +0100 4642998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615426&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPl4PHiJPh2U%2F Over the past week, a note has been circulating on the Internet about the web site that Eli Lilly created for its Strattera ADHD medication for consumers in China. Specifically, the missive points out that the Strattera site offers very different info about the risks and benefits of the medication. As an example, the US Strattera site warns patients of suicide risk, but not the Chinese site. “Lilly’s web site in China says nothing about this risk; patients are told nothing about any Strattera side effects at all. Chinese readers are warned instead about the dangers of ADHD (deliquency, substance abuse, unemployment, depression and other serious problems, both personal and social) unless treated with medication,” according to the note that was distributed by Ben Hansen, a ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615426 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:42:06 +0100 4615426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4600798&cid=t_108195_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=4592691&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F5cPetg5jHnI%2F For those wondering about the difficulties confronting the FDA as the agency attempts to monitor the supply chain, the chart offers some insight. From roughly 1,200 foreign manufacturing plants in 2001, the number grew to more than 3,500 in 2008 - a 185 percent increase. Yet the number of FDA inspections rose 23 percent, leading to a 57 percent drop in the inspection rate. [UPDATE: In 2001, 20.7 percent of facilities were inspected, but only 8.9 percent in fiscal year 2008]. In China alone, the problem is daunting. There are nearly 1,000 manufacturers of drug substances eligible for FDA inspection. And for 89 percent of audited Chinese-made drug substances, US and European pharmaceutical purchasers fail to demand the mandatory Chinese license and certificate, according to Philippe André o... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592691 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:15:33 +0100 4592691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549939&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzIiicEuNJck%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that IBM Global Business Service hired Neil Patel as an associate partner in the Life Sciences R&D Practice. Prior to joining IBM, he was with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the Pharma Life Sciences Practice as a director and, before that, he worked... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549939 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:10:43 +0100 4549939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545255&cid=t_108195_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=4522286&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fc4iwc7RTeus%2F Two years ago, Pfizer trumpted a deal in which Aurobindo, a large supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients that is based in India, would make a few dozen generic meds for the brand-name drugmaker. The move was part of a grand plan to expand into generics with lower manufacturing costs and revive growth as patents on big-selling, brand-name meds began expiring. “These agreements represent solid, measurable progress, and a strong commitment to achieve our growth objectives,” said David Simmons, who heads the drugmaker’s emerging markets and established products units, in a statement. Established products is a Pfizer euphemism for generics and branded generics. “We will dramatically change Pfizer’s Established Products portfolio to an engine of positive growth.” Since... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522286 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:51:21 +0100 4522286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512610&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F01Pd_tGjLqE%2F Three years after the FDA linked the Heparin scandal to contaminated supplies from China, a Congressional committee has lashed out at the agency for failing to find the culprits behind the episode and has now written FDA commish Margaret Hamburg to release all documents related to the agency investigation. You may recall that contaminated heparin made in China was linked to 81 deaths in 2007 and 2008 (back story), and the episode sparked a firestorm of criticism at the FDA for its failure to monitor medicines made there (background). “There is reason to believe all or some of the individuals responsible for the adulteration are still actively engaged in the Chinese pharmaceutical supply chain and pose a continuing threat to pharmaceutical products imported to the (United States),&#8... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512610 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:14:19 +0100 4512610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512379&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbeWiDi8NSW8%2F By Daniel IkensonAfter several days of defiance, Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei announced Monday that it would abide a recommendation from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) that it divest of U.S. technology company 3-Leaf. CFIUS is an inter-agency group charged with reviewing the national security implications of proposed foreign investments in U.S. companies and assets and advising the president about whether or not he should block those transactions on security grounds. CFIUS is composed of representatives from 16 different U.S. government departments and agencies and is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury. Last week, CFIUS issued a recommendation that the president block Huawei’s $2 million purchase of assets—including certain paten... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512379 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:32:15 +0100 4512379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495179&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fwt28LPYUvwk%2F By Daniel IkensonForget all the high-minded rhetoric about "fair trade" and "level playing fields." Discount the apple-pie claims that the antidumping law protects good American companies and their hard-working employees from unscrupulous, predatory, foreign cheaters. Those are just some of the myths that have sustained the costly antidumping status quo for decades. If the American public were familiar with all of the sordid details of the antidumping case concerning wooden bedroom furniture from China (which I called a Poster Child for Reform back in 2004), they would be angry and ready to change the law.  Well, on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal did its part by running a story about how U.S. producers of wooden bedroom furniture have been extorting cash from their Chinese competition... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495179 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:18:57 +0100 4495179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489977&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTtqj3J1HvPI%2F Hello and nice to see you again. Having successfully deposited one of the short people at the local schoolhouse, we are celebrating with yet another cup of stimulation. Please join us or grab a bottle of water, if you prefer, and get ready for another day of meetings and deadlines and who-knows-what-else. Meanwhile, here are some fresh tidbits. Have a good one and stay in touch… China To Help Domestic Drugmakers Expand Overseas (Global Times) AstraZeneca Pays $150M To Settle More Seroquel Lawsuits (Bloomberg News) Amgen Haunted By Medicare Worries (Forbes) Glaxo Cuts Neuroscience Jobs In North Carolina (MedCity News) UK’s NICE Endorses Celgene Blood Cancer Med (Reuters) Allergan Wins Wider Use For Lap-Band Device (Wall Street Journal) EU Parliament Approves Tougher Counterfeit ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489977 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:03:30 +0100 4489977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464477&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0a0p9LpxQTE%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe U.S. trade deficit rose in 2010, and the bilateral deficit with China reached a record high last year, according to the monthly trade report released this morning by the U.S. Commerce Department. The usual critics (such as Peter Morici of the University of Maryland) are already spinning it into yet another indictment of trade, but the report contains a lot of good news for the U.S. economy. Last year, Americans bought $2,330 billion worth of goods and services from other countries, while selling $1,832 billion, for a trade deficit of $498 billion. Our bilateral deficit with China grew to a record $273 billion. Politicians and commentators love to focus on the trade deficit, as though it were a scorecard of who is winning in global trade. But the real measure is the to... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464477 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:07:35 +0100 4464477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460185&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FcHs7oSEPblk%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. Yet another deep freeze has descended on the Pharmalot corporate campus, but we manage to keep warm with our mandatory cup of stimulation and stimulating news. On that note, we offer you a smattering of tidbits to get you started. We hope your day goes well and your goals are accomplished. Have a good one… Novartis Moves To Prevent Execution Drug From Reaching US (Reuters) Botox Use For Migraines Is Questioned (BBC News) Novartis And Pfizer Drugs Boost Lung Function In COPD Patients (Reuters) Medical Device Makers Shun The US (New York Times) J&J Negotiates Hip Replacements With Lawyers (Bloomberg News) Black Rock To Provide Data Merck Wants For Vytorin Defense (Dow Jones) Shire Pharma Earnings Match Expectations (Reuters) IFPMA... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460185 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:09:18 +0100 4460185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424441&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FrMRhvr_EIp8%2F One of the companies at the center of the Heparin scandal nearly three years ago just can’t seem to get it right. Last fall, the FDA sent an inspection letter to Scientific Protein Laboratories because the supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients received info that additional lots were contaminated in October 2008 - months after the scandal broke - but failed to adequately investigate for a year. Now, the FDA has issued a January 20 warning letter in which SPL was upbraided for failing to consider widening its internal investigation into contamination into other lots for another eight months. This is serious; the blood thinner, you may recall, was linked to more than 80 deaths and hundreds of serious reactions in patients in late 2007 and early 2008. In the spring of 2008, an FD... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424441 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:24:42 +0100 4424441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424450&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbxEIYiZB3gI%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. Another wintry day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus where, as usual, we are doing our best to hustle the short people off to the school houses. And of course, we armed with a shovel and a cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Gingerbread - as we prepare for the next round of deadlines and meetings. We trust you are doing the same, yes? So here are some tidbits to help you get started. May your day be fruitful… Roche Returns Diabetes Drug To Ipsen Over Side Effects (Bloomberg News) Sanofi’s Multaq On Latest FDA Safety Probe List (Reuters) China Arrests 18 People For Making Fake Avastin (Shanghai Daily) Biogen Profit Falls But Tysabri Sales Were Up (Reuters) Former Pfizer Chemist Gambles On Biofuel (Biodiesel Magazine) Valeant ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424450 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:08:26 +0100 4424450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399773&cid=t_108195_136_f&fid=37852&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonnatrussell.com%2F2011%2F01%2F25%2Fchina-and-america-of-yuan-and-yangsters%2F New cartoon by Trussell & Trussell on Politics Daily. China and America: Of Yuan and Yangsters. In Chinese, “crisis” is composed of two characters: “best friends forever” and “executioner.” Filed under: Politics Tagged: china, debt, economy, robert donna trussell, unemployment (Source: Donna Trussell) Donna Trussell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399773 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:16:08 +0100 4399773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394746&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYECv4Iz6fOk%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day is on the way. And here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, we are, once again, hustling those short people off to their school houses. Wish us luck. Meanwhile, we are also trying to brew a much-needed cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Southern Pecan - and scour the news of the world. And so here are a few tidbits. Hope your day goes well and drop us a line about anything interesting… J&J Sales Hurt By Product Recalls (Reuters) Amgen Buys A Cancer Drugmaker: Are More Deals Coming? (Bloomberg News) Wolters Kluwer Forms Joint Venture With China’s Medicom (Philadelphia Inquirer) Savient Pharma Hires Lilly Oncology Exec As CEO (Reuters) Cost Of Treating Heart Disease Will Triple By 2030 (Bloomberg News) Clinical Data And Its Antidepr... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394746 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:02:18 +0100 4394746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394748&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FpXbefPvyX2U%2F As drugmakers look to do more business in more foreign markets, corruption is always an issue, yes? That’s particularly true now that the US Justice Department - along with the US Securities and Exchange Commission - is paying closer attention to interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and foreign governments. Over the past year, several big drugmakers have received letters as the federal government seeks to uncover any violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which forbids US companies from bribing foreign government officials. One aspect of the probe reportedly involves exploring whether drugmakers and clinical trial organizations pay off third-party investigators to finesse research data. A report by the HHS Office of Inspector General noted that eight percent of... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394748 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:01:22 +0100 4394748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394751&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCvf7cwE0jD4%2F Hello, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope your weekend was relaxing and refreshing. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine as those meetings and deadlines beckon. We know the feeling. To cope, we are brewing our usual cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Pumpkin Spice - and we invite you to join us. Meanwhile, here are some interesting tidbits to help you along. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Supreme Court Rejects Vanderbilt Bid On Lilly Cialis Patent (Indianapolis Star) Glaxo Stopped Running Levitra Ads In Late 2009 (Dow Jones) EU Price Cuts And US Reform Weigh On Drugmakers (Reuters) Sanofi Extends Genzyme Bid To February 15 (Bloomberg News) China Health Deal To Boost US Pharma Exports (Pharma Times) Families Drop Case Against Epilepsy ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394751 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:57:03 +0100 4394751 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377558&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUrfJNoB1IH0%2F By Mark A. CalabriaChinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington brought renewed focus on China’s currency.  It was likely the largest point of discussion between President Obama and President Hu.  I suspect a less public, but related, issue was China looking for some certainty that America would make good on its obligations; after all, China is our largest lender. What is often missed is the connection between these two issues:  currency and debt.  When China receives dollars for the many goods it sells us, instead of recycling those dollars into the purchase of US goods, it uses that money mostly to buy US Treasuries and Agencies (Fannie/Freddie securities).  These large Treasury/Agency purchases (foreign holdings of GSE debt are over $1 trillion) have the effect of... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377558 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:26:17 +0100 4377558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360952&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTrbQOCPsiOY%2F By Ted Galen CarpenterChinese President Hu Jintao arrives in Washington today for a summit meeting with President Obama following spats over economic and military issues that have created a chill in bilateral relations. This follows Secretary Gates’s visit just last week to Beijing for discussions with Defense Ministry officials. On the Huffington Post, I have a piece that looks at the current state of U.S.-China relations in the context of these visits: “The process of repairing [the U.S.-China relationship] appears to be off to a rocky start. A key objective of Secretary Gates was to get China’s military leadership to agree to a wide-ranging dialogue on strategic issues, including nuclear weapons, ballistic missile defenses, space weapons, and cyber warfare. His hosts rebu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360952 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:41:56 +0100 4360952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360957&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fd1GVFt5gY6c%2F By Daniel GriswoldChina’s President Hu Jintau arrives in Washington today for a state visit, turning the spotlight once again on U.S.-China trade and China’s allegedly undervalued currency, the yuan. Not one to let such an opportunity go to waste, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is introducing legislation that would threaten to impose duties on imports from China if the yuan does not appreciate quickly. Count me skeptical that a more expensive yuan relative to the U.S. dollar would make much of a dent in our bilateral trade deficit with China, or that it would have any positive effect on U.S. economic growth and employment. But even if those assumptions were true, the big story is how much the yuan as already appreciated against the dollar. It has been a mantra of Sen. Schumer and other ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360957 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:37:52 +0100 4360957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4360960&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FvZn19EMSoF0%2F By Daniel IkensonChinese President Hu Jintao is in Washington this week for discussions with President Obama. On the agenda are various economic and security issues that are raising dander on both sides of the Pacific. Frictions in the U.S.-China relationship are nothing new, but they have intensified in the past 18 months. One explanation for the rising tensions is that certain media pundits and policymakers now view the relationship through a prism that has been altered by the fact of a rapidly rising China. That China emerged from the financial meltdown and subsequent global recession wealthier and on a virtually unchanged high-growth trajectory, while the U.S. faces slow growth, high unemployment, and a large debt (much of it owned by the Chinese), is breeding anxiety and changing per... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4360960 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:43:53 +0100 4360960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343130&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fobesity-on-the-rise-in-developing-nations%2F2011.01.13 Emerging economies must act immediately to halt rising obesity rates before the epidemic becomes as severe as it is in first-world countries, according to new report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD report was published in the Lancet. It characterizes the prevalence of obesity in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Obesity rates were found to vary dramatically across these six countries. In Mexico, a stunning 70 percent of adults were reported to be overweight or obese. Nearly half of all Brazilians, Russians and South Africans fell into these categories. China and India had a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, but were moving rapidly in the wrong direction, according to the OECD. Developing nations don’t have eno... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343130 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:00:26 +0100 4343130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4338266&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYyI_ups9eUA%2F Concerned with a slowdown in clinical research in the UK, the Academy of Medical Sciences has issued a report calling for a new independent health agency in hopes of simplifying regulation and speeding the pace at which clinical trials are approved and conducted. In other words, trim the bureaucracy. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency came in for particular criticism, by the way. In discussing its findings, the AMS pointed out that the proportion of UK patients recruited into trials fell to 2 percent of the worldwide total in 2006 from 6 percent just six years earlier. Moreover, the proportion of drugs and devices in European Union clinical trials developed in the UK was 24 percent in 2007, down from 46 percent in 2002. “There is widespread agreement that the reg... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4338266 Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:56:12 +0100 4338266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322694&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkXQ0zP99dZg%2F And so another week will soon draw to a close. And you know what that means - daydreaming about weekend plans. After clearing still more snow from the Pharmalot corporate campus, we hope to visit the town dump (an interesting place; ask us about the time we met former Schering-Plough ceo Dick Kogan disposing of boxes of who-knows-what) and spend time with the short people. What about you? A snowball fight, perhaps? A cozy moment with a special person? Whatever you do have a nice time. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits of interest. See you soon… Dendreon To Bring Provenge Vaccine To Europe (TheStreet) Savient Has Manufacturing Problems With Gout Drug (Reuters) FDA Wants More To Review Astra Thyroid Cancer Drug (Associated Press) A Woman’s Tears Lower Male Testosterone: Study (B... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322694 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:53:13 +0100 4322694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305106&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIFTJm_-1GXw%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. We hope you had a pleasant respite and feel refreshed after the holiday break. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine, which means gearing up for those meetings and deadlines. As always, we have gathered a few items to help you along. Meanwhile, please join us for a much-needed cup of stimulation. Hope your day goes well… Inspire Pharma’s Cystic Fibrosis Drug Fails (Reuters) Elder Pharma Gets Japanese Approval For API Facility (Business Standard) J&J And MassGen Strike Deal For Testing Cancer Cells (Boston Globe) UK’s NICE May Back Avastin For Macular Degeneration (The Guardian) Roche Buys Marcadia And Its Obesity Compounds (BioWorld Today) Indian Pharmas Had Most ANDA Approvals (Business Standard) AstraZeneca&... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305106 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:02:30 +0100 4305106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4277822&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBTOgsNmhiWI%2F By David BoazAdjacent articles in the latest New Yorker deplore “consumerism” among the American revolutionaries and the modern Chinese. You wonder how a magazine so concerned about manifestations of consumer desire would support itself. Surely it struggles along on a shoestring, preaching the message of austerity and simplicity to sincere but poor readers. In fact, however, these laments about consumerism in societies vastly poorer than our own are sandwiched between lush full-page advertisements for Chanel watches, Samsung home entertainment centers, single malt Scotch, Grey Goose vodka, Cristal champagne, David Yurman jewelry, German automobiles, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The articles themselves appear on pages lined with small, elegant ads for Jay-Z’s book-ebook-a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4277822 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:43:37 +0100 4277822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275608&cid=t_108195_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F21%2Fkombucha-tea-do-the-negatives-outweigh-the-positives%2F By: Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern The beverage industry provides a plethora of options for those seeking something fizzy, a drink with a kick, or beverages with advertised health benefits. Kombucha is a popular ‘health drink’ that uses a grouping of bacteria and yeast mixed in with tea. Ancient China is credited with the creation of this fermented tea, although many countries across the world have their own versions. Kombucha is made by first obtaining a colony called the ‘mother’ which floats at the top of the batch of tea. The colony is saved for each brew (think of sourdough starter) and even passed along to friends so they can brew their own. After creating a large batch of tea (it can be green or black tea), sugar, and the colony are mixed together. The fermentation pr... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275608 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:42:36 +0100 4275608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266263&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6XIlWnTjkZk%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is our regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that GCI Health, a healthcare public relations agency, hired Robert Eakins to head its Canadian operations. Most recently, he was senior vp and healthcare practice leader at MS&L Canada, where he managed such clients as Sanofi-Aventis, Sanofi P... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266263 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:13:25 +0100 4266263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4258836&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FhdOrVu4LUdo%2F By Daniel IkensonThere was really never any doubt that the United States would prevail in the dispute brought by China to the World Trade Organization over President Obama’s decision last year to levy duties on tire imports from China. The WTO verdict, revealed yesterday, simply affirms that the administration acted in accordance with U.S. WTO commitments—and leaves to others, such as myself, to conclude that the duties were a highly political act perpetrated with utter contempt for the significant economic and diplomatic costs of those actions. Thus, “prevailing” in the WTO case should not be considered a source of universal joy for all Americans or even most Americans, as one might infer from the reaction of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, who jubilantly proclaimed, ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4258836 Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:13:28 +0100 4258836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249043&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgwG4wkc_VpU%2F By Daniel GriswoldThis morning’s report from the U.S. Department of Commerce that the pesky trade deficit shrank unexpectedly in October is being hailed in the media as “good news” for the economy, while the real news behind the numbers remains buried. According to the latest monthly trade report, exports of U.S. goods rose in October compared to September, while imports declined slightly. Rising exports are good news in anybody’s book, but according to the conventional Keynesian and mercantilist logic, falling imports must also be good for the economy because that means consumers are spending more on domestically produced goods, right? Wrong. In the real world, that assumption is almost always false, as I did my best to document a few weeks back in an op-ed titled, “Are risi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249043 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:21:21 +0100 4249043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238151&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F4wnU_lg3IY0%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another brand new day is on the way and, once again, we are hustling the short people off to their various school houses. This calls, of course, for a cup of stimulation. So please join us, or grab a bottle of water if you prefer. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get us all started. Have a great one and drop us a line if you hear anything interesting… Sanofi Unwilling To Meet Genzyme Demands (Bloomberg News) Enzon Pharma Cuts Workforce By 26 Percent (Reuters) Johnson & Johnson Faces Thousands Of Levaquin Lawsuits (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) Kindler Departure Sparked By Succession Issue? (Bloomberg News) Glaxo Buys Chinese Drugmaker For $70M (Reuters) Chris Viehbacher Is Named New PhRMA Chief (The Hill) Medicaid Drugs Are Going To Drug Dealers (Associ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238151 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:56:32 +0100 4238151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233166&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa_QwBH92uOI%2F By Doug BandowThe U.S. and South Korean governments have agreed to changes in the free trade agreement negotiated by the Bush administration. The president rightly lauded the FTA as a good deal for Americans: “This agreement shows the U.S. is willing to lead and compete in the global economy,” the president told reporters at the White House, calling it a triumph for American workers in fields from farming to aerospace.” Approving the FTA has taken on added urgency after the European Union negotiated a similar accord with the South. Once that agreement takes effect, Europeans would have better access than Americans to the world’s 13th largest economy. Protectionism is always foolish, but especially so when one’s competitors are promoting open markets. The accord also offer... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233166 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:29:51 +0100 4233166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233424&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F69Q-JUDmm-A%2F Welcome to the working week. We hope the weekend was refreshing and restful, although now, of course, the routine resumes. To prepare, we are brewing the mandatory cup of stimulation. Meanwhile, we would like to note that we are hosting a webinar on Thurs., Dec. 9 about the FDA’s Accelerated Approval process (please look here). Please join us. And now, the news of the world. Have a great day and if you run into Jeff Kindler, please send our regards… Celgene Stock Hurt By Revlimid Cancer Data (TheStreet) Elan Replaces Martin With Former Glaxo CEO Ingram (Bloomberg News) AstraZeneca Bloodthinner Gets EU Approval (Reuters) FDA Delays Decision On Benlysta Lupus Med (Associated Press) China To Lead Innovation By 2020: AstraZeneca Survey (PharmaTimes) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233424 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:45:55 +0100 4233424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230161&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-street-economics-of-drug-abuse%2F2010.12.04 I’ve discovered over the years that I really like economics. I never took an econ class in my entire life, since I was pretty focused on the life sciences, but I’ve picked up a fair amount informally over the years. Fortunately I have a strong background in statistics and math, and I’ve done a lot of reading on economics. I wouldn’t say that I have any special level of understanding or credibility on the topic. Perhaps it should be noted that my wife took away the checkbook for good reason. But I enjoy it as a topic, as something to read about and a powerful tool for understanding how the world works. One consequence of being an ER doc is that you are pretty close to “the street,” and I don’t mean Wall Street. I mean the folks living and scroungi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230161 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4230161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220459&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FenKjAWY1Koc%2F Good morning, everyone. Nice to see you again, despite the rain falling in buckets on the Pharmalot corporate campus. Nonetheless, our spirits are sunny and we thank the Morning Mayor for teaching us this lesson: ‘Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.’ So while you consider the possibilities, please join us for a cup of stimulation and the news of the world. Have a great day… Pfizer Outsources Warehouse And Lays Off 186 Workers (Knoxville News-Sentinel) J&J May Renegotiate Crucell Deal (Bloomberg News) UK’s NICE Backs Bristol-Myers Abilify (Dow Jones) A Longer Index Finger Means Lower Prostate Cancer Risk (Bloomberg News) The Latest US Pharmacopeia Agenda (InPharma-Technologist) Simcere Pharma Is Fined Over Rabies Vaccine (Bloomberg News... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220459 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:00:24 +0100 4220459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214487&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FC3xcP8N8Lb4%2F China is flexing its economic muscle in all sorts of ways. Now, the National Development and Reform Commission, which is China’s top economic planner, intends to cap pricing on essential meds made by foreign-capitalized drugmakers, according to 21st Century Business Herald, writes that the move “can be seen as an end of the super-national treatment afforded to foreign companies.” Until now, meds by overseas drugmakers were often eligible for independent pricing and exempted from previous rounds of price reductions as part of a program established in 2000, the paper continues. According to the China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association, the average price of nine foreign independently priced drugs is 1,311 percent higher than domestic meds. “Price ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214487 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:29:08 +0100 4214487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207505&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F4JmCOEReBiI%2F Welcome back, everyone. We hope you had a nice long weekend that was refreshing and relaxing. Now, though, the time has come to resume the routine - yes, those meetings and deadlines loom once again. So please join us for a much-needed cup of stimulation as we plow through the to-do list. And here is another invite: our Dec. 9 webinar on the FDA’s Accelerated Approval program (see here). Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits to get you going. Have a great day… Glaxo Signs Deal With Russia’s Binnopharm (The Moscow Times) Ranbaxy May Start Selling Generic Aricept (Bloomberg News) Cardinal Health Buys Chinese Drug Distributor (MarketWatch) KV Pharma Given Extra Time To Pay Fines (St. Louis Business Journal) EMA To Revise Guidance On GMP Tech Transfer To CMOs (OutsourcingPharma) ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207505 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:57:59 +0100 4207505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197033&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2ZC3Dhc5bZA%2F By Doug BandowShortly after unveiling a new uranium enrichment facility, North Korea has shelled a disputed island held by the Republic of Korea.  A score of South Koreans reportedly were killed or wounded. These two steps underscore the North’s reputation for recklessness.  Unfortunately, there is no easy solution: serious military retaliation risks full-scale war, while intensified sanctions will have no impact without China’s support. Instead, the U.S. should join with the ROK in an intensive diplomatic offensive in Beijing.  So far China has assumed that the Korean status quo is to its advantage.  However, Washington and Seoul should point out that Beijing has much to lose if things go badly in North Korea. The North is about to embark on a potentially uncertain leadership tran... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197033 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:45:17 +0100 4197033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175977&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FEy3R1iJKuAE%2F Good morning, everyone. ‘Tis a shiny day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the official mascots are frolicking and short people are making their way to the local school house. Of course, the rest of us are preparing for all those meetings and deadlines. No doubt, this will be a busy day. To help you along, here are some tidbits. We hope you have a great day and achieve your goals… Novartis Plans Efficiency Steps (Reuters) China Will Be Second-Largest Pharma Market In 2015 (InPharma-Technologist) New Medicare Drug Plan For Seniors May Not Be So Great (Associated Press) CMS Committee Meets Today On Provenge (The Wall Street Journal) FDA Panel Backs Human Genome Lupus Drug (New York Times) Amgen May Bid For Actelion (Reuters) Lilly’s Alimta Patent Is Upheld (Bloo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175977 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:15:21 +0100 4175977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151750&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJzZhhZ7EcRY%2F By Daniel J. MitchellEarly in the Obama Administration, there was an amusing/embarrassing incident when Chinese students laughed at Treasury Secretary Geithner when he claimed the United States had a strong-dollar policy. I suspect that even Geithner would be smart enough to avoid such a claim today, not after the Fed’s announcement (with the full support of the White House and Treasury) that it would flood the economy with $600 billion of hot money. Here’s what my colleague Alan Reynolds wrote in the Wall Street Journal about Bernanke’s policy. Mr. Bernanke…believes (contrary to our past experience with stagflation) that inflation is no danger thanks to economic slack (high unemployment). He reasons that if people can nonetheless be persuaded to expect higher infl... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151750 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:01:13 +0100 4151750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139214&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3nvUMBUeJXg%2F By Daniel GriswoldDuring his visit to India, President Obama should bury once and for all his divisive rhetoric about American companies shipping jobs overseas. Our growing commercial ties with India are a great opportunity, not a problem. U.S. exports to India have doubled in the past four years. American companies that have set up shop in India have helped to fuel demand in that country for U.S. products and services. The president should be celebrating rather than demonizing our deeper economic ties with India. Commercial Ties with India Are An Opportunity, Mr. President–Not A Problem is a post from Cato @ Liberty - Cato Institute Blog (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139214 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:00:53 +0100 4139214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139215&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FONbLBwVJO7c%2F By Daniel IkensonIt’s not surprising that Treasury Secretary Geithner’s recent G-20 proposal that governments agree to keep their current-account balances (either surplus or deficit) within 4 percent of GDP has met with resistance. After all, it assumes governments can and should manage the buying, selling, and investment decisions of hundreds of millions of Americans and billions of people worldwide. But I marvel at how deeply Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai’s tongue must have been planted in cheek when he uttered this rich rejection of Geithner’s idea: “The artificial setting of a numerical target cannot but remind us of the days of a planned economy.” If the shoe fits…. Too Top-Down…Even for the Chinese Government! is a post from... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139215 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:57:12 +0100 4139215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133666&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_TOCHoa1d-c%2F By Gerald P. O'DriscollThe Fed’s planned purchases of $600 billion of long-term Treasury bonds were targeted for domestic problems, but are having international consequences. The expansion of the Fed’s balance sheet drives down the foreign-exchange value of the U.S. dollar, and (same thing) forces other currencies to appreciate in value. Emerging markets with high short-term interest rates will attract “hot money” flows. These flows are not stable sources of funding, and disrupt the small capital markets in these countries. Long-term, the appreciation of their currencies harms their competitiveness in global goods’ markets. Brazil has already imposed capital controls and other emerging markets may follow. The Chinese in particular have reacted sharply.  A... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133666 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:59:58 +0100 4133666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134261&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqODVu7AIJ5Q%2F Hello, everyone. How are you this morning? A spot of rain is falling on the Pharmalot corporate campus, but as usual, our spirits remain sunny. And why not? As one of favorite philosophers, the Morning Mayor, used to say: ‘Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.’ So while you tug on the ribbon, please join us for a cup of stimulation and the news of the world. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Dendreon Discusses Provenge Production And Revenues (Xconomy) Drugmakers See Some Benefits In GOP Gains (The Wall Street Journal) Parexel Profit Rises But Forecast Looks Bleaker (Outsourcing Pharma) PPD Expansion In Pennsylvania Gets State Aid (Philadelphia Inquirer) Covance Buys Sanofi Site In The UK (NE Business) Non-Profit Helps With Drug Costs (... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134261 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:21:30 +0100 4134261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133679&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWvPLjnK5VpY%2F By Daniel GriswoldOne of the many implications of yesterday’s election is that the new Congress will likely be more friendly toward trade-expanding agreements and less inclined to raise trade barriers. Trade was not a deciding factor in the election, despite efforts by a number of incumbent Democrats to make it so. Many House and Senate contests were peppered with ads accusing an opponent of favoring trade agreements that gave away U.S. jobs to China. It was a stock line in President Obama’s stump speeches that Republicans favored tax breaks for U.S. companies that ship jobs overseas (a charge I dismantled in an op-ed last week). Yet on Election Day the trade-skeptical rhetoric and ads did not save Democratic seats. Republicans Pat Toomey, Rob Portman, and Mark Kirk all won Senate seat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133679 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:11:25 +0100 4133679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119716&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_uKvTFMX99I%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another day beckons. And this is a special one here on the Pharmalot corporate campus as the shortest of short people celebrates a birthday. An especially large cup of stimulation is in order…among other things. While we fuss, please enjoy these items and, of course, we hope your weekend is wonderful. Whether you pick a pumpkin, rake some leaves, read a book or enjoy a walk, do enjoy yourselves. See you soon… Glaxo Licenses Amicus Therapeutics’ Fabry Drug (Reuters) Sanofi-Aventis Buys A Chinese OTC Maker (Associated Press) Glaxo Cuts Prices In Indonesia By Up To 50 Percent (Reuters) Hepatitis C Is Fertile Field For Blockbusters (The Wall Street Journal) Supreme Court To Review Roche And Stanford Dispute Today (The Tech) AstraZeneca And Daiichi Sign $... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119716 Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:35:14 +0100 4119716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4106064&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FjEVliExIRuE%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. Hope your weekend was refreshing and relaxing. Now, of course, the routine returns as we gear up for those meetings and deadlines. To cope, we are brewing our favorite cup of stimulation. Please join us as we peruse the news of the world and continue our quest for interesting items. Tidbits are always welcome. Hope your day goes well and see you soon… Novartis Menveo Vaccine Protects Infants In Study (Bloomberg News) Glaxo Cuts Cervarix Price By 30 Percent In Canada (Reuters) Chinese SFDA Steps Up Fake Avastin Investigation (Shanghai Daily) Alcon Names Dan Vasella As Chairman (MarketWatch) FDA Finds High Levels Of Peroxide In Batch of Crospovidone (InPharma-Technologist) J&J Faces UK Class-Action Suit Over Hip Devices (The Daily Mail) Penn... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4106064 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:40:04 +0100 4106064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040794&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FxQlJDBf45iE%2F Yet another drugmaker has run afoul of the law. This time, the culprit is GeneScience Pharmaceutical, a Chinese company that has pleaded guilty to illegally distributing human growth hormones in the US. Also copping a plea was Lei Jin, the ceo and founder, who is on probation for five years. The deal, in which GeneScience pleaded guilty to a felony while Jin pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, requires a $3 million payment to a “Clean Competition Fund” for supporting drug-free sports and forfeiting another $4.5 million to the government, according to court documents. The move, by the way, comes three years after GeneScience was charged following a scandal over international trafficking of illegal body-building drugs, including steroids. Known as Operation Raw Deal, the US government crack... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040794 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:06:41 +0100 4040794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4040796&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FSCuTbxtXbQE%2F Rise and shine, another day has arrived. And we are happy to say that so have we. After an unexpected two-day disappearance due to technical problems, we have returned as fresh as ever. So while we brew the mandatory cup of stimulation in the official Pharmalot cafeteria, please join us as we peruse the news of the world. Have a great day, everyone, and stay in touch… Will Bristol-Myers Buy Actelion? (Reuters) Health Care Fraud In Europe Is Rising (PharmaTimes) FDA To Push For More Investment In Science (Reuters) China’s API Suppliers May Have A Bright Future (OutsourcingPharma) Controversy Erupts Over Gout Drug Price Hike (MedPage Today) Vical Signs Deal To Make HIV Vaccine (Associated Press) Novo Nordisk Invests $73M Into US Plant Expansion (InPharma-Technologist) UK’s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4040796 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:51:23 +0100 4040796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031218&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbgQ2mnW-Hx0%2F By Daniel IkensonToday’s Wall Street Journal headline screams: “Americans Sour on Trade.” And why shouldn’t they? After all, the public is routinely bombarded with misleading or simplistic trade coverage that too often relies on cliché, innuendo, and regurgitated conventional wisdom: it’s Team America versus the world. Without the war metaphor, trade is just a peaceful, mutually-enriching endeavor between consenting parties. BO-RING! Dan Griswold attributes the declining sentiment to the business cycle and goes on to suggest that this “collective attitude is more reflective of the complaints people hear in the media than of any hard reality on the ground.” Let me continue with that theme because I’ve made no secret of my concern about media’s inclination ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031218 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:25:56 +0100 4031218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025610&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMII5tKb42w0%2F By David BoazFree-marketers often point to the varying success of pairs of countries — the United States vs. the Soviet Union, West vs. East Germany, Hong Kong and Taiwan vs. China — to illustrate the benefits of markets over planning, regulation, and socialism. Some even point out the closer but real differences in GDP per capita between the United States and Western Europe. In his 1984 book Endless Enemies (p. 380) Jonathan Kwitny added the less familiar pairs “Morocco versus Algeria, Malaysia versus Indonesia, Thailand versus Burma, Kenya versus Tanzania.” Now Rama Lakshmi reports in the Washington Post that we can see the results of two systems of political economy in one country: It didn’t take long for the first athletes arriving in New Delhi last week f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025610 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:23:37 +0100 4025610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4022895&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZoYjBYbyMVU%2F By Daniel IkensonThe Chinese currency issue is in full bloom this week, as the House of Representatives passed the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act of 2010 by a vote of 348-79 on Wednesday.  Though there is so much to criticize about the bill and about the layers upon layers of misinformation, myth, and subterfuge that brought us to this point, this post concerns the dubiousness of the bill’s central premise: that Yuan appreciation will significantly reduce the bilateral trade deficit. That is the position of the Peterson Institute’s Fred Bergsten and Bill Cline. The premise seems plausible enough.  At least, the economics textbooks tell us that as a nation’s currency appreciates, its people will consume more imports and foreigners will reduce consumption of that nation’s expo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4022895 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:59:59 +0100 4022895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013141&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FYzCYLVhN_Vg%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe House is expected to vote today on a bill that would allow U.S. companies to petition the Commerce Department for protective tariffs against imports from countries with “misaligned currencies.” Everybody knows the bill is aimed squarely at China. Advocates of the legislation say it is about jobs, and they are partly right. The bill is about saving the jobs of incumbent lawmakers who are desperate to appear tough on China trade, which they blame for the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs. As my colleague Dan Ikenson and I have argued at length, in blog posts, op-eds, and longer studies, A stronger Chinese currency will not put a major dent in our large bilateral trade deficit with China, certainly not any time in the near future. The bilateral deficit with China and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013141 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:29:04 +0100 4013141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994011&cid=t_108195_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F23%2Fwhen-your-husband-isnt-like-a-wall-he-is-a-wall%2F “The Great Wall of China’s attractive, but he’s too thick – my husband is sexier.” – Eija-Riitta Eklöf-Berliner-Mauer, The woman who married the Berlin Wall Do objects have souls? A few weeks ago my laptop’s battery was in trouble and I had to bring it in for a checkup. While the computer was being fixed my Blackberry simply stopped operating. I was frantic. I felt betrayed by the objects I rely on, ‘love’ and care for. “Why is this happening to me?” was my new mantra. One of my friends suggested that Mercury was in retrograde; another asked if I had done something to offend my favorite objects. We laughed, recalling a Woody Allen routine where his appliances are on the fritz and he hits them, and when he goes into the elevator the elevator asks if he... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994011 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:12:48 +0100 3994011 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3980810&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fs8ZZRckSL7Y%2F By Daniel GriswoldThis week’s congressional hearings on China’s currency generated a lot of heat but almost no light. Winning the prize among tough competition for the most irresponsible sound bite was Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. At a Senate hearing Thursday that featured Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Schumer tossed out this grenade: At a time when the U.S. economy is trying to pick itself up off the ground, China’s currency manipulation is like a boot to the throat of our recovery. This administration refuses to try and take that boot off our neck. The implication of the senator’s remark is that Americans would be enjoying a robust economic recovery right now if only China were to allow its currency to appreciate by 20 to 40 percent. But is that a reasonable charge? Grante... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3980810 Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:33:10 +0100 3980810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946409&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F198963%2F Fume Fine: China is laying down the law this November, during the Asian Games. If you get caught smoking in a public place, you’ll have to pay a hefty 50 yuan or $7.36. (via Reuters) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946409 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:54:49 +0100 3946409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942763&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fracist-rant-morrissey-calls-chinese-people-subspecies-for-animal-cruelty%2F photo: WENN.com In a recent interview with Guardian Weekend magazine, Morrissey, our favorite mopey musician, said that the people of China were a subspecies because of the way they treat animals. And, while this is an inflammatory statement that any sensible human (celebrity or not) would retract, Morrissey is standing by his words: “If anyone has seen the horrific and unwatchable footage of the Chinese cat and dog trade – animals skinned alive – then they could not possibly argue in favour of China as a caring nation. There are no animal protection laws in China and this results in the worst animal abuse and cruelty on the planet. It is indefensible.” So, is Morrissey racist? Or is he just voicing what many animal rights advocates actually think, but are afraid to say on... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942763 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:23:42 +0100 3942763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933078&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtfPNovv-7YU%2F By Jim Harper[above quote attibuted to American writer Minna Thomas Antrim (1861-1950)] The AP reports on trouble facing the Chinese census: After years of reforms that have reduced the government’s once-pervasive involvement in most people’s lives, some Chinese are proving reluctant to give up personal information and harboring suspicions about what the government plans to do with their details. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933078 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:59:06 +0100 3933078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929458&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3Eqe6D-7b1U%2F Top of the morning to you. A sparkly day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are following various leads and trying to make sense of this big old world. To help the process, we are brewing our mandatory cup of stimulation. Please join us as you prepare to climb your own mountains. Meanwhile, have a great day and stay in touch… FDA Warns Of Increased Death With Pfizer Antibiotic (Dow Jones) Merck Cancer Drug Used In AIDS Trials (Bloomberg News) Europe Approves AstraZeneca’s Seroquel XR (PharmaTimes) Boehringer Ingelheim Opens Facility In China (Outsourcing Pharma) Appeals Court Upholds Lilly’s Evista Patents (Indianapolis Business Journal) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929458 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:44:03 +0100 3929458 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924890&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FfP_wIRcIzjY%2F By Daniel Ikenson“US manufacturing grows for 13th straight month” is the headline of an AP newswire story posted around noon today.  This statistic doesn’t surprise me, since I’ve been following developments in U.S. manufacturing for many years now, and have published analyses of public data that refute the myth of deindustrialization and manufacturing decline.  With the exception of the recession of 08-09, when all U.S. economic sectors took a hit, U.S. manufacturing has been breaking its own record, year after year, with respect to output, value-added, profits, returns on investment, exports, and imports. U.S. factories are the world’s most prolific, accounting for 21.4% of global manufacturing value added in 2008 (China accounted for 13.4%). But I bring the AP headline to y... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924890 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:40:43 +0100 3924890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920817&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FHZEt4q37rgg%2F Also: Most C-sections performed before labor starts; American companies push into Chinese electronic medical record market; investigators looking at health-care credit cards. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920817 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:27:43 +0100 3920817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911673&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fyou-know-youre-unwell-if-you-spend-10-days-in-a-traffic-jam%2F like hundreds and hundreds of bummed-out people recently did on China’s National Highway 110 outside Beijing. Nothing was moving for more than 60 miles. Drivers were playing board games in the middle of the highway. And all involved were lucky, because the tie-up was actually supposed to last for more than a month. Blame road construction and freight traffic for this vehicular madness. Oh, and the fact that there are a lot of people in China. But somehow, the whole mess just magically cleared up this week. All righty then: So no one else on earth is allowed to complain about their work commute for a good long while. via The Economist video via CNN Post from: BlissTree You Know You're Unwell If...You Spend 10 Days In a Traffic Jam (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911673 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:09:22 +0100 3911673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3907586&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTo3wPTy-80M%2F By Roger PilonI’ve just sent a short post to ”The Corner” at NRO on the Obama State Department’s new report to the U.N. Human Rights Council on human rights conditions in the U.S.  In a word, we’ve got problems, especially concerning women, minorities, etc., but we’re trying to live up to the expectations of other human rights exemplars on the council — Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Cuba. Read and weep. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3907586 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:41:19 +0100 3907586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3896098&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPyHmKCZ3g8s%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. As promised, we have returned. We trust you had a pleasant and productive week while we were away. And we want to say thanks for the nice send-off notes so many of you posted. Much appreciated. As always, though, the time has now come to reach for that favored cup of stimulation as we gear up for another week. Here goes… Glaxo Starts Final Clinical Trials For Shingles Vaccine (Reuters) Roche Buys Imaging Company For $100 Million (SwissInfo) Pfizer Tries To Remediate Former Upjohn Site (North Haven Citizen) Archimedes Pharma Sets Up Shop (The Star-Ledger of NJ) Genzyme Shareholder Sues To Block Deal That Hasn’t Happened (Boston Globe) Taiwan Seeks To Remove Non-Tariff Barriers To China (Focus Taiwan) Jailed Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty Over ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3896098 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:34:15 +0100 3896098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889073&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FK_iyByceMTc%2F The news that China has surpassed Japan as the world’s second-largest economy has generated a lot of attention. It shouldn’t. There are roughly 10 times as many people in China as there are in Japan, so the fact that total gross domestic product in China is now bigger than total gross domestic product in Japan is hardly a sign of Chinese economic supremacy. Yes, China has been growing in recent decades, but it’s almost impossible not to grow when you start at the bottom — which is where China was in the late 1970s thanks to decades of communist oppression and mismanagement. And the growth they have experienced certainly has not been enough to overtake other nations based on measures that compare living standards. According to the World Bank, per-capita GDP (adjusted... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889073 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:35:43 +0100 3889073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880848&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fp5bmoVU2B2s%2F China is now officially the world’s second largest economy, overtaking Japan in the quarter that ended in June and likely for all of 2010. While the story has been widely reported (more than 1,500 articles on Google News this morning), it is less significant than it first appears. The news will probably ruffle the feathers of the China hawks, who will see in it a threat to America’s influence in the world, but China’s rise to no. 2 is really another sign of the world returning to normal. China is home, after all, to one-fifth of mankind. Its population of 1,330 million is more than 10 times that of Japan (127 million) and more than four times that of the United States (310 million), according to the CIA Factbook. So even though China’s gross domestic product is now larger than Japa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880848 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:24:11 +0100 3880848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865462&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fq2qUgAD-wQM%2F Well, what do you expect Margaret Hamburg to say? There she is in Shanghai, touring some facility with Chinese government officials who, of course, will do their best to make sure she doesn’t catch a whiff of a contaminated active ingredient or come within 100 miles of a gray market supplier. And there is international diplomacy to consider, after all - who buys all that US government debt? Despite being labeled a paper tiger by a pair of Congressman who are angry over the lack of progress into the Heparin probe (see here), the FDA commish was all smiles as she explained her view of the relationship between her agency and its Chinese equivalent. “I leave feeling very encouraged by the partnership we’ve developed here,” Hamburg tells the Associated Press. “This... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865462 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:59:18 +0100 3865462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816386&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO8CPlyKoLGg%2F By Christopher PrebleOver at National Journal’s National Security Experts blog, this week’s question focuses on the recently released Hadley-Perry “alternative QDR.” Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. of NationalJournal.com asks: The U.S. military is already unaffordable — and yet it needs to be larger to sustain America’s global leadership, especially in the face of a rising China. That’s the bottom line from a congressionally chartered bipartisan panel, co-chaired by Stephen Hadley, George W. Bush’s national security adviser, and William Perry, Bill Clinton’s Defense secretary. The report, released July 29, is the independent panel’s assessment of and commentary on the Pentagon’s own Quadrennial Defense Review, released earlier this ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816386 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:21:29 +0100 3816386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3805803&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FX0AUEwZstIk%2F Merck isn't ruling out making outright purchases of emerging-market companies, but competition is fierce. (Source: WSJ.com: Health Blog) WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3805803 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:23:15 +0100 3805803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784215&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fmore-about-what-we-dont-know-about.html We last blogged about the case of Baxter International's adulterated heparin here.  (For a more detailed summary of the case, look here.)In summary, Baxter International imported the "active pharmaceutical ingredient" (API) of heparin, that is, in plainer language, the drug itself, from China. That API was then sold, with some minor processing, as a Baxter International product with a Baxter International label. The drug came from a sketchy supply chain that Baxter did not directly supervise, apparently originating in small "workshops" operating under primitive and unsanitary conditions without any meaningful inspection or supervision by the company, the Chinese government, or the FDA. The heparin proved to have been adulterated with over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS), and many ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784215 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:13:00 +0100 3784215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3780563&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FXTWINzuP128%2F The FDA may want to get tough with drugmakers that outsource production (see this), but how hard is the agency trying to get China to cooperate when problems arise? Not hard enough, according to a congressional probe that reveals the FDA repeatedly asked the Chinese government for help in pursuing an investigation into contaminated heparin, but was “severely hampered” by a lack of cooperation. You may recall that contaminated heparin made in China was linked to 81 deaths in 2007 and 2008 (back story), and the episode sparked a firestorm of criticism at the FDA for its failure to monitor medicines made there (background). Since then, the heparin scandal has faded from view, but the congressional probe revives the matter - and portrays the agency as a paper tiger. “It is sh... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3780563 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:50:07 +0100 3780563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3761400&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftoilet-themed-restaurant-funny-or-just-gross%2F We’re not sure about you guys, but we would have a pretty hard time eating chocolate ice cream out of a toilet-shaped bowl. But toilet everything is the theme of Modern Toilet, a chain-restaurant in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. In addition to the toilet-shaped bowels, restaurant-goers sit on toilets and eat off of bathtubs. So, what’s the verdict? Hilarious or stomach churning? #MicroPollDiv_266085 { width: 250px; margin: 0px auto; } image via The Telegraph via The Telegraph Post from: BlissTree Toilet Themed Restaurant: Funny or Just Gross? (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3761400 Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:30:48 +0100 3761400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3750277&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FJRV_5GQ4Oyc%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. Hope your week is going well so far. Meanwhile, another busy day lies ahead, especially as the FDA panel meeting gets under way to review Avandia. So let’s get started with a cup of stimulation and some interesting tidbits to help you along. Have a good one and stay in touch… Vivus Diet Drug Faces FDA Skepticism (Associated Press) Merck Starts Work On New Plant In China (People’s Daily) Lawsuits May Reveal More Avandia Data (Reuters) Lilly To Cut 170 Manufacturing Jobs (Indianapolis Business Journal) Global CSO Market To Hit $6.5B By 2015 (OutsourcingPharma) Clinuvel Drug Offers Relief From Sensititivity To Light (Bloomberg News) Latisse Faces Patent Challenge (The Wall Street Journal) Bristol-Myers Starts Recall Of Coumadin (Assoc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3750277 Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:03:03 +0100 3750277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743511&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftop-10-posts-from-the-gloss%2F Did you know that there’s a store in China where you can go vent your anger (just you, an old TV, and a baseball bat)? Or that hooking up with your ex may not be your fault? Well, now you do. And you have our sister site, TheGloss, to thank. 1. There Is a Frustration Venting Store For Women in China 2. Study Says Ex-Sex Is Totally Not Your Fault 3. Do Recent Chick-Flick Movies All Just Suck? 4. A Very Important New Anti-Photoshopping Campaign 5. What’s On Your Anti-Bucket List? 6. 3 Reasons ‘Toy Story 3′ Does Not Need a High-End T-Shirt Line 7. Fashion 101: 9 Reasons Why Belts Are the Best Accessory Ever Invented 8. Dr. Oz Is Apparently a Beauty Expert Now 9. A Dating Site For People Who Don’t Even Know They’re On A Dating Site 10. 10 Male Fashion Design... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743511 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:00:43 +0100 3743511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733300&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FNGX4aEjEK1k%2F Another hot day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are keeping the water bottles handy. We hope you are doing the same. After all, a flash of hot news does not require you to get overheated. Meanwhile, there is plenty of work to keep us busy. So please join us as we survey the headlines and dig in for another round of meetings and deadlines. Stay cool, everyone… Migraine Drug From Glaxo And XenoPort Fails Test (Associated Press) Aspen Lowers Its Offer For Sigma Pharma (Bloomberg News) India Expands Role As Drugmaker (New York Times) Roche Submits Breast Cancer Drug To FDA (Reuters) University Presses Invention Lawsuit Against Pfizer (Salt Lake City Tribune) Drugmakers To Boost Efforts Against Doping (Financial Times) Germany Seeks Cuts From Pharma & Insurers (Pharm... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733300 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:02:21 +0100 3733300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730094&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fjx_WgiVtYBc%2F The focus on the site is generally on pharmaceuticals, but every so often an interesting item about the device world catches our eye, as did a piece in The Washington Monthly about group purchasing organizations, or GPOs, and their impact on the health care system and innovation. The lengthy article covers familiar ground, but the upshot is that GPOs remain controversial - despite years of exposes and lawsuits, small companies still appear to have little chance to win contracts to sell their inventions to most hospitals. The oft-told tale of Retractable Technologies is the prime anecdote - the company’s syringe, which has been the subject of endless litigation, was developed with the help of government grants. But despite a settlement with several large device makers, including Becto... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730094 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:55:25 +0100 3730094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726593&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAVTjvf06xl0%2F By David BoazThe goal of a new Chinese government campaign is to “eradicate all social evils” and “advocate a healthy, civilized and high-minded lifestyle,” according to the Washington Post. Some elements of the state just don’t like the way the Chinese people are using their newfound freedom. On a different level, we face the same arguments here in the United States. Both the Hillarys and the Huckabees in our world seek to fight “social evils” and lead us to “a healthy, civilized and high-minded lifestyle.” The Huckabees focus on our souls, urging the government to stamp out sin and push us to do God’s will (as they see it). The Hillarys often focus on our bodies, with campaigns against smoking, popcorn, sodas, salt, and all mann... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726593 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:24:46 +0100 3726593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687087&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPLcoFurvZCs%2F By Daniel IkensonIn Washington, everybody seems to have an opinion about the Chinese currency these days.  But too often those opinions show contempt for the facts. The prevailing wisdom—undergirded by theories and equations that may need updating in this age of global production sharing and transnational supply chains—is that an appreciating yuan will reduce the bilateral trade deficit, as U.S. imports from China become relatively more expensive for Americans using dollars, and U.S. exports to China become relatively less expensive for Chinese using yuan. The lead article in Sunday’s Washington Post presents this point of view unquestioningly, and in the process foregoes an opportunity to explain to its readers that the relationship between currency values and trade balances, and b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687087 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:56:14 +0100 3687087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666225&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPxIkfIQXUvo%2F Good morning, everyone. Nice to see you again. Another shiny day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we are recovering from the latest installment in our ‘Let’s See Them Before They Die‘ concert series. Accordingly, we are brewing multiple cups of stimulation. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you get started yourselves. Hope your day goes well and catch you later… Sanofi-Aventis To Cut More Costs, Sales Force (Bloomberg News) Abbott And Neurocrine Sign Deal For Endometriosis Drug (Reuters) Cipla Signs Chinese Partner To Make Biosimilars (Bloomberg News) Sanofi-Aventis Buys Canderm Pharma (Montreal Gazette) The New World Order In R&D (InPharm) USDA Approves Vaccine For Dog Flu (Los Angeles Times) Amylin Stock Hit On Bydureon Data (Reuters) Pfize... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666225 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:03:56 +0100 3666225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662924&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3cRTnX90Se8%2F How does one define the value of a drug? Depends who you ask. Not surprisingly, the answers differ according to a survey of 144 pharma and biotech execs, 129 managed care execs and 1,048 US adults over than 18 years old that was conducted by Quintiles, the contract research organization. As the chart indicates, 73 percent of patients value efficacy and 75 percent also value safety, while 59 percent cited quality of life and 58 percent listed cost. These attributes were much less valuable to the biopharma and managed care crowds. In fact, just 4 percent of biopharma execs listed cost as a way to define value (in other words, the price is always right?), and 19 percent of managed care execs agreed. Just 38 percent of biopharma execs cited safety and 44 percent noted efficacy. As for quality ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662924 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:20:16 +0100 3662924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3659156&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FavZqNaffZ0g%2F Will another official from the Chinese Food and Drug Administration be executed? The latest scandal involves Zhang Jingli, 55, a deputy director of State Food and Drug Administration since 2003, who is being investigated by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, The Shanghai Daily reports. Jingli was recently dismissed for unspecified disciplinary violations. For those who may not recall, China executed Zheng Xiaoyu, the former head of its FDA, for approving untested medicine in exchange for cash. During his tenure, the agency approved six meds that turned out to be fake, and drugmakers had used falsified documents to apply for approvals (background). After that embarassing episode, China placed its FDA under the jurisidication of the Ministry of Health... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3659156 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:36:02 +0100 3659156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3636023&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9hbKmLSytOc%2F Welcome back, everyone. We hope the weekend was pleasant and refreshing. Now, of course, the routine returns as meetings and deadlines beckon. As we ease in with a mandatory cup of stimulation, here are a few items to help you along. Have a good day and stay in touch… Grifols To Pay $3.4B For Talecris (Bloomberg News) Roche’s Avastin Improved Survival In Ovarian Cancer (Reuters) Merck Strikes Wastewater Deal With Pa. Town (The Reporter) Bristol-Myers’ Melanoma Drug Improves Survival (Bloomberg News) A Look At AstraZeneca’s Plant In China (The Telegraph) Former Wyeth Employees Mourn Plant Closing (The Rockland Journal News) Novartis MS Pill Faces Safety Concerns (Reuters) Erbitux Fails To Stop Early-Stage Colon Cancer (Bloomberg News) Drugmakers Spend Billions On Fre... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3636023 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:44:08 +0100 3636023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3618090&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FN9tgr5BITH0%2F Here’s an interesting aftermath to Pfizer’s $68 billion purchase of Wyeth. To win approval in China, the big drugmaker has agreed to sell an animal vaccine for a reported $50 million to Harbin Pharmaceuticals, which is mostly owned by a provincial government and Citic Capital, a state-affiliated Chinese investment group. If not for the sale, Chinese antitrust officials argued that Pfizer would now control half of the domestic market for mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccines, which are used to inoculate pigs, The Financial Times points out, adding that experts believe the sale is likely to be the first of many more transfers of intellectual property to Chinese groups arising from antitrust rulings. The vaccine is made in Nebraska and Pfizer retains the IP rights to RespiSure outside... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3618090 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:36:11 +0100 3618090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595895&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FyacNMhGx7xk%2F Hello, again. A shiny day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we expect a busy day. How about you? Much to do? We look forward to shortening our to-do list. To get started, we are quaffing the usual cup of stimulation and rummaging through the news of the world. Hope your day goes well and drop us a line if you hear anything interesting…. Astellas Hires 300 Reps In China (Bloomberg News) FDA Extends Review Of Novartis MS Drug (PharmaTimes) Abbott Labs Plans To Sell $3B In Debt (BioValley) Genzyme Agrees To $175M Consent Decree (Bloomberg News) Execs Worry About FDA’s BadAd Program (Advertising Age) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595895 Tue, 25 May 2010 11:48:01 +0100 3595895 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585596&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fw_6bVPmLuzg%2F By Daniel IkensonIn a Cato paper released earlier this month, I argued that the glacial pace of America’s economic recovery and its growing public debt juxtaposed against China’s almost uninterrupted double-digit annual economic growth and its role as Congress’s sugar daddy have bred insecurity among U.S. opinion leaders, many of whom now advocate a more strident approach to China, or emulation of its top-down approach. I cite, among others, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times, who is enamored of autocracy’s capacity to facilitate China’s singularity of purpose to dominate the industries of the future: One-party autocracy certainly has its drawbacks. But when it is led by a reasonably enlightened group of people, as China is today, it can also have great advantages. That one... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585596 Thu, 20 May 2010 19:10:12 +0100 3585596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577367&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F178770%2F Tobacco Advertising Targets Mainly Women: China Daily reports that health officials announced Tuesday that women are the main target of tobacco advertising. They warn that the percentage of female smokers could rise to 15% in coming years, without intervention. (via environmentalhealthnews.org) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577367 Wed, 19 May 2010 14:08:59 +0100 3577367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560232&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmassive-medical-blogosphere-in-china%2F2010.05.13 In the medical blogosphere, we talk a lot about medical community sites such as Sermo.com, Ozmosis.com or Doctors.net.uk and we always mention these as huge communities. While Sermo has over 110,000 physician members, the Chinese dxy.cn has over 1.4 million professionals on its site. It has a blog, a conference site, a pharmacy channel, biomedical business information platform, it covers more than a 100 specialties, and offers thousands of jobs. I tried to translate the mission statement with Google Translate: Lilac Garden Biomedical Science and Technology Network ( DXY.CN ) was established in July 23, 2000, and since its inception has been committed for the majority of medical professionals to provide a specialized life science platform. With professionalism and strong accumulation and th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560232 Thu, 13 May 2010 15:30:14 +0100 3560232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3549567&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FI_HEEGxSij0%2F Welcome to the working week. We hope your weekend was pleasant and gave you a chance to refresh. Now, of course, the routine resumes, which means those meetings and deadlines loom once again. To prepare, we have assembled a few interesting items to jumpstart what is, so far, a sunny day. Meanwhile, we will brew yet another cup of stimulation. Have a good one and do stay in touch… NiCox Painkiller Heads For FDA Panel Review (PharmaTimes) Sandoz Building In Denver Catches Fire (The Denver Post) Teva And Baxter To Fight $500M Damages In Propofol Case (Bloomberg News) Spain Should Encourage Docs To Prescribe Generics (PharmaTimes) Cipla Revenue Forecast Misses Target (Bloomberg News) Boehringer Ingelheim To Accelerate M&A In China (Global Times) Merck To Shift India Office To Mumbai... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3549567 Mon, 10 May 2010 11:33:24 +0100 3549567 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519711&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F7Najfs7cscE%2F And so another working week will soon draw to a close. As always, we look forward to spending time with the short people - a game of miniature golf, in fact, is in order. And, of course, there are those lacrosse games. What about you? A quiet ride in the country? A nice meal with a favorite person? How about a walk in the park? Whatever you fancy, we hope you have a wonderful time. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you round out the day. Have a good one…. Glaxo Heart Drug Gets Boost From Study (Reuters) After Approval: What’s Next For Dendreon? (Seeking Alpha) Diabetes Death Watch Slipped Into Health Reform (Bloomberg News) Tripe-Based Drug Hits Gold (The New York Times) photo thx to tipiro on Flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519711 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:56:13 +0100 3519711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508165&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_gfAuvvTSEo%2F By Daniel GriswoldPresident Obama has committed his administration to the ambitious goal of doubling U.S. exports in the next five years. I don’t believe the government should be setting such targets—the rate of growth of U.S. exports should be left to the marketplace—but I am all for the administration seeking ways to expand the freedom of U.S. companies to sell in global markets. In the “Economic Watch” column of the Washington Times today, I suggest six policy changes that will help American producers sell more of their goods and services abroad. None of them involve subsidies, threats of sanctions, or other government involvement. Among my suggestions: enact into law the three free-trade agreements that have already been negotiated, repeal the trade embargo against Cu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508165 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:14:39 +0100 3508165 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3504896&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fm0M1Raeg7ow%2F This report in Government Computer News, for example, relates the findings of a recent Symantec report on threats to government systems and gives reason to settle down about cyberthreats from China. China was the top country of origin for attacks against the government sector in 2009, accounting for 14 percent of the total, but too much should not be read into that statistic. The apparent country of origin says little about who actually is behind an attack, said Dean Turner, director of Symantec’s Global Intelligence Network. China’s ranking is due primarily to the large number of computers in the country, Turner said. Less than a quarter of attacks originating in China were directed at government targets, while more than 48 percent of attacks from Brazil — No. 3 on the hit list ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3504896 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:20:16 +0100 3504896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3505136&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fvq3oMKtlz6o%2F Industry expansion in China continues unabated as Charles River Laboratories agreed to buy WuXi Pharma Tech, a Chinese outsourcing services firm. The deal would apparently be the largest foreign takeover of a Chinese company and, significantly, would give Charles River testing facilities in Shanghai, Suzhou and Tianjin in China, where labor and laboratory costs are cheaper (see statement). Overall, the CRO market in China is growing up to 30 percent a year, according to Jinsong Du, an analyst in Hong Kong at Credit Suisse. “This is a vote of confidence that China will be the main location for drug R&D outsourcing in the future,” he tells Bloomberg News, adding that Charles River gets to eliminate a potential competitor in the process. Du also notes Charles River gets a “very... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3505136 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:23:52 +0100 3505136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490616&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGeZikXzp2gM%2F By Daniel GriswoldThe U.S.-China Business Council has performed a valuable public service by marshalling state-by-state figures on exports to China. In its annual survey, released this morning, the USCBC documents that 19 states exported $1 billion or more in 2009 to China, which is now the third largest market for U.S. exports. In a statement accompanying the report, the USCBC noted that exports to China declined only slightly in 2009, compared to a 20 percent plunge in exports to the rest of the world. Top U.S. exports to China last year were computers and electronics, agricultural products, chemicals, and transportation equipment. The USCBC figures tend to undercut complaints that China’s currency policies have stymied U.S. exports to that country. In fact, as I argued in an op-ed in... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490616 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:22:44 +0100 3490616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487282&cid=t_108195_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F2CgFXEQvBNs%2F This photo of a chimpanzee at the zoo in Guangzhou, China, is one of a series called “Animals’ Eyes in China” by Chinese photographer Fu Yongiun. It won silver prizes in the Nature & Environment News Stories (NENS) at the 4th annual China International Press Photo Contest (CHIPP) held in Shanghai last month. Photo: Fu Yongiun/WENN.com Post from: BlissTree Earth Week Photo of the Day: Animal Eyes by Fu Yongiun (Source: Genetics and Health) Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487282 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:41:57 +0100 3487282 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475991&cid=t_108195_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FJ8RPJekcWmY%2F China’s new “Kingdom of The Little People” theme park is disturbing, but not quite as disturbing as the audiences reveling in the zoo-like displays of little people: Post from: BlissTree You Know You're Unwell If… You Go To This Dwarf Theme Park (Source: Genetics and Health) Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475991 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:00:22 +0100 3475991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3454196&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3S5lWjA7lp0%2F Here’s an episode certain to raise confidence in China’s domestic pharma industry. Simcere Pharmaceutical disclosed this week has revealed that employees at its recently acquired Jiangsu Yanshen vaccine producer are under criminal investigation for allegedly covering up manufacturing screw-ups that led to the release of substandard human rabies vaccine doses two years ago. Four batches of human use rabies vaccine, which were released into the market between July and October 2008, had an insufficient amount of active compound, which agents from China’s State FDA are now investigating. Simcere, by the way, is a leading drugmaker in China and it remains unclear whether Yanshen will be permitted to resume vaccine production. Simcere obtained a controlling stake in Jiangsu Yan... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3454196 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:40:39 +0100 3454196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408357&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fxh4q1A6nUQ4%2F By Jim HarperThe Chinese government has issued instructions to media outlets telling them how they may report on the decision of Google to discontinue providing censored search results in China. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408357 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:20:07 +0100 3408357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3403868&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIF4mb5ideWY%2F By Daniel IkensonOrganized labor’s trade “think tank” in Washington, the Economic Policy Institute, claims that currency manipulation is a major cause of the U.S. trade deficit with China, which (along with other unfair trade practices) accounted for 2.4 million American job losses between 2001 and 2008. EPI has been making similar claims for years, getting lots of media attention for its hyperbole, and providing smoke bombs for charlatan politicians to hurl into the discussion to obscure the public’s understanding of trade.   For starters, as conveyed in this new paper, I am skeptical about the relationship between currency undervaluation and the trade account. EPI’s methodology (to use the term loosely) is not to be taken seriously, though, because it deri... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3403868 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:20:41 +0100 3403868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399177&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCn7AlbthmxM%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. We were on the road part of yesterday, so resuming the usual routine is always welcome. And, of course, there is much to do. We all face meetings and deadlines, after all. To get started, we are brewing our mandatory cup of stimulation and looking forward to a day of accomplishments. We hope you achieve your own goals today. To help you along, here are a few items of interest. Stay in touch… Regeneron Shares Jump After CEO Touts Drugs (Reuters) FDA Panel Mostly Backs Controversial Knee Device (Associated Press) Sanofi-Aventis Antiplatelet Drug Gets EC Approval (MarketWatch) Novartis Gives Voltaren Emulgel Account To Starcom In China (MediaAsia) Glaxo And Pfizer Agree To Supply Pneumonia Vaccines (Associated Press) Perrigo Buys Infant Formula M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399177 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:47:28 +0100 3399177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378456&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZ5r_O6He898%2F By Chris Moody Busy with an ambitious domestic agenda, the Obama administration has put trade issues on the back burner. Let’s hope it stays that way. A little lesson on how government works. (As opposed to how it’s supposed to work.) There has been talk that House Democrats are planning to “deem” the health care bill into law without calling for a vote. If you’re not sure how that process works, read this. Contrary to a growing belief in Washington, revaluing China’s currency will not cure the trade deficit. Podcast: “ObamaCare Threatens Innovation” featuring Michael F. Cannon. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378456 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:10:12 +0100 3378456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370388&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLND7-EWVsCo%2F By Daniel IkensonFollowing are some thoughts from a broader analysis of mine on  the state of U.S.-China relations, which will be published in the near future. Between July 2005 and July 2008, the Chinese RMB appreciated by 21 percent against the dollar.  But over that 3-year period, the U.S. trade deficit with China increased from $202 to $268 billion.  Why, then, do policymakers think revaluation is the key to reducing the trade deficit?  Why do they even care about the bilateral trade deficit, which is meaningless in the context of our globalized economy.  Only one-third to one-half of U.S. imports from China is Chinese value added.  The rest is Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, Australian, American and other countries’ value added.  The bilateral figures tell us nothing import... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370388 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:46:31 +0100 3370388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354581&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fpr1PbhfpZvI%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. Another day beckons and we will begin ours by attempting to hustle one of the short people off to the schoolhouse. Wish us luck. To prepare, we are brewing the mandatory cup of stimulation. Grab one yourself, or a healthy bottle of water if you prefer, and get ready for the day. Here are a few items to help you along. Stay in touch… AstraZeneca To Sell Generics Made By India’s Torrent (Bloomberg News) J&J Seeks Rehearing In Europe On Skin Drug (MarketWatch) Doctors Fail To Cut Cholesterol Enough: Study (Reuters) Merck Drug Beats Head Lice In Study (Bloomberg News) Beijing To Build Asia’s Biggest Pharma Base (Alibaba.com) Massachusetts Joins J&J Antipsychotic Lawsuit (Boston Globe) Chief Justice Recuses In Wyeth Vaccine Cas... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354581 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:17:55 +0100 3354581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267199&cid=t_108195_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIh9rDOtyt9U%2F China has amended a patent regulation to give a clear definition of “patented pharmaceuticals” that are subject to compulsory licensing, amid a system that allows parties to exploit patented inventions without the permission of the patent’s owner, The China Daily reports. The existing patent law grants a compulsory license for patented pharmaceuticals in China for public health, and applies to products made in China as well as exports to qualified countries under international treaties to which China is a member. But the law fails to give a clear definition of “patented pharmaceuticals.” The amendment states that “patented pharmaceuticals” are “any patented products or products directly obtained according to patented processes in the medical ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267199 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:11:46 +0100 3267199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243773&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHiods2JjYpo%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe new budget from the White House contains all sorts of land mines for taxpayers, which is not surprising considering the President wants to extract another $1.3 trillion over the next ten years. While that’s a discouragingly big number, the details are even more frightening. Higher tax rates on investors and entrepreneurs will dampen incentives for productive behavior. Reinstating the death tax is both economically foolish and immoral. And higher taxes on companies almost surely is a recipe for fewer jobs and reduced competitiveness. The White House is specifically going after companies that compete in foreign markets. Under current law, the “foreign-source” income of multinationals is subject to tax by the IRS even though it already is subject to ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243773 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:41:39 +0100 3243773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239545&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36224&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.wsjonline.com%2F%7Er%2Fwsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed%2F%7E3%2FqES3jjKdjkc%2F Pfizer’s China strategy came up a few times today in the company’s earnings call with analysts. In some ways, the approach sounds like pharma’s strategy in the U.S. a few years back, when the industry was swimming with sales reps and companies were aggressively wooing “key opinion leaders” — top physicians who could influence other docs. Here’s how Ian Read, president of Pfizer’s drugs business, framed the Chinese market and Pfizer’s strategy in the country, according to a transcript from Thomson Reuters: … in large part it is an out-of-pocket market, so brand loyalty and quality is really important. … our total portfolio is growing, and it is not as impacted as the United States or Europe is by [generic competition]. So th... WSJ.com: Health Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239545 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:18:54 +0100 3239545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235828&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcaw7UitGmus%2F By Daniel IkensonDuring his SOTU address last week, the president declared it a national goal to double our exports over the next five years.  As my colleague Dan Griswold argues (a point that is echoed by others in this NYT article), such growth is probably unrealistic. But with incomes rising in China, India and throughout the developing world, and with huge amounts of savings accumulated in Asia, strong U.S. export growth in the years ahead should be a given—unless we screw it up with a provocative enforcement regime. The president said: If America sits on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores. But realizing those benefits also means enforcing those agreements so our trading partners play by the rules. Ah, the enforce... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235828 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:46:09 +0100 3235828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223240&cid=t_108195_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkCaIzomobbY%2F By Justin LoganDr. Dingli Shen, a scholar of security studies and Chinese and U.S. foreign policies at Fudan University, had an interesting op-ed yesterday that merits attention. Dr. Dingli Shen According to Shen, China should consider developing “overseas military bases,” which he says people define in today’s context as “supply bases for the navy escorting the ships cruising in the Gulf of Aden and Somalia.”  Shen lists four main interests that justify overseas bases: “the protection of the people and fortunes overseas; the guarantee of smooth trading; the prevention of the overseas intervention which harms the unity of the country and the defense against foreign invasion.” The lay reader should be clear that the United States does not look favo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223240 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:51:39 +0100 3223240