The $5B plan to knock out drug-resistant TB in Europe (Morning Read)

Current medical news from today, including a super TB strain in Europe, removal of data bank containing information about disciplinary action against doctors, and a "track and trace" system for drugs.

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

Super TB strain. The WHO has announced an aggressive plan to fight a strain of a drug-resistant tuberculosis it says is spreading at an alarming rate in Europe. Aiming to diagnose 85 percent of all patients and treat 75 percent of them by 2015, the $5 billion plan could save 120,000 lives and $12 billion in medical expenses by 2015.

No access. The HHS took a step back in transparency when it shut down the National Practitioner Data Bank, which gave the public access to confidential data about malpractice suits and other disciplinary actions against doctors with identifying information removed. It did so after learning that the Kansas City Star was planning on using the database for information about a story.

Track and trace system for drugs. Officials are calling for more authority for the FDA to implement an aggressive “track and trace” system to prevent counterfeit and contaminated drugs from making their way into the U.S. drug supply.

Going global? Here’s some advice for entrepreneurs considering taking their startups to international markets.

BSX and J&J. It was a bit surprising when Johnson & Johnson’s medical device exec Michael Mahoney was named president and future CEO of Boston Scientific, given the longstanding rivalry between the two medical device giants. The WSJ gives a quick rundown of that rivalry and what BSX’s new hire could mean.

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