Boston Scientific states percutaneous coronary intervention is more cost effective than coronary artery bypass

<p><font size="2"> I think we can all somewhat figure this out, but there are cases to where open heart surgery may the answer.  A short while back with my interview with Dr. Muhs, who is  the principal investigator on all of the endovascular trials conducted in the Section of Vascular Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, I learned quite a bit.  </font></p> <p><font size="2">Each patient is different and thus each treatment plan for surgery is unique.  When devices are implanted via a catheter, yes it is less expensive but there is a trade off for the patient with follow up visits, to ensure the devices is still functioning properly and has not slipped or moved.  With traditional open heart surgery, once the procedure is completed and the patient has healed, you are pretty much done, in other words the visits to the surgeon down the road as required with devices don’t exist.  Of course, follow up for overall healthcare is still very much in the picture and a patient would be doing that anyway.  The interview with Dr. Muhs was focused on aneurisms, treated via catheters.   <img align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SUChbhhXCgI/AAAAAAAANms/UguN6R61VAk/image_thumb[11].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> </font></p> <p><font size="2">Some patients may not be able to sustain a full open heart procedure, thus treatment via catheter can be a life saving alternative.  </font></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interview-with-bart-e-muhs-md-yale.html"><font size="2">Interview with Bart E. Muhs, M.D., Yale School of Medicine – Aneurysm Repair Surgery</font></a></h4> <p><a href="http://yalesurgery.med.yale.edu/faculty/muhs.html"><font size="2">http://yalesurgery.med.yale.edu/faculty/muhs.html</font></a></p> <p><font size="2">I have to admit, this is nice to actually hear it straight from the surgeons involved in the treatment and research versus advertising, as you get the straight story on how both procedures work and what the long term effects and results are that a patient can expect.  BD  </font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="2"> Saturday, drug maker Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX: </font><a href="http://www.rttnews.com/SymbolSearch.aspx?Symbol=BSX"><font size="2">News </font></a><font size="2">) said, based on one-year data from its SYNTAX trial, that percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, was more cost effective than coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG, in patients with low or moderate coronary lesion complexity. <br />The overall cost effectiveness of PCI versus CABG surgery varied according to patient characteristics, while CABG was more cost effective than PCI in those with the most complex disease. <strong>The results also found that both PCI and CABG improved several quality of life measures.</strong></font></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.rttnews.com/Content/BreakingNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=896319"><font size="2">RTTNews - Breaking</font> News, financial breaking News, Positive EPS Surprises, Stock research ....</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:801f67aa-fc7c-4a37-979d-8df175d268e8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Envovascular+sugery" rel="tag">Envovascular sugery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clinical+trials" rel="tag">clinical trials</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/aneurysm+repair" rel="tag">aneurysm repair</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Yale+University" rel="tag">Yale University</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/catheters" rel="tag">catheters</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Boston+Scientific" rel="tag">Boston Scientific</a></div>

Boston Scientific states percutaneous coronary intervention is more cost effective than coronary artery bypass

I think we can all somewhat figure this out, but there are cases to where open heart surgery may the answer.  A short while back with my in...

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Norwegians Know where their Beef has been – pilot program using IBM RFID services for tracking

<p> Durable RFID tags are placed on the totes that capture the the journey of the meat from the farm all the way to the processing plant.  At each step, RFID readers are capturing the information.  The chips are pretty durable and can withstand washing and some pretty adverse conditions without losing the data.  As a secondary plus, the process can stand to also alert grocery stores of their current inventory levels to hopefully keep the supplies from running out without some type of prior notification.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>The average Norwegian eats 62 kilograms, or 137 pounds, of meat per year—with little idea where it came from, other than "the store." But by 2010, that average Norwegian should have a much better idea of where his or her meal originated.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_JPK1rkJI/AAAAAAAAO5A/RYJWdsnFqlM/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="93" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc_JUBJKZhI/AAAAAAAAO5E/TlnzZgxgC3w/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="244" /></a> </p> <p>Given major recalls in recent years, getting smarter about food—knowing where our food comes from and who has handled it—is becoming more of a priority for governments and consumers around the world. In Norway, the government has set a 2010 deadline for food traceability standards and policy as part of its e-Traceability (eSporing) program, which aims to increase the safety of Norwegians' food supply by bringing greater visibility to that supply chain</p> <p>Such complexity led Matiq, Nortura's IT subsidiary, to pilot a project with the help of IBM RFID Services. Using an IBM InfoSphere Traceability Server solution, the project tracks meat from the farm to the butchering facility with the use of RFID tags attached to the plastic totes that also carry the meat onto its next stage in the supply chain.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.ibm.com/ibm/ideasfromibm/us/smartplanet/topics/food/20081208/index4.shtml?sa_campaign=message/ideas/leadspace/all/planetmatiqflash">IBM - Smarter planet - Smarter food - Matiq - United States</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4bc57882-5232-406c-93e5-946b4bd21975" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Beef" rel="tag">Beef</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/IBM" rel="tag">IBM</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/RFID" rel="tag">RFID</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Food+products" rel="tag">Food products</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/accountability" rel="tag">accountability</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Norway" rel="tag">Norway</a></div>

Norwegians Know where their Beef has been – pilot program using IBM RFID services for tracking

Durable RFID tags are placed on the totes that capture the the journey of the meat from the farm all the way to the processing plant.  At e...

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Are Generic Drug entries into the market being delayed? What’s in a Patent?

<p> With our new administration, this is getting to be real heated topic and everyone has their points.  Right now with some medications not having a generic equivalent, patents are being challenged to bring a generic to market sooner.  One of the oldest methods used for years has been to –re-invent a drug with a time released formula to extend the patent timeline.  <img align="right" height="82" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SV5zl9iXoBI/AAAAAAAANu4/xNU-As7fgrE/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="109" /> </p> <p>This case is interesting in the fact that for 3 weeks a generic equivalent was on the market and cost someone his job at Bristol.  Existing patents are being challenged by generic manufacturers and in some cases just because the opportunity is there, they can right now in the hopes of providing a cheaper, less expensive drug if they are successful with the challenge.  In a related story, <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/merck-and-teva-go-to-court-over.html">Merck and Teva</a> are going through a similar situation with Singular’s patent being challenged.    </p> <p>In addition, there’s the heated battle over <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/generic-biotech-drugs-discussed-in.html">Bio-Similar drugs</a></strong> facing Congress.  </p> <p>“The terms <a href="http://www.gene.com/gene/about/views/followon-biologics.html">"Biosimilar" or "Follow-on Biologic"</a> refer to products that are marketed after expiration of patents, which are claimed to have similar properties to existing biologic products. Due to the complexity of biologics, a product can only be made that is similar, but not identical.”</p> <p>Plavix also has some heat coming from another area, <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/arterial-fibrillation-what-will-be.html">medical devices in clinical trials to use to thin blood,</a> so another area of potential competition.  <img align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYvhtM7YI/AAAAAAAAO24/OKavkRe5Mhc/image_thumb[10].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/nih-clinical-trials-for-genetic-tests.html">The NIH is also funding a study</a> with generic testing to determine if this information will lead to better treatment plans with Warfarin, the generic blood thinner.  We have also had statements made indicating <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/genetic-warfarin-test-not-cost.html">such studies are not “cost effective”</a> in all areas, with the risk management side chiming in.</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/plavix-whats-next-step-for-doctors-and.html"><font size="1">Plavix – What’s the next step for doctors and patients – possible genetic testing in the near future?</font></a></h4> <p>Will Plavix itself be subject to genetic testing and what effects does the drug have on kidneys and the liver?  Patents, genomic testing and competition from potential medical devices certainly leave a lot on the table for discussion with Plavix, not to mention lawsuits that are intermingled, and what does the FDA recommend for labels?  It is time for a “reboot” here?  </p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/scientists-gather-to-chart-out-reboot.html"><font size="1">Scientists gather to chart out a 'total reboot' for medicine – Science and Medicine Coming Together</font></a></h4> <p>Between the marketing battles, generic information unfolding, studies, device competition, labeling with the FDA, and last but not least the patent issues, where is is all going to end up as it’s a very complex and confusing matter.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Bristol-Myers Squibb is paying $2.1 million to end the FTC probe into its negotiations to delay generic competition for Plavix, the company’s blockbuster blood thinner. Those 2006 negotiations were something of a debacle — a generics maker wound up briefly flooding the market with generic Plavix, and the Bristol-Myers CEO left the company.</p> <p>Earlier this year, the FTC sued a company called Solvay over a <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/02/02/feds-challenge-deal-on-generic-testosterone-gel/">generics deal regarding AndroGel</a>, a testosterone product. (The company said the deal was lawful and would lead to earlier generic competition.) And last year, the FTC sued Cephalon in a similar matter involving the anti-drowsiness drug Provigil. (Cephalon says it followed the law.)</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://feeds.wsjonline.com/~r/wsj/health/feed/~3/YKp9DajG1PU/">Regulators Cast Wary Eye On Deals to Delay Generics</a> </p> <p><strong><u>Genomics Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/personalized-medicine-will-rely-on-it.html">Personalized medicine will rely on IT – It’s all about Software</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/plavix-whats-next-step-for-doctors-and.html">Plavix – What’s the next step for doctors and patients – possible genetic testing in the near future?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/genetic-warfarin-test-not-cost.html">Genetic warfarin test not cost-effective in guiding initial dosing of common blood thinner</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/plavix-whats-next-step-for-doctors-and.html"><font size="1">Plavix – What’s the next step for doctors and patients – possible genetic testing in the near future?</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-going-to-pay-for-warfarin-test.html">Who's going to pay for the Warfarin Test - Personalized Medicine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/genetic-testing-improves-some-warfarin.html">Genetic Testing Improves Some Warfarin Dosing</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/fda-to-look-at-benefits-of-plavix-in.html"><font size="1">FDA To look at benefits of Plavix in certain patients</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/09/fda-approves-new-300mg-loading-dose.html"><font size="1">FDA Approves New 300mg Loading Dose Tablet For PLAVIX(R) (clopidogrel Bisulfate)</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a5d6c100-701e-4dfb-abc3-8551405abd0b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Plavix" rel="tag">Plavix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bristol-Myer+Squibb" rel="tag">Bristol-Myer Squibb</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/generic+drugs" rel="tag">generic drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lawsuits" rel="tag">lawsuits</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharma" rel="tag">pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/genomics" rel="tag">genomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/warfarin" rel="tag">warfarin</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/NIH" rel="tag">NIH</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blood+thinners" rel="tag">blood thinners</a></div>

Are Generic Drug entries into the market being delayed? What’s in a Patent?

With our new administration, this is getting to be real heated topic and everyone has their points.  Right now with some medications not ha...

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Harvard Researchers Are Named in Subpoena

<p> With the age of transparency unfolding, we have 3 researchers being questioned on their recommendations of using antipsychotic drugs with children.  Has compensation from Pharma led to some of the recommendations?  One of the biggest red flags here appears to be failing to report compensation for starters. BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Federal prosecutors have issued a subpoena seeking information about the work and statements of three prominent Harvard researchers who have been the focus of a Congressional investigation into conflicts of interest in medicine.</p> <p>The researchers — Drs. <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/joseph_biederman/index.html?inline=nyt-per">Joseph Biederman</a>, Thomas Spencer and Timothy E. Wilens — are named in the subpoena, which was sent on Wednesday to Fletch Trammel, a lawyer who represents state attorneys general in lawsuits that claim makers of antipsychotic drugs defrauded state <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/medicaid/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier">Medicaid</a> programs by improperly marketing their medicines.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/health/policy/28subpoena.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">3 Researchers at Harvard Are Named in Subpoena - NYTimes.com</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a9ccdf06-5b97-4e2a-8d35-451ac76fb2bb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Harvard" rel="tag">Harvard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/investigation" rel="tag">investigation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/drugs" rel="tag">drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/studies" rel="tag">studies</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/antipsychotic+drugs" rel="tag">antipsychotic drugs</a></div>

Harvard Researchers Are Named in Subpoena

With the age of transparency unfolding, we have 3 researchers being questioned on their recommendations of using antipsychotic drugs with c...

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The Ingenix Inquisition – Hearing Requested by Senator Rockefeller

<p> This is perhaps the classic statement here:  <u>"You ask me how are their 'usual and customary' rates being determined?"</u> Rockefeller said. <u>"I don't know."</u>  It comes back to <u>algorithms, formulas that determine the usual an customary fees.</u>  Anyone who had read any number of postings here now knows what that means as I refer to it frequently.  All businesses use them as <strong>business intelligence</strong> software is what is used to make decisions and calculations, and everyone uses and create algorithms to help them reach the desired results,…like <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-wall-street-lied-to-its-computers.html">Wall Street did</a> too.  They also use drug profiles.</p> <p><strong>From a prior post in August 2008<img align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/SUVo58Dgb_I/AAAAAAAANn0/wHGI3qhGGIY/image_thumb[7].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" /> </strong></p> <p><em>"Ingenix, a Minnesota-based health information services company that had $1.3 billion in sales last year -- and Wisconsin-based rival Milliman -- say the drug profiles are an accurate, less expensive alternative to seeking physician records, which can take months and hundreds of dollars to obtain. They note that consumers authorize the data release and that the services can save insurance companies millions of dollars and benefit consumers anxious for a decision.”</em></p> <p>One thing for sure, the Government and Consumers alike are learning the power of business intelligence and what happens when there is lack of it on one side, <u>like a PC running with no anti-virus protection and the Trojans march in.</u>  </p> <p>Ingenix's price database is so widely used to set reimbursement rates that the litigation is believed to affect seven out of 10 people with health insurance. <strong>(Note: this is business intelligence software at work) </strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/will-greed-lead-to-meltdown-of-health.html">Will Greed lead to Meltdown of the Health System?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/07/sorry-folks-but-its-true-you-are-for.html">Sorry, folks, but it’s true: You are for sale</a></h6> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/tool-helps-patients-select-physicians.html">Ingenix had a website</a> set up also to help consumers find a match with doctors they announced back in June.  It includes aggregate claims data from 27 million episodes of care, so perhaps this was an effort to assist steering an individual in the direction of those who were closer to the customary charges?  <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/fax-sent-by-united-subsidiary-causes.html">Physicians in 2007</a> were also concerned about a fax campaign used to update their practice information with a fax blasting program used.  Ingenix also provides coding software and books that they sell online as well, so information they are not short of. </p> <p>Just a few years ago I couldn’t get anyone to hardly listen when I tried to discuss the importance of business intelligence software to do battle with those who have it.  <strong>If one is still rummaging through paper files and manually trying to combat transactions they feel are in error that take place in a second with software, it’s a lost cause</strong>.  Long and short of it, nobody questions potential errors due to the complexity of manually researching and getting figures so the one side keeps getting fatter.  Perhaps we need some <strong>Congressional algorithms</strong> at work real soon.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p><img align="left" height="166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sbd-pj8sW9I/AAAAAAAAOnY/Tx-QNU3RlPg/image_thumb[4].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="123" />Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, wants answers at a hearing Tuesday from the chief executives of UnitedHealth Group Inc. and its subsidiary Ingenix Inc., a claims database used by insurers nationwide to calculate out-of-network rates.</p> <p>The inquiry follows lawsuits and an investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo alleging that UnitedHealth and Ingenix manipulated rate data so insurers had to pay less and patients more for out-of-network services.  Cuomo's office said Ingenix was understating the market rate for doctor's visits across New York state by 10 percent to 28 percent.</p> <p>A spokeswoman for Ingenix referred calls to UnitedHealth.</p> <p>But unknown to many consumers, when patients go out of network, <strong>their plan doesn't actually pay 70 percent of the doctor's visit cost. It pays 70 percent of what it determines is the "usual, customary and reasonable" cost for the procedure or doctor's visit in question.</strong></p> <p></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gL4XFckx9sah3eFEMuHYD3V2WGhQD977DD2G0">Senate takes on out-of-network insurance issue with Ingenix</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ama-and-california-medical-association.html"><font size="1">The AMA and the California Medical Association file legal suit – WellPoint and Ingenix</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/ingenix-publishes-episode-treatment.html">Ingenix Publishes Episode Treatment Groups Methodology – Recreating themselves?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/search-for-john-doe-whos-running.html">The search for John Doe – Who’s running the queries (Algorithms) and wants to know</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/andrew-cuomo-you-have-to-like-this-guy.html">Andrew Cuomo – You Have to Like This Guy – Healthcare Reform</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/prescriptions-risk-score-used-to-deny.html">Prescriptions risk score used to deny health insurance</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/cigna-and-aetna-face-lawsuit-ama.html"><font size="1">Cigna and Aetna face lawsuit – AMA joining the the cause on payment issues</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/prescription-data-used-to-assess.html">Prescription Data Used To Assess Consumers - No Privacy Unless You Pay Cash...</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/americans-with-cancer-and-insurance.html">Americans with Cancer and Insurance Still not able to afford treatments</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is-mib-medical-insurance-bureau.html">What is the MIB - Medical Insurance Bureau - and how does it affect qualifying for insurance?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/health-insurance-reserves-how-much-is.html">Health Insurance Reserves – How much is in the till, could it be 1 or 2 trillion nationwide?</a></h6> <h6></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/future-day-of-going-to-doctor.html"></a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/health-plans-offer-comprehensive-reform.html">Health Care Insurers Suggest Algorithms and Business Intelligence solutions to provide health insurance solution</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/health-insurer-accused-of-overcharging.html">Health insurer accused of overcharging millions – United Health Care/Oxford Insurance 50 Million Fine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/algorithms-formulas-and-investigations.html">Algorithms, Formulas and Investigations leads to AARP suspending sales of some health plans</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/wellpoint-gets-message-from-medicare-to.html">WellPoint Gets Message from Medicare to suspend 2 Part D programs</a></h6> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9b9c2389-31b5-4aed-ae45-f9a4c0f5edac" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Insurance" rel="tag">Insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HealthCare" rel="tag">HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/fines" rel="tag">fines</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/overcharges" rel="tag">overcharges</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Inginex" rel="tag">Inginex</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/formulas" rel="tag">formulas</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/AMA" rel="tag">AMA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/United+HealthCare" rel="tag">United HealthCare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Andrew+Cuomo" rel="tag">Andrew Cuomo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wellpoint" rel="tag">Wellpoint</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blue+Cross" rel="tag">Blue Cross</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Senate+Hearings" rel="tag">Senate Hearings</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ingenix" rel="tag">Ingenix</a></div>

The Ingenix Inquisition – Hearing Requested by Senator Rockefeller

This is perhaps the classic statement here:  "You ask me how are their 'usual and customary' rates being determined?" Ro...

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Florida Medicare Paying for “GPS for the Body” - Prostate Cancer

<p> The therapy is not cheap and there’s also the seeding process involved.  The seeds draw the radiation rays to the cancer cells, thus leaving the healthy surrounding cells untouched.  This technology goes on step further and is able to adjust the radiation based on the location of the prostate gland, in other words when it moves, it can adjust the area of focus immediately with the technician turning off the machine or making an <a href="http://www.calypsomedical.com/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="63" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nkpko2QI/AAAAAAAAO4I/EV1ejGKLagI/image29.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="image" width="244" /></a>adjustment on the direction of the rays with the table, thus again, less radiation exposure to areas where there is healthy tissue. The procedure is used at the Cleveland Clinic and several other hospitals.  By exposing healthy tissue nearby to the radiation, it could make the patient impotent or incontinent.</p> <p>A similar procedure is done for breast cancer, called the <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/breast-cancer-treatments-what-is.html">Mammosite,</a> that also involves “seeding”.  </p> <p>The economy has taken it’s toll on the company with a few recent lay offs.  With having insurance or Medicare covering the procedures and making it available to patients, that certainly can’t hurt the health of the consumer or the company.  This is always one big concern with cancer treatments, whether it is paid for and how available the therapy is for the patient.  </p> <blockquote> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> Calypso Medical Technologies has an expensive new technology for targeting radiation beams to cancerous prostate glands, so it  shouldn’t be any surprise when insurers balk before they pay up. But Calypso got some good news this week as it persuaded an important customer, the regional Medicare unit that serves a lot of elderly men with prostate cancer in Florida, to set up a standard reimbursement practice. <p></p> <p>The Seattle-based <a href="http://www.calypsomedical.com/">medical device company</a> currently has established Medicare reimbursement practice codes in eight of the 15 regional units around the country, and has gotten reports from medical centers in 12 states that they have actually gotten paid for their daily use by Medicare, the company said. Calypso also has established reimbursement from more than 13 private sector insurers, including many of the big names, like UnitedHealthcare (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=UNH">UNH</a>), Humana (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=HUM">HUM</a>), Cigna (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=CI">CI</a>), and several regional Blue Cross/Blue Shield  units.</p> <p>This whole step-by-step process of reimbursement, and the time it takes, has made it clear that simply winning FDA approval may no longer be the automatic ticket to the promised land for upstart medical device and biotech companies. Calypso’s technology, which it markets as “GPS for the Body” was first approved by the FDA in August 2006. The system uses transponders implanted in the prostate, which send a signal to a base station that tells a technician precisely where the prostate is in the body in real-time.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nn769dUI/AAAAAAAAO4M/jbFGr-rRlw8/s1600-h/image8%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="121" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nqbKH3PI/AAAAAAAAO4Q/swM_Kh01VK0/image8_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8ntLZNHeI/AAAAAAAAO4U/m-skBBQTRSs/s1600-h/image23%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="125" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nvvABesI/AAAAAAAAO4Y/bnjvSsz0LRc/image23_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="189" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nyV6OTzI/AAAAAAAAO4c/5zu25DTAmEQ/s1600-h/image26%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="118" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8nzhEXZGI/AAAAAAAAO4g/lnt1X92k62g/image26_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8n1pCaeaI/AAAAAAAAO4k/go_ffm4RYok/s1600-h/image11%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="118" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8n4ZKYRAI/AAAAAAAAO4o/7qQ3TY_6psI/image11_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="181" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8n7t3Hp6I/AAAAAAAAO4s/0iYwEtSVw4c/s1600-h/image17%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8n9ZO2sTI/AAAAAAAAO4w/eZNdhCG8s6Q/image17_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="177" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8oAZI3YWI/AAAAAAAAO40/VxR8JPwhPSA/s1600-h/image20%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="124" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8oCbQjRuI/AAAAAAAAO48/WdPPI3GYO9o/image20_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></a></p> <p>By tracking the prostate this way, Calypso’s method is supposed see whether buildup of urine in the bladder or gas in the rectum has caused the patient to fall out of careful alignment with the radiation beams. When the beams are off track, they can zap healthy tissue nearby that makes men impotent or incontinent—which most guys I know would rather avoid.<img height="1" src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/Xconomy_Full/~4/2XkO5qWwQMc" width="1" /> </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2009/03/27/calypso-gets-florida-medicare-unit-to-pay-for-gps-for-the-body-for-prostate-cancer/">Calypso Gets Florida Medicare Unit to Pay for “GPS for the Body” for Prostate Cancer</a> </p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/next-nuclear-race-hospitals.html"><font size="1">The next Nuclear Race -Hospitals</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/safety-and-effectiveness-of-using.html"><font size="1">Safety and Effectiveness of Using CyberKnife on Prostate Cancer</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-online-calculator-for-prostate.html">New Online Calculator for Prostate Cancer Patients and Doctors Developed</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/despite-doubts-cancer-therapy-draws.html">Despite Doubts, Cancer Therapy Draws Patients - HIFU Prostate Cancer Procedure</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/fda-approves-hifu-clinical-trial-for.html">FDA Approves HIFU Clinical Trial For Recurrent Prostate Cancer</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-generation-of-radiation-therapy.html">New Generation Of Radiation Therapy More Precise - TomoTherapy for Treatment of Prostate Cancer</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/doctor-and-robot-life-saving-team.html">Doctor and robot a life-saving team - Orange County, CA</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/05/bloodless-prostate-cancer-surgery.html">Bloodless Prostate Cancer Surgery Performed</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/court-blocks-white-house-push-on.html">Court Blocks White House Push on Medicare Expenses</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/doctors-test-advanced-tool-for-treating.html"><font size="1">Doctors Test Advanced Tool For Treating Prostate Cancer</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:7200ba33-7eec-4586-a4b3-fa3f3395be6b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Prostate+Cancer" rel="tag">Prostate Cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Seeding" rel="tag">Seeding</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/real+time+monitoring" rel="tag">real time monitoring</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/radiation+Oncology" rel="tag">radiation Oncology</a></div>

Florida Medicare Paying for “GPS for the Body” - Prostate Cancer

The therapy is not cheap and there’s also the seeding process involved.  The seeds draw the radiation rays to the cancer cells, thus leavin...

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Could your Genome be hacked? “Beta” Hackers Gave it Try - see what they found out…

<p> <font size="2">New Scientist came out with a story about how they wanted to see if they could in fact, get some stolen DNA information sequenced and analyzed. If you are interested in how the actual scenario took place, read it all through, very interesting and the fact that they were able to run the DNA through  </font><a href="http://www.decodeme.com/"><font size="2">Decode Genetics</font></a><font size="2"> and why they chose them instead of </font><a href="https://www.23andme.com/"><font size="2">23andMe</font></a><font size="2"> or </font><a href="http://www.navigenics.com/"><font size="2">Navigenics</font></a><font size="2">,  </font><a href="http://www.decodeme.com/"><font size="2"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="60" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8dsuH3SjI/AAAAAAAAO38/FZMzLYnewLE/image%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></font></a><font size="2"> </font></p> <p><font size="2">Some of the new laws that could be considered might involve making it against the law to extract DNA from a glass used in a restaurant for example.  That is part of what was the sample sent by this group for sequencing.  </font></p> <p><font size="2">The interpretation is also something to be concerned with, as items can differ too.  A while back when I interviewed <strong><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/helicos-biossciences-and-personalized.html">Dr. Milos, Chief Science Officer at Helicos</a></strong>, I asked the same question, and it is still at the same point today as it was 6 months ago, everybody is still doing a lot of talking about it, as there is no catch all answer here.  Soon, we could be living in a world of DNA hackers, as things always find their way to the underworld side of things, with more information floating around than we ever thought could exist.  </font></p> <p><font size="2">On one hand, genomics is playing such an important role in research and development, hopefully allowing us to eventually find cures, but on the other hand we do have this side to be concerned about as well.  <u>How far will the analysis go</u> and could it affect whether or not couples are good candidates for having children, for one simple example, based on what is found, and who knows how the interpretations may vary.  </font></p> <h4><font size="2">This is definitely a <strong>big area of concern for Congress</strong> who will be responsible for laws that guarantee our privacy and I hope they understand the entire process, and <strong>perhaps a few members might be sequenced themselves</strong>, so they understand what it is all about and are able to have some first hand knowledge when it comes to<strong> creating new laws on privacy and genomics.</strong>  When I watched the Senate testimonies on medical records and saw <strong>how little was known</strong> by the membership on that item, frankly it worried me as<u> this is a consumer or human matter that entails everyone with their health</u>, one of the reasons I talk about teamwork and first hand experience being a part of decision making processes.  We do have some laws in place, but do and will they be enough in the next year or two as this is moving an an accelerated rate of growth.  </font></h4> <p><font size="2">On the software page link below, you can explore and see some public samples of individuals who have made their results public and what they found out and potentially how it might or might not change how they think and possibly make future decisions with the new found knowledge.</font>  Check out <a href="http://geekdoctor.blogspot.com/">Dr. Halamka</a> from Harvard, the CIO of Beth Israel Hospital, he’s there with his sequencing listing as public information and <a href="http://geekdoctor.blogspot.com/2008/01/personalized-medicine.html">has talked about his interpretation on his blog too</a>.  </p> <p>This is probably not something the average person may try at home, but a pretty tech savvy individual could do a number on it, just like the story was told here.  The related reading below has some links to others who have been sequenced and they write about their reactions, thoughts, etc, good reading to learn up with.  BD   </p> <blockquote> <p><em>You might have thought that genome hacking requires specialist skills, and personal access to sophisticated equipment. But in recent years, some companies have started to </em><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19926631.500-me-and-my-genome.html"><em>offer personal genome scans to the public</em></a><em> over the internet. Other firms routinely analyze genomes on behalf of scientists involved in human genetics research. In theory, both types of service are vulnerable to abuse by a genome hacker determined to submit someone else's DNA for covert analysis.</em></p> <p><em>Until our investigation, it was not clear whether this would be possible in practice.<strong> Could a hacker with no access to a genetics lab </strong></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8du_tyuaI/AAAAAAAAO4A/Bz3WxMrtiVI/s1600-h/image%5B6%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="293" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8dwm8Vw5I/AAAAAAAAO4E/d-OP8TphsdI/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="293" /></a></p> <p><em><strong>take an item carrying another person's DNA and obtain a sample that companies would accept for scanning?</strong> Would the sample be of high enough quality to yield accurate results? And would genome analysis companies have procedures in place to identify and refuse suspicious orders?</em></p> <p><em>So what would a hacker who had taken Peter's DNA have learned about him? For the DNA taken from the drinking glass, Promethease highlighted a range of SNPs, including those conferring increased risks of baldness, the skin disease psoriasis, and a form of blindness called exfoliation glaucoma. Decode's interpretation of the semen sample was rather different. For instance, it decided from an analysis of eight different SNPs that Peter's risk of developing psoriasis is very low </em><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/articleimages/mg20127013.800/1-special-investigation-how-my-genome-was-hacked.html"><em>(see table)</em></a><em>. And while Promethease and Decode both concluded that Peter is more likely than a typical person to develop Alzheimer's disease, they disagreed on the size of his risk </em><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20127013.800-special-investigation-how-my-genome-was-hacked.html?full=true#bx270138B1"><em>(see "A </em></a><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20127013.800-special-investigation-how-my-genome-was-hacked.html?full=true#bx270138B1"><em>short-lived Alzheimer's scare")</em></a><em>.</em></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>This is the free and open source software used to read up</strong>, once they had the sequencing done to build a report on the SNPs, (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism).  I think overall it was probably a good wake up call for all and gives items related to DNA security something to think about, as these folks were in essence the “Beta” guys giving it a run to hack.  BD</p> <p><u><a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Promethease">Promethease Software to Use for Interpretation</a></u></p> <p>Promethease is a tool to build a report based on <a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/SNPedia">SNPedia</a> and a file of genotypes. Customers of <a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Testing">testing</a> services (<a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/23andMe">23andMe</a>, <a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/DeCODEme">deCODEme</a>, <a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Navigenics">Navigenics</a>, ...) </p> <p>can use it to learn more about their DNA. It can also pool the data from multiple testing services. The program runs for approximately 2 hours. If you make an <b>optional</b> $2 payment via Amazon.com the runtime is reduced to approximately 5 minutes.</p> <p>A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism is also known as a SNP or <strong>snp</strong> (pronounced 'snip'). [These and other terms are briefly defined in our <a href="http://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Glossary">Glossary</a> page.] </p> <p>The importance of SNPs comes from their ability to influence disease risk, drug efficacy and side-effects, tell you about your ancestry, and predict aspects of how you look and even act. SNPs are probably the most important category of genetic changes influencing common diseases. And in terms of common diseases, 9 of the top 10 leading causes of death have a genetic component and thus most likely one or more SNPs influencing your risk. </p> <p><a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20127013.800-special-investigation-how-my-genome-was-hacked.html?full=true">Special investigation: How my genome was hacked - life - 25 March 2009 - New Scientist</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/theres-no-good-reason-to-delay-data.html">There’s No Good Reason to Delay Data Liquidity and Information Sharing in Healthcare..</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-joseph-to-subsidize-physicians-with.html">St. Joseph to Subsidize physicians with EHR - up to 85% of the cost – TouchWorks from Allscripts</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/scripps-navigenics-affymetrix-and.html">Scripps, Navigenics, Affymetrix and Microsoft team on groundbreaking health study – Personalized Medicine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/two-more-hospitals-sign-for-amalga-from.html">Two More Hospitals Sign for Amalga from Microsoft</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/google-founders-talk-about-how.html"><font size="1">Google's Founders Talk about How Ignorance is Not Bliss when it Comes to Health</font></a></h4> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interpreting-genome-understanding-all.html"><font size="1">Interpreting the Genome - understanding all the data</font></a></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/steven-pinker-harvard-professor-of.html">Steven Pinker, Harvard Professor of Psychology talks about his genome, what he found out, what he learned, and how the psychological interpretations are somewhat still up for discussion</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/interpreting-genome-understanding-all.html">Interpreting the Genome - understanding all the data</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/introduction-to-genomics-humans-have.html">An Introduction to Genomics – Humans have Bugs just like Windows does and It’s all about the Code</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/precision-medication-lack-of-education.html">Precision Medication – Lack of Education Holding up Progress for Personalized Medicine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/george-church-talks-about-dna-genomic.html">George Church Talks about DNA Genomic Mapping in Plain Terms</a></h6> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3f411f3e-9de0-4fe0-bc9a-a9684986571e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DNA" rel="tag">DNA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/genome" rel="tag">genome</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hacking" rel="tag">hacking</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pharmacogenomics" rel="tag">pharmacogenomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlhcare" rel="tag">heatlhcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/screening" rel="tag">screening</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/security" rel="tag">security</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/privacy" rel="tag">privacy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sequencing" rel="tag">sequencing</a></div>

Could your Genome be hacked? “Beta” Hackers Gave it Try - see what they found out…

  New Scientist came out with a story about how they wanted to see if they could in fact, get some stolen DNA information sequenced and anal...

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Intel Sees Potential Growth through Investing in Healthcare

<p> I agree, healthcare has a long way to go, but it is work in progress, and it’s not just the hospitals and doctors, it’s also government agencies like the FDA that are in there too.  From a post last year in reference to employees of the FDA not having computers and doing research on paper:  </p> <p><strong><em>“Hello Intel...anybody listening...maybe </em><a href="http://www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/bios/barrett.htm"><em>Craig Barrett</em></a><em>...could we get some </em><a href="http://www.intel.com/intel/worldahead/classmatepc/"><em>Classmates</em></a><em> over there to help out??  BD<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8O5CtxK6I/AAAAAAAAO30/C8U4FxZaQZs/s1600-h/image%5B6%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="142" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc8O68vMPuI/AAAAAAAAO34/-HnxpAOI-D8/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="116" /></a></em></strong></p> <p><em>And then I read this…(from Congress last year)</em></p> <p><em>“<strong>Some of our members don’t even use computers,” Olcott said. “They have some discomfort talking about technology.”</strong> ...so if this happens at the top levels...I do ask myself...where does this leave me?  They have staff that writes the legislation...so who's really in control here<strong>...do we need to lobby the staff instead?  What impact does this have on electronic medical records?  What does this do for HIPAA? ...</strong>some questions kicking around in my head..who is in charge?</em> </p> <p><em>And this…</em></p> <p><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/08/intel-co-founder-donates-100m-for.html"><em>Does Intel know about medical errors,</em></a><em> well first hand Betty Moore, wife of Intel Co-Founder Gordon Moore was the victim of medical errors herself while in the hospital.  This lead to a big contribution lf 100 million to establish  a Nursing School in northern California.</em> <strong><em>A nurse gave her a shot of insulin that was supposed to go to the patient in the next bed. </em></strong></p> <p>It comes down to <strong>business intelligence,</strong> something the banking business had made a living from.  There are some additional Intel related links below on some of their areas of technology and investments outside of the chip, like the car that drives itself, powered by a couple core 2 duo servers.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>MEDELLIN, Colombia (Reuters) - Intel (<a href="http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/overview?symbol=INTC.O">INTC.O</a>) is open to making acquisitions with weakening markets making prices more palatable, and sees technology's key growth areas in healthcare and visual media, outgoing chairman Craig Barrett said on Friday.</p> <p>Barrett, who steps down in May after 35 years at the company, thinks<strong> healthcare should follow the lead of financial services</strong> companies, offering access to medical records any time or place around the globe. </p> <p>"There is huge opportunity going forward in the area of health care. Health care is one of the industries which has really not embraced information technology to a large degree."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/innovationNews/idUSTRE52R03720090328">Intel still open to acquisitions amid slowdown: Barrett | Deals | Reuters</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a784fc57-4886-45e3-a7d1-6bb5985c5582" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Technology" rel="tag">Technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/interoperability" rel="tag">interoperability</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Health+IT" rel="tag">Health IT</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Intel" rel="tag">Intel</a></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading</u></strong>:</p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/12/intel-car-company-could-happen-and.html"><strong>Intel The Car Company – Could Happen and Perhaps a Good Idea as there’s a lot more to this story and technology</strong></a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/11/intel-home-health-monitor-phs-5000-is.html"><font size="1">Intel Home Health Monitor PHS 5000 is here</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/fda-approves-intel-home-care-touch.html">FDA Approves Intel Home-Care Touch Screen Device</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/medicine-is-low-tech-business-clinical.html">Medicine is a Low Tech Business - Clinical Studies still done on paper too!</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/intel-capital-to-take-20m-stake-in.html"><font size="1">Intel Capital to take $20M stake in Telligent Systems</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/intel-buys-mobile-linux-startup.html"><font size="1">Intel buys mobile Linux startup</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/intel-launches-first-medical-device.html"><font size="1">Intel launches first medical device</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/intel-invests-in-genome-sequencing.html"><font size="1">Intel invests in genome-sequencing outfit - California</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/autonomous-carcar-bots-will-save-lives.html"><font size="1">The Autonomous Car…Car Bots Will Save Lives</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/family-caregivers-website-from-intel.html"><font size="1">Family Caregivers Website from Intel</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/06/intel-future-tech-for-robots-and-health.html"><font size="1">Intel's future tech for robots and health care</font></a></h4> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:428fe393-a0a6-4c68-aae1-84bedb461446" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Intel" rel="tag">Intel</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medical+Records" rel="tag">Medical Records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Capital+Investments" rel="tag">Capital Investments</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Telligent" rel="tag">Telligent</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/EMRUpdate" rel="tag">EMRUpdate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+records" rel="tag">medical records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a></div></p>

Intel Sees Potential Growth through Investing in Healthcare

I agree, healthcare has a long way to go, but it is work in progress, and it’s not just the hospitals and doctors, it’s also government age...

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GE Healthcare Penalized for False Advertising Campaign against Bracco Diagnostics

<p> Part of the legal ruling requires that GE retrain their sales representatives and post a press release.  This was a 39 day trial.  It was one of the most  comprehensive examinations of false advertising claims in legal history.</p> <p>The study went as far as the New England Journal of Medicine with the comparison, so here goes a little more journal history to question.  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (“Bracco”) announced today that the United States District Court in Trenton, New Jersey has ruled in favor of Bracco and against GE Healthcare in one of the <strong>most significant false advertising cases to date</strong>. Today’s ruling validates Bracco’s position that GE Healthcare and its predecessor companies, including Amersham, engaged in a false and misleading advertising and promotional campaign in an attempt to make false claims that its x-<strong>ray contrast agent Visipaque™ was superior to Bracco’s market-leading x-ray contrast agent Isovue®.  <a href="http://md.gehealthcare.com/visipaque/"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="78" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc750FuZ26I/AAAAAAAAO3s/eI4m-yIDM38/image%5B17%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="286" /></a></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>In its ruling, the Court found GE Healthcare liable for disseminating false messages in its advertising of Visipaque™. The litigation is primarily related to a clinical study that was published in 2003 by the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> (the NEPHRIC study) comparing two GE Healthcare products: Visipaque™ and Omnipaque®. While the study only compared these two GE Healthcare products, <strong>GE Healthcare misrepresented the study in an attempt to claim that Visipaque™ was safer than other products that were not included in the study</strong>, including Bracco’s Isovue®. In addition, independent studies, Bracco studies, and GE Healthcare’s own clinical research demonstrated the inappropriateness of GE Healthcare’s false claims.  </p> <p><a href="http://usa.braccoimaging.com/isovue/isovue.html"><img alt="image" border="0" height="103" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc751H5O03I/AAAAAAAAO3w/UAOyhOnlL6M/image%5B18%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="294" /></a> </p> <p>As a result of GE Healthcare’s misconduct, the Court permanently enjoined GE Healthcare from making further false claims and ordered them to implement a number of corrective actions,<strong> including a press release and advertisements, to ensure that healthcare providers are correctly informed about the false claims.</strong> The Court also ordered GE Healthcare to pay Bracco $11.4 million in damages.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=51921566&chid=0">News: Court Rules that GE Healthcare Engaged in False Advertising Campaign against Bracco Diagnostics.</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c2a8e4d6-f444-43f8-90c6-754ad87f7c58" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/GE+Healthcare" rel="tag">GE Healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bracco" rel="tag">Bracco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/legal+case" rel="tag">legal case</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/misconduct" rel="tag">misconduct</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/false+advertising" rel="tag">false advertising</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Visispaque" rel="tag">Visispaque</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Isovue" rel="tag">Isovue</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/radiology" rel="tag">radiology</a></div>

GE Healthcare Penalized for False Advertising Campaign against Bracco Diagnostics

Part of the legal ruling requires that GE retrain their sales representatives and post a press release.  This was a 39 day trial.  It was o...

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Health insurance to rise in Australia – Same Issues, Different Country but they do have the “Dole”

<p> A couple months ago I posted on the serious <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/hospitals-across-australia-dealing-with.html">issues of money also facing hospitals in Australia</a>, so they appear to share the same failing business <img align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SHwagaDO8qI/AAAAAAAAINc/F-8Ed-waU7E/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" />model we have for healthcare, but they do have the government who provides healthcare as a back up for those who do not have private health insurance.  Also, it appears some of the perhaps similar marketing models are in place with brokering and getting a commission for referrals for new enrollees.  One story said some of the hospitals were having to buy or borrow supplies from the local veterinarians.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p><strong>THE timing couldn't be worse for many Australians already struggling to make ends meet. From April 1, about 10 million private health insurance customers will pay as much as 12 per cent more for their premiums.</strong></p> <p>The Federal Government has approved average increases of six per cent - equating to an extra $160 a year for a family's hospital and extras cover. </p> <p>Experts say the price hikes will range between four and 12 per cent.  </p> <p>But what if there was a way to buck the trend and make your premium go down? </p> <p>One health-insurance comparison service says it can save people $1000 a year on their health insurance. </p> <p>HelpMeChoose, a free online service, says average Australian families, couples or singles can save money by carefully examining what they want in their policies and excluding non-essential items.  It is a free service to consumers, but HelpMeChoose sometimes receives <strong>payment from its six participating health insurers for referrals.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25256798-5001021,00.html?from=public_rss">Health insurance to rise | The Daily Telegraph</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/hospitals-across-australia-dealing-with.html"><font size="1">Hospitals across Australia Dealing with Crisis Situation</font></a><font color="#669966" size="1"> </font></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/hospital-supplies-from-local-vet.html"><font size="1">Hospital 'gets supplies from local vet' – Australia</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/07/premiums-up-as-750000-ditch-cover.html"><font size="1">Premiums up as 750,000 ditch cover - Australia</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:270cc15d-a815-4edf-a4dd-2c6956d642d7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Australia" rel="tag">Australia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/health+insurance" rel="tag">health insurance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/budgets" rel="tag">budgets</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/budget+cuts" rel="tag">budget cuts</a></div>

Health insurance to rise in Australia – Same Issues, Different Country but they do have the “Dole”

A couple months ago I posted on the serious issues of money also facing hospitals in Australia , so they appear to share the same failing b...

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Senior Doctors: Drug allegations/convictions in the News

<p> It appears tracking of narcotic prescription drugs is on the rise by police officials.  These were 3 different cases in 3 different locations this week.  The 4th article here involves a VA physician who didn’t keep adequate and/or fake records to get patients enrolled  in drug studies, of which we have been hearing quite a bit of in the news today about the accuracy and how they were conducted, as well completely duped records that were made up for the study reports.</p> <p>What 3 of the doctors have in common is the fact that <strong>they are all over 75 years old,</strong> two in their <strong>80s </strong>that were involved with over prescribing drugs and now are either facing time in jail and/or fines.  The one somewhat startling fact was the physician in Tampa who is 83, was called the top prescriber of narcotics in the state and was pretty much aware that he was being watched.  BD  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc7saknzUJI/AAAAAAAAO3k/0bxpg8NQXmE/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="108" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc7scMSqQTI/AAAAAAAAO3o/rPQtN71z22g/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="123" /></a> </p> <p>A Colorado doctor accused of illegally prescribing anti-depressants to a Stanford student who later committed suicide has been convicted of practicing medicine in California without a license.</p> <p>Christian Hageseth, <strong>76, </strong>faces up to a year in county jail, San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.</p> <p>Hageseth had entered a surprise no-contest plea to the felony charge on Feb. 24 in San Mateo County Superior Court. </p> <p>Hageseth prescribed fluoxetine hydrochloride, a generic form of the anti-depressant Prozac, over the Internet to John McKay, a 19-year-old Stanford student and Menlo Park resident in June 2005. Two months later McKay committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning, inhaling car-exhaust fumes at his mother's home.</p> <p><a href="http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=11533">Palo Alto Online : Doctor convicted in Internet prescriptions case</a></p> <p>TAMPA — <strong>Dr. John Rew prescribed so many painkillers that he believed police were watching him.</strong> </p> <p>He was right. </p> <p>On Tuesday, federal marshals arrested the <strong>83-</strong>year-old doctor, who last year told the<i> St. Petersburg Times </i>that a Drug Enforcement Administration agent had called him the <strong>state's top prescriber of narcotic</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article986795.ece">http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article986795.ece</a></p> <p>NEWPORT NEWS - An <strong>82-</strong>year-old Newport News doctor pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to unlawfully distributing drugs, in connection with 700 prescriptions he wrote between January 2007 and March 2008. <br />Dr. Lawrence S. Cowling, who worked as an independent physician at several medical facilities in Newport News, holds a Drug Enforcement Administration registration allowing him to write prescriptions for methadone and other drugs, a U.S. Attorney's Office press statement said.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_doctor_0328mar28,0,1578564.story">http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_doctor_0328mar28,0,1578564.story</a></p> <p>ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A former upstate New York cancer specialist who failed to keep accurate case histories on patients in drug studies has been sentenced to pay more than $500,000 in fines and restitution and serve five years probation.</p> <p>Dr. James Holland was fired from the Stratton VA Medical Center in 2003 along with researcher Paul Kornak. He pleaded guilty in 2007 to federal charges he failed to establish and maintain adequate records and <strong>allowed patients to be improperly enrolled in the drug experiments.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=10084686">http://www.wten.com/Global/story.asp?S=10084686</a></p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:2429df5d-30e6-4218-9d1f-26afe4817dd5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Drugs" rel="tag">Drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/news" rel="tag">news</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/narcotitics" rel="tag">narcotitics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prescription+drugs" rel="tag">prescription drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/painkillers" rel="tag">painkillers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/heatlthcare" rel="tag">heatlthcare</a></div></p>

Senior Doctors: Drug allegations/convictions in the News

It appears tracking of narcotic prescription drugs is on the rise by police officials.  These were 3 different cases in 3 different locatio...

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Four Transplants provided from California Officer who was killed in the line of duty

<p>The officer’s <strong>liver, kidneys and heart</strong> were donated, and all transplants were successfully completed Tuesday and early Wednesday.  Nice reminder for <a href="http://www.donatelifecalifornia.org/"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="141" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc2KeWJaNwI/AAAAAAAAO3g/7J_JBXk1gC8/image%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="114" /></a>all of us to think about being on the donor list.  In California, we have the pink circle right on our driver’s license and it may vary in other states.  If you are not already registered on your driver’s license you can also register on the website.  Sad the officer lost his life in a gun battle doing his job, but wonderful his donations saved 4 other lives.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p><b>(CNN)</b> -- Organs donated by a slain Oakland, California, police officer saved four lives, and his donated tissue will enhance the lives of up to 50 others, the California Transplant Donor Network said Wednesday. </p> <p>Officer John Hege, 41, was pronounced brain dead on Sunday but was kept on life support pending a decision on organ donation. He was the fourth Oakland officer to die after a gunman fired on police in two weekend incidents.</p> <p>"Officer Hege was registered on the <a href="http://www.donatelifecalifornia.org/">Donate Life California Organ and Tissue Registry,</a> which his family also supports," the donor network said in a news release. "He chose in death as he did in life to help those in need. His organ donations saved the lives of four adult males from California."</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/25/officer.organ.donation/index.html?eref=rss_health">Four receive organs from slain California officer - CNN.com</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1656f1c9-ce96-4c53-abc9-b241a66401e7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/transplants" rel="tag">transplants</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Organ+transplants" rel="tag">Organ transplants</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Orgon+Donor" rel="tag">Orgon Donor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Donor+Registry" rel="tag">Donor Registry</a></div>

Four Transplants provided from California Officer who was killed in the line of duty

The officer’s liver, kidneys and heart were donated, and all transplants were successfully completed Tuesday and early Wednesday.  Nice rem...

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Wal-Mart Unveils New Prescription Drug Pilot Program – No Co-Pay for Tier 1

<p> The company is dealing direct and by-passing the 3rd party provider and gets the medications direct from Wal-Mart, so the outside pharmacy benefits manager if left out of the picture, and it appears so is the reporting information, so this may through a bit of a monkey wrench into the reporting process when tracking to see if patients are filling their prescriptions when tracking physician statistics, something that goes on today with using a $4.00 plan.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc0SzWbIdCI/AAAAAAAAO3Y/7LUQ0TWCVKY/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="80" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Sc0S0dD30_I/AAAAAAAAO3c/eaS8znUNq2Q/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="119" /></a></p> <blockquote> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/when-pay-for-performance-and-400.html">When Pay for Performance and $4.00 Generic Prescriptions Hit the Wall</a></h6> <p>Tier one drug listings are pretty much all generic drugs.  BD</p> <p>Wal Mart, which has changed the pharmacy industry by introducing their $4 generic drug program in 2006, announced another program that could revolutionize the prescription drug industry in the US. The company along with Caterpillar, a leading construction company, has embarked on this pilot drug program that could offer no co-pays for employees taking Tier-1 generics.  </p> <p>As a part of this program, some of the select salaried and management employees of Caterpillar as well as its retirees and surviving spouses are allowed to get Tier-1 generic drugs with out filling any co-payment at all Wal-Mart, Sam's Clubs and Neighborhood Market stores from December 31, 2009. Generally, the co-payment for the generic drugs is $5 at other pharmacies. </p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3151173">Wal-Mart Unveils New Prescription Drug Program, Prevents Co-Pay System In US Drug Market</a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:39af4fac-e47c-47e3-ab0d-515818f483ec" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pharma" rel="tag">Pharma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Co-Pays" rel="tag">Co-Pays</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prescriptions" rel="tag">prescriptions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Catapillar" rel="tag">Catapillar</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wal-Mart" rel="tag">Wal-Mart</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pilot+Program" rel="tag">Pilot Program</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Teir+One+Drugs" rel="tag">Teir One Drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a></div>

Wal-Mart Unveils New Prescription Drug Pilot Program – No Co-Pay for Tier 1

The company is dealing direct and by-passing the 3rd party provider and gets the medications direct from Wal-Mart, so the outside pharmacy ...

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Genomics Center Opens at El Camino Hospital - California

<p> The center will offer 9 tests initially and will grow to 50 by year end.  The article stated there are over 2000 currently available, but the hospital is selectively working to find the tests that will best benefit diagnosis and treatments for their patients.  The number of tests is continuing to grow as the field of genomics is rapidly evolving and new breakthroughs in research are almost in the news every week.  The counseling service will be provided free of charge, after all you want to know what the findings mean and how they end up with a better personalized treatment plan.</p> <p>The counseling center will be open for both physicians and patients.  The hospital is using the <strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/amalga/default.mspx">Microsoft Amalga</a> and</strong> as discussed with <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/steve-shihadeh-vp-microsoft-health.html">Steve Shihadeh, vice president, Microsoft Health Solutions Group</a> during an interview a while back, the software is geared to incorporate information as such and create the reporting system that will allow this information along with the normal clinical data to work together.  </p> <p>Cancer treatment is also a focus as OncotypeDx is used to treat women with <strong>breast cancer</strong> and <strong>genomic testing</strong> will help determine whether chemotherapy will or will not help and can serve to avoid the process if tests determine it is not a treatment plan that is going to be effective.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>Dr. Caroline Little Cribari of Mountain View's El Camino Hospital says it can take weeks, if not months, of trial and error to find the right <img align="right" height="124" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SEG56LF-ArI/AAAAAAAAHV4/T31kiy-EONc/image[4].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="179" />medication for a patient with depression.</p> <p>But with the opening of the Genomic Medicine Institute at El Camino Hospital on Thursday, Cribari and her colleagues will be able to take advantage of cutting-edge technologies that use a person's genetics to develop more effective, personalized treatments. The center will offer genetic testing, counseling and therapy. </p> <p>Hospital officials say El Camino is the <strong>first community hospital in the nation</strong> to integrate genomics with standard health care. Specifically, the institute will offer nine different genetic tests through San Francisco-based DNA Direct, which maintains a Web site with information about genetic testing and therapy as well as a counseling call center where experts can advise both physicians and patients.</p> <p>El Camino's new institute puts all the information in one place, Friedenberg said, and tests are contracted out to a third party<strong> so patients receive unbiased advice.</strong> Donations have also allowed the center to offer genetic counseling for free, he said.  Many tests are already helpful. For Cribari's patients, a genetic test might tell her that a person has a metabolism that processes a certain type of drug very quickly, she said. <u>A standard dosage might not help the patient, but the test will tell her they might simply need more of the drug because they're processing it too fast.</u></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12009142">El Camino Hospital in Mountain View opens genomics center - San Jose Mercury News</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/steve-shihadeh-vp-microsoft-health.html"><font size="1">Steve Shihadeh, VP Microsoft Health Solutions Group – The Amalga Software Solution for Aggregating Hospital Information (Interview)</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/two-more-hospitals-sign-for-amalga-from.html"><font size="1">Two More Hospitals Sign for Amalga from Microsoft</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/misys-gets-funds-for-allscripts-deal.html"><font size="1">Misys Gets Funds for Allscripts Deal</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/01/mixed-results-when-hospital-goes-public.html"><font size="1">Mixed results when a hospital goes public - California</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9a39b9a7-108b-4013-bc4c-e63d263e2b7a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healthcare" rel="tag">Healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Amalga" rel="tag">Amalga</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Medical+Records" rel="tag">Medical Records</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/business+Intelligence" rel="tag">business Intelligence</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/El+Camino+Hospital" rel="tag">El Camino Hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Genomics" rel="tag">Genomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Personalized+Medicine" rel="tag">Personalized Medicine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DNA" rel="tag">DNA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/genomic+counseling" rel="tag">genomic counseling</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cancer" rel="tag">cancer</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ele+Camino+Hospital" rel="tag">Ele Camino Hospital</a></div>

Genomics Center Opens at El Camino Hospital - California

The center will offer 9 tests initially and will grow to 50 by year end.  The article stated there are over 2000 currently available, but t...

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HIV risk at Miami VA hospital – Colonoscopy equipment sterilization questioned

<p> Back in January, the VA had another issue with sending instruments and other items via delivery service to another facility to sterilize, which to me doesn’t make sense.</p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/sterilization-at-va-hospital-should.html"><font size="2">Sterilization at a VA Hospital – Should this be outsourced for another VA facility to sterilize tools and equipment used?</font></a></h4> <p>I guess it’s a good thing all of these items are coming to light though so they can be corrected.  This situation here in Florida I hope will have not exposed or been a vehicle for anyone becoming infected.  BD  </p> <blockquote> <p>WASHINGTON -- The Miami Veterans Affairs hospital, which may have exposed thousands of veterans to HIV and hepatitis by using improperly sterilized colonoscopy equipment, gave itself a clean bill of health in January, only to discover problems two months later after a more intensive review, VA officials told U.S. House members in a closed-door briefing Thursday.</p> <p>The green light came weeks after the Department of Veterans Affairs, in a Dec. 22 alert, warned veterans hospitals nationwide to check for problems associated with colonoscopy equipment. The alert followed similar reported problems at a Tennessee VA clinic that also could have exposed thousands of veterans to hepatitis and HIV.</p> <p>The Miami problem arose when the tubing, pump and reservoir used in the colonoscopy procedure were rinsed after use but not disinfected as required by the manufacturer. It created a slight chance that back-flow from the pump could carry tiny amounts of virus into the patient.</p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/5min/story/970042.html">HIV risk at Miami VA hospital not found until 2nd review - 5-Minute Herald - MiamiHerald.com</a></p> <p><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/sterilization-at-va-hospital-should.html"><font size="1">Sterilization at a VA Hospital – Should this be outsourced for another VA facility to sterilize tools and equipment used?</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dbe1fe0a-2cdb-40da-aaeb-3555d9b55da0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hospital" rel="tag">hospital</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/VA" rel="tag">VA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/veterans+Administration" rel="tag">veterans Administration</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/outsourcing" rel="tag">outsourcing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/surgery" rel="tag">surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/HIV" rel="tag">HIV</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/hepatitis" rel="tag">hepatitis</a></div>

HIV risk at Miami VA hospital – Colonoscopy equipment sterilization questioned

Back in January, the VA had another issue with sending instruments and other items via delivery service to another facility to sterilize, w...

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Microsoft Research Trento Centre: Biology and Computer Science Coming Together

<p> This is the convergence of biology and computer science coming together to with a new computer language.  <strong>Algorithmic systems biology</strong> used to benefit both worlds with a new breed of scientists.  A couple of their research partners include Salk Institute for Biological Studies and GlaxoSmithKline.  This is very interesting as some of their studies are directed towards the DNA in food and nutrition to activate genes that could <strong>possibly prevent disease, so this center is all about the prevention at the core.</strong><a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/cosbi-032609.aspx"><strong><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="48" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Scx5lmBza3I/AAAAAAAAO3E/rl3pTikmXPE/image%5B19%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="96" /></strong></a></p> <p>The last line of this article make an interesting point, people and groups have to “grow” into it, in other words it doesn’t work by combining existing groups, a whole new world of research and algorithmic processes.  As I always say, it’ all about software when it comes to research, development and advancing technologies.  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>In February 2005, <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/">Bill Gates</a>, Microsoft chairman, signed an agreement in Prague, along with two ministers of the Italian government, a councilor from the Italian province of Trento, and the rector of the University of Trento, to establish The Microsoft Research – University of<strong> Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (CoSBi).</strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Scx5qbx-CGI/AAAAAAAAO3I/_TN4W0M_5zE/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="264" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Scx5v4XX_GI/AAAAAAAAO3M/HhmjQVWZsNk/image_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="356" /></a>  </p> <p>The centre, focused on the convergence of the life sciences and computer science, was established with a specific, far-reaching vision: to foster the development of “a new kind of scientist, empowered with novel conceptual and computational tools smoothly connecting models and experiments” to “discover and better understand fundamental biological principles at different levels, from molecular to ecological systems, and thereby construct a brighter future for the quality of our lives and our environment.” </p> <p>“Our partnership with the University of Trento has been a longstanding and fruitful one, combining forces to further advance the study of computational science, in particular the <strong>intersection between life sciences and computer</strong> science, and we look forward to further success stories coming out of the lab.”</p> <p><strong><u><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Scx5xfhloBI/AAAAAAAAO3Q/BkgZeDjMcEY/s1600-h/image%5B9%5D.png"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="114" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/Scx5yiclqqI/AAAAAAAAO3U/npAZeP8S0Js/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="190" /></a></u></strong>CoSBi Lab, based on the <strong>new programming language BlenX,</strong> is an effort to develop a complete artificial laboratory that can replicate via computer simulation all the activities usually performed in wet labs. The effort offers features to analyze the outcomes of simulations including main statistical techniques and visualizations of networks of reactions and plots of concentrations.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><u>CoSBi Lab comprises five free, downloadable software prototypes:</u></strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.msr-unitn.unitn.it/index.php/research/prototypes/beta-wb">Beta Workbench</a>: a collection of tools explicitly designed to represent biological entities and their interactions. </li> <li><a href="http://www.msr-unitn.unitn.it/index.php/research/prototypes/cyto-sim">Cyto-Sim</a>: a stochastic simulator of biochemical processes in hierarchical compartments that can be isolated or allowed to communicate via peripheral and integral membrane proteins. </li> <li><a href="http://www.cosbi.eu/index.php/research/prototypes/kinfer">Kinfer</a>: a tool for estimating rate constants of biochemical network models from concentration data measured at discrete time points. </li> <li><a href="http://www.cosbi.eu/index.php/research/prototypes/snazer">Snazer</a>: a modular tool designed to aid the processes of visualizing and manipulating reactive models and to share and interpret time-course data. </li> <li><a href="http://www.msr-unitn.unitn.it/index.php/research/prototypes/redi">Redi</a>: a reaction-diffusion simulator built to test new diffusion models and algorithms. </li> </ul> </blockquote> <p>In addition to better understanding of biological systems that could enhance the use of targeted medicines to fight prominent illnesses, systems-<strong>biology research on nutrigenomics promises insights into how food can interact with DNA to activate genes that prevent the onset of diseases.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/news/features/cosbi-032609.aspx">Trento Centre: Award-Winning Research - Microsoft Research</a></p> <p><strong><font size="1"><u>Related Reading:</u></font></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/microsofts-growing-push-into-life.html"><font size="1" face="Verdana">Microsoft’s Growing Push into Life Sciences</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2007/12/microsoft-research-research-programs.html"><font size="1" face="Verdana">Microsoft Research: Research & Programs for Healthcare</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:37b7d157-7047-4d63-9fa6-c0fadaade43f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Life+Sciences" rel="tag">Life Sciences</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/technology" rel="tag">technology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Microsoft+Research" rel="tag">Microsoft Research</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/biology" rel="tag">biology</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/algorithms" rel="tag">algorithms</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/computer+science" rel="tag">computer science</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CoSBi" rel="tag">CoSBi</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bill+Gales" rel="tag">Bill Gales</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/genomics" rel="tag">genomics</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/DNA" rel="tag">DNA</a></div>

Microsoft Research Trento Centre: Biology and Computer Science Coming Together

This is the convergence of biology and computer science coming together to with a new computer language.  Algorithmic systems biology used...

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Generic biotech drugs discussed in Congress – Bio Similars

<p> This is really a touchy situation, we want drugs that works and for a price where we can all afford.  One way or another it appears it’s going to come about but when and what the stipulations are remain to be one big gray area.  Merck for one is getting set up with one recent purchase to enter the Bio Similar market.  <a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/merck-and-teva-go-to-court-over.html">Right now Merck and Teva are in legal battles over the patent on Singulair,</a> as the validity of the patent is being questioned.  I <img align="right" height="170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SKSZwofmfHI/AAAAAAAAIh8/z4mtKiauaYc/image_thumb[1].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="128" />would guess there’s probably nothing wrong with the patent, but it might be more of an issue of timing.  We are at a time when health care costs are going through the ceiling and the challenge is there because it can be and an agreement to allow a generic to be produced before the original patent time could emerge, again, as Merck may get tired of the legal battle and settle, again this is just something that could occur, due to timing and the demand for affordable drugs.   </p> <p><strong>“The terms </strong><a href="http://www.gene.com/gene/about/views/followon-biologics.html"><strong>"Biosimilar" or "Follow-on Biologic"</strong></a><strong> refer to products that are marketed after expiration of patents, which are claimed to have similar properties to existing biologic products. Due to the complexity of biologics, a product can only be made that is similar, but not identical.”</strong></p> <p>It’s basically coming down to what we have been fighting in healthcare, who’s going to pay the bill, except in this case, who’s going to pay for the R and D?  Biotech drugs are much more complicated and the time to develop is even more so, ask Genentech for one.   </p> <p>The problem with biotech is that it is complicated and not understood and that includes Congress as well as the rest of us.  <strong><a href="http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/55475/">Another blog</a></strong> put it this way:</p> <p><em>"The biotech industry deals with an ongoing basic education challenge: that<u> our industry is not well-understood,"</u> says Gardner. "The science behind biotech is not well understood—the process of going through basic research to clinical trials to successfully delivering a product to patients worldwide.<u> It's incredibly complicated, it takes a long time, and we have to show that process to elected leaders."</u></em></p> <p><em>“In 2000, Trull's firm was engaged by a New Jersey biotech called Anthra (which has since been sold and disbanded) that had a compound designed to <u>treat bladder cancer which had been voted against, by a count of 14-0, by an FDA advisory panel.</u> Trull's team determined that not one member of the advisory panel had expertise in the subject matter. They took the issue to a New Jersey member of Congress, who then brought up the issue with the FDA. <u>The federal agency agreed with the criticism, and added a knowledgeable person to the panel.</u> The product was reconsidered and <u>approved for market.</u> </em></p> <p><em>Often, "technology gets ahead of the regulatory pathways," says Trull. "The FDA is always confronted with these kinds of challenges, and this is where lobbying really matters," she adds.”</em></p> <p><u>Here’s one example of a bio-similar that was rejected by the FDA last year:<img align="left" height="159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/DucknetServices/SIj9P_nkLTI/AAAAAAAAIV8/aMAtC1YcAlA/fda1_thumb[2].png?imgmax=800" style="display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px" width="147" /> </u></p> <p><em>The FDA have given a thumbs down to Genzyme's request for permission to sell its </em><a href="http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/manufacturing-woes-plague-launch-myozyme/2007-08-09"><em>Pompe disease drug Myozym</em></a><em>e manufactured in an Allston, MA plant. Genzyme is already manufacturing the drug in a smaller Framingham-based plant and wants to ramp up production at the larger Allston location.<strong> But the FDA ruled that the Allston-produced Myozyme must "be classified as [a different product] because of differences in the carbohydrate structures of the molecules."</strong> The FDA said Genzyme has to submit a separate BLA to gain approval for Myozyme produced on a larger scale.</em></p> <p>This blog above talks about lobbying, but much in part of what is emphasized is education, so if we could lobby without politics and just focus on educating Congress and their aides, things might go a little smoother, after all we would hate to have a huge potential heart disease biotech drug over looked for one that helps cure baldness, but it happens.  I actually used that comparison as spoken recently by Bill Gates.  </p> <p>The FDA had to find members with experience for their advisory panel, so perhaps we can use some of the same in Congress, some actual scientists as aids to work with and advise them, with a non partisan approach. <strong> It appears much of the R and D is leaving our shores for cheaper ground right now and we either have to compensate less here to bring cost down a bit,  or accept what is delivered in technology from outside our borders, and there’s not much in between.</strong>  We are not the only country in this scenario, but probably the largest with the most at stake.  </p> <p>I read an article this week that was titled<u> <strong>“China is the next Israel, so where does that leave Israel?”,</strong></u> maybe something we might ponder here as well.  BD </p> <blockquote> <p>WASHINGTON (AP) — Biotech drugs that now cost thousands of dollars per month would have to compete with lower-cost generic versions after just five years on the market, under a new congressional proposal.</p> <p>The bipartisan bill introduced Thursday is the latest salvo in a years-long effort to lower the price of biotech drugs, high-tech injectable medications that cost the nation more than $40 billion per year.</p> <p>The proposal from Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, suggests generic drugmakers are gaining traction for their long-sought goal: a speedy, low-cost pathway to market for generic biotech.</p> <p>Biotech drugs, such as the blockbuster cancer drug Avastin, currently don't face generic competition because the Food and Drug Administration doesn't have power to approve copies of such medications. Efforts to change that have been held up for nearly a decade by squabbling between the biotech and generic drug industries and their allies on Capitol Hill.</p> <p>The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America warned Thursday that a shortened exclusivity period could discourage companies from investing in drug development, jeopardizing new medicines and "high-quality, science based jobs."</p> <p>"Developing biologic cures is a complex and difficult undertaking," said a statement from the group. "Congress needs to approach any changes in this arena carefully."</p> <p><strong>The European Union has been approving generic biotech drugs since 2006, with 11 years of exclusivity for original products.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ivpT4fYEXOnPT-Hgz03YcJ0UwuwwD975TNR02">The Associated Press: Generic biotech effort picks up steam in Congress</a></p> <p><strong><u><font size="1">Related Reading:</font></u></strong></p> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/03/here-come-bio-similar-drugs-bill-in.html"><font size="1">Here Come the Bio Similar Drugs – Bill in Congress to allow Follow Me Provisions for the FDA</font></a></h4> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/merck-purchases-insmed-biosimilar.html">Merck Purchases Insmed – Biosimilar Biotech Drug Company</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/10/pfizer-joins-generic-club.html">Pfizer Joins the Generic Club</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/genzyme-gets-biosimilar-rejection.html">Genzyme gets biosimilar rejection</a></h6> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/08/biotech-campaigns-for-easier-access-to.html"><font size="1">Biotech Campaigns for Easier Access to Generic Drug Market - Can we put the decision making process back in the hands of the clinicians..and what about biosimilars...</font></a></h4> <h4><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/04/genzyme-gets-biosimilar-rejection.html"><font size="1">Genzyme gets biosimilar rejection</font></a></h4> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1fef6dab-b124-482f-b48c-65daf801cba0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Biotech" rel="tag">Biotech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Follow+On+Biotech" rel="tag">Follow On Biotech</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/drug+manufacturers" rel="tag">drug manufacturers</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Biosimilar+Drugs" rel="tag">Biosimilar Drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/pipeline" rel="tag">pipeline</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Congress" rel="tag">Congress</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cheap+drugs" rel="tag">cheap drugs</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a></div>

Generic biotech drugs discussed in Congress – Bio Similars

This is really a touchy situation, we want drugs that works and for a price where we can all afford.  One way or another it appears it’s go...

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Atrial Fibrillation – What will be the future standard of care, Warfarin or the Watchman Device?

<p> Just as we are trying to get the genomic test in place for Warfarin, there’s a new device on the horizon. The device, called the Watchman is in clinical trials and the purposes of the device is to have an alternative option to having to take blood thinning medication, and this would be a person who is taking it on a life time treatment program, so not short term here. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.kdg.com/AtritechPatientInfo/">Additional information</a></strong> can be found here from the website as relates to the study and it is under review at the FDA. Medical devices that we once thought were Sci-Fi are appearing on the horizon and in use today. The device is inserted via a catheter, like many of the endovascular procedures today, so the procedure is also minimally invasive. So far 110 individuals have the device in place in current studies. BD </p> <blockquote> <p><u>How is the WATCHMAN implanted? </u>(from the website)</p> <p>Using standard techniques, similar to the ones used in commonly performed angioplasty procedures, your doctor will guide the WATCHMAN device into your heart through a flexible tube (catheter) inserted through a vein in your upper leg. Once the catheter is in the correct position, your doctor will take pictures of your heart in order to take appropriate measurements of your left atrial appendage. These measurements will determine which size WATCHMAN device to use. After the device is put into place, additional measurements and pictures will be taken to make sure the device is in the correct position. Once your doctor has confirmed the position, s/he will release the device to leave it permanently implanted in your heart.</p> <p>With this procedure, you would need to stay in the hospital overnight and recovery will take about 24 hours.</p> <p>MINNEAPOLIS, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- <strong><a href="http://www.atritech.net/">Atritech, Inc.</a></strong> a clinical stage medical device company, announced today that it has completed a <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYrkPsUlI/AAAAAAAAO2s/BCAMuxmcOh4/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img align="right" alt="image" border="0" height="169" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYs4ZxFSI/AAAAAAAAO2w/xQDPAmeGXI8/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="image" width="198" /></a>$30 million round of financing. Thomas, McNerney & Partners led the round along with a substantial investment from Split Rock Partners and insider investments from Prism Ventures, Tullis-Dickerson and Vector Group. Over the past 3 years, the Company has raised approximately $75 million in capital. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYub9VWAI/AAAAAAAAO20/Ka3rsWmCb9g/s1600-h/image%5B16%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYvhtM7YI/AAAAAAAAO24/OKavkRe5Mhc/image_thumb%5B10%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="image" width="141" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYwvQ3ETI/AAAAAAAAO28/-8d_n5SeP44/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_v3zjJigoAPE/ScxYxvq_IiI/AAAAAAAAO3A/pvPW_1qyB78/image_thumb%5B11%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="image" width="135" /></a></p> <p>With this new funding, the Company will complete the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review of the PROTECT AF clinical trial results along with the commercial launch of the WATCHMAN(R) LAA Closure Technology in Europe. The <strong>PROTECT AF clinical trial evaluates the WATCHMAN device versus the current standard of care, warfarin, in patients with atrial fibrillation. </strong></p> <p><strong>In August of 2008, Atritech announced the filing of its Pre-Market Approval Application (PMA) to the FDA</strong>. The Company will present the PROTECT AF results to the FDA's Circulatory System Devices Panel on April 23, 2009. The WATCHMAN device continues to be implanted in a Continued Access Registry (CAP) while the product is under review at the FDA. To date over 110 devices have been implanted in CAP at approximately 20 sites in the U.S. and Europe. </p> <p>Atritech's WATCHMAN device is designed to keep harmful sized blood clots from entering a patient's blood stream, potentially causing a stroke. Patients with AF (a heart condition which causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat too rapidly) are at a greater risk of having a stroke. Typically these patients require blood thinning medications to prevent these clots from forming in the heart. <strong>Current medical therapy requires frequent monitoring and has diet and other drug interactions causing many patients to stop taking them. The WATCHMAN device may be an effective alternative for patients with AF who may not want to take blood thinning medications for life.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><a href="http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hospitals/20090326/CG8952326032009-1.html">Atritech, Inc. :: Atritech Completes $30 Million Financing</a></p> <p><strong><u>Related Reading:</u></strong></p> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/plavix-whats-next-step-for-doctors-and.html">Plavix – What’s the next step for doctors and patients – possible genetic testing in the near future?</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/01/genetic-warfarin-test-not-cost.html">Genetic warfarin test not cost-effective in guiding initial dosing of common blood thinner</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-going-to-pay-for-warfarin-test.html">Who's going to pay for the Warfarin Test - Personalized Medicine</a></h6> <h6><a href="http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2009/02/genetic-testing-improves-some-warfarin.html">Genetic Testing Improves Some Warfarin Dosing</a></h6> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d648a724-0fac-46aa-bc7e-835cf70227b6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Arterial+Fibrillation" rel="tag">Arterial Fibrillation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Warfarin" rel="tag">Warfarin</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/catheters" rel="tag">catheters</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/endovascular+surgery" rel="tag">endovascular surgery</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/healthcare" rel="tag">healthcare</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/medical+devices" rel="tag">medical devices</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/FDA" rel="tag">FDA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Watchman" rel="tag">Watchman</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Atritech" rel="tag">Atritech</a></div>

Atrial Fibrillation – What will be the future standard of care, Warfarin or the Watchman Device?

Just as we are trying to get the genomic test in place for Warfarin, there’s a new device on the horizon. The device, called the Watchman ...

Read more »