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Health lobbying ranges from below the radar to high profile

A Charlotte, N.C., law firm is operating a secretive group called Americans for Quality and Affordable Healthcare to attempt to shape lawmakers' and the public's opinions on health reform, the Associated Press reports.

16 Nov 2009

Drug makers hike prices, lobby hard as reform efforts progress

Drug makers are bracing for reform by raising their prices - by 9 percent in the last year, perhaps the fastest rate since 1992, The New York Times reports. This happened "even as drug makers promise to support Washington's health care overhaul by shaving $8 billion a year off the nation's drug costs after the legislation takes effect." The increases "will add more than $10 billion to the nation's drug bill, which is on track to exceed $300 billion this year."

16 Nov 2009

Onyx Pharmaceuticals acquires Proteolix

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the company has completed its acquisition of Proteolix, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapies that target the proteasome for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

16 Nov 2009

Coming this week: New law to prevent discrimination based on genes

"The most important new antidiscrimination law in two decades — the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act — will take effect in the nation's workplaces next weekend, prohibiting employers from requesting genetic testing or considering someone's genetic background in hiring, firing or promotions," The New York Times reports.

16 Nov 2009

Insuring immigrants a sticking point between House, Senate health reform bills

The Washington Post reports that the question of how and if some immigrants will have access to care under health care reform remains one of the sticking points between the chambers as the Congressional debate unfolds.

16 Nov 2009

Both sides puzzle over abortion amendment in House health bill

Newspapers continue to report on the Stupak amendment to the House health bill and how it will affect access to abortion.

16 Nov 2009

Today's opinions and editorials

Many liberals remain angry and disappointed that single-payer legislation never stood a chance in Washington. To them, a government-run health-care system seemed an obvious way to put patients ahead of profits. But a single-payer system would have put us at the mercy of whomever happened to take control of Washington (Maggie Mahar, 11/15).

16 Nov 2009

2009 report: False Medicare claims cost government more than $47 billion

The Associated Press: "The government paid more than $47 billion in questionable Medicare claims including medical treatment showing little relation to a patient's condition, wasting taxpayer dollars at a rate nearly three times the previous year.

16 Nov 2009

Cord Blood reports its 10Q filing with the U.S. SEC for the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company (http://www.cordblood-america.com ) focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, announced today that its 10Q filing with the U.S. SEC for the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, confirmed its announcements throughout 2009 that it is significantly reducing debt.

16 Nov 2009

Gentium to present Defibrotide trial data at the ASH meeting

Gentium S.p.A. announced today that results from the Company’s Phase II/III Pediatric Prevention trial and Phase III Treatment trial for Defibrotide of Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease will be presented at American Society of Hematology Conference (ASH), December 5-8 in New Orleans.

16 Nov 2009

Lotus Pharmaceuticals reports $5.4 million net earnings for third-quarter 2009

Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a growing developer and producer of prescriptions drugs and licensed national seller of pharmaceutical products in the People's Republic of China, today reported third-quarter 2009 net earnings were $5.4 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with $3.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in 2008. Net revenues were $14.5 million during the third quarter of 2009, compared with $16.7 million in the third quarter of 2008.

16 Nov 2009

Eclipsys’ Sunrise Patient Flow solution activated successfully at Singapore General Hospital

Eclipsys Corporation®, The Outcomes Company®, today announced that Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore's oldest and largest acute tertiary hospital and national referral center, has successfully activated Eclipsys’ Sunrise Patient Flow™ solution.

16 Nov 2009

Erbitux recognized as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has once again recognized Erbitux® (cetuximab) as one of the major clinical cancer advances of 2009. This year Erbitux was selected by ASCO for providing the first significant increase in survival for 30 years in the treatment of patients with 1st-line recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

16 Nov 2009

Color of skin impacts health, say researchers

Researchers from the universities of Bristol and St. Andrews in the UK have found that the color of a person's skin affects how healthy and therefore attractive they appear, and have found that diet may be crucial to achieving the most desirable complexion. The work will be published in the December issue of Springer's International Journal of Primatology.

16 Nov 2009

China Medicine reports total revenues of $19.2M for the third quarter of 2009

China Medicine Corporation, a developer and a leading distributor of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), nutritional and dietary supplements, and medical devices and medical formulations, today announced its third quarter 2009 results.

16 Nov 2009

Fate Therapeutics announces the completion of $30 million Series B financing

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has completed a $30 million Series B financing led by OVP Venture Partners. Joining OVP Venture Partners in the financing is a syndicate of corporate investors, including Astellas Venture Management, Genzyme Ventures and a third undisclosed corporate investor.

16 Nov 2009

Preliminary fourth-quarter 2009 financial results from Winner Medical

Winner Medical Group Inc., today reported preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter 2009. The unaudited numbers are subject to change.

16 Nov 2009

Cambridge Heart announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

Cambridge Heart, Inc., today reported results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. The following financial and strategic items highlight the Company’s activity for the third quarter.

16 Nov 2009

Cortex Pharmaceuticals reports a net loss of $0.06 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported a net loss applicable to common stock of $3,243,000, or $0.06 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared with a net loss applicable to common stock of $3,148,000, or $0.07 per share for the corresponding prior year period.

16 Nov 2009

FDA approves Lysteda for treating menorrhagia

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an integrated specialty pharmaceutical company with both development and commercial capabilities focused on women's healthcare and pain management, announced today that Lysteda(TM) (tranexamic acid) oral tablets has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treatment of women suffering from cyclic heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), also known as menorrhagia.

16 Nov 2009