Current medical news and unique business news for anyone who cares about the healthcare industry.
Ronald McDonald to stay: Fast food giant McDonald’s chief executive Jim Skinner informed shareholders Thursday that the iconic Ronald McDonald is “going nowhere.” His answer was in response to a letter sent to the company by more than 550 health professionals and organizations asking it to stop marketing junk food to kids and retire Ronald McDonald.
Baby products contain flame retardants – A team of scientists found “potentially toxic” amounts of eight flame retardants in 80 percent of polyurethane foam samples from common baby products like car seats, mattresses and nursing pillows, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
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.
HHS imposes new rules on insurers: The Department of Health and Human Services established a final rule by which insurers who are thinking of hiking their rates by more than 10 percent will need to justify those increases starting September.
Can coffee lower risk for prostate cancer? A study published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that the mix of antioxidants in coffee may lower the risk for prostate cancer in men. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health observed 47,911 men for 20 years and found that men who drank the most coffee (six or more cups per day) had an 18 percent lower risk of developing any form of prostate cancer and were 60 percent less likely to die of it.
FDA pulling Avandia off U.S. shelves: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has decided to pull the diabetes drug Avandia from retail pharmacies effective Nov. 18. A study published in 2007 found that people taking Avandia had a 40 percent increased risk of heart attack. The drug will be only available through a mail order program for patients who have been safely using the drug, those who have had no success in controlling their blood sugar with other diabetes medications or patients who are aware of the drug’s risks.
