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Pledges To Reduce Health Care Costs, Spending Growth Could Violate Antitrust Laws, Lawyers Say
U.S. antitrust laws could affect health care industry groups" efforts to work together to rein in health care costs, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 5/27). In a letter sent to President Obama on May 10, a coalition of groups -- the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the Advanced Medical Technology Association, America"s Health Insurance Plans and the Service Employees International Union -- pledged to reduce the annual health care spending growth rate by 1.5%. The groups did not elaborate on what specific measures they would use to achieve such reductions, but the Obama administration has requested specific plans from the groups by June 1 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/26). According to the Times, many of the plans being considered by the health care industry would require greater cooperation across health care providers. Robert Leibenluft, a former Federal Trade Commission official, said, "Any agreement among competitors with regard to prices or price increases -- even if they set a maximum -- would raise legal concerns." In addition, while Obama is asking for specific plans from the health care industry, the administration has not offered any relief from antitrust laws, the Times reports. Furthermore, during his campaign Obama pledged to increase enforcement of antitrust laws, according to the Times.Antitrust laws have had a negative effect on previous health reform efforts, the Times reports. In 1993, the drug industry established a voluntary cost control plan that limited each drug company"s annual increase in the average price of prescription drugs to the increase in the Consumer Price Index, but the Department of Justice ruled that the proposal would violate antitrust laws. DOJ officials said that the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear that setting price maximums was akin to setting price minimums, which is illegal. In a letter to the Senate Finance Committee, AHA wrote that uncertainty regarding the enforcement of antitrust laws "makes it difficult for a hospital and doctors to collaborate to improve care" and reduce costs. AMA has asked Congress to amend antitrust laws to allow physicians to collectively negotiate with insurers over fees and other concerns, but FTC repeatedly has designated the practice illegal price-fixing, according to the Times. FTC officials said that consumers could benefit from cooperation among health care industry groups but that cooperation also could lead to increased bargaining power for physicians and hospitals, making it easier for them to set prices and eliminate competition (New York Times, 5/27). Reform Developments
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Study Shows GSK's Novel Diabetes Treatment SYNCRIA(R) (albiglutide) Improves Glucose Control And Reduces Weight
New Phase II data presented at the American Diabetes Association 69th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans show that the investigational type 2 diabetes treatment Syncria(R) (albiglutide) significantly reduced blood glucose levels and provided weight loss across weekly, biweekly and monthly dosing. Reducing blood sugar is a key part of managing type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects over 250 million people worldwide.
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NACDS Supports Delaying The Implementation Of The GS1 DataBar Technology
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) expressed its support for postponing the removal of the Universal Product Code (UPC-A) barcode system - scheduled for January 1, 2010. NACDS compliments and supports the Grocery Manufacturers Association"s (GMA) recommendation that the GS1 DataBar system implementation be delayed until January 1, 2011.
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What Is Pulmonary Embolism? What Causes Pulmonary Embolism?

An embolism - from the Greek çİmbolos meaning "stopper" or "plug" - is the term that describes a condition where an object called an embolus is created in one part of the body, circulates throughout the body, and then blocks blood flowing through a vessel in another part of the body. Emboli (plural of embolus) are not to be confused with thrombi (plural of thrombus), which are clots that are formed and remain in one area of the body without being carried throughout the bloodstream. What is a pulmonary embolism? A pulmonary embolism (pulmonary meaning "of the lungs" from the Latin pulmċnärius) occurs when an embolus blocks blood flowing through an artery that feeds the lungs. Typically, a blood clot first forms in an arm or leg (deep venous thrombosis or DVT) and then eventually manages to break free. The embolus can travel throughout the circulatory system towards the lungs, but eventually it is too large to pass through the small vessels of the lungs and forms a blockage. This prohibits blood from flowing into an area of the lung, and the part of the lung dies because it does not receive oxygen. It is also possible, though much more rare, for a pulmonary embolism to result from an embolus that is formed from fat droplets, amniotic fluid, or some other particle that enters the bloodstream. Related article What Is Embolism? What Are The Different Types Of Embolism? Who is at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism? The risk of developing a pulmonary embolism increases with age. People who have or had conditions or diseases that increase the risk of blood clotting are also more likely to develop pulmonary embolisms. In general, risk of pulmonary embolism is high for individuals who have or have had a blood clot in the leg or arm (deep venous thrombosis or DVT) and for those who have had a pulmonary embolism previously. Long periods of bed rest or inactivity (such as a long airplane flight or car ride) substantially increase the risk of DVT and therefore increase the risk of pulmonary embolism. Other factors that put people at risk include certain cancers, surgeries, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, pacemakers, catheters in the veins, pregnancy, estrogen supplements, a family history of blood clots, and smoking. What are the symptoms of embolism? Symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: *Chest pain *Increased or irregular heart beat *Dizziness *Difficulty catching breath *Rapid breathing *Cough or coughing up blood Sometimes, more visible symptoms appear in the affected extremity of the deep vein thrombosis, such as: *Swelling *Pain or tenderness *Increased warmth *Red, blue, or discolored skin More severe pulmonary embolism cases may result in shock, passing out, cardiac arrest, and death. How are pulmonary embolisms diagnosed? Diagnosis of embolisms depends on patient history, physical examinations, and a suspicion that a person"s symptoms are due to an embolism. Tests that are frequently employed in order to diagnose pulmonary embolism include: *Pulmonary angiogram - visualizes blood clots in the lungs *Electrocardiogram (EKG) - records the electrical activity of the heart *Arterial blood gas study - measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases in the blood *Chest x-rays - generates a picture of the heart, lungs, and other internal organs *Pulmonary V/Q scan - two tests that analyze ventilation and structural properties of the lungs *Computerized tomography (CT) scan (with and without contrast) - visualizes abnormalities in the chest, brain, etc. *Ultrasound - high frequency sound waves that measure blood flow velocity and changes in blood flow *d-Dimer test - blood test that can diagnose thrombosis *Electroencephalogram (EEG) - records electrical activity in the brain *Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - uses magnetic waves to develop detailed pictures of the brain and other organs How are pulmonary embolisms treated? Treatments for embolism are designed to destroy the embolus or clot, stop the clot from getting bigger, and prevent new clots from forming. A first step in treating most embolisms is to treat shock and provide oxygen therapy. Anticoagulant medications such as heparin, enoxaparin, or warfarin are usually administered in order to thin the blood and prevent further clotting. Clot-busting drugs called thrombolytics may also be administered, but they carry a high risk of excessive bleeding and are generally only used in the critically ill. In addition, very ill people with low blood pressure may receive medication such as dopamine to increase pressure. How can pulmonary embolisms be prevented? High risk patients may try various embolism prevention methods, such as taking the drugs heparin or warfarin (anti-coagulants), wearing anti-embolism compression stockings, and using intermittent pneumatic compression of the legs. Compression methods prevent blood clots by forcing blood into deep veins and reducing the amount of pooled blood. Additional ways to decrease risk of pulmonary embolism include physical activity, regular exercise, and avoiding the aforementioned risk factors. Written by Peter Crosta M.A. Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today


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