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 'corporate'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:53:43 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139621&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Finformation-governance-in-health-research-report%2F Scan or clcick to download 'Information governance in health: Research Report'Title: Information governance in health: Research Report The Skinny: Research from the Nuffield Trust that explores the current information governance regulations and reflect on the social values that underpin them. It indentifies that the governance the use of health care data is of growing concern to the public, researchers and policy-makers alike. Key questions the research addresses: How can we define what constitutes a ‘public benefit’? What safeguards are necessary to ensure that patients’ rights are protected within a ‘public benefit’ model? How can obligations arising from the rights of patients be balanced against the benefits accrued to the public at large? Publisher: Nuffield Tru... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139621 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:38:31 +0100 5139621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139622&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F19%2Faccess-to-person-level-data-in-health-care-research-summary%2F Title: Access to person-level data in health care: Research Summary Scan or click to download ‘Access to person-level data in health care: Research summary’ The Skinny: Research summary from the Nuffield Trust that indentifies that the governance the use of health care data is of growing concern to the public, researchers and policy-makers alike. Regulations and guidance help to protect individual privacy and confidentiality. However, overly restrictive rules can also stifle valuable research and analysis. It identifies as key questions: How can we define what constitutes a ‘public benefit’? What safeguards are necessary to ensure that patients’ rights are protected within a ‘public benefit’ model? How can obligations arising from the rights of patients be balance... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139622 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:25:45 +0100 5139622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5139698&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fe2yDOuRLLa8%2F By Tad DeHavenTwo polls of likely voters released by Rasmussen Reports today indicate that the federal government’s corporate welfare programs should be prime targets for spending cuts. The first poll found little support for the Small Business Administration’s lending programs: A majority (58 percent) of likely voters said that the federal government shouldn’t guarantee loans issued by private lenders to small businesses. 23 percent said the government should back small business loans and 19 percent were unsure. A majority (59 percent) of likely voters said that reducing government regulations and taxes would be more helpful to small businesses than the government providing loans to small businesses that can’t obtain financing on their own. 22 percent said the government lo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5139698 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:47:19 +0100 5139698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125717&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1PB3a5VQALI%2F By Ilya ShapiroMitt Romney’s explanation of why he’s against raising taxes on corporations — indeed, America already has some of the highest corporate tax rates in the developed world — at the Iowa State Fair was a bit awkward but not wholly incorrect.  Reason‘s Katherine Mangu-Ward has a good post with video and transcript, but here’s the salient bit: ROMNEY: We have to make sure that the promises we make — and Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare — are promises we can keep. And there are various ways of doing that. One is, we could raise taxes on people. AUDIENCE MEMBER: Corporations! ROMNEY: Corporations are people, my friend. We can raise taxes on— AUDIENCE MEMBER: No, they’re not! ROMNEY: Of course they are. Everything corporations earn also g... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125717 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:12:32 +0100 5125717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028068&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fwould-you-like-fries-with-that-fast.html Allegations that suggest the continuing degradation of the professionalism of employed physicians just appeared in the Palm Beach (FL) Post.  A former physician employee of Solantic Urgent Care, a for-profit chain of urgent care clinics, described to state investigators the life of employed physicians there.Putting Revenue FirstPhysicians answered to managers who put revenue first:Thirty-something business graduates lacking in any medical training supervised the clinics' doctors and were encouraged to maintain an adversarial relationship with them, Prokes said.Those clinic managers' raises and bonuses depended on their achieving ambitious goals for patient visits, labor and overhead costs, per-patient revenues and customer satisfaction.Prokes said clinic manager turnover was high, and... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028068 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:38:00 +0100 5028068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028069&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fcase-of-bleeding-heart-prosecutors-how.html ConclusionsThis seems to be the most recently documented example of important but overlooked, or concealed changes in government policies that have enabled the health care system to become more unethical, dishonest and corrupt, and hence more dysfunctional.Here we discussed a Supreme Court decision interpreting US anti-trust law that has been used to prevent medical societies from enforcing ethical rules, and hence helped medicine to become increasingly commercialized, and to increasingly put money ahead of patient care.Here we discussed little discussed legislation from 1945 that allowed US insurance companies/ managed care organizations to avoid federal anti-trust investigation and enforcement, and hence to increased market power.Here we discussed failure of the executive branch, an... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028069 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:09:00 +0100 5028069 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008078&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fhere-comes-your-new-doctor-brought-to.html A long time ago, practicing physicians were mainly self-employed solo practitioners. As health care became more bureaucratic, physicians formed group practices as partnerships, which sometimes employed additional junior or part-time physicians. Some physicians worked for non-profit practice foundations, often affiliated with academic medical institutions, sometimes with non-profit physician-run health insurers, like some Kaiser plans. However, traditionally, almost no practicing physicians were employed by for-profit corporations. In fact, until about 30 years ago, it was considered unethical for physicians' practices to be "commercialized, or treated like a commodity in trade." (See posts here and here.)That is all changing, and apparently quickly.We recently discussed how a private equit... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008078 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:18:00 +0100 5008078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984426&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fil0p9jN4s5w%2F This article is still being edited — it won’t appear in the John Marshall Law Review till the fall – so comments are welcome.  Thanks to Eugene Volokh for making suggestions on an earlier version. Update: Larry Solum has “recommended” our article on the Legal Theory Blog.  Thanks! So What If Corporations Aren’t People? 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=4984426 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:19:41 +0100 4984426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934028&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Ftwo-more-settlements-one-more-corporate.html And the legal settlements for health care organizations keep right on marching along.  Here are the basics, per the Wall Street Journal, starting with the outline of the first settlement for Novo Nordisk:Drug maker Novo Nordisk A/S's U.S. affiliate has agreed to pay more than $25 million to end investigations by U.S. authorities related to the marketing of NovoSeven and several diabetes drugs.In one settlement, Novo Nordisk Inc., the U.S. affiliate, agreed to pay $25 million to end a probe and settle a civil lawsuit related to alleged improper marketing practices regarding Novo Seven, which is used to treat patients suffering from rare bleeding disorders. The complaint had alleged that Novo Nordisk promoted NovoSeven for unapproved uses. Here is the outline of the second settlement:Se... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934028 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:12:00 +0100 4934028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893411&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEowm-HZKXmA%2F By Chris EdwardsPresident Obama wants to raise revenues by reducing tax deductions and other tax breaks, which the administration calls “spending in the tax code.” Donald Marron of the Tax Policy Center argues that “hundreds of billions of dollars of spending are disguised as tax cuts.” Don is a very good economist, and he is concerned that special interest tax breaks can misallocate resources the same way that spending subsidies do. I agree. But I’m also concerned that tax breaks and spending subsidies have different implications for the size of government, which is where I part ways with Don and the president. The following Tax Policy Matrix helps sort out which sorts of tax cuts make economic sense when government size is also a consideration. The government distorts the econ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893411 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:17:20 +0100 4893411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862927&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FVft46fKB-v4%2F Last month, we wrote that Mylan Laboratories ceo Bob Coury has often used the corporate jet for personal matters. For instance, the drugmaker absorbed $535,590 last year so he could get where he was going, and that was up from $433,387 in 2009 and $348,988 in 2008. These are rather large sums and one corporate governance expert said all this flight activity on the shareholder dime was “inappropriate” (back story). But where was Bob - and whoever else - going on all those trips? Well, the new Jet Tracker database, which was created by The Wall Street Journal and compiles non-commercial jet aircraft traffic between 2007 through 2010, offers some insight. For instance, the drugmaker is based in Pittsburgh, so it is not surprising that the vast majority of flights were destined for... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862927 Tue, 24 May 2011 15:06:21 +0100 4862927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820781&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fwas-wright-medical-ceo-really-pleased.html This story fits into the "if you believed that one, I have a bridge to sell you" category.  Let's go back seven months to 2010, when we discussed the legal settlement, which included submission to deferred prosecution and corporate integrity agreements by Wright Medical, a device manufacturer.  We noted that the company CEO, one Gary D Henley, said he was "pleased to announce these agreements and look[ing] forward to working with the independent monitor as we continue our commitment to the highest standards of ethical and legal conduct."  At the time, we wondered whether the only real reason he was pleased was that he got to keep his job (with total compensation of greater than $2 million a year) and hang onto his stock options (then consisting of 43... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820781 Fri, 13 May 2011 20:21:00 +0100 4820781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4813251&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZt5mv_FnBa4%2F By Jason KuznickiThe media makes it hard for ordinary people to be libertarians. In large part, this is because journalism is in the business of selling panic—panic about terrorism, panic about drugs, panic about food, panic about pornography, panic about our health care system. If it’s not an emergency, it’s not news. To the lazy journalist, everything becomes an emergency—and emergencies always—always—demand state action. The media makes things hard for the would-be libertarian in other ways, too. Consider this story from today’s Washington Post, about… well, it’s hard to say, actually: Senate Democrats unveiled a plan Tuesday to save $21 billion over the next decade by eliminating tax breaks for the nation’s five biggest oil companies, a move desi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4813251 Wed, 11 May 2011 15:02:07 +0100 4813251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794843&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FnRTNw4lF5DA%2F By Chris EdwardsThe British royal wedding was splendid, and the bride and groom were a great match. As a fiscal wonk, my idea of a royal match-up would be marrying corporate tax cuts and business subsidy cuts. The Obama administration is talking about corporate tax cuts and Republicans are talking about cuts to farm subsidies. Might they get together over a cup of tea and work out nuptials? The global average corporate tax rate has fallen over the last decade from 32 to 25 percent (KPMG, page 79). We have been stuck with a highly damaging 40% federal-state rate. Canada is chopping its combined federal-provincial rate to 25 percent. The Conservative government just won a parliamentary majority, which promises even more pro-investment changes for our largest trading partner. Consider a Japa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794843 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:51:52 +0100 4794843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775351&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fperils-of-physicians-practicing-as.html A seriously chilling cautionary tale corroborated some of my previously expressed fears about the perils of physicians practicing as corporate employees.  It unlikely venue was the April 25, 2011 issue of Medical Economics.  The article, not yet on the web, was "Selling to a Corporation Poses Challenges," by Todd R C Neely.Here is how the case started:A start-up company with a new medical treatment became a publicly traded corporation. The company's top managers were not physicians; they were finance and business experts familiar with the ways of Wall Street.To meet the corporation's goals and Wall Street expectations, the company used stock sale proceeds to aggressively market itself to doctors and buy established physician practices around the country. It quickly captured ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775351 Mon, 02 May 2011 19:54:00 +0100 4775351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762752&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJnItt7aA7SM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellAccording to an article in the New York Times, the Obama Administration is seriously examining a proposal to reduce America’s anti-competitive 35 percent corporate tax rate. The Obama administration is preparing to inject an unpredictable new variable into its economic policy clash with Republicans: a plan to overhaul corporate taxes. Economic advisers have nearly completed the process initiated in January by the Treasury secretary, Timothy F. Geithner, at President Obama’s behest. That process, intended to make the United States more competitive internationally, has explored the willingness of business leaders to sacrifice loopholes in return for lowering the top corporate tax rate, currently 35 percent. The approach officials are now discussing would drop the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762752 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:49:26 +0100 4762752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759058&cid=t_106515_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fwe-need-wellness-policies-to-create-healthy-communities%2F By: Hannah Barker, Dietetic Intern, with assistance from Rebecca This week I participated in a webinar called, “Looking Upstream: How Income, Education and Racial Disparities Shape Health.” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was the host. The expert panel included: Dr. James Marks from the Health Group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Paula Braverman from the University of California in San Francisco, David Williams from the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard University, and Steven Woolf from the Virginia Commonwealth University. We Spend a Lot on Healthcare for Such a Sick Country I learned that the United States spends so much on health care, yet ranks poorly in terms of several health indicators, like infant mortality and life expectancy.  However, the cause of the Unite... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759058 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:00:44 +0100 4759058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758735&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Ftma19HnNJy0%2F By Tad DeHavenA Deloitte survey of 527 executives at mid-market companies (annual revenues of between $50 million and $1 billion) found “tempered optimism” that the economic recovery will continue. However, the survey also found significant concern over government fiscal and regulatory policies. A whopping 50 percent cited federal, state, and local debt as the greatest obstacle to U.S. growth in the coming year. Lack of consumer confidence (39 percent) and rising health care costs (33 percent) came in second and third. Lest anyone construe the executives’ concern about government debt as implied support for tax increases, high tax rates came in fourth at 30 percent. Government austerity, which can include tax increases, and infrastructure needs came in at 15 and 9 percent, respective... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758735 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:54:59 +0100 4758735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734163&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Factive_biotech_ipsen_collaborate_for_development_and_commercialization_of_tasq.php © kallebooActive Biotech and Ipsen have inked an agreement for the development and commercialization of Active Biotech's experimental compound TASQ (tasquinimod). As per the agreement, only Ipsen will be able to commercialize TASQ globally except for North America, South America and Japan, where Active Biotech will take care of the function. As per the tie-up, both Companies will jointly develop TASQ, which binds to the molecule S100A9 expressed in white blood cells that regulate immune responses for castrate-resistant prostate cancer. TASQ will also be ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734163 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:21:06 +0100 4734163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664473&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCFkCzxDEPE8%2F File this under praying for relief. Several religious groups - including an order of Catholic nuns and a chain of Catholic hospitals - are pressuring a few big drugmakers to exercise some price restraint and have placed proposals that will be voted on during upcoming annual shareholder meetings. Such efforts are not new, but the latest attempt comes after one Wall Street analyst reported that prices for 130 best-selling brand-name drugs rose 6.9 last year, which was the biggest increase in a decade. For instance, a shareholder proposal in the Pfizer proxy from The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, which is based in New Jersey, states that the cost of medicines has “skyrocketed in this country in recent years” and the “failure to control costs could undermine the goal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664473 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:37:46 +0100 4664473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4615430&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FEl6Lh_WvNNM%2F Welcome to the working week. We hope the weekend was relaxing and fruitful. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine of meetings and deadlines. Doing so under rainy skies does this make this a challenge, though, yes? So reach for that cup of stimulation - our flavor today is chocolate raspberry truffle - to lift your spirits. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along. Have a good day, everyone, and stay in touch… Novartis Wins EU Approval For Gilenya MS Pill (Reuters) FDA Not Ready To Act On Tainted Wipes (MSNBC) Glaxo CEO Says Drugmakers Should Not Leave UK Over Taxes (The Guardian) Xenoport Ends Development Of Heart Drug (Reuters) Mylan Sues FDA Over Ranbaxy Lipitor Generic (Bloomberg News) FDA And EMA Form QBD Pilot Plan (Outsourcing Pharma) Inovio Receives... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4615430 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:52:14 +0100 4615430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575087&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Fbiotechnology_company_makes_ethanol_from_algae.php © Mark SadowskiA biotechnology company that makes ethanol fuel using hybrid algae has announced that its parent company Algenol LLC has acquired Cyano Biofuels GmbH, located in Berlin, Germany. Cyano also uses algae to make ethanol and green chemicals. The two companies have been working closely together for the last three years, and the acquisition strengthens Algenol's research and development capabilities and access to European expertise. Algenol possesses the most advanced biofuel technology on the market today, making ethanol directly from CO2 and seawater ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575087 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:47:41 +0100 4575087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565865&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fcogs-in-corporate-machine-more-on.html This article underscores my previously expressed fears about how making physicians into corporate employees may remove the last barriers preventing patients from becoming corporate financial cannon fodder.  Physicians' most central professional value is to put patients' interests first.  Practicing physicians who practice as corporate employees are at risk of being pressured, or even threatened under the cover of contract enforcement to put their corporate employers' revenues ahead of patients' interests.  Physicians should not let their patients, and their own values be so threatened.  Physicians who have inadvertently, foolishly, or under duress signed contracts that could threaten their professionalism and their patients' welfare need to do the ri... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565865 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:01:00 +0100 4565865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552049&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Frise-of-corporate-physician-end-of.html In discussing how concentration and abuse of power threatens health care professionals' values and professionalism, we have discussed how ostensibly academic institutions value faculty more for their earning power than their academic abilities.  We have discussed how financial relationships between physicians and drug, biotechnology, device and other companies risk abuse of entrusted power.  But up to now, I have been comforted by the hope that physicians in small independent practices who do not have such conflicts of interest are trying to uphold their professional values, even as they were buffeted by the perverse incentives imposed by managed care organizations/ health insurance companies and government insurance (e.g., US Medicare whose payments are controlled by the RUC).Ho... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552049 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:48:00 +0100 4552049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4544947&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRmhvzKbuPbs%2F By Ilya ShapiroRecently, activist and filmmaker Annie Leonard released a video titled "The Story of Citizens United v. FEC," an eight-and-a-half-minute criticism of last year’s Supreme Court case of the same name. Well, sort of. Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Lee Doren made his own video critique in response to Ms. Leonard’s offering, and points out quite clearly that Ms. Leonard doesn’t really deal with any actual constitutional problems in her position—essentially ignoring the decision and its rationale—and instead spends most of her time corporation bashing. Lee was kind enough to cite, inter alia, a blogpost I wrote last year about what “corporate personhood” does and does not mean. If Ms. Leonard was going to ignore the decision, it may have at least served her wel... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4544947 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:40:11 +0100 4544947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507582&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fjhk8uLvM9QY%2F Call it congressional deja vu. Last week, a pair of bills that previously went nowhere were again introduced and both take aim at brand-name drugmakers. The first, called the Say No to Drug Ads Act, would eliminate tax breaks for direct-to-consumer advertising and was introduced by Jerry Nadler, a Democratic Congressman from New York who failed to enlist any co-sponsors. The rationale for his repeat effort is that DTC ads allow drugmakers to “keep prices artificially high, steering consumers – and physicians – away from generics…It’s bad enough that TV drug ads mislead consumers and tout benefits of high-priced drugs without properly conveying the risks, but the drug companies don’t need extra subsidies to do so,” he says in a statement. (You can read the bill her... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507582 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:27:06 +0100 4507582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489635&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRX7stlKncCc%2F By Daniel J. MitchellHere's a video arguing for the abolition of the corporate income tax. The visuals are good and it touches on key issues such as competitiveness.   I do have one complaint about the video, though it is merely a sin of omission. There is not enough attention paid to the issue of double taxation. Yes, America's corporate tax rate is very high, but that is just one of the layers of taxation imposed by the internal revenue code. Both the capital gains tax and the tax on dividends result in corporate income being taxed at least two times. These are points I made in my very first video, which is a good companion to the other video. There is a good argument, by the way, for keeping the corporate tax and instead getting rid of the extra layers of tax on dividends and capital ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489635 Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:13:01 +0100 4489635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472980&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F13%2Fwho-moved-my-cheese-keep-moving-the-cheese%2F Human beings are creatures of habit, which is why Spencer Johnson sold more than ten million copies of his book, Who Moved My Cheese?. Business executives sit down to PowerPoint presentations based on it, and depressed patients watch the Who Moved My Cheese? video during group therapy in hospital psychiatric units across the country. (Who would have thought corporate America and psych ward programs had so much in common?) The story is about two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two “Littlepeople,” Hem and Haw, who live in a maze of cheese stations, some filled with cheese and others empty. When Cheese Station C runs out of cheese, the two mice immediately search the maze for other cheese stations, while Hem and Haw overanalyze their situation, convinced that one day the old cheese wi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472980 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 11:17:40 +0100 4472980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450280&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FLMKgAIP6bpA%2F By Daniel GriswoldIn his speech at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce yesterday, President Obama tried to make nice with U.S. business. While the speech contained some positive elements about promoting trade and a lower corporate tax rate, the president also pounded the tired theme that we are locked in a battle with other countries over a fixed number of jobs. Notice how the president framed the otherwise good news of expanding domestic production: Right now, businesses across this country are proving that America can compete. Caterpillar is opening a new plant to build excavators in Texas that used to be shipped from Japan. … A company called Geomagic, a software maker, decided to close down its overseas centers in China and Europe and move their R&D here to the United States. These comp... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450280 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:04:50 +0100 4450280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445780&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSpmeOr_vLw0%2F By Chris EdwardsRep. Richard Hanna is one of the many new members of Congress with a no-nonsense business background. He is determined to move the GOP in the direction of major tax and spending reforms. When I chatted to the congressman, he told me that he had already read my Global Tax Revolution, so he will be well-armed in tackling business tax reform! Hanna is off to a good start with his "American Competitiveness Act," which would chop the federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. He notes that "the average rate in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries is just over 25 percent, meaning the effective U.S. corporate tax burden, when state and local taxes are considered, can be 50 percent higher than some of our developed competitors, renderin... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445780 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 19:39:30 +0100 4445780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419112&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F8PbpRgs3Pk8%2F By Tad DeHavenFreshman Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has raised the bar in Washington by releasing a bill that would make substantial, specific, and immediate cuts in federal spending. While policymakers on both sides of the aisle have largely paid lip service to stopping Washington’s record run of fiscal profligacy, Paul’s proposal makes good on his campaign promise to seriously tackle the federal government’s bloated budget. Paul’s bill would target $500 billion in cuts for fiscal 2011 alone. While audacious by Washington standards, cutting federal spending by that amount would still leave us with a projected $1 trillion deficit this year. Nonetheless, the federal government’s scope would be dramatically curtailed, which would pay dividends in coming years as the economy is unshackled ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419112 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:49:44 +0100 4419112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382740&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F3xiNhYx3chE%2F By Tad DeHavenOne positive outcome of the recession, as the states struggle to find revenue to spend, is that state subsidies to businesses are facing increased scrutiny. This week the New York Times reported that states are looking at reducing or ending programs that hand out taxpayer money to television and movie producers. In Pennsylvania, some last-minute handouts from outgoing governor Ed Rendell are under fire, including a $10 million state grant to rehabilitate a former Sony plant for new tenants. According to the Commonwealth Foundation’s Nate Benefield, this is the fourth time Pennsylvania taxpayers have subsidized the site: Sony moved out in 2007, despite getting more than $40 million in corporate welfare under Gov. Robert P. Casey to come to Pennsylvania, then another $1 mill... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382740 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:26:27 +0100 4382740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337915&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCMMX1H-G8kY%2F By Chris EdwardsThe Obama administration is showing interest in reforming the U.S. corporate income tax. That’s good news because a lower corporate rate would boost domestic investment, which in turn would generate more jobs and higher wages and incomes. A lower corporate rate would also attract more inflows of direct investment from abroad—foreign-based businesses expanding their plants and building new plants in the United States. I updated this chart from our book, Global Tax Revolution. It shows that during the 1980s, the United States enjoyed higher inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) than outflows. But since then, the pattern has reversed—our companies are now investing more abroad than foreign-based companies are investing in the United States. (Data is from the BEA). ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337915 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:10:40 +0100 4337915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4313989&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPremGoVsvgM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe news is going from bad to worse for Ireland. The Irish Independent is reporting that the Swiss Central Bank no longer will accept Irish government bonds as collateral. The story also notes that one of the world’s largest bond firms, PIMCO, is no longer purchasing debt issued by the Irish government. And this is happening even though (or perhaps because?) Ireland received a big bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (and the IMF’s involvement means American taxpayers are picking up part of the tab). I’ve already commented on Ireland’s woes, and opined about similar problems afflicting the rest of Europe, but the continuing deterioration of the Emerald Isle deserves further analysis so that American policy makers h... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4313989 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:47:36 +0100 4313989 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309592&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FIougkQG-aIU%2F By Daniel J. MitchellThe mid-term elections were a rejection of President Obama’s big-government agenda, but those results don’t necessarily mean better policy. We should not forget, after all, that Democrats rammed through Obamacare even after losing the special election to replace Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts (much to my dismay, my prediction from last January was correct). Similarly, GOP control of the House of Representatives does not automatically mean less government and more freedom. Heck, it doesn’t even guarantee that things won’t continue to move in the wrong direction. Here are three possible bad policies for 2011, most of which the Obama White House can implement by using executive power. 1. A back-door bailout of the states from the Federal Reserve &#82... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309592 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:02:34 +0100 4309592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272289&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-musical-chairs-of-medical-speciality%2F2010.12.19 The consolidation of physician specialty practices into larger corporate healthcare systems in urban areas is creating a new challenge for today’s doctors when the music stops: There might not be a chair available. There are simply many fewer hospital systems in large urban areas than there are specialy practices, so the number of specialist positions a large healthcare system is willing to absorb might be limited. As doctors and hospital systems coalesce into as-yet-to-be-clearly-defined “accountable care organizations,” the cost of too many specialists in an organization is being carefully weighed. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272289 Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:00:00 +0100 4272289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265627&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Felan-eisai-settle-for-related-reasons.html The parade of legal settlements of bad behavior by major health care organizations marches on. The latest to shuffle by are Elan Corp, based in Ireland, and Eisai Inc, based in Japan, for actions taken in the US.  According to Bloomberg:Elan Corp. will pay $203 million and a U.S. unit of the Irish drugmaker will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge to resolve an investigation of its marketing of the epilepsy medicine Zonegran.Elan will pay $102.9 million to resolve civil claims and $100 million in criminal fines and forfeitures, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Japanese drugmaker Eisai Inc., which bought the drug from Elan in 2004 for $128.5 million, also will pay $11 million to settle civil claims.The Elan Pharmaceuticals unit will plead guilty in federal court in ... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265627 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:00:00 +0100 4265627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266269&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FWkhv1xCUFCI%2F Three years after pleading guilty to a criminal misdemeanor in connection with the misbranding of the OxyContin painkiller, a federal judge has ruled three former Purdue Frederick execs are barred from working for any company that does business with Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for 12 years. The ruling affirms an order from the US Department of Health and Human Services, which initially sought to exclude Michael Friedman, the former ceo and president; Howard Udell, the former exec vp and general counsel (see photo); and Paul Goldenheim, the former chief medical officer and R&D chief, for 20 years. “We are disappointed by the court’s ruling,” attorneys for the former execs say in a statement sent us. “Our clients continue to believe ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266269 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:09:34 +0100 4266269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265692&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQeA2kvjDLrs%2F By Chris EdwardsJapan has announced that it will cut its corporate tax rate by five percentage points. Japan and the United States had been the global laggards on corporate tax reform, so this leaves America with the highest corporate rate among the 34 wealthy nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. That is not a good position for us to be in. Most of the competition faced by U.S. businesses comes from businesses headquartered in other OECD countries. America also competes with other OECD nations as a location for investment. Our high corporate tax rate scares away investment in new factories, makes it difficult for U.S. companies to compete in foreign markets, and provides strong incentives for corporations to avoid and evade taxes. The chart shows KP... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265692 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:59:48 +0100 4265692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265696&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FX5Wl5PN0vJM%2F By Daniel J. MitchellSometimes it’s not a good idea to be at the top of a list. And now that Japan has announced a five-percentage point reduction in its corporate tax rate, the United States will have the dubious honor of imposing the developed world’s highest corporate tax rate. Here’s an excerpt from the report in the New York Times. Japan will cut its corporate income tax rate by 5 percentage points in a bid to shore up its sluggish economy, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said here Monday evening. Companies have urged the government to lower the country’s effective corporate tax rate — which now stands at 40 percent, around the same rate as that in the United States — to stimulate investment in Japan and to encourage businesses to create more jobs. Lowering the corpor... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265696 Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:26:48 +0100 4265696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4219729&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2s4Lbn3TW1Q%2F By Chris EdwardsPresident Obama’s Fiscal Commission has produced a serious and sobering analysis of the government’s budget mess, and it provides some of the needed solutions. Three of the report’s main themes are on target: the need to make government leaner, the need to cut business taxes to generate economic growth, and the need to impose tighter budget rules to discipline spending. The report rejects the view of many Democratic leaders that the welfare state built over the last 80 years must be defended against any and all budget cuts. “Every aspect of the discretionary budget must be scrutinized, no agency can be off limits, and no program that spends too much or achieves too little can be spared. The federal government can and must adapt to the 21st century by transforming it... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4219729 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:03:31 +0100 4219729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214086&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_2z-16QiXAc%2F By Daniel J. MitchellI’m understandably fond of my video exposing the flaws of Keynesian stimulus theory, but I think my former intern has an excellent contribution to the debate with this new 5-minute mini-documentary. The main insight of the mini-documentary is that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) only measures how national output is allocated between consumption, investment, and government. That’s useful information in many ways, but if we want more output, we should focus on Gross Domestic Income (GDI), which measures how national income is earned. Focusing on GDI hopefully would lead lawmakers to consider ways of boosting employee compensation, corporate profits, small business income, and other components of national income. Focusing on GDP, by contrast, is misguided since ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214086 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:56:30 +0100 4214086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183279&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FY07_nK188sQ%2F By Tad DeHavenPresident Obama has proclaimed today to be National Entrepreneurs’ Day. The president who has brought us regime uncertainty, more regulations, more government intrusion into the economy, more debt, and is proposing to raise taxes on productive businesses and individuals wants to celebrate entrepreneurship? I was alerted to National Entrepreneurs’ Day via an email (not online) from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The EDA email makes it clear that the administration wishes to celebrate political entrepreneurship, not market entrepreneurship. In his book, The Myth of the Robber Barons, historian Burton Folsom explains the difference: A key point about the steamship industry is that the government played an active role right from the start... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183279 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:00:35 +0100 4183279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179304&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FgzQCugAF_pg%2F By Daniel J. MitchellIreland is in deep fiscal trouble and the Germans and the French apparently want the politicians in Dublin to increase the nation’s 12.5 percent corporate tax rate as the price for being bailed out. This is almost certainly the cause of considerable smugness and joy in Europe’s high-tax nations, many of which have been very resentful of Ireland for enjoying so much prosperity in recent decades in part because of a low corporate tax burden. But is there any reason to think Ireland’s competitive corporate tax regime is responsible for the nation’s economic crisis? The answer, not surprisingly, is no. Here’s a chart from one of Ireland’s top economists, looking at taxes and spending for past 27 years. You can see that revenues grew rapi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179304 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:42:11 +0100 4179304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168210&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fl2OCKDBmYig%2F In response to recent efforts to restrict the dissemination of academic research generated by contracts, the American Association of University Professors is developing new guidelines for colleges and faculty who receive corporate financing for research. The move comes after recent attempts by BP and federal agencies using Natural Resource Damage Assessment program. The disclosure was made in the recent issue of AAUP’s Academe magazine, which carries several articles, including one about conflicts of interest standards at medical journals (read here), another that reviews pharmaceutical industry influence on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (see this) and an essay detailing similar concerns in Canada, where the Canadian Association of University Profes... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168210 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:11:41 +0100 4168210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159274&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Ftogether_on_diabetesa_and_a_100_million_diabetes_initiative.php November is American Diabetes Month. We all know that diabetes remains an epidemic that the United States (if not the world!) is still trying to fight. Particularly this month of November, fund-raising and awareness campaign to help fight diabetes are more visible than ever. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation launched Together on Diabetes®: Communities Uniting to Meet America's Diabetes Challenge -- a 5-year, $100 million initiative to help patients living with type 2 diabetes better manage their disease. Together on Diabetes® is the ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159274 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:52:23 +0100 4159274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074148&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F15%2Fjill-bolte-taylor-a-stroke-of-insight-and-our-brains%2F Many of you may have seen the Ted video by Jill Bolte Taylor, the neuroanatomist and spokesperson for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center who survived a stroke in 1996, at age 37, to describe the shifts in her brain that took place as part of her recovery. Fascinating stuff. And very useful and inspiring to not only those recovering from neurological disorders, but also psychological ones. I had the privilege of meeting Taylor and attending her workshop at the NAMI National Convention in DC. This woman knows her stuff and is a powerful communicator. I couldn’t scribble fast enough to get it all down on paper. First she described the right brain (the buddha): Nonverbal Thinks in pictures Kinesthetic Present moment Holistic thinking Seek similarities Perceives energy Compassiona... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074148 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:01:16 +0100 4074148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4031186&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fwright-medical-settles-but-wait-there.html Everyone loves a parade, and so the parade of legal settlements by prominent health care organizations continues.  The latest to march into view is Wright Medical Group, as reported by Bloomberg:Wright Medical Technology Inc. agreed to pay $7.9 million to resolve U.S. criminal and civil investigations into whether it paid kickbacks to induce doctors to use its hip and knee devices.Prosecutors in Newark, New Jersey, today charged Wright with conspiring to violate a federal anti-kickback statue through consulting contracts with orthopedic surgeons. The U.S. agreed to drop the case in 12 months if a monitor agrees that Wright has reformed the way it hires consultants.Wright, based in Arlington, Tennessee, also agreed to a $7.9 million civil settlement with the Justice Department and insp... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4031186 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:51:00 +0100 4031186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018290&cid=t_106515_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F3o5RXvNCqe0%2F We have received many good questions about the new SharpBrains Council for Brain Fitness Innovation — below you have some answers. Question: We are based in Asia/ Australia/ Europe. Will time differences prevent us from participating in monthly briefings and benefiting from the Council? Answer: We will do our best to facilitate a truly global community and exchange. Please consider that… we will schedule monthly briefings at 2 separate times, one at 9am US Pacific Time, the other at 4pm US Pacific Time, both covering the same topic (but perhaps with different guest speakers). And briefings will be recorded. most activities and resources are asynchronous anyway. Our market intelligence reports and other materials are available via this members-only online community 24/7, same as onlin... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4018290 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:41:40 +0100 4018290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013544&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6lunEll_UYI%2F If anyone thought the very messy recall scandal would blow over and Johnson & Johnson would emerge unscathed, they may want to think again. A new survey finds the health care giant’s reputation has declined 27 percent among mothers, 31 percent among pediatricians and 23 percent among general practitioners. Looked at another way, all three groups rated its reputation as an 8 - on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 as horrible and 10 as perfect - before the recalls. Now, all three groups rate J&J between 5 and 6. The survey of 139 mothers and 50 physicians was conducted by CLSA analyst David Maris, who says that, since some moms will moms and docs have permanently changed their view of J&J, “this is serious.” Why? On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = not serious at all and... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013544 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:21:47 +0100 4013544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961808&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fhow-to-succeed-as-a-businesswoman-hint-become-a-man%2F As women, we’re at a great disadvantage in the business world, which has nothing to do with sexism in the workplace or aged white men ruling the top of the corporate ladder. It mostly has to do with the way we smile inappropriately and have limp handshakes. Thanks for the tips, Citibank. via Buzzfeed Post from: BlissTree How to Succeed as a Businesswoman (Hint: Become a Man) (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961808 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:53:03 +0100 3961808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942840&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F20104788%2F0%2Fneuromarketing%7EMaslow-Emotion-and-a-Hierarchy-of-Service.htm Branding expert Denise Lee Yohn proposes a new hierarchy of customer service based on Maslow's famous breakdown of human needs. Commentssusan — i do think you're on to something — i love road ... by denise lee yohnKeep in mind that the way people actually behave – and ... by Paul WardPlus 8 more... (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3942840 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:03:24 +0100 3942840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3920808&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fintroducing-corporate-sponsored-state-parks%2F photo: Thinkstock Is it worth sticking corporate logos on signs around state parks in order to keep them open? Several parks in New Hampshire, Maine, Georgia, and Virginia are low on funds and looking into corporate sponsorships to continue to be able to maintain their public land. People visit state parks to feel closer to nature (and to drink beer in campsites), not to be bombarded with corporate sponsorship ads. But then again, funding from the big guys could be the lesser of two evils here. So, is it better to have a state park brought to you by Pepsi, Comcast, or Sony than no park at all? Sound off. via The Huffington Post Post from: BlissTree Introducing: Corporate-Sponsored State Parks? (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3920808 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:32:26 +0100 3920808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3896094&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FsHvtOzn8FtM%2F Given that patient and consumer groups are increasingly involved in as stakeholders and experts in management and scientific committees at the European Medicines Agency, one activist group decided to survey corporate sponsorship and compliance with disclosure requirements. Health Action International canvassed 23 groups, including those concerned with AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and diabetes, to gauge financial ties between 2006 and 2008. Here is the study and this is what was found… - Two-thirds of the groups working with the EMA received partial or significant funding from drugmakers or industry associations. All in all, 15 organizations received between 0.2 percent and 99 percent of their annual income from corporate sources, while seven ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3896094 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:51:39 +0100 3896094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865237&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F194889%2F Go, Walmart! Well, go Walmart Canada. At the beginning of 2010, Walmart Canada convinced 24 of Canada’s largest companies to participate in a sustainability project that would reduce their environmental impact. So far, so good. (via Fast Company) Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865237 Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:02:48 +0100 3865237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767315&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FUPI_dkTAal8%2F Now that Pfizer has decided to keep an R&D facility and about 300 jobs in Richmond, Virginia, the city may give the drugmaker $650,000 in tax grants over a 10-year period, starting in 2014. Although the grant would be capped, Pfizer would be able to request additional funds for every $50 million invested in the property. “It’s a performance-based grant - very modest,” Peter Chapman, deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development, tells The Richmond Times-Dispatch, who adds the tax break is critical to hold on to the jobs. Such incentives, which some decry as corporate welfare, are regularly used to encourage companies to relocate or retain jobs, although results don’t always match expectations. Two years ago, the widely used practic... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767315 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:46:08 +0100 3767315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740584&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcqY5QUVJim0%2F By Daniel J. MitchellSupporters of the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially the owner of the team, are upset that basketball superstar LeBron James has decided to sign with the Miami Heat. The anger is especially intense because the Cavaliers offered James $4 million more over the next five years. But their anger is misplaced because more money in Cleveland actually translates into about $1 million less disposable income when the burden of state and local income taxes is added to the equation. Rather than condemn James for making a rational choice, local basketball fans should tar and feather Ohio politicians. This story from CNBC walks through the calculations. [I]f you match up what James’ salary would be for the first five years in Cleveland and the five years in Miami, you find that the C... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740584 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:26:49 +0100 3740584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718694&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F5smoVj-vaK8%2F Drugmakers facing product-liability lawsuits generally prefer federal courts in the belief they will receive a more beneficial hearing, which explains why GlaxoSmithKline recently wanted to move a lawsuit over its Lamictal seizure med out of a Pennsylvania state court. But a federal judge ruled Glaxo violated a new “nerve center” test for determining corporate citizenship, The Legal Intellgiencer reports. So the suit goes back to state court. This is significant. Glaxo, you see, tried arguing that it’s really a citizen of Delaware, where it was established as a corporate entity and, therefore, is not a citizen of Pennsylvania. But US District Court Judge J. Curtis Joyner is having none of it. In a nine-page order, he is quick to note that Philadelphia is cited in various ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718694 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:16:22 +0100 3718694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718382&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsPvhQSrvB5M%2F By Daniel J. MitchellMany people assume that Europe is the land of high-tax welfare states and America is an outpost of laissez-faire capitalism. We should be so lucky. The burden of government in America is still lower than it is in the average European nation, but the United States is a lot closer to France than it is to Hong Kong — and the trend is not comforting. We recently endured the embarrassing spectacle of President Obama arguing with Europeans that they should increase the burden of government spending. Now we have a new report from the European Commission indicating that the average corporate tax rate in member nations of the European Union has plummeted to just 23.5 percent while the corporate tax rate in the U.S. has stagnated at 35 percent. In the past dozen years a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718382 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:10:33 +0100 3718382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641006&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWAuhPBYvBJI%2F By Chris EdwardsFrom the subscription magazine Tax Notes today: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan (parliament), in an attempt to attract foreign investors, on May 28 passed legislation cutting the island’s corporate tax rate from 20 percent to 17 percent, retroactive to January 1… The lower corporate tax rate will make Taiwan more competitive with its East Asian rivals Singapore, whose rate is also 17 percent, and Hong Kong, whose rate remains slightly lower at 16.5 percent. The reduced rate ‘will make us even more competitive and will help attract international businesses to set up their headquarters in Taiwan. We believe we’ll see the positive results in the next several years,’ lawmaker Alex Fei of the ruling Kuomintang. If you were the CEO of an internation... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641006 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:26:50 +0100 3641006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635705&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fattempt-to-hold-health-care-leaders.html We have frequently noted how health care organizations accused of kickbacks, fraud, and other unethical and sometimes illegal behavior involving how they produce or market health care products or services often are allowed to settle the charges only with a fines to the companies, and sometimes with corporate integrity agreements.  Almost never are the people who authorized, directed, or implemented the unethical behavior required to pay any sort of penalty.  We recently commented on a case in which an executive of a medical device company accused of exaggerating the performance of a diagnostic test in development was charged, not with misleading doctors or patients by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but with misleading investors by the US Securities... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635705 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:30:00 +0100 3635705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625508&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D3120 I was asked recently to write a reply to an article about "research managers" for the magazine Research Fortnight. This is a magazine that carries news of research and has a very useful list of potential research funding agencies. The article to which I was asked to respond originally had the title “Researchers and Research Managers, a match made in heaven?“, before the subeditors got hold of it. It was written by Simon Kerridge, who is secretary of the Association for Research Managers and Administrators The printed version of his article can be downloaded here, and the printed version of my response here. My response, as submitted, is below with live links. This invitation came at a strangely appropriate time, just at the moment that every unversity is having serio... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625508 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:01:00 +0100 3625508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552546&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fu5xnfU-IeWo%2F Seven years after receiving millions of dollars in tax breaks to create jobs in New York, Pfizer is eliminating up to 1,400 workers amid a vast consolidation that was accelerated by its $68 billion purchase last year of Wyeth. Along with the cuts and musical job chairs, which come on top of 2,000 other positions already eliminated, the drugmaker is also putting a midtown office building up for sale, The New York Times notes. Pfizer will retain its midtown headquarters on East 42nd Street, as well as 4,400 employees, but now faces an angry and embarassed Bloomberg administration, which wants to recover twice the $12 million in tax breaks awarded in 2003. A spokesman for the city’s Economic Development Corporation tells the paper the city can pursue twice the amount of breaks if Pfizer... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552546 Tue, 11 May 2010 12:14:43 +0100 3552546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526742&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-and-life-insurance-companies-invested-in-fast-food%2F2010.05.03 A new article published in the American Journal of Public Health shows that U.S., Canadian, and European insurance firms hold $1.88 billion of investments in fast food companies like Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s/Arby’s Groups. Both health insurers and life insurers have substantial holdings in these companies. A person just needs to read “Fast Food Nation” or watch the documentary “Food, Inc.” to understand the negative impact of processed foods on the health of our country. The evidence is so compelling that the new health reform legislation is requiring fast food and chain restaurants to disclose calorie counts on their menus. Ironically, the new legislation will also add millions of customers to the health insurers. (mo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526742 Mon, 03 May 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3526742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526708&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fsunday-settlement-and-guilty-plea.html Here we go again.  AstraZeneca / SeroquelWe have posted frequently about allegations of devious marketing techniques used by AstraZeneca to promote its blockbuster atypical anti-psychotic drug Seroquel (quetiapine.)  See our posts here, here, here, here, and here.  Now, as reported by the New York Times, it is time for AZ to settle with the US government.AstraZeneca has completed a deal to pay $520 million to settle federal investigations into marketing practices for its blockbuster schizophrenia drug, Seroquel, the Attorney General, Eric Holder, said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. 'AstraZeneca paid kickbacks to doctors as part of an illegal scheme to market drugs for unapproved uses,' Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services, said at the event in W... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526708 Sun, 02 May 2010 20:49:00 +0100 3526708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3511573&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fliving_cell_technologies_received_jdrf_grant_for_diabecella_nz_clinical_trial.php Photo CreditDIABECELL® is Living Cell Technologies' treatment designed for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. Now, LCT has received a grant of US$500,000 for its on-going Phase II clinical trial of DIABECELL® in New Zealand from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). DIABECELL® is composed of encapsulated porcine insulin-producing cells (islets) that are implanted into the abdomen of patients using a simple laparoscopic procedure and works by self-regulating and efficiently secreting insulin in the patient's body. The JDRF grant will contribute to the second ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3511573 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:06:15 +0100 3511573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508449&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F7UyDiZlYCdo%2F The drugmaker has formally agreed to a settlement with US Department of Justice that calls for paying $520 million to resolve charges that it improperly marketed its widely used Seroquel antipsychotic for unapproved uses, The New York Times reports. The deal is expected to be announced in the morning. Although a corporate integrity agreement is part of the deal, there are no criminal charges. This is not surprising, though. A settlement was expected ever since AstraZeneca set aside the money last fall to resolve two federal investigations and two whistleblower lawsuits over off-label marketing (background). The move also followed huge fines paid by Pfizer and Eli Lilly last year. The investigation, which was underway at the same time that AstraZeneca has been battling numerous lawsuits ov... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508449 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:35:46 +0100 3508449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494366&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F22%2Fthe-state-of-shareholder-power-in-the-situation-of-citizens-united%2F Who is speaking when a corporation talks? Can a corporation represent all of its shareholders and workers in political speech? How will corporations decide who to represent?  In “Corporate Governance Redux in the Light of Citizens United,” Robert A.G. Monks will detail  the history of corporate personhood and how this case relates to corporate governance. * * * Come hear Mr. Monks, shareholder activist, author, corporate governance advisor, and HLS alum, for a lunch-time discussion of the state of shareholder power after Citizens United (04/22/10).  The talk will be held in Austin West at Harvard Law School (12pm-1pm).  Lunch will be provided. (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494366 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:01:22 +0100 3494366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3482883&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyAt8AlivMAo%2F By Mark A. CalabriaSeveral commentators have reacted to Senator McConnell’s floor statement regarding the Dodd bill as a defense of “doing nothing”.  And accordingly argue that such a position would be, in the words of Simon Johnson, both dangerous and irresponsible.  This familiar canard is based upon the oft repeated assertion that the failure of Lehman proved that we cannot simply let large financial companies enter bankruptcy. The simple, but important, fact is that we have no idea what would have happened had we let AIG and Bear go into bankruptcy proceedings.  Nor do we know what would have happened if Lehman had been saved.  Macroeconomics does not have the luxury of running natural experiments to determine the impact of a corporate failure.   Scholars have a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3482883 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:33:03 +0100 3482883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366187&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F6OWgvF3mIog%2F By Lynn Shapiro Snyder. There is nothing like a cold, hard statistic to hang your hat on. What better way is there to drive home your point in the courtroom, the conference room, the Senate chamber? But as much as numbers illuminate, they also obfuscate. Take, for instance, a recent New York Times article announcing that women outnumber men on our  nation’s payrolls. We have reached an historic milestone. But before you break out the champagne, take a closer look. You actually do not need to search very hard. In fact, all it will take is a glance—one brief, passing glance into any of the thousands of corporate board rooms across America. As of 2009, a wan 15.2 percent of Fortune 500 board members were women.  That means, for the average 10-person corporate board, there aren’t even ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366187 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:31:29 +0100 3366187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366147&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Ffurther-guidance-on-the-assurance-and-approach-process-for-pct-proposals-on-community-services%2F Title: Further guidance on the assurance and approach process for PCT proposals on community services Skinny: The NHS Operating Framework 2010/11 set a requirement for proposals for future forms of PCT-provided community services to be agreed with SHAs by 31 March 2010. Further guidance has been published that aims to support: PCTs as they develop proposals for the future shape of their community services; SHAs in their role to assure PCT proposals for community provider organisational form. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 12p. Published: 05/02/2010 Filed under: Grey Literature, NHS, Primary Care Tagged: Community Services, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Organisational Design, Primary Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366147 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:00:27 +0100 3366147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3363639&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fejo0EBSIEKk%2F By David BoazWhite House senior advisor David Axelrod continued the administration’s campaign against the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision on ABC’s This Week: But thinking about Teddy Roosevelt, I wonder what he would think about a bill that essentially allows for a corporate takeover of our elections, or a court decision. And that’s what we’re dealing with here. Under the ruling of the Supreme Court, any lobbyist could go into any legislator and say, if you don’t vote our way on this bill, we’re going to run a million-dollar campaign against you in your district. And that is a threat to our democracy. He was of course echoing and defending President Obama’s declaration in the State of the Union address: With all due deference to sepa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3363639 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:21:39 +0100 3363639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362420&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fbio_whitepaper_biotech_chemical_platforms_to_create_green_jobs.php The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a white paper on the growth and jobs potential of green chemicals and briefed Congressional staff on the commercial status of industrial biotechnologies for algae applications, biobased products, and advanced biofuels. The white paper, Biobased Chemicals and Products: A New Driver of U.S. Economic Development and Green Jobs (pdf file), indicats that the biobased chemicals and plastics industry accounts for over 5,700 direct jobs and is likely responsible for over 40,000 jobs economy wide. A related report ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362420 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:38:16 +0100 3362420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302298&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1il-sCxOpgw%2F By Chris EdwardsI testified to the Senate Finance Committee today regarding taxes and small business. My testimony is posted here. President Obama plans to raise the top two individual income tax rates. That will not be good for business or the economy. A little more than half of all business income in the United States is reported on individual returns, not corporate returns. Of the business income reported on individual returns, 44 percent is in the top two income tax brackets. My testimony pointed out that while Congress cut the top individual rate by 5 percentage points this past decade, the average top rate in the 30 OECD countries also fell by 5 percentage points, as shown in the chart below. If the top federal rate rises to 40 percent next year, the United States will have th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302298 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:03:37 +0100 3302298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283535&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2764 I had never intended to write about climate. It is too far from the things I know about. But recent events have unleashed a Palin-esque torrent of comments from people who clearly know even less about it than I do. In any case, it provides a good context to think about trust in science, Earthrise from moon. (click to enlarge) My interest in it, apart from little matters like the future of the planet, lies in the reputation of science and scientists. I have been going on for years now about the lack of trust in science, and the extent to which it is a self-inflicted problem. The latest reactions to the developments at the University of East Anglia and the IPCC may show the nature of the problem with dreadful clarity, Many of us came into science because, apart from the sheer be... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283535 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:09:04 +0100 3283535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235823&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO83bixU3X2c%2F By Ilya ShapiroThe blogosphere has been abuzz on the heels of the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United opinion.  Hysteric criticisms of the speculative changes to our political landscape aside — including the President’s misstatements in the State of the Union — one of the most common and oft-repeated criticisms is that the Constitution does not protect corporations. Several “reform” groups have even drafted and circulated constitutional amendments to address this concern. This line of attack demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of both the nature of corporations and the freedoms protected by the Constitution, which is exemplified by the facile charge that “corporations aren’t human beings.” Well of course they aren’t — but that’s constitutionall... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235823 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:45:23 +0100 3235823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200501&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F23%2Four-stake-in-corporate-behavior%2F Situationist Contributor David Yosifon published a thoughtful and timely op-ed,  in yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle. Here are some excerpts. * * * Corporations are crucial institutions in our society. Consumers rely on them for everything from the basic provisions of food and clothing to the more dispensable delights of computers and cell phones. Workers rely on them for jobs. Communities need them for a tax base. Shareholders rely on them for profits that fund retirement, or entrepreneurial activity. We all have a stake in effective corporate operations. Yet corporate directors are not required, indeed are not allowed, to put the interests of any party above shareholders in their decision making. Now the Supreme Court has declared that the First Amendment forbids us from restri... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200501 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:01:30 +0100 3200501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171875&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxARilHuwfH0%2F By Chris Moody Nat Hentoff: If you’re looking for reform in Cuba, don’t rest your hopes on Raul Castro. Tim Carney, author of Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You and Enriching His Wall Street Friends, Corporate Lobbyists, and Union Bosses gives the inside scoop on why big government is good for big business. The Patriot Act: What should go, and what should stay? Dear Poor People- “Please remain poor.” Sincerely, Obamacare. Podcast: “Obamanomics in Health Care” featuring Tim Carney. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171875 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:36:53 +0100 3171875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171884&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1ypg4QUiWbQ%2F By Chris Moody A real stimulus: To create jobs, repeal the corporate-income tax. As if times weren’t hard enough: The individual mandate on health insurance would impose high implicit taxes on low-wage workers. For more on this, read the new Cato study on burdens the health care legislation will place on the poor. Hot off the press: New issue of Regulation magazine looks at lessons from the financial crisis and property rights. Even though the government is running massive deficits, interest rates and inflation are low. So, what’s the problem? Podcast: “Bernanke’s Conceit” featuring Mark A. Calabria. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171884 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:23:48 +0100 3171884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3156524&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F09%2Ftaking-the-situation-of-consumers-seriously%2F Situationist Contributor David Yosifon recently posted his superb article, “The Consumer Interest in Corporate Law,” (43 UC Davis Law Review 253-313 (2009)) on SSRN.  It’s an important, well written, and very situationist analysis of the influence of corporate law and corporations on consumers. Here’s the abstract. * * * This Article provides a comprehensive assessment of the consumer interest in dominant theories of the corporation and in the fundamental doctrines of corporate law. In so doing, the Article fills a void in contemporary corporate law scholarship, which has failed to give sustained attention to consumers in favor of exploring the interests of other corporate stakeholders, especially shareholders, creditors, and workers. Utilizing insights derived fr... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3156524 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 04:01:49 +0100 3156524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149029&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6sJIosoLgDU%2F By Chris Moody The moral and constitutional case for gay marriage. The populists have it wrong. Why free trade and globalization are great blessings to  Americans and poor families around the world. How Obama’s plan for health care will affect medical innovation in America: “Imposing price controls on drugs and treatments–or indirectly forcing their prices down by means of a ‘public option’ or expanded public insurance programs–would reduce the incentive for innovators to develop new treatments.” Register now for the upcoming Cato forum featuring author Tim Carney and his new book, Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You and Enriching His Wall Street Friends, Corporate Lobbyists, and Union Bosses. Buy the book, here. Podcast: &#8... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149029 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:24:59 +0100 3149029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142476&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F05%2Fthe-operating-framework-for-the-nhs-in-england-201011%2F Title: The operating framework for the NHS in England 2010/11 The Skinny: Briefing  from the NHS Confederation detailing key points of the operating framework, the white paper and the Pre-Budget Report, these being: National priorities remain the same as last year. Average funding growth for PCTs will be 5.5 per cent for 2010/11. There will be a real-terms freeze in funding for frontline services – defined as 95 per cent of the NHS budget – with cuts to the remainder in the following two years. £10bn of efficiency savings are required by 2012/13, as an interim milestone towards £15bn–£20bn of efficiencies by 2013/14. These savings will be recycled back into the NHS. PCTs are required to agree proposals for the future organisational structure of PCT provided community services wi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142476 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:43:19 +0100 3142476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115064&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTxNFdD8JEdY%2F By David BoazRoss Douthat at the New York Times, with help from Reihan Salam and Tim Carney, explains how the Senate health care bill can be both a government takeover and a huge subsidy to the insurance industry: We’ve achieved an unusual left-right convergence in the health care debate: Both conservatives and liberals are attacking the current version of reform as an egregious giveaway to the insurance industry. (Both sides sound an awful lot like Tim Carney, in other words.) Suddenly, it’s hard to tell the difference between the right’s Yuval Levin (”The bill is basically a massive subsidy to the insurers — it is not a reform of the system”) and the left’s Markos “Daily Kos” Moulitsas (”it’s unconscionable to force people to buy a product from a private ins... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115064 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:53:05 +0100 3115064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089227&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fnhs-2010-2015-from-good-to-great-preventative-people-centred-productive%2F Title: NHS 2010 – 2015: from good to great: preventative,people-centred,productive Skinny: Five-year plan to reshape the NHS to meet the challenge of delivering high quality health care in a tough financial environment. The report describes practical measures to meet the demands of an aging population and the increased prevalence of lifestyle diseases. The vision is for an NHS that is organised around patients whether at home, in a community setting or in hospital. There will be a renewed focus on prevention with the ambition of delivering cost-effective high quality care across the service Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 64p. Published: 10/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Economics, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pr... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089227 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:45 +0100 3089227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048091&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FH6-RLz6ONVk%2F At a conference yesterday, White House National Economic Council Director Larry Summers repeated a superficial critique of the U.S. corporate income tax that we’ve heard often from the Obama administration. Politico notes that Summers suggested “that U.S. corporate tax rates are relatively low, despite complaints from U.S. corporations.” And they quote him: “If you look at taxes paid by corporations as a fraction of profits, they’re actually very low” because the U.S. tax code is replete with “evasion and avoidance.” The Obama team’s solution to the supposed problem is to pile more complex IRS rules and regulations on U.S. corporations and to increase taxes on their foreign earnings. There are lots of problems here. One is the implication that the U.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048091 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:45:46 +0100 3048091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3033591&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2467 We have listed many reasons hear why you should never trust Boots.  Here are the previous ones. Can you trust Boots? Don’t Trust Boots Boots reaches new level of dishonesty with CoQ10 promotion This post is about a "functional food".  That is about something a bit more serious than homeopathy, though I’ll return to that standing joke in the follow-up, because of Boots’ latest shocking admission.. Alternative medicine advocates love to blame Big Pharma for every criticism of magic medicine.  In contrast, people like me, Ben Goldacre and a host of others have often pointed out that the differences seem to get ever smaller between the huge Alternative industry (about $60 billion per year), and the even huger regular pharmaceutical industry (around $6... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3033591 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:41:39 +0100 3033591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992644&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fomnicare-ivax-settle.html Settlements and kickbacks and corporate integrity agreements, oh my (to the tune of "lions and tigers and bears, oh my")To quote the BusinessWeek version of the story:A $112 million settlement involving alleged drug kickbacks that the Justice Dept. announced with the nation's largest nursing home pharmacy and a generic drug manufacturer on Nov. 3 is part of a wide-ranging investigation of suspected Medicaid fraud by the pharmaceutical industry.Under Tuesday's settlement, Omnicare will pay $98 million plus interest to the federal government and a number of state Medicaid programs to settle allegations that it participated in kickback schemes with IVAX, J&J [Johnson & Johnson], and two nursing home chains. IVAX, a subsidiary of Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA), agreed t... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992644 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:46:00 +0100 2992644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989331&cid=t_106515_129_f&fid=39065&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fgluten-freesimplicity%2FGNKb%2F%7E3%2F-Y6CfjJB6Y4%2F Surely, I will put together a list of "probably safe" and "possibly not" Gluten-Free "safe" menu items soon. And I will publish it. But for now, I think the "Safe" thing to do would be for America's Corporate Bosses to wax sincerely about the "Gluten-Free" issue or NOT wax at all. And I think that those of us who sometimes have emotional rants in our empty dining enjoyment quests that sometimes lead to "Gluten-Free" starvation -- oh... and I have been there many times too.. -- should also think next time before we blast an unsuspecting cashier the local "Minute Burger Joint". (Source: Gluten-Free Simplicity) Gluten-Free Simplicity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989331 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:58:33 +0100 2989331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981039&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fkelo-case-redux-once-more-pfizer-pulls.html Four years ago we posted (here, here and here) about the controversial US Supreme Court decision in the Kelo case. Most discussion of the case at the time focused on individual property rights vs the power of the government to promote economic development, but the case had an important health care angle.Briefly, the case centered on the taking of private property, including a house owned by Susette Kelo, by a not-for-profit organization, the New London (Connecticut) Development Corporation (NLDC) given the power of eminent domain by the New London city government. While the ostensible rationale for the taking was economic development, the action appeared to have been at the behest of Pfizer Inc, the world's largest pharmaceutical company, which had built a research and development facility... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981039 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:15:00 +0100 2981039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970197&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbtuLNttYRlw%2F Over at Downsizing Government, we focused on failures in the following departments this week: Commerce: corporate welfare in Ohio Defense: cost overruns in the Pentagon’s space programs Energy: central planners gamble with taxpayer money HUD: subsidizing private firms to operate public housing isn’t a solution Also, dubious stimulus projects point to a need to return to fiscal federalism. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970197 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:27:44 +0100 2970197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939275&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpYOEzr0p1dU%2F How Washington’s plans may result in even higher executive pay. “In 1993, Congress intervened in corporate compensation and messed things up. Now it’s the White House’s turn.” The case for allowing insider trading: “Want to keep companies honest, make the markets work more efficiently and encourage investors to diversify? Let insiders buy and sell.” Cato v. Heritage on the Patriot Act, Round III: “In hindsight, did Congress and the president react too hastily in 2001 by passing the Patriot Act just weeks after the 9/11 attacks?” Instead of fixing the Patriot Act, President Obama is protecting it. Twenty years later: Why the Berlin Wall fell. Podcast: “Financial Privacy and Freedom” featuring Prince Michael of Liech... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939275 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:38:20 +0100 2939275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927244&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F25%2Fthe-government%25e2%2580%2599s-response-to-the-health-select-committee%25e2%2580%2599s-report-on-the-use-of-management-consultants-in-the-nhs-and-the-department-of-health%2F Title: The Government’s Response to the Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants in the NHS and the Department of Health Skinny: Government’s response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee’s report on the use of management consultants by the NHS and the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 8p Published: 22/10/2009 Posted in Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS Tagged: Consultants, Corporate Governance, Department of Health, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927244 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:01:32 +0100 2927244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916081&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FziYjmUwKyB8%2F According to reports, executives from bailed out companies Citigroup, Bank of America, GM, Chrysler, GMAC, Chrysler Financial and AIG are going to see major pay cuts this year, which will be enforced by the president’s “pay czar,” Kenneth R. Feinberg. WaPo: NEW YORK — The Obama administration plans to order companies that have received exceptionally large amounts of bailout money from the government to slash compensation for their highest-paid executives by about half on average, according to people familiar with the long-awaited decision. The administration will also curtail many corporate perks, including the use of corporate jets for personal travel, chauffeured drivers and country club fee reimbursement, people familiar with the matter have said. Individual per... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916081 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:30:50 +0100 2916081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902811&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fbioaccelerate_nyc_prize_to_fund_translational_research.php © kaibara87The Partnership for New York City and the New York City Economic Development (NYCEDC) Corporation have announced that the New York City Investment Fund (NYCIF) will provide up to $1.25 million for the BioAccelerate NYC Prize. The BioAccelerate NYC Prize is the first citywide competition targeting commercialization of the extensive biomedical research conducted in New York. The BioAccelerate NYC competition is looking to fund translational research related to therapeutics, devices and diagnostics that can direct clinical care. As a key part of its evaluation, ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902811 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:42:33 +0100 2902811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2898927&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsOTk-fBoGcU%2F Social Security benefits are indexed for inflation, but because inflation has been roughly zero for the past year, the adjustment formula implies no increase in benefits this year. Nevertheless, President Obama on Wednesday attempted to preempt the announcement that Social Security recipients will not get an increase in their benefit checks for the first time in three decades, encouraging Congress to provide a one-time payment of $250 to help seniors and disabled Americans weather the recession. Obama endorsed the idea, which is expected to cost at least $13 billion, as the administration gropes for ways to sustain an apparent economic rebound without the kind of massive spending package that critics could label a second stimulus act. This is outrageous on four levels: 1. If the president ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2898927 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:34:58 +0100 2898927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871531&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fpfizer-in-guise-of-pharmacia-pfound-to.html It was only a month ago that Pfizer Inc, the world's largest pharmaceutical company, submitted to a gargantuan $2.3 billion settlement and yet another corporate integrity agreement. As we posted here, this was the company's fourth major settlement of charges of unethical marketing behavior since 2002.Now Pfizer is in trouble again. As reported by the AP,A judge on Tuesday imposed $4.5 million in forfeitures on prescription drug company Pharmacia Inc.[a Pfizer Inc subsidiary] for misrepresenting prices and defrauding Wisconsin's Medicaid system.A jury in February found that Pharmacia violated the state's Medicaid fraud law 1.44 million times over a decade. State Justice Department attorneys had demanded about $212 million in forfeitures, but Dane County Circuit Judge Richard Niess said juro... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871531 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:01:00 +0100 2871531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851718&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fintermune-executive-convicted-of-fraud.html From today's New York Times comes word of an unusual legal case,In a verdict that could strike fear into pharmaceutical industry executive suites, the former head of a drug company was convicted of wire fraud Tuesday for issuing what federal prosecutors called a misleading press release that contributed to off-label sales of his company’s drug.But the executive, W. Scott Harkonen, the former chief executive of InterMune, was acquitted by the federal jury in San Francisco of a related charge of off-label marketing itself, known as 'misbranding,' the Justice Department said.The case was unusual because off-label marketing cases are often settled with the company paying a fine. It is rare for prosecutors to press charges against individual executives.'Today’s verdict demonstrates that pha... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851718 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:53:00 +0100 2851718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2842480&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fkelo-case-redux-pfizers-nice-place-ends.html Four years ago we posted (here, here and here) about the controversial US Supreme Court decision in the Kelo case. Most discussion of the case at the time focused on individual property rights vs the power of the government to promote economic development, but the case had an important health care angle.Briefly, the case centered on the taking of private property, including a house owned by Susette Kelo, by a not-for-profit organization, the New London (Connecticut) Development Corporation (NLDC) given the power of eminent domain by the New London city government. While the ostensible rationale for the taking was economic development, the action appeared to have been at the behest of Pfizer Inc, the world's largest pharmaceutical company, which had built a research and development facility... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2842480 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:40:00 +0100 2842480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2803841&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F17%2Fguidance-for-remuneration-committees-pay-framework-for-very-special-managers-in-strategic-and-special-health-authorities-primary-care-trusts-and-ambulance-trusts%2F Title: Guidance for remuneration committees. Pay framework for very special managers in strategic and special health authorities, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts The Skinny: Guidance intended for the use of Remuneration Committees in operating the pay framework for very senior managers in SHAs, PCTs, ATs and SpHAs. Additionally, ENDPBs, while not covered by the Pay Framework are strongly encouraged to use this guidance when operating their own pay arrangements for VSMs. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 14p Published: 16/09/2009 Supporting Letter: Pay framework for very senior managers letter Posted in Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Governance, Grey Literature, Management, NHS, Pay Tagged: Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, Management, Pay (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2803841 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:53:38 +0100 2803841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778414&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D2165 Being interested in science communication, I was pleased when the BMJ asked me to review Unscientific America , by Chris Monney and Sheril Kirshenbaum. The BMJ provides a link that allows you access to the whole review. They have made very few changes from the submitted version, which is reproduced below (with live links in the text. I very soon discovered that the book had already caused ructions in the USA, as a result of its advocacy of appeasement of religious groups. In particular there was all out war with P.Z.Myers, whose very popular blog, Phayngula. documented the battle in detail). It is an American book through and through, and in the USA the biggest threat to reason comes from the far-right religious fundamentalists who preach young-earth creationism. It is said that 46% of U... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778414 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:08:19 +0100 2778414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778350&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F09%2Freview-of-the-medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-authority-mhra%2F Title: Review of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) The Skinny: A review of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to ensure they are fit for purpose and are operating in the most efficient way, carried out between October 2008 and March 2009. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 51p Published: 08/09/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778350 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:23:13 +0100 2778350 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774584&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fpfour-legal-settlements-for-pfizer-why.html We recently posted about Pfizer's $2.3 billion dollar settlement with the US government (here), which we first mentioned six months ago (here). It is worth reviewing what we know about this settlement. We will start with quoted from the article by Gardiner Harris writing in the New York Times. We will also use quotes from other articles listed below:A Big Settlement(from the NYT)The pharmaceutical giant Pfizer agreed to pay $2.3 billion to settle civil and criminal allegations that it had illegally marketed its painkiller Bextra, which has been withdrawn.It was the largest health care fraud settlement and the largest criminal fine of any kind ever. The penalties include a very large criminal fine, an even larger civil fine, and a corporate integrity agreement (from the NYT).Under the agree... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774584 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:08:00 +0100 2774584 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2765962&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F04%2Fmemorandum-of-understanding-%25e2%2580%259cmemorandum%25e2%2580%259d-between-the-care-quality-commission-%25e2%2580%259ccqc%25e2%2580%259d-and-the-independent-regulator-of-nhs-foundation-trusts-%25e2%2580%259cmonitor%25e2%2580%259d%2F Title:Memorandum of understanding (“Memorandum”) between the Care Quality Commission (“CQC”) and the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts (“Monitor”) The Skinny: Sets out the framework for the working relationship between the CQC and Monitor. Publisher: Care Quality Commission Size of Publication: 17p Published: 03/09/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Hospitals, NHS, Quality Tagged: Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Foundation Trusts, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2765962 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:02:57 +0100 2765962 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2747906&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F30%2Fa-bitter-pill-to-swallow-drugs-for-people-not-for-profit%2F Title: A Bitter Pill to Swallow: Drugs for people not for profit The Skinny: Reported in the press as indicating that the cost of drugs will cripple the NHS and identifying the questionable ethics of big pharma in relation to the NHS this report from the think tank Compass discusses the current state of the pharmaceutical industry – particularly in relation to the UK. It draws on a large body of evidence to highlight the key issues in the pharmaceutical industry – looking specifically at rates of innovation, clinical trials, and its relationship with the medical profession. It goes on to call for an improved regulatory structure to ensure that the industry delivers the drugs we need at prices which we can afford. Publisher: Compass Size of Publication: 46p Published: 29/08/2009... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2747906 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:56:50 +0100 2747906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2616676&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F20%2Fhow-cold-will-it-be%2F Title: How Cold Will It Be The Skinny: Despite consensus that the NHS faces a tough financial future, there is no agreement about just how cold the financial climate will be. Three plausible future funding scenarios and their consequences are detailed in this report from the  The King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It concludes with an assessment of each scenario and the options for funding up to 2017 Publisher: The King’s Fund Published: 19/07/2009 Size of Document: 28p Posted in Corporate Governance, Financial Management, Governance, Health Economics, Management, NHS, Risk Evaluation, Strategic Planning Tagged: Cuts, Economics, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Health Economics, NHS, Rationing (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2616676 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:30:25 +0100 2616676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605918&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F16%2Fquality-accounts-engagement-report%2F Title: Quality Accounts engagement report The Skinny: Report on a stakeholder deliberative event discussing the purpose, content, publication and validation of quality accounts. Publisher: DH Published: 15/07/2009 Size of Publication: 38p Posted in Clinical Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Annual Reports, Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Deliberative Research, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605918 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:47:34 +0100 2605918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605926&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F15%2Fquality-accounts-preparing-for-publication%2F Title: Quality accounts: preparing for publication The Skinny: Dear Colleague letter providing an update on the progress towards implementation of Quality Accounts (annual reports to the public outlining the quality of the services NHS organisations deliver). Publisher: DH Published: 15/07/2009 Size of Document: 5p Posted in Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality Tagged: Annual Reports, Clinical Governance, Corporate Goveernance, Darzi Report, Darzi Review, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605926 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:58:19 +0100 2605926 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576593&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D1871 Now back to the Ed Biz, for a moment.  An article in Times Higher Education last week caused something of a stir. V-cs’ candid views slip out online. 2 July 2009 By Zöe Corbyn Prematurely released paper reveals fears of staff revolution and desire to cash in, writes Zöe Corbyn The article refers to a paper that appeared on the web site of the journal Higher Education Quarterly. It is Perspectives of UK Vice-Chancellors on Leading Universities in a Knowledge-Based Economy by Lynn Bosetti, University of Calgary, and Keith Walker, University of Saskatchewan. The paper quotes ten different university vice-chancellors (presidents) of UK universities. Some of the comments caused quite a stir when they were quoted anonymously in an article in Times Higher Education. But the... DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576593 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:01:42 +0100 2576593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570339&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F03%2Fpatient-safety-sixth-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-volume-i-report-together-with-formal-minutes%2F Title: Patient Safety: Sixth Report of Session 2008–09: Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes The Skinny: Identifies the need for improved patient safety systems in the NHS and emphasises that this should be the first consideration of NHS organisations. Recommends: Measurement and evaluation using samples of patients’ case notes at periodic intervals to calculate rates of harm. (Trusts, NPSA) NHS organisations must recognise it is key that harmed patients and their families or carers are seen to be entitled to receive information, anexplanation, an apology and an undertaking that the harm will not be repeated.  PALS should be utilised as an independent service. The NHS Redress Scheme should be implemented to reduce litigation. (DH, Tusts) Develop an an open, reporting and le... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570339 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:42:50 +0100 2570339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570386&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMwC1DQQHSZY%2F Economists have advanced many theories of taxation. But as usual, the one that seems to explain the policies of the Obama administration best is what I call the Mikulski Principle, the theory most clearly enunciated in 1990 by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D, Md.): Let’s go and get it from those who’ve got it. Just take a look at the myriad taxes proposed or publicly floated by President Obama and his aides and allies: Raise the top income tax rates from their current 33 percent and 35 percent rates to 36 percent and 39.6 percent in 2011 Limit itemized deductions for people paying high rates Increase capital gains and dividend taxes by 33 percent for people paying high income tax rates Impose a value-added tax (VAT) on all goods and services Raise the Social Security tax by lifting the ca... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570386 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:02:26 +0100 2570386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2522836&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1lvUfpxccEg%2F A thorough new study of 30 nations from the Institut Constant de Rebecque in Switzerland reveals serious shortcomings in America’s tax system. The report, entitled “Tax burden and individual rights in the OECD: An International Comparison,” creates a Tax Oppression Index based on three key variables: the overall tax burden, public governance, and taxpayer rights. The good news is that the United States has a comparatively low aggregate tax burden, though America’s score on this measure would be much better in the absence of a punitively high corporate tax rate. The bad news is that corruption and inefficiency in Washington drag down America’s score for public governance. The ugly news is that America has a very low rating for protecting taxpayer rights — l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2522836 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:44:36 +0100 2522836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2510164&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F24%2F4110%2F Title: Reviews in 2009/10 – main report The Skinny: Details how the Care Quality Commission will be assessing and rating health and adult social care organisations. There will be three types of review: periodic reviews of commissioners; periodic reviews of providers; special reviews and studies, including an overarching State of health and social care annual report. These will involve assessing how organisations have performed against key measures of quality to deliver the right outcomes for people; encouraging organisations to improve their services and provide value for money; making information about the quality and safety of services available to the public and people who use services, so that they can make better informed decisions about health and adult social care. Publish... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2510164 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:49:55 +0100 2510164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477495&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fwhats-it-all-for-reducing-unnecessary-bureaucracy-in-regulation%2F Title: What’s it all for? Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy in regulation The Skinny: Joint Independent Healthcare Advisory Services and NHS Confederation report looks at the overlaps and duplications and sets out recommendations for Government, the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, the Care Quality Commission and providers. Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Document: 32p. Published: 11/06/2009 (Requires NHS Confederation Membership, Liverpool PCT Staff can sign up using your PCT email address) Posted in Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Quality, Regulation Tagged: Bureacracy, Clinical Governance, Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, NHS, Regulations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477495 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:45:07 +0100 2477495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477499&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F15%2Fdealing-with-the-downturn-the-greatest-ever-leadership-challenge-for-the-nhs%2F Title: Dealing with the downturn: the greatest ever leadership challenge for the NHS? The Skinny:This paper explores the financial situation facing the NHS and suggests how NHS leaders should respond to the most severe contraction in finances they are ever likely to face. The NHS is facing a very severe contraction in its finance with an £8–10 billion real terms cut likely in the three years from 2011. The need for strong leadership and radical quality and efficiency improvement is therefore greater than ever. Letting waiting lists grow, diluting quality and structural change should be avoided. The NHS will not survive the impending spending squeeze unchanged. Courageous decisions are needed to reshape services and help us prepare for the most significant leadership challenge t... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477499 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:50:40 +0100 2477499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458025&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fthe-use-of-management-consultants-by-the-nhs-and-the-department-of-health-fifth-report-of-session-2008%25e2%2580%259309-report-together-with-formal-minutes-and-oral-evidence%2F from the House of Commons Health Committee questions the value of the use of management consultants by the NHS and Department of Health, it recommends: Government and Monitor should collect centrally lists of the management consultants employed by the Department of Health, SHAs, PCTs and acute, ambulance and mental health trusts, indicating the projects they are employed on, their duration, cost and purpose; the top ten daily rates paid by each category of organisation. A sample of contracts with management consultants agreed by all categories of NHS organisation and the Department should be subject to external peer review. This should include an assessment of the value of the consultants’ output. The external peer review might be put out to tender through the National Institute fo... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458025 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:59:29 +0100 2458025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458045&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUdOe8CcANOo%2F My colleague Chris Edwards made a good point yesterday in his post on the injustice of federal subsidies.  The wrangling between the states to haul in the federal largesse is wasteful, and getting worse.  But the underlying issue in the article Chris cites — a state using taxpayer money to lure a company away from another state — is another wasteful activity that is all too common. Instead of competing with other states to attract industry by lowering taxes and reducing regulations, it seems most state governors prefer a politically opportunistic method I call “press release economics.”  Here’s how it works: A state “economic development” agency offers an out-of-state company (or even an out-of-country company) tax breaks and/or direct subsidies to loc... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458045 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:36:27 +0100 2458045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2453187&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Flets-make-it-threesome-one-other-social.html Two other pharma "wise men," ie, my Twitter and Blogger friends Jonathan Richman (Dose of Digital) and Fard Johnmar (HealthcareVox), have suggested ways that pharmaceutical companies should be using social/digital media today.Jonathan suggested 10 marketing tactics ("Ten Digital Marketing Ideas Pharma Companies Will Never Try (But Should)") and Fard suggested 4 strategies rather than tactics ("A Counterproposal: Four Digital Activities Pharma Companies MUST Engage In Now Or Next Year"). Both have some excellent ideas.In the spirit of Twitter, ie, "less is more," I would like to suggest one specific social media activity/tactic that can be part of Fard's second strategy, which is:"Decide whether using a specific social technology is worth the effort – i.e., is it truly a good fit for the ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2453187 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:03:00 +0100 2453187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452318&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Ffreedom-of-information-in-the-nhs%2F Title: Freedom of information in the NHS The Skinny: This Briefing comes in response to the increasing number and complexity of requests NHS Confederation members are receiving under the FOI Act. It is intended to be used as a practical guide to help NHS organisations fulfil the spirit of the legislation in the most timely and efficient way. It identifies: The incidence of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to NHS organisations is increasing and demand is likely to grow between now and the next general election. A clear process for dealing with FOI requests saves time, energy and money. Making more information publicly available on the web and via a publication scheme reduces the need for requests to go through the FOI process. NHS organisations need to consider whether specific F... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452318 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:20:04 +0100 2452318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452395&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtVm3JjDxU_U%2F David Brooks comes in for his share of criticism in these parts, but he has a very astute column today about the ways that government ownership will worsen an already problematic corporate culture at a once-great company: Fifth, G.M.’s executives and unions now have an incentive to see Washington as a prime revenue center. Already, the union has successfully lobbied to move production centers back from overseas. Already, the company has successfully sought to restrict the import of cars that might compete with G.M. brands. In the years ahead, G.M.’s management will have a strong incentive to spend time in Washington, urging the company’s owner, the federal government, to issue laws to help it against Ford and Honda. Sixth, the new plan will create an ever-thickening set of relationsh... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452395 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:35:01 +0100 2452395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447832&cid=t_106515_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F3XvIPyfyaWA%2F Discussion Guide: The goal of our just published book, The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness, is to inform you, but also to open a much needed debate to contribute to our collective brain fitness. We encourage book clubs to read and discuss the book, and suggest 10 questions to kickstart the conversation. Please do send us your answers and impressions! Education & Learning 10% Students may have working memory problems: Why does this matter?: A recent study screened over 3,000 school-aged students in schools in the UK and found that 1 in 10 was identified as having working memory difficulties. Working memory is our ability to store and manipulate information for a brief time, and difficulties in this brain function may lead into difficulties in reading and mathematics. Dr. Tracy Allo... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447832 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:53:26 +0100 2447832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447459&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FWMU4MywH88I%2F From the Bureau of Economic Analysis news release of May 29: Profits from current production (corporate profits with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments) increased $42.6 billion in the first quarter. . . Taxes on corporate income increased $31.6 billion. . . [therefore] profits after tax . . . increased $11.1 billion. In other words, taxes extracted 74.2% of any added (marginal) corporate earnings, leaving only scraps for stockholder. Companies that lost money, on the other hand, were often bailed out and/or nationalized. Why bother even trying to maximize profits or minimize losses? (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447459 Sat, 30 May 2009 20:40:38 +0100 2447459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447834&cid=t_106515_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2Fo064rsy3lpQ%2F Brain-fitness games join workplace, as well as senior center, arsenals (MarketWatch) - "Consumers and retirement homes have made brain-fitness games and exercises a commercial hit, but now some insurers and employers are incorporating them into wellness programs that promote health not just for the body but also for the mind." - "Improving brain health can result in less presenteeism, the tendency to be at work but be distracted and not able to focus," he added. "If you look at disability costs, absenteeism and presenteeism account for most of the medical costs, and that's a good reason for employers to be focused on brain health." (according to Dr. Eugene Baker, vice president at OptumHealth's Behavioral Solutions division)" The article reviews innovati... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447834 Sat, 30 May 2009 20:34:13 +0100 2447834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441173&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fs4bH_Ap6yDI%2F Desperate for fresh revenues to feed the giant spending appetite of President Obama, Democratic policymakers are talking up ‘tax reform’ as a way to reduce the deficit. Some are considering a European-style value-added tax (VAT), which would have a similar effect as a national sales tax, and be a large new burden on American families. A VAT would raise hundreds of billions of dollars a year for the government, even at a 10-percent rate. The math is simple: total U.S. consumption in 2008 was $10 trillion. VATs usually tax about half of a nation’s consumption or less, say $5 trillion. That means that a 10% VAT would raise about $500 billion a year in the United States, or about $4,300 from every household. Obviously such a huge tax hit would fundamentally change the American... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441173 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:07:21 +0100 2441173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442766&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Freal-agenda-of-gsks-new-blog-and-why.html The world's second largest drug company, GSK, has followed the lead of the world's most trusted drug company (J&J) and entered the blogosphere and Twitterdom.The blog, American Health: More Than Medicine, which was "piloted" since January with a small advisory group of folks inside and outside GSK, was publicly unveiled just this week. It is intended for US residents only.Why did GSK launch this blog and why is it focused only on US residents? I hope to get answers to these and other questions from "Michael F.," one of the GSK bloggers, in a future Pharma Marketing Talk show/podcast interview. That won't stop me, however, from speculating.First, let's talk about why "Michael F," "Michael M," and the other GSK bloggers chose to remain "anonymous."A few bloggers suggested this anonymity ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442766 Fri, 22 May 2009 10:22:00 +0100 2442766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2386823&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FRDDzgDMYdZs%2F Jeff Zeleny at the New York Times Caucus Blog reports, “President Obama will present a set of proposals on Monday aimed at changing international tax policy, calling for the elimination of benefits for companies and wealthy individuals that harbor their cash in offshore accounts.” Cato scholars have long made arguments in defense of tax havens. In The Wall Street Journal, Senior Fellow Richard Rahn outlined the policy the federal government should be taking instead: The correct policy for the United States to follow is to reduce its corporate tax rate to make it internationally competitive, and to move toward a tax system that does not punish savings and productive investment so severely. We know from the experiences of many countries that reducing tax rates and simplifying th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2386823 Mon, 04 May 2009 15:01:58 +0100 2386823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375867&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fr_MRDTJaqwc%2F In Tax Notes International today, two Ernst and Young experts describe how corporate tax reforms in Japan have made America an even bigger outlier in its punitive treatment of multinational corporations: Japan’s recent adoption of a territorial tax system as part of a broader tax reform reduces the tax burden on the foreign-source income of Japanese multinational corporations. Before the Japanese reform, the two largest economies had both high corporate income tax rates and worldwide tax systems. Now the United States not only has the second-highest corporate income tax rate of the OECD countries, it is also one of the few that still have a general worldwide tax system. The Japanese corporate tax reform is part of a global trend toward reduced taxation of corporate income, which oft... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375867 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:03:05 +0100 2375867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375868&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAFLxsmlonfI%2F Despite the recession, globalization continues to exert pressure for beneficial tax reforms. From Tax Notes International today: Jordanian Finance Minister Bassem al-Salem on April 20 confirmed that the government is working on draft legislation that would cut corporate tax rates drastically, reducing them in some cases by more than half. Al-Salem said the government will seek to introduce a single 12 percent tax rate for most corporate entities, although companies in the banking, insurance, and mining sectors would pay tax at a rate of 25 percent. The current corporate tax rates range from 15 percent to 35 percent for different profit levels and also differ by business sector. The draft legislation would also rationalize individual income tax, custom duties, and other taxes to increase e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375868 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:58:03 +0100 2375868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2312627&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fgoogle_to_invest_in_biotechnology.php Google is launching "Google Ventures" a new venture-capital fund which will invest across a range of industries, including consumer Internet, software, clean-tech, bio-tech and health care. ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2312627 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:42:16 +0100 2312627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306746&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTO5_JBwgJPw%2F The left-of-center government in Ontario, Canada’s largest province, is enacting dramatic corporate income tax (CIT) cuts. It announced last week that it is phasing in a reduction of the provincial CIT to 10 percent, which is paid on top of the federal rate that itself is falling to 15 percent. The combined rate of 25 percent will be far lower than the average U.S. federal/state rate of 40 percent. The province is also eliminating sales taxes on business purchases, which will substantially reduce effective business tax rates. As the Canadian Press reports, the cuts will make Ontario’s business tax rates much “lower than the average U.S. Great Lake state, considered Ontario’s main competitors for jobs and investment.” Big Three auto companies, for example, m... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306746 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:03:26 +0100 2306746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284344&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEwZpnqY6sFA%2F House Approves 90 Percent ‘Bonus Tax’ Sparked by outrage over the bonus checks paid out to AIG executives, the House approved a measure Thursday that would impose a 90 percent tax on employee bonuses for companies that receive more than $5 billion in federal bailout funds. Chris Edwards, Cato’s director of tax policy studies, says the outrage over AIG is misplaced: While Congress has been busy with this particular inquisition, the Federal Reserve is moving ahead with a new plan to shower the economy with a massive $1.2 trillion cash infusion — an amount 7,200 times greater than the $165 million of AIG retention bonuses. So members of Congress should be grabbing their pitchforks and heading down to the Fed building, not lynching AIG financial managers, most of whom... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284344 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:50:14 +0100 2284344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2259390&cid=t_106515_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F0bxU3lcEAoE%2F Today we continue the conversation with Maggie Jackson, author of Distracted: The Erosion of Attention and the Coming Dark Age. You can read part 1 here. Q - In your Harvard Management Update interview, you said that "When what we pay attention to is driven by the last email we received, the trivial and the crucial occupy the same plane." As well, it seems to be that a problem is our culture's over-idealization of "always on" and "road warrior" habits, which distract from the importance of executive functions such as paying attention to one's environment, setting up goals and plans, executing on them, measuring results, and internalizing learning. How can companies better equip their employees for future success? Can you offer some examples of companies who ha... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2259390 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:18:30 +0100 2259390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255985&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCiWVMJPAJ4g%2F A set of stories in International Tax Review today illustrate the backwards nature of U.S. corporate tax policy. The first story discusses the high-profile chest-thumping in Washington over corporate “tax haven abuse.” The congressional response to greater international tax competition is to load even more regulations on American businesses. The second story is entitled “Taiwan Slashes Corporate Tax Rate”: Taiwan’s government has approved plans to cut the country’s corporate tax rate from 25% to 20%. Ministers hope the cut will encourage investment in the country and stimulate growth in the economy… America is in the worst recession in decades and it desperately needs to cut its 40 percent corporate tax rate to reinvigorate business investment. Wh... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255985 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:08:21 +0100 2255985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2241178&cid=t_106515_140_f&fid=35457&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fbattlingforhealthcom%2F%7E3%2F0KWNdXMJvuk%2F We have a common enemy and it’s called children obesity. Let us look at the latest statistics for children aged 6 to 11 years old who are overweight: non-Hispanic whites:16.9% of boys and 15.6% of girls non-Hispanic blacks: 17.2% of boys and 24.8%of girls Mexican Americans: 25.6% of boys and 16.6% of girls. While the majority of the efforts fighting the obesity battle come from health advocacy groups, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations, it is great to know that corporate America also has a social conscience and has joined the battle. Two of these corporate initiatives are described below. Obesity and advertising The Council of Better Business Bureaus’ (BBB) Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative is fighting obesity at the consumer level. T... Battling-Schizophrenia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2241178 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:13:27 +0100 2241178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2101769&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fnominations_open_for_the_biotech_humanitarian_award.php BIO is inviting nominations to the Biotech Humanitarian Award. The award aims to recognize a biotech professional- a scientist, researcher, academic, entrepreneur, financier, philanthropist or... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2101769 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:17:46 +0100 2101769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2092570&cid=t_106515_135_f&fid=35274&url=http%3A%2F%2Facidrefluxweb.com%2F%3Fp%3D2179 Yesterday my import copy of Grace Jones’ latest release, Hurricane arrived. It’s classic Grace Jones. This collection fits in seamlessly with her ground breaking post-disco androgynous Jamaican sound. In addition to growing my music collection, I also had a trip to the doctor’s office. I call them maintenance visits. You know the kind, the ones where refills are given, and general chitchat about when blood work is due. Now I’ve been fighting yet again another bug. And one of the gory details that I usually deem as “too much information” but is necessary to tell this tale, is that my GI is always the first sign something is not right. Let’s just leave it at that. The elevator at my doctor’s office is painfully slow. In addition to his office, a lab, and a pediatrician resid... acidrefluxweb.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2092570 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:15:46 +0100 2092570 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2086955&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fcorporate-blog-is-oxymoron.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2086955 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:32:00 +0100 2086955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2081469&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D766 Sense about Science have just produced a rather good pamphlet that exposes, yet again. the meaningless marketing slogan “detox”.  You can download the pamphlet from their web site. The pamphlet goes through the claims of eleven products.  Needless to say, the claims are either meaningless, or simply untrue. Garnier Clean Detox Anti-Dullness Foaming Gel “Detoxifies by cleansing the [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2081469 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:55:35 +0100 2081469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2008239&cid=t_106515_147_f&fid=38117&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engageinhealth.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fhealthcare_companies_challenge_1.html Strategy One’s survey of consumers in ten markets around the world poses powerful challenges to healthcare companies, especially in emerging markets. It shows that consumers, even in countries like India and China where millions do not have access to modern healthcare, are socially-conscious – so socially-conscious, that they are willing to switch to brands they perceive to be more socially-responsible, even if it means having to dip deeper into their pockets. In other words, healthcare companies are being challenged to take a long-term view and focus on consumer goodwill even as they look at building marketshare. In many emerging markets, new more effective, faster-acting medicines with fewer side-effects are very much in demand. A growing middle class flush with money is willing ... The Health Engagement Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2008239 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:17:03 +0100 2008239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947099&cid=t_106515_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fyet-more-investigations-of-umdnj.html We have frequently discussed the plight of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the largest health care university in the US. Facing indictment for federal crimes, the university operated under a deferred prosecution agreement and the supervision of a federal monitor from 2005 to 2007. We most recently blogged about UMDNJ here, and see links backward.UMDNJ may no longer be under the monitor's supervision, ostensibly because of internal reforms of its management, but a recent story on NJ.com from the Newark Star-Ledger questioned the success of these reforms.The state's medical university was overcharging the federal government by millions of dollars, even while under federal oversight for similar violations of the law, according to internal reports.Those document... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947099 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:18:00 +0100 1947099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1865953&cid=t_106515_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.creative-weblogging%2Faudio%2F%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fnew_scientific_journal_embo_molecular_medicine.php Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Andrey ProkhorovThe European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)will launch a new journal focusing on the interface between molecular biology and clinical research. The EMBO Molecular Medicine journal, to be released starting 2009, will publish studies on molecular insights into cellular and systemic processes underlying defined human diseases as well as potential clinical applications for diagnosis, prevention and therapy. "EMBO Molecular Medicine offers a unique opportunity to broadly distribute new findings in biomedical research and to strengthen links between clinicians and molecular biologists," said Hermann Bujard, EMBO Director. "We hope that published papers will lead to advances that will improve the detection, diagnosis and clinical management o... The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1865953 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:31:08 +0100 1865953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862652&cid=t_106515_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F09%2Ftaking-the-long-term-view-the-department-of-health%25e2%2580%2599s-strategy-for-delivering-sustainable-development-2008-2011%2F Taking the long term view: the Department of Health’s strategy for delivering sustainable development 2008-2011 shows the DH’s commitment to the issue of sustainable development for the long-term. Posted in Corporate Governance, Grey Literature, Strategic Planning, Sustainability   Tagged: Grey Literature, Strategic Planning, Sustainability    (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862652 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:48:55 +0100 1862652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1853935&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D258 We know all about the sixteen or so universities that run “BSc” degrees in hokum. They are all “post-1992″ universities, which used to be polytechnics. That is one reason why it saddens me to see them destroying their own attempts to achieve parity with older universities by running courses that I would regard as plain [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1853935 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:33:59 +0100 1853935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1845228&cid=t_106515_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F02%2Fa-situationist-critique-of-legal-theory-abstract%2F Situationist contributor David Yosifon has recently posted his excellent article, “Legal Theoretic Inadequacy and Obesity Epidemic Analysis” (forthcoming 15 George Mason Law Review (2008)) on SSRN.  Here’s the abstract. * * * This Article explores crucial analytic and normative limitations in presently dominant and ascendant approaches to legal theory. The approaches’ failure to provide a satisfying framework for analyzing the obesity epidemic presently raging undeterred in American society reveals these limitations. Conventional law and economics scholars writing on the subject have deployed familiar frameworks to reach predictable conclusions that are neither intellectually nor morally justifiable. This Article argues that recent theoretical innovations promulgat... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1845228 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:01:03 +0100 1845228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1841253&cid=t_106515_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F406366468%2F This looks to be the biggest such case involving a biotech. And this involves three - count ‘em, three - drugs that were allegedly marketed for years on an off-label basis in order to greatly widen the potential patient populations, according to court documents. The Cephalon payment includes $375 million in a nationwide Medicaid fraud settlement and $50 million for a corporate criminal plea (here’s the settlement agreement). The drugs in question - Actiq, a “medicated lozenge on a handle” approved only for pain in cancer patients and later linked to some 100 deaths; the Gabitril epilepsy med for adults and children over 12 years, but was pitched as an alternative to Valium and Zanax, and for treating for depression; and Provigil, a narcolepsy med that was promoted f... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1841253 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:43:39 +0100 1841253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1783155&cid=t_106515_90_f&fid=36413&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdcscience.net%2F%3Fp%3D254 There have been some really excellent books about quackery this year.  This isn’t one of them. Nice dedication uh? It is about a lot more than quackery  It is about the scientific method in general. and in particular about how often it is misunderstood by journalists.  Abuse of evidence by the pharmaceutical industry is treated just as [...] (Source: DC's goodscience) DC's goodscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1783155 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:15:43 +0100 1783155