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CVS Caremark supports FDA pathway for approval of biogeneric options

CVS Caremark reiterated the company's support that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implement regulations necessary to approve biogeneric drugs under the Affordable Care Act. The company's Senior Vice President of Specialty Pharmacy Operations, Scott Reid, testified before the FDA today during a public hearing to address the development of an approval pathway for biosimilar and interchangeable biological products held at the agency's headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

3 Nov 2010

Three states to cast ballots on health insurance mandate; Others consider abortion and marijuana questions

"Voters in three states will cast ballots Tuesday on the new healthcare law's individual mandate to buy insurance," The Hill reports. "Arizona and Oklahoma are expected to pass the state constitutional amendment, but it faces an uphill battle in Colorado. The measure on the ballot in Arizona and Oklahoma is modeled after legislation drafted by the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council.

3 Nov 2010

Races sometimes hinging on health law issues go down to the wire

Races around the nation are coming down to the wire Tuesday and the controversial health law continues to play a role in the campaign.

3 Nov 2010

Health reform law: Tax credits may boost coverage; rationing still hot word

The number of small businesses offering health insurance to workers is projected to increase sharply this year, recent data show, a shift that researchers attribute to a tax credit in the health law.

3 Nov 2010

Insuring your health: Seniors should consider changes in Medicare Part D plans

In her latest Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "If you're on Medicare Part D, this month marks the beginning of the annual enrollment time when beneficiaries can try to pick the plan that provides the best coverage for their prescription drugs.

3 Nov 2010

Decisions on health law's fate start today as GOP seems poised for gains

Expected Republican wins in Congress and in statehouses throughout the country Tuesday would likely slow down implementation of the law and make the debate even more contentious but not outright stop the law.

3 Nov 2010

Almost Family acquires home health agency from Fayette County Memorial Hospital

Almost Family, Inc. today announced that it has acquired the assets of the Medicare-certified home health agency owned by Fayette County Memorial Hospital located in Washington Court House, OH.

3 Nov 2010

Seniors play powerful role in today's elections

The Christian Science Monitor: "Seniors and baby boomers are more engaged in the election and more excited about voting than any preelection polling has found since 1994, according to the Pew Research Center. While it was considered to be youth that ushered in the Obama revolution, it is the older generation that is wielding more power now.

3 Nov 2010

Talecris announces launch of PROLASTIN-C in Canada

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today the Canadian launch of PROLASTIN®-C (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human])(A1PI), a more concentrated and purified formulation of PROLASTIN®, the only approved alpha1-augmentation therapy in Canada for more than 20 years. PROLASTIN-C delivers twice the active protein per milliliter as PROLASTIN, cutting the infusion volume and time in half when given at the recommended rate of 0.08 mL/kg/min.

3 Nov 2010

Medicare Roundup: Courts widen coverage of skilled care; experts give enrollment advice

Two federal courts have ruled that the Obama administration is using overly strict standards to determine whether older Americans are entitled to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing home care and home health care.

3 Nov 2010

RehabCare third quarter operating revenue increases 64.7% to $342.7 million

RehabCare Group, Inc. today reported the following financial results. During the 2010 second quarter, the Company recorded a $1.7 million unfavorable pretax revenue adjustment for estimates of additional amounts due on 2007 and 2008 cost reports for one of its inpatient rehabilitation facilities.

3 Nov 2010

Debt panel on hold until election cycle ends

The New York Times: President Barack Obama's bipartisan debt-reduction commission is in a holding pattern until after the volatile elections. They'll begin private meetings just afterwards, leaving only three weeks to complete their work. "

2 Nov 2010

Medco third quarter net revenue increases 10.3% to $16.3 billion

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. today reported record third-quarter 2010 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.85, up 23.2 percent compared to $0.69 for the third quarter of 2009. Adjusting for the amortization of intangible assets that existed when Medco became a publicly traded company in 2003, third-quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share increased 21.3 percent to a record $0.91, from $0.75 in the third quarter of 2009.

2 Nov 2010

AmerisourceBergen fiscal fourth quarter revenue increases 5.3% to $19.7 billion

AmerisourceBergen Corporation today reported that in its fiscal year 2010 fourth quarter ended September 30, 2010, diluted earnings per share increased 13.6 percent to $0.50, and revenue increased 5.3 percent to a record $19.7 billion.

2 Nov 2010

Watson enters exclusive agreement with OMJPI to market authorized generic Concerta

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., has entered into an exclusive agreement with Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMJPI), to market the authorized generic version of Concerta® (methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets). Watson will launch its authorized generic of Concerta on May 1, 2011. Concerta is indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

2 Nov 2010

Fresenius third quarter net revenue increases 6% to $3,058 million

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA: Net revenue for the third quarter of 2010 increased by 6% to $3,058 million compared to the third quarter of 2009. Organic revenue growth worldwide was 6%.

2 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 2, 2010

Today's headlines highlights news stories that include speculation about what will become of the health reform law after the election.

2 Nov 2010

CareChex releases new study on University Hospital Care in the U.S.

CareChex, a division of The Delta Group specializing in rating the quality of hospital and physician care, today released a new study, An Assessment of the Quality of University Hospital Care in the U.S., that investigates whether or not university hospitals outperform other hospitals on objective measures of quality.

2 Nov 2010

Women neglect long-term care planning

November is designated as national Long-Term Care Awareness Month to build awareness for the type of care needed by individuals who have a chronic illness or disability. By 2020, some 12 million older Americans will require long-term care services according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). Many women assume that government programs like Medicare or Medicaid will completely cover the cost of all long-term care needs.

2 Nov 2010