¶ 6:48 PM 0 commentsAvoid Online Drug ScamsLakewood, WA (PRWEB) October 19, 2005 -- Consumers Discount Rx and Trusted Online Prescriptions succeed in returning honesty and trust to purchasing online prescriptions.
Insurance costs and lawsuits are continually driving up the price of drugs. As a result, more and more online drug stores are selling poor quality and even illegal medications disguised as being fast, reliable and real. This is a costly and potentially unhealthy mistake many consumers make. Consumers Discount Rx achieves where others do not. They offer savings of up to 60% (and I have been told will soon increase even further) and are able to offer free consultations by U.S. licensed physicians and next day FedEx shipping. All major drugs are available and are FDA-approved. Products are genuine and could not be sold legally without government approval. This provides the consumer an easy and dependable way to order and purchase their desired prescriptions and to avoid paying super-inflated overhead costs. Most importantly, they can trust doing so from the security of home.
Unfortunately, black markets selling drugs indeed exist. So do websites that offer cheap, affordable drugs without disclosing hidden costs or divulging the origins of their products. Certainly, most would agree that not all companies are equal. The truth is that people want genuine products, an opportunity to save money, AND the ability to trust. Trusted Online Prescriptions is an affiliate of CDRx and provides precisely what its name says. It is listed among many popular search engines and is continually expanding its global market. The goal is that more and more people will find new confidence in purchasing legal prescription medication from their homes.
For more information about products and/or affiliations, see contact information below.
Consumers Discount Rx.com, Inc. and AmeriMedRx Industries, LCC together (cdrx.AmeriMedRx) is one of the most trusted online medical offices. It offers medical consultation by U.S. licensed physicians, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and prescription processing. Currently reaching 59 countries worldwide, it respects the Internet as a means to provide to anyone, anywhere and at anytime. It believes in discreet and confidential service. The company and its affiliates is a family whose dedication to pursuing integrity and satisfaction is reflected in its clients testimonies and returning business.
Contact Information:
Evin Lambert
Trusted Online Prescriptions
1(800)771-3299, customer service (referral elambert)
1(877)745-5780, fax
http://www.consumersdiscountrx.com/ elambert
# # #
Press Contact: Evin Lambert
Company Name: Trusted Online Prescriptions
Email: elambert@consumersdiscountrx.com
Phone: (253) 691-7088
Website: http://www.consumersdiscountrx.com/ elambert
¶ 10:03 AM 0 commentsThe Best Way to Protest High Drug Costs: Buy Canadian and Cut Your Bill in Half, Says CanadaWayDrugs.comVancouver, BC (PRWEB) October 13, 2005 -- American patients have been forced into a game of medical cat and mouse dictated by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies. The only way to afford their drugs is to obtain medical insurance. But often the coverage is either insufficient or almost as unaffordable as the drugs themselves. That is why 43 million Americans have no health insurance whatsoever and another 25 million suffer through marginal coverage.
No longer is it just seniors that lack coverage but now a growing segment of the working poor and middle class find themselves without prescription insurance. Too poor to be rich and too rich to be poor, they do not qualify for income based subsidies like Medicaid or other special assistance programs. As well, employers are less likely to cover drug expenses and many are already starting to downsize their benefit programs. Most small businesses simply can not afford to cover their employee's health costs. With premiums and co-pays rising as fast as drug prices, there is virtually no relief in sight for the uninsured patient.
But help is available from a northern neighbor like CanadaWayDrugs.com (www.CanadaWayDrugs.com) in Vancouver, British Columbia where drug savings average 48% vs. a popular U.S. chain.
CanadaWayDrugs.com is a licensed pharmacy that was recently inspected by the Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. We were informed by Nevada that our pharmacy met or exceeded their licensing criteria and will receive approval once the program begins, says Fabina Kara, pharmacist, and CEO of CanadaWayDrugs.com. That says we are as good as any pharmacy in Nevada and our drugs are as safe as any sold in the U.S. We've known that for years but now it's proven. This should dispel any theory that Canadian pharmacies are substandard.
A rash of recent media propaganda has surfaced from numerous pharmaceutical front groups in efforts to thwart importation legislation and prop up the contentious Medicare Part D drug program. These groups are well known shills for the drug companies and they are trotting out the same contrived arguments about safety and endangered R&D. These are obvious scare tactics but there are only so many times that you can play the bio-terrorism and counterfeit card and still be credible, adds David MacKay, Director of Communications at CanadaWayDrugs.com and former executive director of CIPA.
The drug companies and their friends have mounted a campaign to malign the safety and security of mail-order drugs from Canada but it's wearing thin. Incidence of drug counterfeiting is much higher in the U.S. and virtually non-existent in Canada.
MacKay points to a growing body of evidence that proves his pharmacy and others actually exceed the safety standards set for domestic U.S. pharmacies. Medications have been mailed from licensed and legitimate Canadian pharmacies for 5 years without medical incident. U.S. states and cities are now endorsing and even licensing Canadian pharmacies after rigorous on-site inspections.
My recommendation to these hired guns for the drug industry is to refrain from intentionally distorting the facts to deceive American patients. They have very little knowledge about how Canadian pharmacies operate and merely play on fears and bogus economic theories. If they were truly concerned about illegitimate drug suppliers, that would be fine but patients can simply stick with real pharmacies like CanadaWayDrugs.com and there won't be any problem.
To view a useful Medicare benefit calculator and that also compares the cost of Canadian medications visit the CanadaWayDrugs.com website at www.CanadaWayDrugs.com
CanadaWayDrugs.com also fills prescriptions for www.Doctorsolve.com (under B.C. license # Q37) and has been serving American patients safely for 5 years.
Media contact:
David MacKay
(204) 955-3714
# # #
Press Contact: David Mackay
Company Name: CanadaWayDrugs.com
Email: dave@canadawaydrugs.com
Phone: 204-955-3714
Website: www.CanadaWayDrugs.com
Free Blog/Web Site Counter http://www.cohit.com/
Free counters for web sites and blogs. Fast, easy sign-up does not even require an email address. Several styles to choose from and they are easy to install with very little impact on your page's load time. Find out how your site or blog is really doing!
¶ 10:40 PM 0 commentsAuriga Laboratories Names Pharmaceutical Industry Leader as CEONorcross, GA (PRWEB) October 10, 2005 -- Auriga Laboratories, Inc.,www.aurigalabs.com, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that the board of directors has named Guy M. Amato to serve as CEO, effective Oct. 1, 2005.
Mr. Amato brings more than 15 years of pharmaceutical industry experience to this position. In his most recent position, he served as president and CEO of a leading pharmaceutical marketing services company where he led a successful turnaround resulting in revenue growth of more than 100 percent and 27 consecutive months of profitability. As an executive at Glaxo Wellcome (now known as GlaxoSmithKline), he formerly spent nearly a decade in sales, marketing and strategic business analysis. Mr. Amato has extensive experience in the planning and execution of successful product launches and commercialization. He has worked in pharmaceutical manufacturing and managed care, as well as pharmaceutical marketing services.
In addition to his duties related to leading and managing the operations of Auriga Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Amato will also sit on the board of directors to ensure that the company has the resources and optimal strategic relationships for maximizing company value.
"We are very excited to have Guy join our team, his pharmaceutical industry experience, track record, and strong leadership will ensure the successful execution of our commercial strategies and tactics", said Glynn Wilson, PhD, board chairman.
"I am very much looking forward to working with and leading the tremendous management team assembled at Auriga, said Amato. Our strategy of identifying strong brands, enhancing their profile through development, and executing targeted sales and marketing activities will result in company success and increased market value.
About Auriga
Auriga Laboratories, Inc. develops and markets new prescription products for approved drugs using proprietary drug delivery technologies and reformulation strategies. The specialty pharmaceutical company has a development division, based in Danbury, Connecticut, and a commercialization division, based in Norcross, Georgia. A highly integrated team of experienced pharmaceutical executives manages product life cycle from development through marketing and sales. The company currently markets Extendryl®, a prescription cough/cold medication, and Trycet, used to manage pain. More information is available at the company's website at: www.aurigalabs.com
# # #
Press Contact: Jamie O'Donnell
Company Name: Auriga Labs
Email: jamie.odonnell@seo-pr.com
Phone: 415 643 8947
Website: www.aurigalabs.com
Free Blog/Web Site Counter http://www.cohit.com/
Free counters for web sites and blogs. Fast, easy sign-up does not even require an email address. Several styles to choose from and they are easy to install with very little impact on your page's load time. Find out how your site or blog is really doing!
¶ 2:40 PM 0 commentsCOPHARM Conference for the Online Pharmaceutical Industry to be Held November 29-30, 2005 in Costa Rica(PRWEB) October 17, 2005 -- Ticonderoga Ventures, Inc. announces the 3rd annual Conference for the Internet Pharmaceutical Industry (COPHARM) will be held on November 29-30, 2005 at the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Sales of pharmaceuticals over the internet continues to be one of the most controversial topics. The Online Pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing internet businesses today.
Cross-border sales of pharmaceuticals from Canada, Europe and the Far East to the USA via internet purchases has been debated in various legislatures, including U.S.Congress. While several municipalities and US States continue to explore sourcing lower cost pharmaceuticals from abroad, the COPHARM conference discusses the online business that exists today and issues surrounding it.
The COPHARM conference and expo will focus on the following topics:
-- Pricing Issues
-- Cross-Border Pharmaceutical Sales and Distribution
-- Re-Importation of Pharmaceuticals
-- Consumer Marketing Online
-- Government Outsourcing (both State and Federal)
-- Internet Payment Processing for Pharmaceutical Products
-- Rules & Regulations (including NAFTA)
-- Ethical Procedures for Fulfilling Medical Prescriptions with Online Pharmacies
-- Insurance Issues
Attending the event will be pharmaceutical industry executives as well as local, state and federal government representatives looking to outsource pharmaceuticals. Also attending will be pharmaceutical manufacturers, executives from software companies, alternative payment processors, consumer organizations, marketing executives, affiliates of
pharmaceutical related sites, entrepreneurs and others that service the industry.
For more information, please visit the website (http://www.COPHARM.com) or contact:
Marketing and Logistics Representative
Ticonderoga Ventures, Inc.
Tel: USA +1 (212) 722-1744 Ext. 74
Fax: USA +1 (208) 728-6456
###
Press Contact: Marc Lesnick
Company Name: TICONDEROGA VENTURES, INC.
Email: sc101@mail.com
Phone: 212 722 1744
Website: http://www.copharm.com
¶ 8:26 PM 0 commentsMulti-Tasking Benefits of Automated Pharmacy Robot and Patient Safety
Denver, CO (PRWEB) September 29, 2005 -- In the pursuit of patient safety in dispensing medications in hospitals, Swisslog has released a new version of its pharmacy robot. A central piece in the complete PillPick® automated drug management system, the DrugNest robot provides high-density, automated storage of bar-coded unit doses.
The DrugNest robot automatically receives bar coded, unit-dose medications from the PillPick packaging unit. It then loads the unit doses onto storage pins within the DrugNest providing capacity up to 44,400 unit doses and 4,400 line items. The storage system is modular allowing added capacity as needs change.
The system has two independent robots, one at each end, so it can perform simultaneous tasks such as storing and dispensing, or dispensing of first doses and stats without interrupting cart fill dispensing. Further, medications returned from the nursing units can be automatically restocked into the robot and credited to the patient account during the packaging or dispensing cycles.
A major benefit of the system is patient safety, as expired medications are purged automatically or on demand and therefore eliminates dispensing of expired medication. In addition, all processes are fully automatic with no human intervention required.
To learn more about Swisslogs pharmacy automation solutions, visit our website at: http://www.swisslog.com/hcs-index/hcs-systems/hcs-pharmacy.htm.
Swisslog offers a new brochure that describes the new DrugNest storage system with the automated medication return capability. The brochure can be downloaded in PDF format by visiting our healthcare solutions Literature Downloads page on our website, www.swisslog.com. The DrugNest automated storage system brochure details features, benefits and technical specifications. Printed copies can be obtained by calling Swisslog toll-free at 800-764-0300.
About Swisslog
Swisslog is a global provider of integrated logistics solutions for warehouses, distribution centers and hospitals. The comprehensive portfolio ranges from building complex warehouses and distribution centers including Swisslogs software, in-house logistics solutions for hospitals as well as software and consulting services in the field of supply chain management. Swisslogs solutions optimize the customers production, logistics and distribution processes in order to increase their flexibility, responsiveness and quality of service, while minimizing logistics costs. Headquartered in Buchs/Aarau, Switzerland, Swisslog currently employs 1,850 staff in 23 countries.
Swisslog is a world leader for healthcare logistics automation having installed material transport and pharmacy automation systems in more than 2,000 hospitals and pharmacies around the world. To learn more about Swisslogs healthcare solutions, visit our website at www.swisslog.com and click on Healthcare Solutions.
###
Press Contact: Charles Warren
Company Name: SWISSLOG
Email: charles.warren@swisslog.com
Phone: 303-373-7923
Website: http://www.swisslog.com/hcs-index.htm
Retail Pharmacy Forms Coalition for Meaningful Medicaid Reform
Launches Ad Campaign Aimed at Congressional Budget Cuts
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to concerns about the potential impact of Medicaid budget cuts on healthcare, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) announced today the formation of the Coalition for Meaningful Medicaid Reform (CMMR). The Coalition will bring together members who share concerns about the current direction of Medicaid reform. A series of ads will begin to run tomorrow in order to express the Coalition's hope for meaningful changes to Medicaid.
"Congressional action on Medicaid appears imminent, and while we have few details about the shape Medicaid reform will take -- most of what we know, we don't like," said NACDS President and CEO Craig Fuller. "We appreciate that policy makers have worked diligently to find appropriate ways to reform Medicaid; however, we fear that billions of dollars in cuts are being targeted at the Medicaid benefits that support our nation's most vulnerable citizens. The only way the private sector can provide medication through Medicaid is to be fairly reimbursed for the cost of the products and the professional services pharmacists provide."
The Coalition's formation is a reflection of pharmacy's concern for the 50 million Americans who receive healthcare through their state Medicaid programs. Community pharmacy filled over 800 million Medicaid prescriptions in 2004, a number expected to increase in 2005 due to the addition of many Katrina evacuees to the Medicaid rolls.
"Community pharmacy has worked with state Medicaid programs to help implement cost savings and provide quality health care -- helping save tens of millions of dollars for states and the Federal Government," explained Bruce Roberts, Executive Vice President and CEO of NCPA. "Community pharmacy has been particularly successful in increasing the use of lower-cost generic medications. That is why we strongly believe that a critical ingredient in achieving Medicaid savings is the establishment of a new system that encourages generic drug dispensing to Medicaid recipients. We can help Congress achieve Medicaid savings if they will partner with community pharmacy instead of making ill-advised budget cuts that will jeopardize patient access."
"Any rational and meaningful reform of Medicaid's prescription drug program must recognize that one of the best ways to find significant savings is to increase generic drug utilization and address the true cost of Medicaid prescription drug spend," Fuller added.
Roberts concluded, "A successful Medicaid prescription drug program needs the support of America's 55,000 pharmacies and nearly 150,000 pharmacists who work with Medicaid patients every day. There are many ways to protect the financial future of the Medicaid prescription drug benefit without jeopardizing the future of community pharmacy."
The Coalition for Meaningful Medicaid Reform current membership list is available on the website and below (http://www.meaningfulmedicaidreform.org/).
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) represents the nation's leading retail chain pharmacies and suppliers, helping them better meet the changing needs of their patients and customers. Chain pharmacy operates more than 35,000 pharmacies, employs 120,000 pharmacists, fills more than 2.1 billion prescriptions yearly, and has annual sales of over $500 billion. Other members include more than 1000 suppliers of products and services to the chain drug industry. For more information about NACDS visit http://www.nacds.org/.
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents the nation's community pharmacists, including the owners of more than 24,000 pharmacies. The nations' independent pharmacies, independent pharmacy franchise and, independent chains represent an $84 billion marketplace dispensing nearly half of the nation's retail pharmacy prescriptions. For more information about NCPA, visit http://www.ncpanet.org/.
Coalition for Meaningful Medicaid Reform Member List The National Association of Chain Drug Stores The National Community Pharmacists Association Horton &Converse Pharmacies Kerr Drug Marsh Supermarkets, Inc. Rite Aid Save Mart Pharmacy Lewis Drug CVS/pharmacy Walgreens Care Pharmacies Brooks-Eckerd Farmacias El Amal Fagen Pharmacy Price Chopper Discount Drug Mart Navarro Discount Pharmacies The National Council for State Pharmacy Association Executives Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Wyoming Pharmacy Association Pharmacists Society of the State of New York Maryland Pharmacists Association Alabama Pharmacy Association Tennessee Pharmacists Association Utah Pharmaceutical Association South Dakota Pharmacists Association Ohio Pharmacists Association Oklahoma Pharmacists Association Oregon State Pharmacy Association Arkansas Pharmacists Association Illinois Pharmacists Association Kentucky Pharmacists Association Texas Pharmacy Association South Carolina Pharmacy Association Colorado Pharmacists Society Georgia Pharmacy Association, Inc. Nebraska Pharmacists Association Minnesota Pharmacists Association Kansas Pharmacists Association Connecticut Pharmacists Association Virginia Pharmacists Association North Dakota Pharmacists Association New Jersey Pharmacists Association Washington State Pharmacy Association Iowa Pharmacy Association
Pharmacists Association
Source: National Association of Chain Drug Stores; National Community
CONTACT: Michelle McKenna of National Association of Chain Drug Stores,
+1-703-837-4234; or Carol Cooke of National Community Pharmacists Association,
+1-703-838-2686
Web site: http://www.nacds.org/
http://www.ncpanet.org/
http://www.meaningfulmedicaidreform.org/
Free Blog/Web Site Counter http://www.cohit.com/
Free counters for web sites and blogs. Fast, easy sign-up does not even require an email address. Several styles to choose from and they are easy to install with very little impact on your page's load time. Find out how your site or blog is really doing!
¶ 12:56 PM 0 commentsGoogle's Matt Cutts Interviewed by Aaron Wall
Search Engine Journal - USA
Aaron Wall of SEOBook.com got the chance to conduct an interview with Google's Matt Cutts, Google Search Engineer, about topics ranging from SEO, Spam, SEM ...WordPress Selling Links -- But Using AdBrite Solves Search Engine ...
Search Engine Watch - USA
Average CPC & Selling Ad Space from Aaron Wall over at SEO Book looks at how WordPress is now selling text links on its home page for $10,000 per day via ...Free Blog Counter
Free counters for web sites and blogs. Fast, easy sign-up does not even require an email address. Several styles to choose from and they are easy to install with very little impact on your page's load time. Find out how your site or blog is really doing!
Blogs vs. the law
Rocklin and Roseville Today - Rocklin,CA,USA
State College, Pa.-based blogger Aaron Wall was sued in August for defamation and revealing the trade secrets of Traffic-Power.com, a company that helps Web ...Cutts Up Against The Wall
WebProNews - Lexington,KY,USA
Over the weekend, Aaron Wall got a chance to talk to Google's "Mick Jagger of Search", Matt Cutts, in an in depth interview. The ...
Search Engine Journal » Google's Matt Cutts Interviewed by Aaron Wall
Aaron Wall of SEOBook.com got the chance to conduct an interview with Google's
Matt Cutts, Google Search Engineer, about topics ranging from SEO, Spam, SEM, ...Google Auctions to Rival eBay and Yahoo?
Search Engine Journal - USA
... Aaron Wall of the SEOBook wonders how such an auction service from Google would effect its advertising model, Google AdWords, which includes mega advertising ...
Generation Green Asks California AG to Investigate Splenda Ads
EVANSTON, Ill., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Generation Green today sent a letter to California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer, urging an investigation of misleading advertising practices by Johnson & Johnson for its artificial sweetener Splenda.
Specifically, Generation Green says the advertising misleads consumers into believing that Splenda is a natural product, made from sugar. In fact, Johnson & Johnson does not even list sugar as an ingredient in Splenda. In the letter, Generation Green called on the state of California to take such steps that are necessary to halt Johnson & Johnson's misleading Splenda marketing campaign within the state and to require Johnson & Johnson to provide complete and accurate product information to California consumers.
Rochelle Davis, Executive Director, and Robert M. Brandon, Project Director, both of Generation Green, sent the following letter, dated Oct. 10, to California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer:
On behalf of Generation Green and thousands of member families concerned about the health and welfare of our children, I would vigorously echo the recent calls upon your office to begin an investigation into misleading advertising by Johnson & Johnson' s McNeil Nutritionals LLC for the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is sold under the brand-name Splenda.
Generation Green is a non-profit advocacy group comprised of parents and other concerned citizens who favor corporate and governmental policies that will allow children to grow up protected from exposure to toxins. We place great importance on protecting the consumer's right to know about chemical exposure, particularly related to food so that people are able to make informed decisions, especially with respect to their children's health.
The issue of Splenda advertising is of significant importance for California consumers, and indeed, for consumers across the country. Today, Splenda holds over a third of the sweetener market only six years after its approval as a food additive by the FDA in 1998. This remarkable growth is attributed to the perception that Splenda is natural and sugar-based. This perception is the direct result of Johnson & Johnson's intentional efforts to mislead consumers regarding the product. The slogan "made from SUGAR so it tastes like SUGAR," which is pervasive in Splenda print and broadcast advertising, seeks to mislead and confuse consumers into believing that Splenda is a natural product of sugar. It is a misleading claim.
The facts are these: * Splenda is a chemically created product in which sugar molecules are manipulated through chlorination and other processes so as to be completely unrecognizable as sugar. * Following chlorination, a further chemical process is applied using phosgene, a poisonous gas described by the Centers for Disease Control as a major industrial chemical used to make plastics and pesticides. * The Splenda label does not and cannot list sugar as an ingredient, as sugar is not recognizable in the final product.
The legal requirement of advertising substantiation -- that advertisers and ad agencies have a reasonable basis for advertising claims before they are disseminated -- is especially important when consumer health and safety is at issue, such as in a food additive like Splenda.
Nonetheless, Johnson & Johnson encourages consumer confusion by continually highlighting the word "sugar" in its advertising campaign, seeking to bolster the false association between Splenda and sugar in consumers' minds.
This is a dangerous development, as the product is quite clearly anything but natural.
Even more troubling, many of the Splenda ads focus on images of children; these ads convey the message that Splenda is a better, more natural product for children than other artificial sweeteners. These ads aim to encourage parents to provide or prepare food items for their children with Splenda. In one television commercial aired earlier this year, a child's voice says "Splenda and spice and everything nice. That's what little girls are made of." over video of children playing. This advertisement clearly equates Splenda with sugar (replacing "sugar" with "Splenda" in a common expression) and is intended to encourage the use of the product for children.
Moreover, Splenda's product expansion has focused on creating "low sugar" products like snack foods, breakfast cereals and soda -- indeed, Splenda is now an ingredient in many of the "convenience foods" that parents might give to their children, or that children might select for themselves.
Generation Green has been concerned for some time that this product expansion signals a clear intention by the Johnson & Johnson to target, not only parents, but also children, with its misleading Splenda advertising. That's why earlier this year Generation Green wrote to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission seeking a full investigation into Johnson & Johnson's Splenda advertising campaign.
In the absence of aggressive FTC action on this issue, it is vital that state offices like yours take up this issue on behalf of consumers. If, as there appears, the company has no basis for suggesting that Splenda and sugar are closely linked and equally natural products, we call upon the state of California to take such steps that are necessary to halt Johnson & Johnson's extensive Splenda marketing campaign within the state and to require Johnson & Johnson to provide complete and accurate product information to California consumers.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Source: Generation Green
CONTACT: Bob Brandon, Project Director of Generation Green,
+1-202-331-1550
http://www.generationgreen.org/
For more information:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2004-51%2CGGLD%3Aen&q=artificial+sweetners
| St. Jude Medical Discovers Cosmic Radiation Can Affect Memory Chip in Limited Number of Older Generation ICDs ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2005--St. Jude Medical Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced today that it has discovered that background levels of atmospheric ionizing cosmic radiation, more commonly known as cosmic rays, can affect a limited number of its older generation implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) products. Although the incidence rate is low, and there have been no serious patient injuries or deaths reported to St. Jude Medical attributable to this anomaly, the Company is taking a conservative approach in advising the medical community and regulatory agencies. Specifically, St. Jude Medical has identified through extensive investigation, including testing at an independent nuclear laboratory, that a particular vendor-supplied static random access memory (SRAM) chip can be affected, at a low frequency rate, by background levels of atmospheric ionizing cosmic radiation. A full copy of the physician communication, which includes a description of the anomaly and its related clinical risks, as well as St. Jude Medical's recommendations to physicians for patient monitoring, can be found at http://www.sjm.com/companyinformation/physicianletter.html. This particular memory chip component was used in the following older generation St. Jude Medical ICDs: -- Photon DR (Model V-230HV) (certain serial numbers) -- Photon Micro VR/DR (Models V-194/V-232) -- Atlas VR/DR (Models V-199/V-240) To date, an incidence of only 0.00167 of the devices at issue (60 out of 36,000) have been found to have been affected by background levels of cosmic radiation. An estimated 26,000 of the device models remain in service. The estimated incidence of an anomaly of this type in the affected device models is 0.00257 over the five year projected life of the device. "St. Jude Medical has taken a conservative, proactive approach in notifying the medical community of this anomaly," said Dr. Mark Carlson, Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and a member of an independent panel of physicians that reviewed the issue for St. Jude Medical. Dr. Carlson also recently served as Chairman of a joint Policy Conference on Pacemaker and ICD Performance. Among the information provided in the physician advisory is St. Jude Medical's recommendation that, if it is not already their practice, physicians should perform routine device monitoring every three months for patients with these devices. St. Jude Medical is also offering its remote monitoring product Housecall Plus(TM), where available, at no charge for models compatible with the remote monitoring system. "Because the incidence associated with this anomaly is low, St. Jude Medical's recommendation for monitoring at three-month intervals will be appropriate for the vast majority of patients," said Dr. Bruce Wilkoff, director of cardiac pacing and tachyarrhythmia devices at The Cleveland Clinic and Heart Center and a member of the St. Jude Medical independent Medical Advisory Board. As part of a new ICD product platform introduced in 2002, and prior to St. Jude Medical having any knowledge of this particular anomaly, St. Jude Medical began using a different vendor and a different design of the SRAM memory chip component. Laboratory testing and clinical experience indicate that this newer generation memory chip component does not share the same susceptibility to background cosmic radiation as the earlier generation. Consequently, other St. Jude Medical ICDs and all models of CRT-D devices, including the Atlas DR model V-242 and all Epic, Epic HF, Epic +, Epic + HF, Atlas + and Atlas + HF product families, are NOT affected by this issue. Overall reliability information about the affected ICDs and other St. Jude Medical products can be found in the company's Product Performance Report on the St. Jude Medical web site at www.sjm.com. St. Jude Medical has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of this physician advisory. The FDA may determine this communication action to be a recall. The Company does not expect this physician communication to have any material financial impact. St. Jude Medical is dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative medical devices of the highest quality, offering physicians, patients and payers outstanding clinical performance and demonstrated economic value. Any statements made regarding the Company's anticipated future product launches, regulatory approvals, revenues, earnings, market shares, and potential clinical success are forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as those described in the Financial Section of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (see page 16). Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. |  |
|
HHS Announces New E-Prescribing Initiative
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will air a satellite news feed of b-roll and sound bites on Wednesday, October 5, 2005, at 3:30pm ET, on the following:
KEY FACTS:
New regulations that support adoption of e-prescribing and electronic health records were announced today by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. These proposals will speed the adoption of health information technologies by hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers to improve quality and safety for Medicare beneficiaries and all Americans.
Electronic prescribing enables physicians to transmit prescriptions electronically to pharmacies. Not only is this easier than paper prescriptions, but it also can improve patient safety, increase efficiency and reduce duplicative health care costs. It decreases prescription errors caused by hard-to-read handwriting and automates the process of checking for drug interactions and allergies.
CMS is awarding the first big financial incentive for Health IT -- $6 million to fund e-prescribing pilot programs using the foundation standards and additional clinical standards, as required by the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.
ON THIS FEED: * Key facts about the e-prescribing initiative * Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, Health and Human Services * Dr. David J. Brailer, M.D., PhD., National Coordinator for Health Information Technology * Deputy Administrator Leslie Norwalk, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services * B-Roll of the press conference at George Washington University Medical Center, a patient and doctor in an exam room using the electronic prescribing and electronic record system, seniors talking to doctors, various shots of doctors and patients, pharmacy scenes, and doctor's office scenes. Satellite Coordinates and Times Wednesday, October 5, 2005 15:30-16:00 ET C-Band Satellite IA 5 Transponder 13 Downlink Frequency: 3860 Vertical Audio: 6.2 / 6.8 For Satellite Feed information call 202-690-6076
For more information on the Medicare Covers America Tour, call the HHS Press Office: 202-690-6343
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
CONTACT: HHS Press Office, +1-202-690-6343
PRNewswire -- Oct. 5
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/
¶ 2:30 PM 0 comments
Bankrupt Winn-Dixie sells thousands of prescription records
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Sarasota,FL,USA
... Bankrupt Winn-Dixie Stores sold to pharmacies the records of thousands of customers who bought prescription drugs at 139 supermarkets it's closing. ...Let's give Dems' prescription drug proposal a fair hearing
National drug store chain agrees to settlement over lax cold ...
Oakland Press - Pontiac,MI,USA
... expenses. Participating pharmacies also contribute. ... covered. Participating pharmacies are inspected at least annually for safety and compliance. ...
Miami Herald - FL,USA
OKLAHOMA CITY - Walgreen Co. has agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle claims it broke state and federal laws by failing to monitor ...Illinois Officials at Congressional Hearing Defend Emergency Rule ...
Kaiser network.org - Washington,DC,USA
... Blagojevich's (D) administration on Monday during a congressional committee hearing in Washington, DC, defended his emergency rule requiring pharmacies in the ...Walgreens pharmacies return to normal
Northwest Herald - Crystal Lake,IL,USA
... open until 10 pm, closed four hours earlier because of a strike by Chicago-area pharmacists at Walgreen Co., the drugstore chain whose pharmacies operate under ...Pharmacists blow trumpet
AustralianDoctor.com (subscription) - Australia
... A report by the guild -- funded by the Federal Government -- analysed over-the-counter medication interventions in 1035 pharmacies, with a clinical panel ...US House Investigates Government Coercion Violating Pharmacists' ...
Lifesite - Canada
... Rod Blagojevich's emergency rule ordering pharmacies to fill orders for the morning-after pill and its effect on rural pharmacies. ...
Omnicare Completes Acquisition of NeighborCare
Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USA
... The combined company will have a nationwide network of pharmacies serving long-term care providers in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. ...Pharmaceutical regulations an issue
Sunday Times - Johannesburg,South Africa
... pharmaceutical regulations are causing job losses according to Geoffrey Adamson, a Pretoria pharmacist and member of the United South African Pharmacies (Usap ...
TennCare Enrollees Flocking To Pharmacies, Flooding Hotlines
NewsChannel5.com - Nashville,TN,USA
Pharmacies and a state hotline have been swamped this week by TennCare enrollees who will be kept on the healthcare program's rolls. ...
Abbott Named to Science Magazine's 2005 List of 'Top Employers' in the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry
- Unique Professional Development Opportunities for Scientists, Recognition for Innovative Thinking, Help Create an Environment Where Science Thrives -
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, Abbott (NYSE:ABT) is named among the top employers in the Science magazine 2005 Top Biotech and Pharma Employers survey.
"The Science survey of top biopharmaceutical employers showed that scientists at Abbott think highly of the company's dedication to innovation and its vision for the future," said Beth Rosner, publisher of the journal Science, published by the nonprofit AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science).
"Abbott's mission is to translate science into breakthrough medical advances that improve and extend the lives of people around the world," said Jeffrey M. Leiden, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief operating officer, Pharmaceutical Products Group and chief scientific officer, Abbott. "Helping our talented scientists reach their full potential is critical to Abbott's continued success. To that end, we have worked hard to build an exciting and rewarding environment where our scientists and their innovative ideas will flourish."
More than 1,566 Science readers and subscribers, and individuals from an industry source that were identified as working in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries were invited to participate in the survey. Details of the survey results are published in the September 2005 issue.
The 2005 survey participants were asked to rate their employers on attributes related to leadership and direction, financial prowess, work culture, work/life balance, academics and collegial exchange, and compensation and benefits.
Survey responses were analyzed by Senn-Delany Culture Diagnostics and Measurement, which uses a mathematical process to assign a unique score to rate the employer reputation of some 459 companies, taking into account 42 specific characteristics or attributes in seven categories.
Industry-Leading Development Opportunities
A number of unique development programs have been established for Abbott's scientists at all levels of the organization to help nurture and grow their skills in order to help them achieve success within the company. Leadership Development for Scientists, a leadership program specifically designed to provide enhanced skills for high-potential scientists and physicians, targets not only leadership, but also develops business skills that are not usually included in a scientist's normal curriculum. Abbott also offers a Physician Development Program, which is designed to give M.D.s who have never worked in industry a taste of the drug development process. Upon completion of a two- year rotational program, physicians in the program decide which area of development is best suited to their skill sets.
"Before coming to Abbott, I was treating pediatric cancer patients and doing oncology bench research at UCLA," said Anne E. Hagey, M.D., global project head, Oncology Cytotoxics, Abbott. "Abbott's Physician Development Program gave me both a broad-based introduction to pharmaceutical research and a hands-on opportunity to experience different facets of drug development. It was invaluable to me as I made the transition from being a clinician to working in industry."
Abbott also collaborates with top colleges and universities to develop curricula that will help scientists obtain a business background to work in industry. Through proactive collaborations like this, Abbott helps ensure that the candidates Abbott considers will have the appropriate backgrounds to achieve success in their positions.
In addition to professional development, Abbott has a number of initiatives designed to encourage innovative thinking. For example, the Drug Discovery organization in Abbott's Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development division offers innovation grants to employees who have breakthrough ideas. Since the program began in 2003, innovation grants have been given for a wide range of projects spanning drug design to new approaches to the treatment of depression. Another example is a scientist exchange program that gives scientists the opportunity to work in another area of Abbott research for 18 months, the idea being that innovative ideas often result when people with diverse experiences are brought into new situations. When the exchange period ends, the scientists then return to their previous departments with new perspectives, experiences and ideas to share.
Rewarding and Recognizing Innovative Ideas and Achievements
In addition to the Science survey, Abbott and its scientists have received several other awards for both scientific achievements and innovative products. In 2005, The Scientist magazine named Abbott as a top employer for scientists, Abbott's second consecutive year on the list. In 2003, three Abbott scientists were named Heroes of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for their discovery of the HIV protease inhibitor Kaletra(R). Abbott received the 2003 Chicago Innovation Award for HUMIRA(R) (adalimumab) and in 2002 was given the R&D 100 Award by R&D Magazine for developing ACTOR(TM) (Automated Crystal Transport, Orientation and Retrieval), the world's first automated robot for drug sample handling.
Abbott's scientific achievements in HIV have received international recognition. In 1999, Abbott was the recipient of the fifth International Prix Galien Award for innovation in drug development for Norvir(R) (ritonavir), Abbott's first protease inhibitor. The Prix Galien is awarded every two years for the most innovative molecule developed for human use in the pharmaceutical field. Also in 1999, Abbott scientists received the Discoverers Award from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America for the development of Norvir. Each year, the award goes to scientists whose research and development of pharmaceuticals have greatly benefited humankind, and whose dedication and interest in improving the quality of life exemplify the best in the research industry today.
In addition to external honors, Abbott scientists are eligible for internal recognition. Induction into the prestigious Volwiler Society represents the highest honor an Abbott scientist can receive. Employees also are eligible for President's Awards, patent/inventor awards and several others.
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 60,000 employees and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com/ .
Source: Abbott
CONTACT: Elizabeth Hoff of Abbott, +1-847-935-4236
Web site: http://www.abbott.com/
Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/110328.html
¶ 7:47 PM 0 commentsIsrael's online pharmacies target customers in US
Detroit Free Press - United States
Florence Socolov was among the legions of US consumers who had turned to online Canadian pharmacies because her medication was cheaper there than at home in Ft ...US lawmakers hear views on Illinois' pharmacy rule
Chicago Tribune - United States
... science that is able to convince me as a pharmacist that these products don't endanger a human embryo," Vander Bleek, who owns four pharmacies in Illinois ...Walgreens' Pharmacists End Strike, Head Back To Work
NBC5.com - Chicago,IL,USA
... Walgreens' officials said its pharmacies were safe and that the union was using the issue as a bargaining chip for better pay. Last ...
2 pharmacies get approval in Clinton area
Utica Observer Dispatch - Utica,NY,USA
... manager Carol Votra said. Drive-through pharmacies and photo labs are included for both stores, developers said. The Kinney store ...
Saving Money: Be sure Canadian pharmacies are legitimate
Winston-Salem Journal - Winston-Salem,NC,USA
They would like to save money by purchasing prescription drugs from Canada, but they are bewildered by contradictory messages about Canadian pharmacies. ...
Ergoresearch further develops its retail business
Canada NewsWire (press release) - Canada
... In collaboration with participating pharmacies from the two main banners in Quebec, Ergoresearch has deployed a new approach that should increase business at ...
State Dems back Canadian prescription plan
Crain's Detroit Business (subscription) - Detroit,MI,USA
... Michigan could contract with a Canadian clearinghouse that would connect drug purchasers to Canadian, European and Australian pharmacies and wholesalers. ...
Drug Store Burglar Sentenced
KYW - Philadelphia,PA,USA
CAMDEN, NJ (AP) A Cherry Hill man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for breaking into as many as 100 southern New Jersey pharmacies to steal powerful ...
Cedar Shopping Centers Announces Substantial Completion of Leasing ...
Yahoo News (press release) - USA
(NYSE: CDR - News) a real estate investment trust focused on supermarket-anchored shopping centers and drug store-anchored convenience centers, today announced ...
Teenager pleads not guilty in pharmacy, jewelry burglaries
Benton County Daily Record - Bentonville,AR,USA
... Jose C. Vargas Jr. leaving the Collier Drug Store in Pea Ridge with a duffel bag full of pharmaceuticals. Vargas pleaded not guilty ...Skunk Beats the NY Heat in Drug Store
Washington Post - United States
One of the white-striped critters managed to halt business for a few hours Tuesday at a normally busy drug store near Binghamton. ...
