Monthly Archives: September 2013

GCC eyes single medicine pricing

Posted on by

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are poised to adopt a single medicine-pricing policy within the bloc as of 2014, Bahraini Minister of Health Sadiq Abdulkarim Al-Shihabi told local media.

He said the application of a unified pricing system and common procurement policy for drugs will contribute to lowering the price of medicine in GCC states.

The single pricing policy will be initially applied in government-owned facilities, which will be directly reflected on private pharmacies, he was quoted as saying.

He said an executive committee from the GCC Council of Health Ministers is following developments on the proposed single medicine-pricing policy.

The Bahraini minister admitted that there is disparity in medicine prices in the GCC states, as GCC countries differ in size. Saudi Arabia, for example, is a vast country that attracts many visitors for Haj and Umrah. This, in turn, affects the prices of medicine, he said.

GCC countries import 75 percent of their medicine supplies from other countries. States endeavored to set up medicine factories in cooperation with global medicine manufacturing firms with expertise and technical knowledge, said the minister.

He reaffirmed that many investors were willing to invest in this domain in GCC countries.

Go here to read the rest:

GCC eyes single medicine pricing

BG Medicine, Inc. Welcomes Galectin-3 Clinical Research Data From the PROTECT Study Conducted at Massachusetts General …

Posted on by

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (BGMD) announced today the publication of the results of a clinical research study conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) that provide further evidence that elevated levels of galectin-3 are predictive of adverse outcomes in chronic heart failure patients and suggest that the prognostic value of this non-invasive biomarker may be enhanced when serial measurements are made over time.

In this clinical research study, which was recently published online in the European Journal of Heart Failure, first author Dr. Shweta Motiwala and colleagues of the Division of Cardiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital demonstrate that stable heart failure patients whose galectin-3 blood levels were greater than 20 ng/ml, when measured at three-month intervals, experienced 50% more cardiovascular events, including unplanned hospitalizations for heart failure, than patients whose galectin-3 levels were consistently lower than 20 ng/ml.1 Further, these research data, which were collected from over 900 outpatient visits, also found that increases in galectin-3 levels above a threshold value of 20 ng/ml between outpatient visits, and increases in galectin-3 levels in excess of 15% at any three-month interval, were also predictive of significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes, including unplanned hospitalizations.

"We believe that the results of this research study further support a large body of evidence regarding the utility of galectin-3 as a predictor of adverse outcomes in chronic heart failure," said Dr. Paul R. Sohmer, President and CEO of BG-Medicine, Inc. "From this study, it appears that serial outpatient testing for galectin-3 may provide additional information that may facilitate decisions regarding the clinical management of stable heart failure patients."

For this clinical research study, galectin-3 levels were measured in plasma samples that had been collected as part of the PROTECT study.2 The study enrolled 151 stable heart failure (HF) patients, with an average age of 63 years, who were followed for a median of 10 months. The HF patients who participated in the study had galectin-3 blood levels drawn at four time points during scheduled outpatient physician visits. Galectin-3 levels independently predicted cardiovascular events even after adjustment for clinically relevant variables such as treatment arm allocation, NT-proBNP level, and kidney function. No effect on galectin-3 levels was observed in association with heart failure medications that provided symptom-related or mortality-related benefits.

"Unplanned hospitalizations and unforeseen cardiovascular events are devastating to heart failure patients and their families, represent a significant challenge to health care providers and continue to be a leading cost burden on healthcare systems," stated Dr. Sohmer. "The results of this study from the Massachusetts General Hospital provide further evidence that galectin-3 testing may help to identify and facilitate triage of those heart failure patients who are at elevated risk of near-term adverse events and of deteriorating cardiac function."

The BGM Galectin-3(R) test is cleared by the FDA as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure when used in conjunction with clinical evaluation.

About Galectin-3 and Heart Failure

Galectin-3 has been implicated in a variety of biological processes important in the development and progression of heart failure. Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with a more aggressive form of heart failure, which may make identification of high-risk patients using galectin-3 testing an important part of patient care. Galectin-3 testing may be useful in helping physicians determine which patients are at higher risk of death or hospitalization, including 30-day readmission. The BGM Galectin-3(R) test is to be used as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, in conjunction with clinical evaluation. For more information visit http://www.galectin-3.com

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (BGMD) is a commercial stage company that is focused on the development and delivery of diagnostic solutions to aid in the clinical management of heart failure and related disorders. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit http://www.BG-Medicine.com. The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available for download here

Link:

BG Medicine, Inc. Welcomes Galectin-3 Clinical Research Data From the PROTECT Study Conducted at Massachusetts General ...

Academy for Academic Excellence – The Liberty Bell – 2013 L.A. County Fair Marching Band Competition – Video

Posted on by


Academy for Academic Excellence - The Liberty Bell - 2013 L.A. County Fair Marching Band Competition
From Apple Valley, CA Academy for Academic Excellence Marching Knights performing their musical selection entitled The Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa at t...

By: Music213 .

See the article here:

Academy for Academic Excellence - The Liberty Bell - 2013 L.A. County Fair Marching Band Competition - Video

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Partners with Liberty Power to Award $20,000 in Scholarships

Posted on by

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCC Foundation) and Liberty Power awarded a $10,000 scholarship and two $5,000 scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers in the fields of environment and energy. The recipients were announced during the USHCC's 2013 National Convention in Chicago, the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in America.

"The USHCC is proud of Liberty Power's leadership and commitment to fostering the development of tomorrow's stars. Hispanic youth are America's next great innovators, leading the nation's STEM enrollment rates with a 33 percent increase in the last decade alone," said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "Liberty Power's generous donation will allow these students to pursue higher education, moving one step closer to achieving their dreams..." "There is a clear connection between my educational and life experiences and how I, with the help of others, have applied those lessons to get to where I am today," said David Hernandez, co-founder & CEO of Liberty Power. "Now, we at Liberty Power are proud to support promising young minds in their own educational pursuits."

The recipients of the $5,000 scholarships are Jonathan Taylor Fairey from the Georgia Institute of Technology studying industrial and systems engineering, and Lawrence Valverde from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign a Material Science PhD candidate. The grand prize winner of $10,000 is Tatiana Narvaez from Rice University studying Chemical Engineering.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The USHCC Foundation is committed to giving Hispanic entrepreneurs alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. The Foundation leverages corporate and public support to ensure that existing and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs gain access and achieve success in the world of business. Please visit http://www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.

About Liberty Power

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Liberty Power is the largest independent retail electric supplier in the United States based on 2013 KEMA rankings of electric retailers. The company is also the first certified, minority-owned supplier with a national footprint, and the largest Hispanic-owned energy company in the United States according to Hispanic Business. Liberty Power provides large and small businesses, government agencies and residential customers with low-cost electricity and exceptional customer service. For more information on Liberty Power, please visit http://www.libertypowercorp.com.

Read more here:

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Partners with Liberty Power to Award $20,000 in Scholarships

Liberty Mutual’s Group Benefits Unit Launches Secure Website to Guide Beneficiaries and Expedite Group Life Claims …

Posted on by

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In order to provide beneficiaries with quick and easy access to important claim documents and information, Liberty Mutual Insurances Group Benefits unit has launched a new online capability for group life insurance beneficiaries.

Through a secure link provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, the beneficiary can access a range of resources, including:

The site harnesses technology to provide group life beneficiaries with an immediate source of practical information and resources, ultimately speeding the claims process, notes Heather Luiz, director of product management at Liberty Mutuals Group Benefits operation. Now beneficiaries dont have to wait for critical documents, which means they have faster access to what are often essential benefits.

In addition to this new capability, Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a breadth of resources and support to beneficiaries, including sensitive and dedicated case managers to guide beneficiaries through the claims process, and services to help beneficiaries cope with grief, legal and financial issues.

Benefits consultants and brokers can get more information by emailing GroupBenefits@LibertyMutual.com

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2012 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 81st on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2012 revenue. As of December 31, 2012, Liberty Mutual Insurance had $120.1 billion in consolidated assets, $101.5 billion in consolidated liabilities, and $36.9 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, property, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, group life, reinsurance, surety, individual life and annuity products. Liberty Mutual Insurance (www.libertymutualinsurance.com) employs more than 50,000 people in approximately 900 offices throughout the world.

Visit link:

Liberty Mutual’s Group Benefits Unit Launches Secure Website to Guide Beneficiaries and Expedite Group Life Claims ...

Liberty Tax Service Reminds Business Owners of Affordable Care Act October 1 Deadline

Posted on by

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA--(Marketwired - Sep 23, 2013) - Liberty Tax Service, a subsidiary of JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX), is reminding business owners that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires them to notify employees by October 1, 2013 of health insurance coverage options. Under the ACA, businesses subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), must notify their employees of the insurance coverage options currently available to the employee. The Department of Labor's website has several model notices, including Spanish translations, for businesses to use depending on their specific scenario.

"Some business owners believe that they do not have to offer health insurance so they aren't required to do anything. However, businesses subject to the FLSA are required to notify all of their existing employees by October 1 of the insurance coverage options available through the health insurance marketplace," explains Chuck Lovelace, the Vice President of Affordable Care for Liberty Tax Service.

In order to address the changes the ACA will bring about to the tax industry, Liberty Tax has a department dedicated to training and educating its tax preparers and customers regarding the ACA's impact. For answers to questions or concerns regarding the ACA, individuals may email ACA@LibTax.com or call 1-800-673-8600.

Free seminars discussing the ACA's impact on individuals and businesses are open to the public at various Liberty Tax locations across the country. Free, informative pamphlets are also available to business owners and individuals who want to learn more about the ACA and its impact. Liberty Tax has a website, http://www.healthcaretaxinfo.com, which offers FAQs, a subsidy calculator, and scenarios for individual circumstances, to help inform the public about the ACA.

To find a local Liberty Tax Service office, call 1-866-871-1040 or visit http://www.LibertyTax.com.

About JTH Holding, Inc.Founded in 1997 by CEO John T. Hewitt, JTH Holding, Inc. is the parent company of Liberty Tax Service.As the fastest-growing tax preparation franchise, Liberty Tax Service has prepared over 12 million individual income tax returns.Liberty Tax Service also offers an online tax service, eSmart Tax, which enables customers to do their own taxes wherever there's a computer.eSmart Tax is backed by the tax professionals at Liberty Tax Service and its nationwide network of over 30,000 tax preparers, ready to offer their assistance at any time. For a more in-depth look at Liberty Tax Service, visit http://www.libertytax.com.

Read more here:

Liberty Tax Service Reminds Business Owners of Affordable Care Act October 1 Deadline

Libertarian candidate for governor to be at CNU today for community forum

Posted on by

Libertarian candidate Sarvis discusses tax reform, marriage equality at CNU forum

Story | Sep 23, 2013 | 4:50 PM

NEWPORT NEWS Robert Sarvis, the Libertarian Party candidate for governor, told attendees at a public forum Monday he's the "only candidate who's talking about increasing freedom in our economic and private laws." Sarvis, 37, addressed a sweeping...

Story | Sep 23, 2013 | 9:35 AM

The Gloucester Education Association made endorsements in two races for the Board of Superivsors, but declined to back a candidate in a third race in the November election. The GEA backed Mike Jenkins over Mike Winebarger in the Petsworth race and W....

Story | Sep 23, 2013

Tempus Jets chief executive Scott Terry says his company never took advantage of a state tax break written specifically for them, even though his company took plenty of flak over the matter. Terry says companies he's run have been the victim of unfair...

By Tom Hamburger and Peter Wallsten , The Washington Post

Story | Sep 23, 2013 | 9:17 AM

The pitches to potential investors in a new electric-car company have been unabashed about its promise: It will enjoy "billions" in government subsidies and tax credits, will rise to a dominant position in the U.S. electric-car industry and, perhaps...

Read more from the original source:

Libertarian candidate for governor to be at CNU today for community forum

Libertarian candidate Sarvis discusses tax reform, marriage equality at CNU forum | Video

Posted on by

Robert Sarvis, a Libertarian candidate for governor, speaks during a candidate forum on Monday at Christopher Newport University.

NEWPORT NEWS Robert Sarvis, the Libertarian Party candidate for governor, told attendees at a public forum Monday he's the "only candidate who's talking about increasing freedom in our economic and private laws."

Sarvis, 37, addressed a sweeping range of issues including tax reform, health care, same-sex marriage, and reforming the state's drug laws at the forum held on the campus of Christopher Newport University.

"The reason I got into this race is I think there's a sense we all have that something has gone terribly wrong with the relationship between us and our government," Sarvis said. He said his opponents in the race, Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli, "embody the worst of their respective parties."

Sarvis, who lives in Fairfax County, said he largely wants to eliminate the state income tax in favor of taxes on consumption.

"The best thing we can do is make labor markets more open and competitve, and get rid of the gap between what an employer pays to an employee and what an employee takes home at the end of the day," Sarvis said. "By reducing that gap you can jump-start employment."

Sarvis said he opposes expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare. "I think the last thing we want to do is further federalize our health care policy," Sarvis said. But he conceded that "the Affordable Care Act is the law of the landnow we should focus on the many ways we as a state shoot ourselves in the foot where state regulation is hampering our ability to meet the health needs of our system."

Sarvis would like to reform the health care licensure system in Virginia to make it easier for doctors and nurses to enter the market.

He is in favor of repealing state bans on same-sex marriage. He pointed to his own interracial marriage as an example that times have changed.

"I find that a lot of people don't even know that interracial marriages were illegal once in the state. It just goes to show those who are ignorant of history are doomed to repeat it. A lot of the arguments against same-sex marriages are the same ones that were made 50 years ago," Sarvis said.

Read more:

Libertarian candidate Sarvis discusses tax reform, marriage equality at CNU forum | Video