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 'initiatives'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:12:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664472&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FEO4qatD6X4w%2F There are some shareholders you do not want to cross. Why? More shareholder lawsuits have been filed against drug and device makers for alleged securities fraud, and those with larger market capitalizations were sued for securities fraud at an increased rate, according to a recent survey by the Dechert law firm, which represents life sciences companies. Specifically, 29 different companies - and their directors and key execs - were sued for alleged securities fraud last year, up from 19 in 2009 and 23 in 2008. And more than half of the lawsuits filed last year included allegations of financial improprieties as opposed to alleged misstatements about such specifics as the safety or efficacy, or the likelihood of FDA approval. Also worth noting: cases that are not dismissed continue to result... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664472 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:21:13 +0100 4664472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4627021&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FNOJeZsg0BdM%2F After months of anticipation, the US Supreme Court yesterday ruled Matrixx Initiatives was incorrect to insist that only statistically significant adverse events are required to be reported to shareholders, and allowed investors to proceed with a long-simmering securities fraud claim. The move has significance for drugmakers and biotechs, which filed briefs supporting Matrixx over concerns adverse event disclosures can be easily misinterpreted and lead to more shareholder lawsuits. Here’s the background: Matrixx Initiatives was sued for allegedly concealing side effect reports that its Zicam over-the-counter cold med caused people to lose their sense of smell, known as anosmia. By withholding the reports, shareholders argued Matrixx unfairly boosted the value of its stock. The Zicam ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4627021 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:07:16 +0100 4627021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331234&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1Fdv37mljqA%2F Should drugmakers disclose all adverse event reports that may not show statistically significant evidence that a side effect is actually caused by a specific drug? The issue is now before the US Supreme Court involving a case brought by investors against Matrixx Initiatives, which was sued for allegedly concealing side effect reports that its Zicam over-the-counter cold med caused people to lose their sense of smell, known as anosmia (back story). And in oral arguments yesterday, the case made by the lawyer for Matrixx may not have passed the smell test after he insisted Matrixx did not commit fraud when it failed to disclose cases in which Zicam patients reportedly lost their sense of smell. Since drugmakers receive real or hearsay adverse event reports almost every day, Jon Hacker mainta... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331234 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:06:13 +0100 4331234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4331238&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F-cRjehpd63o%2F Good morning, folks. Another shiny day is unfolding here on the chilly Pharmalot corporate campus, where the dogs are barking and the short people are scrambling off to the school houses. As for us, we are downing a cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Golden French Toast - and hunting for interesting tidbits. Hear something fascinating? Do pass it our way. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you along. Hope your day goes well… Eli Lilly And Boehringer Ink Diabetes Drug Deal (Reuters) Amgen Moves Three Cancer Drugs Into Late-Stage Tests (Bloomberg News) Neurosearch Cuts Workforce By 20 Percent (Reuters) Prozac May Speed Physical Rehab After Stroke: Study (HealthDay) Swine Flu Survivors Developed Super Flu Antibodies (Reuters) HGS Hopes To Bank Billions After Lupus Drug Launch... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4331238 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:46:46 +0100 4331238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133677&cid=t_159239_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F46XbEB_1zfg%2F By Daniel J. MitchellLast week, I highlighted nine ballot initiatives that were worth watching because of their policy implications and/or their role is showing whether voters wanted more or less freedom. The results, by and large, are very encouraging. Let’s take a look at the results of those nine votes, as well as a few additional key initiatives. 1. The big spenders wanted to impose an income tax in the state of Washington, and they even had support from too-rich-to-care Bill Gates. The good news is that this initiative got slaughtered by a nearly two-to-one margin.  I was worried about this initiative since crazy  Oregon voters approved higher tax rates earlier this year. In a further bit of good news, Washington voters also approved a supermajority requirement for tax incre... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133677 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:58:40 +0100 4133677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4018290&cid=t_159239_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=3921074&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FG9QmStpWc40%2F Should drugmakers disclose all adverse event reports that may not show statistically significant evidence that a side effect is actually caused by a specific drug? The issue is now before the US Supreme Court involving a case brought by investors against Matrixx Initiatives, which was sued for allegedly concealing side effect reports that its Zicam cold med caused people to lose their sense of smell, known as anosmia. Not surprisingly, BayBio, a trade group representing a goodly number of life sciences companies, has waded into the fracas with an amicus curiae, or friend-of-the-court brief, decrying the notion that drugmakers and biotechs should be forced to disclose adverse event reports that companies believe are irrelevant to the performance of their meds. “Laws requiring disclos... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3921074 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:09:05 +0100 3921074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662922&cid=t_159239_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1gmHvGi8x14%2F The failure to disclose adverse events can have all sorts of repercussions. Doctors and patents get alarmed. Regulators get upset (see what the FDA told Pfizer last month). And shareholders get steamed. Now, the US Supreme Court will review a case to determine whether drugmakers must disclose all adverse event reports that may not show statistically significant evidence that a side effect is actually caused by a specific drug. The case was brought by investors against Matrixx Initiatives, which was sued for allegedly concealing side effect reports that its Zicam cold med caused people to lose their sense of smell, known as anosmia. For its part, Matrixx is challenging an appeals court ruling last fall that reinstated a 2004 shareholder lawsuit alleging the company received at least a dozen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662922 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:15 +0100 3662922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389974&cid=t_159239_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F-eZg7UZgjf0%2F I love the idea of companies starting wellness programs for their employees. The trouble is, companies are often too busy to get a wellness program off the ground. Enter some enterprising students and see what happens next! At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, students can take a “Wellness in the Work World” class which has them “actively assisting several business and community organizations with wellness projects.” Students work with each individual business to find out their specific needs when it comes to wellness. For example, one student may help organize a health fair, while another may get an exercise program off the ground for a separate business. What a great way to get students involved in the work world while also helping businesses create positive programs for t... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389974 Tue, 05 May 2009 14:42:12 +0100 2389974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177421&cid=t_159239_113_f&fid=34625&url=http%3A%2F%2Fclinicalit.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fi-dont-usually-do-this-but.html I'm experimenting with different kinds of posts. Here's one I don't often do: personnel announcements.Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives has taken the "interim" tag off Michael O’Rourke, naming him senior VP and CIO of the 77-hospital organization. O'Rourke, 56, had been interim CIO since August 2007. He previously led IT operations at Triad Hospitals, which became part of Community Health Systems in July 2007.Also, health information exchange vendor Axolotl created a dedicated development team to assist the New York State Department of Health and the New York eHealth Collaborative in the building of the proposed Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY).Sean Smith, developer of Axolotl’s Information Health Exchange (IHE) prototypes, will head the four-person te... Neil Versel's Healthcare IT Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177421 Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:02:00 +0100 2177421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011951&cid=t_159239_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Ffree-autism-center-vandalized%2F A free drop in centre for those with autism spectrum disorders was recently vandalized.  Vandals broke in through the roof ripping off kitchen extractor fans to gain entry  and caused around £10,000 (or $14,786.99 USD).  According to Autism Initiatives staff the vandals urinated on tables, damaged electrical equipment and rubbed graffiti all over. Autism Initiative NI’s [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011951 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:55:29 +0100 2011951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1955364&cid=t_159239_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F450904199%2Fmichigan-massachusetts-pass-marijuana.html Voters bolster medical marijuana movement—or do they?On November 4, both Michigan and Massachusetts passed harm reduction measures aimed at eliminating stiff penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Opponents vowed to keep fighting.In Michigan, on a vote of 63% to 37%, voters passed Proposal 1, allowing for the physician-supervised possession and use of cannabis. However, the initiative did not go as far as allowing for licensed medical dispensaries, as California has done. Nonetheless, this was not a happy outcome for the President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy and its director, John P. Walters, who campaigned strenuously against the measure, calling it an “abomination” and said it was likely to lead to marijuana shops in every neighborhood. For its part,... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955364 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:12:00 +0100 1955364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1933153&cid=t_159239_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F11%2F03%2Fvoting-its-not-just-about-mccain-or-obama%2F So, after months and months of endless campaign coverage, the end is in sight. Tomorrow America votes and a new president will be elected. But tomorrow’s election is not just about whether McCain or Obama wins. There are also a number of important health initiatives on various State ballots. Here’s just a few of them… Washington has Measure 1000, also known as The Washington Death with Dignity Act, on the ballot. It’s an initiative that asks whether to allow dying patients to get a prescription for medicine to commit suicide. Arizona has Proposition 101 which looks at freedom of choice in health care. This initiative, if passed, would block the state from enacting a universal health-insurance plan. Michigan has two health-related issues on it’s ballot. First, ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1933153 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:51:10 +0100 1933153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1868608&cid=t_159239_151_f&fid=35823&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FAddictionInbox%2F%7E3%2F417063737%2Fdrugs-on-ballot.html States to vote on drug policy proposals.The Drug War Chronicle has done an excellent job of rounding up the various drug policy initiatives that will appear on state ballots in November. The majority of these initiatives concern marijuana decriminalization, medical marijuana, and prison sentencing reform. The Drug War Chronicle reports in its October 3 issue that the pace of drug policy initiatives has slowed, compared to the beginning of the decade, when medical marijuana initiatives were on the ballot in dozens of states.While California voters will be asked to strengthen their support of medical marijuana and lessen penalties for possession, voters in Michigan and Massachusetts will have the opportunity to follow California’s lead with marijuana decriminalization initiatives of their ... Addiction Inbox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1868608 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:45:00 +0100 1868608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455480&cid=t_159239_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F285325277%2Flessons-on-going-green-gri-amsterdam.html The Global Reporting Initiative’s annual Conference on Sustainability and Transparency is like Cannes for the worldwide corporate sustainability set. First highlight: Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan’s arrival, heralded by mainstream press. The Queen is almost comically composed, graceful as a prima ballerina, and even more gorgeous in person – she greets the mayor of Amsterdam with aplomb as cameras and sound equipment crackle around her. At 2pm, Her Majesty will deliver the first keynote, announcing the creation of the “Arab Sustainability Leadership Group,” a network of Arab companies dedicated to sustainability and reporting. American healthcare organizations – to think we worried about the Pacific Rim….next year’s motto for American hospitals should be “keep your... Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455480 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:44:00 +0100 1455480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1455492&cid=t_159239_118_f&fid=36984&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHealthManagementRx%2F%7E3%2F275441952%2Fsafeway-effect-saviors-of-american.html This entry is crossposted at the World Healthcare Congress blog.Day 2 kicks off bright and early (8am start) with the Healthways Band Strat 5 belting out “Here I Am Baby.” The good morning America musical interlude is followed by Safeway CEO Steve Burd taking the stage. Steve bounds up out of his chair to take the podium. He’s a great metaphor for his company - these guys just can’t sit still. The grocery chain is doing some of the most innovative things in today’s healthcare economy. This isn’t my first time following Safeway - when the company introduced the FoodFlex program for consumers, Health Management Rx broke that story here. When the organization discovered a 10-fold difference in the costs of care for a procedure within a 30 mile radius of corporate HQ, they decided ... Health Management Rx blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1455492 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:00 +0100 1455492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=904615&cid=t_159239_134_f&fid=36049&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FDiabetesNotes%2F%7E3%2F161471601%2F Leave it to the power house of all discount pricing Wal Mart to help battle diabetes and provide a more affordable kind of health care. Seriously speaking, it is a great contribution to this region of America. Over 7% of the US population has diabetes and I can guarantee that half of Americans do not have the resources to treat their disease! Wal Mart is teaming up with Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to help persons prevent, and treat their diabetes. Through the health fairs that will be provided, residents will be encouraged to see health care professionals and keep on top of managing their illness. Each Hometown Health Fair will include free biometric screenings: body composition, including weight, body fat and body mass index; total cholesterol check; HDL, LDL and triglycerides levels a... Diabetes Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=904615 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:48:42 +0100 904615