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 'express'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:05:05 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174615&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fimaging-that-can-reliably-distinguish-between-benign-and-malignant-pancreatic-cysts%2F2011.08.29 Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has been demonstrated to be able to differentiate between benign and potentially malignant pancreatic cysts. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital, Physical Sciences, Inc., Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Brandeis University have published their findings in Biomedical Optics Express. In their study they used surgically removed pancreas specimens of patients with pancreatic cysts to assess them with OCT and compare the results with histology examinations. OCT was able to reveal specific morphological characteristics used to differentiate between the low-risk and high-risk cysts. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174615 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:00:53 +0100 5174615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159196&cid=t_173629_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F26%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-august-26-2011%2F I sometimes wonder if our focus on “doing things right” is what causes us more pain, anguish and difficulty than anything else in life. It’s almost as if those red marks on our graded assignments as kids stay with us when we become adults. In fact, our fear of impending negative feedback often grows as we grow older. We hold our vulnerabilities even closer, wrapping them up carefully like we would a glass vase or a precious piece of china. We’re fearful of sharing our feelings. We hold back our laughter, forgetting that as kids we let it all out from our bellies to our mouths. And to shield our pain, instead of crying, confronting or expressing ourselves, we avoid loved ones when they’ve hurt us. Yet, in order to fully live, to feel completely alive, we must f... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159196 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:36:56 +0100 5159196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107892&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fk0gsqWimymU%2F A bill in New York to prohibit health insurers from requiring their customers use mail-order pharmacies was criticized by the Federal Trade Commission as a well-intentioned effort that, nonetheless, could have an anti-competitive outcome, according to a letter written by the agency to one of the sponsors of the legislation. The bill has passed both the state senate and assembly, and awaits a signature from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. In explaining its position, the FTC acknowledged that the bill (which you can read here) was designed to increase consumer choice and limit the ability of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, from penalizing consumers who do not purchase their meds from mail-order pharmacies. You may recall that the largest PBMs, including CVS/Caremark, Express Scripts and ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107892 Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:09:09 +0100 5107892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5107899&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRkVSK5_Bu9Y%2F Good morning, everyone, and nice to see you again. We hope the weekend was invigorating. Now, of course, the time has come to resume the routine of meetings and deadlines, even if it is a slow time of year. To get started, yes, we are brewing that mandatory cup of stimulation, so feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are some tidibts from around the world. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… Pfizer And UCSD Collaborate On Early Drug Discovery (San Diego Union Tribune) China’s Healthcare Push May Curb Sales For Brand-Name Pharma (Bloomberg News) Nestle Eyes Pfizer Formula Milk Powder Business (Business China) EU Approves Botox For Treating Urinary Incontinence (Reuters) Takeda Pharmaceuticals Faces Rising Number Of Actos Lawsuits (Associated Press) Bayer Is Eyeing Pfizer ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5107899 Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:50:32 +0100 5107899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103377&cid=t_173629_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F06%2Fart-therapy-exercises-to-try-at-home%2F I’ve always loved art. Looking at interesting, unique, beautiful-in-their-own-way images and objects always has made me feel alive and happy.  As a child and teen, I also loved drawing, painting and creating everything from collages to greeting cards. And I loved losing myself in the work. So I was excited to learn more about art therapy, where clients create their own art to help them express emotions, better understand themselves and grow in general. In her book, The Art Therapy Sourcebook, art therapist Cathy A. Malchiodi describes various exercises that readers can try at home. Below are three that I found especially helpful. By the way, remember that this has little to do with artistic ability or the final product. Instead, Malchiodi suggests focusing on the process, your intu... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103377 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:35:08 +0100 5103377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062501&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FBxxWwaHNRcQ%2F Hello, everyone. How was your weekend? We apologize for the delay this morning but the Pharmalot corporate campus was without juice, so we have had to switch to our Red Alert mode. We trust you understand. To cope, we are downing unusually large cups of stimulation. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits. And the usual flow of interesting items will soon appear. Have a great day… Bayer’s Xarelto Bloodthinner Matched Warfarin In Safety Study (Bloomberg News) FDA Rejects J&J’s Simponi For Additional Use (Associated Press) Prescription Drug Prices To Plunge As Patents Expire (Associated Press) Medicis CEO In The Spotlight After Deaths At His Mansion (Los Angeles Times) Express Scripts Deal With Medco Could Pressure Pharma (Dow Jones) Lupin And Medicis Sign R&D Agreement ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062501 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:48:52 +0100 5062501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051238&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbCFE16uqAmc%2F And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. As you know, this is our welcome signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is modest - a dip in the pool, an evening of soccer with one of the short people and catching up on some reading. What about you? Given the heat, a few indoor activities may be in order. How about an air-conditioned drive in the country or a movie marathon (if you avoid paying for more than one flick, you have a bargain). You could take a trip to the mall and spur the economy. Or you could stay home and turn on the telly for updates on the debt talks. Whatever you do, have a good time and stay cool. See you soon… Bristol-Myers Buys Amira Pharmaceuticals For Up To $475M (Xconomy) Merck And Simcere Pharmaceutical Form Joint Venture (China Daily) Ex... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051238 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:44:20 +0100 5051238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960332&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F9IIE_5WYjus%2F Top of the morning to you. Another busy day here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we continue our own version of R&D - you know, reading documents and learning interesting tidbits - amid meetings and deadlines. We trust you can relate. So please join us for that mandatory cup or three of stimulation. What would do without them? Meanwhile, here are some headlines from around your world. Have a great day and stay in touch… FDA Concludes Silicone Breast Implants Are Mostly Safe (Associated Press) Merck KGgA Abandons Plan To Seek FDA Approval For MS Pill (Reuters) FDA Panel Votes Against Recommending Novartis Gout Drug (Dow Jones) High-Dose Statins May Cause Diabetes (MedPage Today) EU Updates Tysabri Warning Label (Associated Press) AstraZeneca Sells Tech Unit To Dentsply F... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960332 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 11:43:04 +0100 4960332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4945194&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FR9N3q5e2SFU%2F In a preliminary vote, the Maine legislature yesterday moved to repeal a 2003 law that was created to protect consumers from rising drug prices and prevent fraud by pharmacy benefit managers. The vote was prompted by industry lobbying over charges that transparency requirements had discouraged PBMs from doing business in the state, which was resulting in less competition and higher drug costs. The controversial law, which is called the Unfair Prescription Drug Practices Act, prevents PBMs from switching patients to more expensive drugs while also protecting consumers from co-payments when the actual drug price is cheaper. And PBMs are also required to pay independent pharmacies promptly and negotiate prices in good faith (here is the 2003 law and the bill to repeal the law). Those who foug... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4945194 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:37:52 +0100 4945194 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684759&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FinwJ4AHbem4%2F And the answer is…. 82 percent. At least according to the latest annual report on prescription drug spending released by Express Scripts, the pharmacy benefits manager. Of course, such a finding is not surprising, given that the cost of generics fell by 10.2 percent compared with a rise in brand-name meds by 9.7 percent. Rising drug prices have caused a stir on several fronts in recent weeks, in fact. The manufacturer of an injectable drug to prevent premature births, KV Pharmaceuticals, last week slashed the price after coming under pressure (see this) and an order of Catholic nuns successfully placed shareholder proposals over rising drug prices (look here). Nonetheless, the overall growth in spending on prescription drugs - including specialty medications, such as biologics, was c... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684759 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:29:15 +0100 4684759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4455504&cid=t_173629_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Famerican-express-concierge%2F517%2F This article was useful when looking for:american express concierge (168)circles concierge (147)american express concierge service (106)amex concierge (99)american express platinum concierge (88)american express (86)amex platinum concierge (75)circles american express (58)amex concierge service (41)american express number (21)american express picture (20)american express concierge services (20)american express circles (20)american express image (19)american express centurion concierge (14)amex (13)circles amex (11)american express images (4)If you liked this, please consider sharing it with others: --- at Productivity501:American Express Concierge EmployeesGreat Amex Platinum Concierge ServiceBoston MagazineCircles, Amex, Passwords and Public RelationsAmerican Express Concierge 3 (Sourc... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4455504 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:04:26 +0100 4455504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405961&cid=t_173629_132_f&fid=35006&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsaunders.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fapis-have-let-me-down-part-12-arrayexpress%2F The API – Application Programming Interface – is, in principle, a wonderful thing. You make a request to a server using a URL and back come lovely, structured data, ready to parse and analyse. We’ve begun to demand that all online data sources offer an API and lament the fact that so few online biological databases do so. Better though, to have no API at all than one which is poorly implemented and leads to frustration? I’m beginning to think so, after recent experiences on both a work project and one of my “fun side projects”. Let’s start with the work project, an attempt to mine a subset of the ArrayExpress microarray database. 1. Introduction ArrayExpress is an online database of microarray experiments, organised by both gene (the expression at... What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405961 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:04:11 +0100 4405961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399826&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FTU6O6Hd_s60%2F Another day, another letter to the FDA commish from a group of bipartisan US senators over the biologics debate. The latest missive comes from health committee chair Tom Harkin, John McCain, Chuck Schumer and Sherrod Brown, who are “extremely concerned about possible misinterpretations” of the biosimilars statute “that could further delay the availability of generic biologic drugs.” They are referring to a provision in the healthcare reform law that says generics can enter the market after a brand-name biologic has had exclusivity for 12 years. But earlier this month, a different group of senators - Orrin Hatch, Kay Hagan, Michael Enzi and John Kerry - wrote FDA commish Margaret Hamburg to urge a different interpretation that would favor brand-name drugmakers and biotechs. At issue... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399826 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:57:23 +0100 4399826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4382949&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbWRWTVXZO5M%2F Another nasty lobbying battle has broken out over biosimilars. And the latest involves a group of generic drugmakers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers, which are pushing back against a recent effort by brand-name drugmakers to weaken a part of healthcare reform that is supposed to create competition for expensive biologics. The provision says generics can enter the market after a brand-name biologic has had exclusivity for 12 years. But earlier this month, a bipartisan group of four US Senators - including Orrin Hatch, Kay Hagan, Michael Enzi and John Kerry - wrote FDA commish Margaret Hamburg to urge a different interpretation that would favor brand-name drugmakers and biotechs. Their letter was circulated on and beyond Capitol Hill by, among others, the BIO trade group. At issue is... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4382949 Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:25:26 +0100 4382949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309817&cid=t_173629_136_f&fid=35302&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWhitePebble%2F%7E3%2FSQxcT6QaMiQ%2F   Buck and I visit the Taj Mahal   Apropos of nothing (well, okay, the dailypost.wordperss.com suggestion), I dug back in the iPhoto archives and found this sitting somewhere buried in time (2005, in fact). Buck and I were visiting India, and I think tourists are not allowed to leave the country without visiting Agra and the Taj Mahal. Earlier, we had seen New Delhi and traveled north on the Jammu Mail (a bit like a real life version of The Darjeeling Express) to Dharamsala and the Dalai Lama’s home. I was overwhelmed by the vastness of India: here we are in this picture, nearly beaten to the ground from the intense heat that is common in Agra in the summer. A few days earlier, I was cold and gasping for breath in Dharamsala and the Himalayan foothills. In that town, your a... white pebble blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309817 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 22:13:31 +0100 4309817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4220455&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYHuFxo6-LlY%2F One probably does not need to read the latest monthly tally from Challenger Gray & Christmas, the outplacement consultants, to know that pharmaceutical employment remains gloomy. In the past 24 hours, Novartis finally acknowledged plans to lay off 1,400 reps (see this) and Pfizer is saying goodbye to more than 180 employees at a distribution center (read this). And just two weeks ago, Roche announced that 4,800 jobs worldwide will soon disappear (look here). But just how many industry jobs in the US were lost last month? The headcount amounted to 4,905, bringing the annual damage to 50,168, which means the the number of jobs so far this year is closing in on the revised total of 61,109 that were shed last year. Given recent developments - and let’s not forget that Express Script... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4220455 Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:31:15 +0100 4220455 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207503&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F5MuvAIYMimI%2F Negotiations between Express Scripts and employees at a prescription processing center in the greater Phildelphia are getting a bit nasty. The pharmacy benefits manager, which plans to close one center and eliminate 350 jobs, may close another nearby center where 642 peole work if negotiations fail (see this). Meanwhile, though, three workers were suspended without pay for taking their cause to investors and customers. Apparently, the three employees - Jackie Dixon, Debbie Dronsfield and Ken Smith, who work at the Bensalem, Pa., site that is targeted for closure - approached people who were entering the St. Regis Hotel in New York, where Express Scripts recently held a meeting for investors. Their message: laying off 1,000 workers would delay delivery of prescriptions to patients, since th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207503 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:09:29 +0100 4207503 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4139477&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FUdwEEOC_plo%2F Last month, Express Scripts disclosed plans to close a dispensing pharmacy in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and eliminate 350 jobs on December 16 after a union contract expires. However, the pharmacy benefits manager may also eliminate another 642 jobs from a nearby prescription processing facility - for a total of 992 jobs in the Philadelphia area - if negotations with a union fail. How do we know? Express Scripts has already stated its intent and may shutter both plants, sending all of the workers packing by filing a so-called WARN notice with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry. Federal law requires employers to provide a 60-day notice to employees if there is the possibility of a mass layoff or closure. In other words, the PBM is playing hardball. An Express Scripts spokesma... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4139477 Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:51:10 +0100 4139477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3942840&cid=t_173629_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=3885346&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvending-machines-for-prescription-drugs-a-uk-trial%2F2010.08.19 The UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is running a trial with two different drug vending machines in two of its West Sussex stores. Basically you can drop your prescription at the machine, the pharmacy will collect the prescriptions and deliver the medications which you can later pick up. As the machines are placed in stores with an in-store pharmacy service, the only benefit seems to be the lack of face-to-face contact (for those people who consider that a benefit). The trial will run for a year after which it will be decided whether they will be rolled out across all of England. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885346 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:00:46 +0100 3885346 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607812&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkmZeuzOoFso%2F In an unusual development, Novartis was sanctioned by a federal court judge for denying that it ran direct-to-consumer ads for its Zometa breast-cancer treatment and, then, failing to produce those ads - which were later discovered independenty by lawyers for a woman who claims the medication caused severe jaw damage. The drugmaker, which flip-flopped on the existence of the ads in different motions, was ordered to pay attorneys’ fees. Here’s the background: Novartis faces hundreds of lawsuits in state and federal courts. Two years ago, Novartis argued that it didn’t run DTC ads, and later did some creative hair splitting by acknowledging that it ran only what it called direct-to-patient ads. Those ads, which Jane Bessmer’s lawyers had found by rummaging through a l... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607812 Fri, 28 May 2010 14:43:40 +0100 3607812 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556401&cid=t_173629_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fcircles-amex-passwords-and-public-relations%2F7698%2F Did you know that a single two-second distraction can cost you 15 minutes of your day? When your concentration is interrupted, it takes up to 15 minutes to get your focus back. Our ambient sounds help reduce the amount of noise distractions in your workplace. Take advantage of the current SALE.Advertise HereI got an interesting call last week. The vice president in charge of public relations from Circles gave me a call. Circles is the company that provides concierge services for American Express. A number of their current and former employees have commented here at Productivity501 and one revealed what Circles considered to be proprietary confidential password from their client, American Express. The VP of PR asked that I remove the password. Me: I vaguely remember a comment that had some... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556401 Tue, 11 May 2010 17:00:06 +0100 3556401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3359212&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1uEtOjqcfck%2F In his latest attempt to probe the pharmaceutical industry, US Senator Chuck Grassley has written two big pharmacy benefit managers, as well as a trade group, asking them to provide information about their financial relationships with drugmakers. This week, he sent letters to Express Scripts, CVS Caremark and the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (click on name to see letters). In explaining his action, Grassley - who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee - wrote that the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended in a report last year that Congress should require drugmakers to report their financial relationships with pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies, health plans, and others, but not rebates or discounts (look here). And so he asks for det... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3359212 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:05:05 +0100 3359212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2996031&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FsJ4DaAFJfbQ%2F Hello, everyone. In between raking leaves, hanging with the short people and walking our faithful friend, we thought it might be helpful to offer you a few minutes of interesting reading. As always, there is much to track. Just the same, we have some errands to run shortly - what the weekend be without running from store to store? So we’ll leave you with these items for now and resume the usual routine tomorrow. Hope your weekend is going well and you enjoy yourselves…. MIT has a new project called New Drug Development Paradigms that includes drugmakers and federal health agencies, which hope to overcomes the bottlenecks in drug development, according to The New York Times. The hope is to create new ‘prediction models,’ share info about the biology of diseases and e... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2996031 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:21:35 +0100 2996031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2621852&cid=t_173629_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F21%2F5-ways-to-practice-gratitude-an-interview-with-sonja-lyubomirsky%2F Today’s interview is with happiness expert Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., who is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and the author of “The How of Happiness.” In 2002, Lyubomirsky was awarded a Templeton Positive Psychology Prize. Currently, she holds a 5-year million-dollar grant (with Ken Sheldon) from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct research on the possibility of permanently increasing happiness. Her research has been written up in dozens of magazines and newspapers and she has appeared in multiple TV shows, radio shows, and feature documentaries in North America and Europe. Question: I know that gratitude is one key component of happiness, and you mention keeping a gratitude journal, where you regularly write down the thing... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2621852 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:32:12 +0100 2621852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2611207&cid=t_173629_180_f&fid=38610&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.productivity501.com%2Fgreat-amex-platinum-concierge-service%2F4921%2F I’ve been critical of American Express Platinum Concierge Service, but last week I had an interaction that was very impressive.  A deer ran into our car and broke the mirror.  Due to a misunderstanding, the local shop didn’t order the part in time for our trip.  I sent the concierge service a map of the route we were going to take, the time we were leaving and asked them to find me any dealer with the part in stock on our route.  The concierge came back with a list of dealers with it in stock along with a list of dealers that could get it in two days near our destination. This was a huge time saver for me and very helpful.  Do you have any success stories from using the concierge service? --- at Productivity501:American Express Concierge EmployeesAmerican Express Concierge... Productivity501 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2611207 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:58:00 +0100 2611207 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390014&cid=t_173629_113_f&fid=34634&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FEmrAndHipaa%2F%7E3%2FohS0R02MYQ0%2F I’m not sure how many of my readers have heard about the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program being hacked yesterday. The Prescription Monitoring Program is used by pharmacists and others to discover prescription drug abuse. The story gets really interesting since it looks like the hackers encrypted over 8 million patient records and over 35 million prescriptions. Then, the hackers posted the following note on the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program website (according to wikileaks): “I have your [expletive] In *my* possession, right now, are 8,257,378 patient records and a total of 35,548,087 prescriptions. Also, I made an encrypted backup and deleted the original. Unfortunately for Virginia, their backups seem to have gone missing, too. Uhoh :(For $10 million, I will ... EMR and HIPAA blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390014 Tue, 05 May 2009 20:06:26 +0100 2390014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326621&cid=t_173629_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F01%2Fphrma-report-shows-record-number-of-development-drugs-to-treat-cancer-63-ovarian-cancer-203-solid-tumor-drugs-listed%2F “Responding to President Obama’s call for ‘a cure for cancer in our time,’ the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) delivered a new report today on medicines in the research pipeline for cancer. The report shows that America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are testing a record 861 new cancer medicines and vaccines. The [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326621 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:06:11 +0100 2326621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2110586&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2009%2F01%2Fdrink-coffee-see-dead-people%2F The Guardian, Saturday January 17 2009 Ben Goldacre “Danger from just 7 cups of coffee a day” said the Express on Wednesday. “Too much coffee can make you hallucinate and sense dead people say sleep experts. The equivalent of just seven cups of instant coffee a day is enough to trigger the weird responses.” The story appeared in [...] (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2110586 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:58:55 +0100 2110586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2060896&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fshort-break-by-sea.html And now for a short interlude. Posting will be light or non-existent for the next few days. A festive seaside Christmas. We (some thirty of us) have taken occupancy of the above. But where is it? Weather willing, I shall be up early, walking the coast and taking photographs.In  old fashioned truly Daily Express fashion, the challenge is simple. Find me on the beach and the beer is on me. All you have to do is say, "You are Dr Crippen and I claim my pint."  Only one difference from the original competetions. Anyone actually carrying a Daily Express will be disqualified. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2060896 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:50:00 +0100 2060896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056351&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F489633863%2F A new study suggests that lowering insurance co-payments, which is a way of providing consumers with a financial incentive, may be not enough to encourage compliance to take a chronic med. A study in the American Journal of Managed Care found that decreasing copay resulted in a 2.5 percentage rise in compliance, an increased described as modest. The study, which was conducted by Express Scripts, the pharmacy benefits manager, looked at the compliance following a decrease in copays and demand for statins after the patent on Merck’s Zocor cholesterol pill expired in 2006 (here it is). Greater response to increases in copays than to decreases is supported by one of the most well-documented principles of behavioral economics: aversion to losses, according to an Express Scripts statement... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056351 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:16 +0100 2056351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2017513&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=34591&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.badscience.net%2F2008%2F12%2Fits-not-my-fault-i-fall-into-repetitive-self-parody-you-started-it%2F Ben Goldacre The Guardian Saturday December 6 2008 Writing this column only really scares me because I wonder whether everything else in the media is as shamelessly, venally, manipulatively, one-sidedly, selectively reported on as the things I know about. I’m not going to go on about MMR again. But this week the reality editing was truly without comparison. (Source: badscience) badscience blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2017513 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 23:30:36 +0100 2017513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1943315&cid=t_173629_114_f&fid=34646&url=http%3A%2F%2Findianapolis.fbi.gov%2Fdojpressrel%2Fpressrel08%2Fextortion100108.pdf The WSJ Health Blogs reports about a potential data breach at Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America. More from Express Scripts on the Facts, FAQs and Other Resources.The potential data breach came to Express Scripts attention after having received an anonymous letter attempting to extort money from the company by threatening the expose millions of patient records. The threat letter included personal information on 75 members, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers and prescription information.The article also mentions a similar extortion related data breach which occurred in March 2006 and involved Medical Excess LLC, a subsidiary of AIG. In that case the FBI investigated and arrested an individual who stole a computer ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943315 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:06:06 +0100 1943315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939683&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F444773321%2F The big pharmacy benefits manager says it received a letter in early October from an unknown person or persons trying to extort money by threatening to expose millions of patients’ records. The letter included personal data - including dates of birth, social security numbers, and in some cases, their prescription info - for 75 of its members, who were notified, along with the FBI. “We have been conducting a thorough investigation since we received this threat and we are taking it very seriously,” George Paz, Express Scripts’ ceo and chairman, in a statement. “We are cooperating with the FBI and are committed to doing what we can to protect our members’ personal information and to track down the person or persons responsible for this criminal act…a ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939683 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:46:06 +0100 1939683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1731897&cid=t_173629_111_f&fid=34615&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.emergiblog.com%2F2008%2F08%2Falas-grand-rounds-i-know-them-well.html Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt Grand Rounds. I hope Will shall pardon my paraphrase of Hamlet’s words in Act II, scene ii. Hamlet totally rocks, as does Teresa at Rural Doctoring for the Shakespeare theme of this week’s Grand Rounds! And just for the record, Lawrence Olivier gives the best performance of Hamlet I’ve ever seen ( with all due respect to Kenneth Branagh), although the critics of Olivier’s time disagree with me. I wonder what Zippy thinks? ******************** Rima from The Doctor Blogger has submitted a proposal called The 3G Project to the American Express Members Project. The projects that get the most votes will be funded. Rima does not receive the money, but the institution ad... Emergiblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1731897 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:59:40 +0100 1731897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734636&cid=t_173629_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F375383683%2F BusinessWeek covers a best practice in a topic of growing importance: how large companies can retain older workers in productive ways beyond a set arbitrary retirement age. Issue: Retiring Employees, Lost Knowledge (Business Week) A pilot program at American Express gives soon-to-be retirees less work and more time to pass along their expertise to younger generations - "Before long, the group made an important discovery: Not only would a huge number of employees become eligible for retirement in the next five to 10 years, the company had done little to retain the wealth of institutional knowledge they would be taking with them. From the intricacies of key client relationships to mainframe computer languages no longer being taught in school, many experienced workers possessed critical ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734636 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:10:44 +0100 1734636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1733878&cid=t_173629_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F08%2F25%2Fhelp-defy-depression%2F Want to help survivors and those grappling with depression? Just a click can help the nonprofit International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression raise $1.5 million from American Express Member Projects’ initiative. Vote now for this positive effort to try and help get the word out about depression and its many effective treatments: aLive iThrive is a televised concert with artists and leaders publicly discussing depression. aLive will launch the positive depression brand - a color (green - renewal), a symbol (sunflower, seeds for planting in a field of Hope), month (May), and re-emphasize a 1-800 suicide hotline for those in crisis. We will remember those famous and not so famous we have lost and celebrate those that continue to survive. We will share new tools and... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1733878 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:45:34 +0100 1733878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561300&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F323984056%2F The deal is expected to accelerate the move toward paperless prescribing, which has so far been embraced by only a fraction of physicians. That’s because one of the networks is operated by big pharmacy benefits managers - Medco Health, CVS Caremark and Express Scripts - and the other by drugstore chains such as Walgreen, Rite Aid and Wal-Mart Stores. Right now, about 35,000, or less than 10 percent of docs, prescribe drugs electronically, and roughly 25 million of the 4 billion prescriptions dispensed annually were sent electronically. The merged network believes the number of e-prescriptions could rise to more than 100 million this year, according to Rick Ratliff, acting ceo of SureScripts, one of the two networks. Health insurers, business groups and the federal government have be... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561300 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:44:05 +0100 1561300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1472693&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F299338401%2F The big pharmacy benefits manager struck a deal with 28 states over charges that consumers were misled when docs were encouraged to cholesterol drugs under the guise of controlling costs. The agreement resolving a four-year investigation and follows a similar $38.5 million multistate settlement in February with Caremark, and settlement with Medco Health Solutions three years ago. “Today’s settlement completes our effort to clean up the PBM industry,” Vermont’s Attorney General Bill Sorrell says in a statement. “Now that all three of the nation’s largest PBMs are under orders from our office and the court to reform their practices, we expect that the rest of the industry will take notice and follow the requirements we have established.” Through the agreements, the states &... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1472693 Tue, 27 May 2008 21:02:26 +0100 1472693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1382348&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=34768&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmagossip.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fparexel-go-after-sunday-express.html A drugs company is demanding a full correction over last weekend's splash in the Sunday Express that made allegations about a medical trial going wrong. Parexel has written to the paper asking for a correction over the story, headlined "Drugs test scandal returns", claiming it contained "false and erroneous information".The Sunday Express's front-page story claimed that Parexel, the company which ran the drugs trials at Northwick Park in north London two years ago that left six male volunteers seriously ill, was "hit by a new scandal" after two volunteers on a new trial had been hospitalised.Sunday's story, bylined to Lucy Johnston and Katy Taylor-Richards, claimed the "guinea pigs" had been taken to hospital after suffering from "potentially deadly conditions" after taking nalmefene, a dr... PharmaGossip blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1382348 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:08:00 +0100 1382348 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1379582&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F272308007%2F Although the headlines say many people are paying more for their meds, one pharmacy benefits manager argues last year marked the first time in five years that consumers paid, on average, a lower co-pay. To be specific, the average copay dropped 25 cents to $13.20 even as the average total cost of a scrip rose from $55.01 to $55.93, according to a report issued by Express Scripts, which manages 55 million patients. The PBM attributes the decrease to greater use of generics, which it claims saved consumers an average of $15 per scrip each time they moved from a brand to a generic. Of course, PBMs do make more money on generics, so it may not come as a surprise that Emily Cox, Express Scripts’ senior director of research, says 67 percent of the million scrips that the PBM procceses ever... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1379582 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:24:39 +0100 1379582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1346246&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F262862971%2F The middle of the week can mean only one thing - the need to stretch the legs and clear the head. And what better way to do so then digest a few nuggets? So grab your water bottle, or whatever, and enjoy… Fitch Places Schering-Plough On Watch (Associated Press) Glaxo Adds Warning To Relenza Flu Drug (Associated Press) Pfizer Cancer Setback Weighs On Medarex (Forbes) Express Scripts CEO Received $10M In 2007 Compensation (Associated Press) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1346246 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:37:54 +0100 1346246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1268600&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F243302671%2F The ongoing use slowed the growth of US prescription drug costs last year to its lowest level since 1996, according to Express Scripts, the pharmacy benefits manager which, by the way, pushes generics. Total spending on prescription drugs last year rose 4.7 percent, while the average price of a generic drug fell 3.1 percent. That compared with a 7.4 percent increase in the average price of a brand-name drug, according to data compiled from a random sampling of 3 million of the PBM’s members. Meanwhile, generics amounted to 63.7 percent of prescriptions as of the end of last year, compared with 59.7 percent a year ago. “You hear nothing but bad news about healthcare expenses going up. This is the lowest this has been in 12 years that we’ve tracked this,” said Steve M... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1268600 Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:58:40 +0100 1268600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1234810&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F235556311%2F More US adults are taking prescription drugs than ever before, fueling $12 billion in additional spending during 2006. The number of people with at least one prescription increased from 67 percent in 2000 to 74 percent in 2006, and the number of prescriptions per person rose to 14.3 from 10.8 in 2000 - a 32 perent jump, according to a new study by Express Scripts, the pharmacy benefits manager. A few findings… - The percentage of people with at least one scrip for a cholesterol pill more than doubled in all but four states; - The percentage of people with at least one diabetes or blood pressure scrip and the number of scrips per person rose more than 75 percent each; - Although the percentage of people with at least one GI scrip grew at only 20 percent, the number of scrips per perso... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1234810 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:37:32 +0100 1234810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1010641&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F181094203%2F Yes, America’s tweenies more than doubled their use of type-2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005, with girls between 10 and 14 years of age showing a 166 percent increase, according to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and Express Scripts, which presented the data this morning at the American Public Health Association meeting in Washington DC. The academics and their PBM counterparts speculate that obesity is the reason for the increase, given its connection to Type 2 diabetes. The finding is included in a study of chronic meds used in children between 5 to 19 years old, including treatments for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma and depression medications. “Across every chronic medication class we examined over this four year period of time, children’s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1010641 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:50:14 +0100 1010641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=976545&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F174509515%2F The clouds continue to hover over the nation’s medicine chest as the day winds down. Even so, a new batch of items has arrived. Take a peek before you go on your way… Amgen Reports Anemia Quarterly Results (TheStreet.com) Express Scripts Profits Rise On Generics (Bloomberg News) AVI BioPharma To Restate Earlier Results (Yahoo/Reuters) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976545 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:08:33 +0100 976545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=918138&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F163867011%2F After Walgreen reported that fourth-quarter net income fell 3.8 percent, shares in the big pharmacy benefit managers - Medco Health Solutions, CVS Caremark and Express Scripts - took a beating today as investors grew worried over the profits on generic drugs, such as copycat versions of Merck’s Zocor. PBMs, of course, push generics as a salve to high healthcare costs. The big retailer blamed lower generic reimbursement and higher expenses. But one analyst believes Walgreen’s financial shortfall was more of a budgeting problem rather than a generic drugs issue. He noted that the retailer appeared to increase certain discretionary expenditures in anticipation of higher profits from sales of drugs like generic Zocor. “What they’re trying to say is that they had a much ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=918138 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:43:19 +0100 918138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=885517&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F158591675%2F We are motoring along today. The transom is overflowing with interesting news of the world. While we prepare more items for your pleasure, here are a few to keep you occupied in the meantime. And if you haven’t already, please take our poll on whether clinical trial databases should be made available on the Internet. West Virginia Curtails Reporting Prescription Data to Drugmakers (Yahoo/AP) Allergan To Pay $370M For Esprit Pharma And Its Bladder Drug (Yahoo/Reuters) FluMist Approved For Children Two To Five Years Old (Yahoo/Reuters) Express Scripts Unit To Pay $10.5M Fine Over HGH (Yahoo/AP) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=885517 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:41:58 +0100 885517 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=845904&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F152948659%2F This may not come as a surprise. After all, CVS is a huge retailer and Caremark, which is a large pharmacy benefits manager, operates a big mail-order operation. But a recent lawsuit confirms that the merger is going to make life tougher for generic drugmakers, as Adam Fein at Drug Channels points out this morning. In July, CVS filed a lawsuit against Prasco, a generic drugmaker that had a contract to supply a copycat version of Allegra to the drugstore chain. The contract, Fein notes, specified that CVS had a “Most Favored Nation” clause to guarantee that CVS paid the lowest price of any customer. But paragraph 21 states “As a result of the merger, CVS learned that, contrary the Agreement, Prasco had not, in fact, charged CVS the lowest price offered to any other customer. Instead, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=845904 Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:35:07 +0100 845904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=797210&cid=t_173629_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F143835688%2Fopen_brain_surgery_coming_soon.html According to The Express Star today … a young man's open-brain surgery will be broadcast  National Geographic documentary soon to appear on TV …. The patient will be awake while he and doctors rewire healthy parts of his brain and remove diseased parts. Did you know, by the way, that the brain itself does not feel pain – which is why a patient can be awake to help doctors by responding to what they can or cannot do – as they operate? Writer Andy Rieger quoted the brain patient after the operation… “It’s amazing to me what kind of stuff I’m getting back. At first, I couldn’t walk or talk. It’s much better now,” Carson said.Brandon Carson had always enjoyed health and was quite shocked to find a tumor, seizure... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=797210 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:12:45 +0100 797210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=737690&cid=t_173629_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F134316629%2F Two months ago, we wrote that Pfizer was scrambling to boost Lipitor by signing a deal to have its cholesterol pill placed on the Express Scripts preferred formulary. This was an important move for the drugmaker, of course, because Express Scripts is a big pharmacy benefits manager, and Lipitor hadn’t been on its formulary since 2005. But so far, “definitive proof of its success is lacking,” writes Joe Tooley, an analyst at AG Edwards, in an investor note today. There’s hasn’t been a “significant bump in scripts as absolute total prescription numbers are up only 1 percent since the deal” began. Meanwhile, he notes that the statin cholesterol market is up 4.5 percent over the same period. This is also evident in Lipitor’s share of total prescripti... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=737690 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:53:53 +0100 737690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478741&cid=t_173629_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F15%2Fthe-diabetic-lojack%2F Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Events, Products, SupportVery much like a prisoner being tracked in a work-release program (except it's implanted on the inside of your upper arm) -- the VeriMed microchip stores your vital health information for times when you are unable to disclose it yourself. It's about the size of a grain of rice and VeriChip says the procedure is painless. At the Diabetic Expo, held in Atlanta, Georgia -- VeriChip Corporation received the endorsement of the American Diabetes Association to test implant the microchip in 18 diabetics who signed up for the voluntary procedure. The implantable RFID microchip sends patient information to a handheld RFID scanner and a secure patient database. This system is intended to provide immediate acces... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478741 Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478741