Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

FDA approves new xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 39 Kit v2 from Luminex

Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX), the worldwide leader in multiplexed solutions, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new cystic fibrosis (CF) test: the xTAG® Cystic Fibrosis 39 Kit v2.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 4 Sep 2009

Department of Health's guidance on swine flu vaccination leaves local health chiefs confused

Thousands of frontline health workers in England are trapped in a postcode lottery after Department of Health (DH) guidance on swine flu vaccination has left local health chiefs confused over who is eligible for the jab.

4 Sep 2009

U.S. hospitals place high precedence on environmentally responsible practices

Summary: Results of a recent survey commissioned by StandPoint indicate that U.S. Hospitals are putting a higher priority on implementing environmentally responsible practices. The major initiatives fall into two groups -- Waste Stream Management and Infrastructure.

4 Sep 2009

Complaint filed against Coventry for violating the Exchange Act

Coughlin Stoia Geller Rudman & Robbins LLP (“Coughlin Stoia”) today announced that a class action has been commenced on behalf of an institutional investor in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on behalf of purchasers of the common stock of Coventry Health Care, Inc. (“Coventry” or the “Company”) between February 9, 2007 and October 22, 2008, inclusive (the “Class Period”), seeking to pursue remedies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

4 Sep 2009

Giant Eagle offers generic prescription antibiotics for free at its in-store pharmacies

At a time when many families affected by a difficult economy are struggling with the costs of prescription medications, supermarket retailer Giant Eagle, Inc. is making ten broadly used generic prescription antibiotics in 46 common dosages available for free every day at all of its 210 in-store pharmacies.

4 Sep 2009

Lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Walgreen

St. Louis-based law firm Carey & Danis LLC announces the filing of four civil lawsuits on behalf of twenty plaintiffs against Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc., the makers of the powerful antibiotic Levaquin, as well as the Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG), which sells the drug.

4 Sep 2009

Covidien to divest three product lines to streamline its portfolio

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced definitive agreements to sell its Sleep Diagnostics and Oxygen Therapy product lines and a proposal to sell its Sleep Therapy product line.

From Chart Industries 4 Sep 2009

Lessons for America: comparing health systems across Europe

Forbes published a package of articles and opinion pieces called "Public Vs. Private Health Care," which compares health care systems across Europe.

4 Sep 2009

Health workers' misdeeds kept in secret database

NPR: "Twenty-two years ago, the federal government started keeping a list of nurses, nurse aides, pharmacists and pharmacy aides who've been disciplined by state licensing boards. It's called the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. But hospitals and nursing homes aren't allowed to see the database." The database was intended to be "open to hospitals and nursing homes when they hire staff and want to run a background check.

4 Sep 2009

Expectations high for Obama's 'Major Address' to Congress on health reform

President Obama plans to address Congress on Wednesday, only a day after lawmakers return from their August break, to spell out in detail his vision for overhauling health care, The Associated Press reports. The move signals that "Democrats have all but given up hope for a bipartisan breakthrough by Senate Finance Committee negotiators," because that committee - the only one seeking across-the-aisle compromise - had been given a Sept. 15 deadline.

4 Sep 2009

Catholics believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege: Catholics for Choice

As Congress returns from the summer recess, we hope that we will soon see an honest and productive debate on truly comprehensive healthcare reform that leads to positive changes in healthcare accessibility for women and men in the United States.

4 Sep 2009

Two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of CPX-351 to be showcased

Celator Pharmaceuticals today announced that Scott Jackson, chief executive officer, is scheduled to present at the Thomas Weisel Partners 2009 Healthcare Conference in Boston.

4 Sep 2009

A California consumer group says major insurers coerced employees to lobby

"The nation's two largest health insurers have been pressuring employees to lobby against healthcare reform in Congress in violation of a California law against coerced political activity, a consumer group alleged Wednesday," the Los Angeles Times reports.

3 Sep 2009

Criminal pricing of Merck’s HIV/AIDS drug Isentress challenged by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation

As part of its ongoing campaign to lower drug prices and increase access, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today unveiled its latest advocacy campaign challenging Merck and Co. Pharmaceuticals over the steep price of its key HIV/AIDS drug, Isentress (raltegravir). The first phase of the public awareness campaign includes a postcard mailer, scheduled to arrive this week in the mailboxes of residents of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, where Merck is headquartered.

3 Sep 2009

MPI Research appoints Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing

MPI Research announced today that Thomas Laughlin will join the company as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing and will be a member of the company’s Corporate Management Team. Laughlin’s 30+ years of executive experience span several of the world’s largest and most successful healthcare products companies.

3 Sep 2009

Atlantic Health uses SuccessFactors Performance and Talent Management Suite

SuccessFactors, Inc., the global leader in on-demand performance and talent management solutions, announced today that Atlantic Health, which was recently named by FORTUNE as one of the "100 Best Companies To Work For," is using SuccessFactors Performance and Talent Management Suite to help improve overall business performance by aligning employee performance goals with overall company goals, and streamline its talent management processes.

3 Sep 2009

UK Performance Network signs agreements with South West and thirteen PCTs

The UK Performance Network announced it has signed agreements with the South West Strategic Health Authority and thirteen primary care trusts (PCTs) in the South West as new subscribers.

3 Sep 2009

SIMH's CEO announces the launch of Sanomedics Development Corporation

Keith Houlihan, president and Chief Executive Officer of Sanomedics International Holdings Inc., today announced the launch of Sanomedics Development Corporation, to be led by Abhishek Shrivastava, Chief Technology Officer.

3 Sep 2009

First edition: September 3, 2009

In today's headlines, President Obama announces that he will address a joint session of Congress next week in an effort to regain control of the health care reform debate.

3 Sep 2009

Pfizer finalizes settlement agreement with U.S. DOJ regarding past promotional practices

Pfizer Inc today announced that it has finalized a previously reported agreement in principle with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle an investigation regarding past off-label promotional practices related to Bextra, which Pfizer voluntarily withdrew from the market in 2005.

3 Sep 2009