Court Sides with Generic-Drug Makers

No Author — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:33:00 EST

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that generic drugmaker Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories can sue Novo Nordisk for what Caraco says are exaggerated descriptions of the scope of patents Novo Nordisk holds on a diabetes drug.

A group of Democratic senators has introduced a bill that would allow people to sue generic drugmakers over failing to update their drug labels to include all known risks. The bill is meant to counter last year's Supreme Court decision in a generic drug dispute.

Certifying DCs as Transportation Industry Medical Examiners

No Author — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:41:00 EST

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and TeamCME today announced that quality training programs and resources for doctors of chiropractic who wish to be included in a new national registry of certified medical examiners for the transportation industry are available in cities across the country, following news that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its final rule on a new safety program.

Drug Warning Alerts Largely Ignored

No Author — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:39:00 EST

The vast majority of computerized drug warning alerts generated in hospitals are overridden, suggesting that these systems need refinement.

Prescription Drug Coupons Costly for Medicare

No Author — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:18:00 EST

Seniors are using brand-name drug discount coupons even though their use is prohibited by Medicare, according to a survey from the National Coalition on Health Care. And when they do, the prescription often ends up being more expensive for the insurer than it otherwise might have been, the coalition said in the statement.

As policymakers balance the books in Medicare, our research confirms that drug coupons are wasting Medicare and taxpayer dollars.

J&J hit with $1.1 billion Drug Penalty

No Author — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:36:00 EST

An Arkansas state judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a $1.1 billion penalty after a jury found the company guilty of using fraudulent tactics to sell its Risperdal anti-psychotic medicine.

TCA Victory in the Third Court of Appeals

No Author — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:52:00 EST

TCA successfully defends scope of practice rules. 

The Texas Chiropractic Association on Friday announced a brief summary of the Third Court of Appeals decision:

The case presented three questions:

Are the two TBCE rules that allow chiropractors to make certain �diagnoses� valid?  Answer: Yes. 

Can chiropractors perform MUA?  Answer: No.

Can chiropractors perform needle EMG?  Answer: No.

Texas Appeals Court Renders Decision in TMA v TBCE

No Author — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:15:00 EST

The Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, at Austin, Texas has published its decision in the case of TMA v TBCE.  This article reports on excerpts of this decision, the significant portions of which are:

'We will affirm the judgment in part and reverse and remand in part.'

'in five issues on appeal, TCA challenges the district court's judgment invalidating TBCE rules regarding needle EMG, MUA, and 'diagnoses.' TBCE brings three issues challenging only the portions of the judgment invalidating the needle-EMG and MUA rules.'

'We overrule the Chiropractor Parties' issues concerning needle EMG.'

'We overrule the Chiropractor Parties' issues concerning MUA.'

'In its remaining issues, TCA (but not TBCE) challenges the district court's judgment invalidating rules authorizing chiropractors to make certain 'diagnoses.''

'TCA replies, and we agree ... We thus lack jurisdiction to consider the Physician Parties' 'cross-point' and dismiss it.'

'TCA responds that when read in the context of the rule as a whole [TBCE Rule] does not exceed the statutory scope of chiropractic .... We agree.'

'Chiropractors may render diagnoses regarding findings and examinations within the statutory scope of chiropractic ....  We sustain TCA's third issue.'

'The Physician Parties argue that [chiropractors] can only treat, but not diagnose, the subluxation complex. We find this argument unpersuasive.'

'A subluxation complex is part of the biomechanical condition of the spine or musculoskeletal system of the human body and, thus, may be analyzed, evaluated, examined, and diagnosed by chiropractors.'

'TBCE's ... definition of 'subluxation complex' ... a -- neuromusculoskeletal condition ... is part of the musculoskeletal system of the human body. To that extent, it comports with the statutory scope of chiropractic.'

'We sustain TCA's fourth issue.'

'The district court erred in its judgment invalidating ... TBCE's scope-of-practice rule, we reverse that portion of the judgment.'

'We remand the case for further proceedings regarding the Physician Parties' alternative constitutional challenges. ... we affirm the remainder of the district court's judgment that [certain parts] of TBCE's scope-of-practice rule are void.'

Professional Trade Associations--Who Needs Them?

Chris G. Dalrymple D.C., F.I.C.C. — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:36:00 EST

Originally published March 13, 2012, this editorial is worth a closer read. A professional trade association is something that the majority seldom think about. Most view them as a 'fraternal organization' that exists to provide 'benefits' to members. But a professional trade association is much more important than that.

EVERY member of a profession, EVERY member of a trade, and EVERY member of occupations associated with that trade or profession ought to be associated with their professional trade association, otherwise they are not supporting the growth and development of their profession nor the businesses that thrive because of it.

If one is not supporting the growth and development of their profession, then one is contributing to its atrophy and demise.

Chiropractic Indy Car

No Author — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:10:00 EST

From left to right: Dr. John Wagner (founder Chiroracing), Dr. Keith Overland (ACA President), Brandon Wagner (Driver)

There has NEVER been a Chiropractic sponsored Indy car in the Indy 500. But that is about to change. The ACA Endorsed, Chiropractic Sponsored, IZOD Indy car will be making its debut this year.

To make it even a more historic event the Chiropractic Car will be driven by a future chiropractor--Brandon Wagner. On May 27th, for the first time in history, there will be a Chiropractor sponsored car in the prestigious Indianapolis 500, as well as races after the 500, across the country.

Opioids After Minor Surgery

No Author — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:38:00 EST

About 7% of patients recovering from minor surgical procedures are prescribed opioids within a week, and more than 10% of these patients are still taking the painkillers a year later.

The painkillers were linked to 14,800 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2008 � nearly four times the 1999 death toll of 4,000 � according to the Centers for Disease Control Sales of painkillers also have skyrocketed, rising from 1.8 kg per 10,000 people in 1999 to 7.1 kg per 10,000 people in 2010.

Brain-Pain Connection a New Website

No Author — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:47:00 EST

As research reveals more about the link between the brain and the immune system, there's a greater need for neuroscientists and immunologists to communicate � BrainImmune.org is a reference site for researchers interested in brain-immune interactions.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Health Reform

No Author — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:04:00 EST

The Supreme Court has been hearing arguments on the Health Care Reform plan.  This article reports on a series of articles sharing the most current information to this time.

Wilk v. AMA 25 Years Later

No Author — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:47:00 EST

The American Chiropractic Association reports that 'the future of the chiropractic profession changed on Aug. 27, 1987, when federal court judge Susan Getzendanner found the American Medical Association (AMA) guilty of conspiring to destroy chiropractic.'

This article excerpts some of the history surrounding this case and what has changed, and not changed, in the past 25 years since the AMA anti-chiropractic conspiracy was exposed.

Interprofessional Relations Taking Prominent Role

No Author — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:14:00 EST

As the nation shifts toward more team-based care and the medical home model, medical schools are working to provide their graduates with the skills needed to use these approaches in a changing health care system. Interprofessional training is offered or being developed at several schools.

In addition, six national associations of health professionals have formed the Interprofessional Education Collaborative. The group's goal is to better integrate and coordinate the education of nurses, physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other health professionals to provide more collaborative care.

Three Big Stories From Last Week

No Author — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 06:34:00 EST

A summary of the news last week includes:

Supreme Court Schedules Six Hours of Arguments for Health Care Reform

CMS Delays 5010 Enforcement Until June 30, 2012

Big Day for Chiropractic

Opioids for Pain More Likely for Vets with PTSD

No Author — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 07:10:00 EST

Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to receive opioids for pain if they have mental health disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), researchers said.

Those with PTSD were nearly three times as likely to receive opioids for their pain as those without any mental health conditions.

Reporting on Quality Hasn't Cut Mortality

No Author — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:47:00 EST

Medicare's requirement that hospitals publicly report certain quality measures on the Hospital Compare website has not led to reductions in mortality, researchers found.

Requiring hospitals to report quality data for the past seven years has led to a modest reduction in deaths from heart failure, but no reduction in deaths from heart attacks or pneumonia

Dr. Fabrizio Mancini Appears on Dr. Phil

No Author — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:19:00 EST

 

On the morning of Feb. 23, 2012, history was made when Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, president of Parker University, was filmed for an episode of the 'Dr. Phil' show at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Calif.

Long Duration Opioid Therapy Affects Hormones

No Author — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:23:00 EST

Intractable pain patients on long-term, high doses of opioids should be screened for hormonal abnormalities, researchers said.

Controlling hormone levels in long-term opioid therapy patients is a burgeoning area, but is worthy of note as some abnormalities can lead to larger problems. High cortisol, for instance, is tied to osteoporosis and vertebral collapse.

Medicare fraud: Dallas MD Accused in Biggest Case in U.S. History

No Author — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:21:00 EST

Federal law enforcement officials announced what they called the largest healthcare fraud case in the nation�s history, indicting a Dallas area physician for allegedly bilking Medicare for nearly $375 million in billings for nonexistent home healthcare services.

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