Some autism treatments just don’t work. Disaster or opportunity? (Morning Read)

Current medical news and unique business news for anyone who cares about the healthcare industry.

What helps autism? Seventy percent of children with autism spectrum disorder are treated with drugs. But many autism drugs don’t work or fail to help with socialization and communication. That includes, secretin, and other treatments like risperidone and aripiprazole make children drowsy and obese.

Is the answer behavior therapy (and developing innovations around it)? Behavior therapy works but only when done at 30 hours a week.

A new review of hospital conspiracies. Are hospitals buzzing about this case or are they quaking in their boots?

In the first case of its kind since 1999, the department sued United Regional Health System in Wichita Falls for allegedly giving health insurers strong incentives not to do business with rival hospitals. That practice allowed United Regional to keep its monopoly, according to the lawsuit, while also becoming one of the most expensive hospitals in the state.

Best biotech stocks in March… were Pharmasset, Pain Therapeutics, Ista Pharmaceuticals and Cytori Therapeutics.

Medical school gender gap. Women are closing the gender gap in general surgery as well as, to a lesser extent, in surgical specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic, otolaryngology, urology, and plastic surgery.

Johns Hopkins in Florida. The healthcare titan has brought its talents to St. Petersburg by acquiring a 216-bed hospital.