Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of healthcare:
Is Genzyme on the block? A report that GlaxoSmithKline “casually requested” that Genzyme let it know if the latter ever puts itself up for sale has created a bit of a buzz, even if it’s unlikely GSK would be interested in pulling the trigger–for now. “The question is: who wants Genzyme the most?” says one analyst . “Our view is that Sanofi is likely to emerge, simply because they are relatively deficient in biotech capabilities versus their peers and they need to better globally diversify their R&D engine.”
The fight over medical-loss ratio heats up: With health insurers forced to spend a certain percentage of premiums on delivering medical care as a provision of health reform, expect them to try to game the system any way they can, says West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller. “They’re working every angle of the implementation process to shirk their obligations under the new law,” he says.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Big changes in Britain: England’s newly elected conservative government is about to embark on “the most radical reorganization” of its national health system in more than 50 years. Details remain sketchy, but the plan is to “decentralize” control and put more money and power in the hands of doctors at the local level.
New York’s innovative approach to malpractice: In a pilot program, five hospitals in New York City aim to cut medical malpractice costs by revealing medical mistakes early, quickly offering settlements and using special state “health courts,” where judges will help negotiate agreements before cases go to trial.
Clueless consumer-genetic-testing sales reps: A GAO report catches a sales rep from an unnamed genetic-testing company behaving badly.
Greene is on the scene: It may have only a tenuous connection to healthcare (senators do vote on health-related legislation, right?) but South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene’s official song and video is just too unintentionally hilarious to pass up. Best lines: “Greene’s a new face in politics and he don’t show porno to college chicks” and “Alvin Greene is the one for you/He knows how you feel ’cause he’s unemployed, too.” And what’s with including all the LeBron clips after he’s become one of the most hated men in sports?
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Photo from flickr user ell brown
