http://www.connotea.org/article/fa7cbf90f70bb860664dd0e2d8f57031
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Kicking off a two-day Sunshine State barnstorm Saturday, President Barack Obama tapped into key parts of what he hopes will be a winning Florida coalition similar to but larger than the one he assembled in 2008.
At stops in Seminole and Kissimmee, Fla., the president, who won the Sunshine State by just 50.9 percent in 2008, targeted the votes of senior citizens, warning that their Medicare benefits would be harmed by a plan put forward by his Republican opponents Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
“I want you to know, AARP, I would never turn Medicare into a voucher,” Obama said at a civic center here, making an explicit play for members of the 50-and-up club. “I believe no American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies.”
Obama lost Florida seniors to John McCain in 2008 but is seeking to do better with them this time around, focusing mainly on appealing to their support of federal entitlements. They’re a lucrative demographic in Florida, having made up 22 percent of the total vote in 2008.
Vice President Joe Biden also brought the “Medicare good, Republicans bad” message to Zanesville, Ohio, where he told a crowd there that Romney and Ryan are “not actually preserving Medicare. They’re for a whole new plan, ‘vouchercare.’"
The Romney campaign pushed back on Biden’s attack on Medicare, saying in a statement that Biden “knowingly and deliberately leveled false and discredited attacks.”
Besides seniors, the president also tailored his pitch Saturday to Hispanic voters, who tended to lean Republican in Florida before 57 percent of them voted for Obama in 2008. Introducing him in Kissimmee was Viviana Margarita Janer, a woman who was born in Puerto Rico but has lived in the United States since she was 6 months old.
Janer urged the audience of 3,000 to register to vote, noting that the website gottaregister.com, which Obama frequently hawks on the stump, is also available in Spanish.
“When you put the ‘I voted’ sticker on, you’re going to feel great pride knowing that you gave this man, this great leader, four more years to finish what he started,” she said.
And earlier in Seminole, Obama praised Hispanic voters as part of the patchwork that gave him a win in Florida in 2008.
“I look out on this crowd, I am reminded you were the change,” he said to a crowd of 10,000 at the Seminole campus of St. Petersburg College, noting “folks… from every walk of life -- black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, young, old, gay, straight, abled, disabled,” he said.
The president blazed through friendly territory throughout Saturday, first in Pinellas County, home to Seminole, where he won 54 percent of the vote in 2008. And Osceola County, where Kissimmee is, gave him 60 percent of the vote.
Kissimmee has special resonance for the Obama campaign given Bill Clinton’s post-convention status as Obama has been putting it “Secretary of Explaining Stuff:” Kissimmee was the first place the two campaigned together after Obama bested Clinton’s wife, Hillary, in the 2008 Democratic primaries.
During that Oct. 30 speech, Clinton, perhaps still a bit raw from the bruising primary his wife endured, praised Obama as a good decision-maker in part because he had the good sense to consult the Clintons during the financial crisis.
“He talked to his advisers — he talked to my economic advisers, he called Hillary. He called me,” Clinton said. “You know why? Because he knew it was complicated and before he said anything, he wanted to understand,” Clinton said, four years before he would get a bear hug from the now-president after delivering one of the strongest defenses ever of the latter’s policies.
Friday 14 September 2012
China-US Standoff over Dissident Chen - blogger - connotea
http://www.connotea.org/article/93089796c602c7ba7e9f28f7d256062d
The decision of US to let the blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng return into China’s fold following his escape from authorities is straining ties between the two countries as diplomatic dialogues opened in Beijing.
The 40-year old Chen who is now considered a dissident became an international human rights inspiration to many Chinese after earning the ire of the local government for exposing forced abortions in line with the country’s one-child policy. The self-taught lawyer took to the US embassy after his escape, apparently to ask for help but was eventually ushered into the Beijing Hospital.
According to a senior official’s statement to Springhill Care Group, Chen has indeed went into the embassy that day and has requested for medical treatment for his injured foot. American medical personnel have then conducted medical tests and made appropriate treatment during the time he was there.
Immediately after the incident, the Chinese government has expressed its disapproval about the entire affair, demanding an apology from the US for taking Chen in.
“What the U.S. side should do now is neither to continue misleading the public and making every excuse to shift responsibility and conceal its wrongdoing, nor to interfere in the domestic affairs of China,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin.
This incident came just when the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is visiting Beijing in a meeting with Chinese officials on security and trade talks. And although no one mentioned Chen’s name, it is evident in their statements that the incident is on the spotlight as the 2 nations struggle to maintain common ground.
Clinton said in her opening statement, “The United States believes that no state can legitimately deny the universal rights that belong to every human being – or punish those who exercise them. A China that protects the rights of all its citizens will be a stronger, more prosperous partner for the United States.”
Dai Bingguo issued a rebuttal on behalf of China, saying, “I wish to point out in particular the fundamental way to manage state-to-state relations is to abide by the basic norms of international relations, namely to respect China’s sovereignty, core interests and choice of social system.”
Meanwhile, Chinese President Hu Jintao made his point known in his opening speech during the 4th round of US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogues. He remarked that US and China should know how to respect each other despite their disagreements and also appealed to its counterpart to break the conventional belief that superpowers are bound to engage in conflicts.
“Given our different national conditions, it is impossible for both China and the United States to see eye to eye on every issue. We should properly manage the differences by improving mutual understanding so these differences will not undermine the larger interests of China-U.S. relations,” said Hu.
Springhill Care Group reports that the Chinese leader seems to be open in creating new and creative ways to foster better relations between the major nations.
“We should, through creative thinking and concrete steps, prove that the traditional belief that big powers are bound to enter into confrontation and conflicts is wrong and seek new ways of developing relations between major countries in the era of economic globalization,” he added.
The decision of US to let the blind human rights activist Chen Guangcheng return into China’s fold following his escape from authorities is straining ties between the two countries as diplomatic dialogues opened in Beijing.
The 40-year old Chen who is now considered a dissident became an international human rights inspiration to many Chinese after earning the ire of the local government for exposing forced abortions in line with the country’s one-child policy. The self-taught lawyer took to the US embassy after his escape, apparently to ask for help but was eventually ushered into the Beijing Hospital.
According to a senior official’s statement to Springhill Care Group, Chen has indeed went into the embassy that day and has requested for medical treatment for his injured foot. American medical personnel have then conducted medical tests and made appropriate treatment during the time he was there.
Immediately after the incident, the Chinese government has expressed its disapproval about the entire affair, demanding an apology from the US for taking Chen in.
“What the U.S. side should do now is neither to continue misleading the public and making every excuse to shift responsibility and conceal its wrongdoing, nor to interfere in the domestic affairs of China,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin.
This incident came just when the US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is visiting Beijing in a meeting with Chinese officials on security and trade talks. And although no one mentioned Chen’s name, it is evident in their statements that the incident is on the spotlight as the 2 nations struggle to maintain common ground.
Clinton said in her opening statement, “The United States believes that no state can legitimately deny the universal rights that belong to every human being – or punish those who exercise them. A China that protects the rights of all its citizens will be a stronger, more prosperous partner for the United States.”
Dai Bingguo issued a rebuttal on behalf of China, saying, “I wish to point out in particular the fundamental way to manage state-to-state relations is to abide by the basic norms of international relations, namely to respect China’s sovereignty, core interests and choice of social system.”
Meanwhile, Chinese President Hu Jintao made his point known in his opening speech during the 4th round of US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogues. He remarked that US and China should know how to respect each other despite their disagreements and also appealed to its counterpart to break the conventional belief that superpowers are bound to engage in conflicts.
“Given our different national conditions, it is impossible for both China and the United States to see eye to eye on every issue. We should properly manage the differences by improving mutual understanding so these differences will not undermine the larger interests of China-U.S. relations,” said Hu.
Springhill Care Group reports that the Chinese leader seems to be open in creating new and creative ways to foster better relations between the major nations.
“We should, through creative thinking and concrete steps, prove that the traditional belief that big powers are bound to enter into confrontation and conflicts is wrong and seek new ways of developing relations between major countries in the era of economic globalization,” he added.
Saturday 1 September 2012
Home Instead Senior Care Launches Senior Fraud Awareness Campaign/svejo
http://bookmarkerportal.com/story.php?title=home-instead-senior-care-launches-senior-fraud-awareness-campaign-pymnts-com
Home Instead Senior Care, the nation’s largest provider of in-home companion care services, today announced the launch of its Protect Seniors from FraudSM program. This new initiative empowers older Americans and their families by arming them with the information and tools they need to help protect themselves from con artists targeting the elderly.
These scammers are proving successful with victims of elder financial abuse currently estimated to experience an annual financial loss of $2.9 billion.* Often retired, less mobile, more reliant on others and home for unannounced calls or visits, seniors are frequently perceived as “easy prey” by scammers. Seniors are also quickly becoming the largest population segment. Coupled, these trends increase the risk for a number of crimes —particularly those involving identity theft, Medicaid/Medicare fraud and financial exploitation.
“Increasingly, scams targeting seniors are a threat to the financial stability and safety of our nation’s seniors, putting many at risk for losing their life savings or homes—not to mention their trust in others,” said Jisella Dolan, Vice President and General Counsel, Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor for Home Instead Senior Care. “But there are easy steps seniors and their families can take to help prevent these crimes. Protect Seniors from Fraud will help reduce the risk by educating potential victims.”
The Protect Seniors from Fraud program, developed with expert advice from senior-crime prevention organization the National Association of Triads, Inc., provides a number of free online resources, including a Senior Fraud Protection Kit with scam prevention tips, risk assessment tools, and advice on what to do if you or a loved one is scammed. Specific precautions found in these materials, which seniors and their families can implement to help avoid falling victim to con artists, include:
Shredding any documents useful to criminals, such as bank statements, credit card statements and offers,
Registering on the national Do-Not-Call Registry and hanging-up on all solicitation calls, and
Being wary of individuals who have newly befriended you or a loved one, and make an effort to get to know them.
Perhaps even more alarming than the crimes themselves, is the fact that many seniors are reluctant to report them, which makes it difficult for authorities to capture these con artists. A recent AARP study** revealed that only 25 percent of crime victims over age 55 have reported to authorities they’ve fallen for a scam.
“These seniors may be afraid to be seen as vulnerable by the law, and those in a position to tell them that perhaps they are not fit to continue living by themselves,” said Ed Hutchison, Director of the National Association of Triads, Inc. “It’s a perceived threat of a loss of independence that drives many to keep quiet.”
With the free tips and the campaign resources made available through Protect Seniors from Fraud, however, seniors, their families and caregivers don’t have to be unwitting victims of those seeking to take advantage of them. For more information about the program, and to access the free online materials, visit www.ProtectSeniorsFromFraud.com.
Home Instead Senior Care, the nation’s largest provider of in-home companion care services, today announced the launch of its Protect Seniors from FraudSM program. This new initiative empowers older Americans and their families by arming them with the information and tools they need to help protect themselves from con artists targeting the elderly.
These scammers are proving successful with victims of elder financial abuse currently estimated to experience an annual financial loss of $2.9 billion.* Often retired, less mobile, more reliant on others and home for unannounced calls or visits, seniors are frequently perceived as “easy prey” by scammers. Seniors are also quickly becoming the largest population segment. Coupled, these trends increase the risk for a number of crimes —particularly those involving identity theft, Medicaid/Medicare fraud and financial exploitation.
“Increasingly, scams targeting seniors are a threat to the financial stability and safety of our nation’s seniors, putting many at risk for losing their life savings or homes—not to mention their trust in others,” said Jisella Dolan, Vice President and General Counsel, Home Instead, Inc., the franchisor for Home Instead Senior Care. “But there are easy steps seniors and their families can take to help prevent these crimes. Protect Seniors from Fraud will help reduce the risk by educating potential victims.”
The Protect Seniors from Fraud program, developed with expert advice from senior-crime prevention organization the National Association of Triads, Inc., provides a number of free online resources, including a Senior Fraud Protection Kit with scam prevention tips, risk assessment tools, and advice on what to do if you or a loved one is scammed. Specific precautions found in these materials, which seniors and their families can implement to help avoid falling victim to con artists, include:
Shredding any documents useful to criminals, such as bank statements, credit card statements and offers,
Registering on the national Do-Not-Call Registry and hanging-up on all solicitation calls, and
Being wary of individuals who have newly befriended you or a loved one, and make an effort to get to know them.
Perhaps even more alarming than the crimes themselves, is the fact that many seniors are reluctant to report them, which makes it difficult for authorities to capture these con artists. A recent AARP study** revealed that only 25 percent of crime victims over age 55 have reported to authorities they’ve fallen for a scam.
“These seniors may be afraid to be seen as vulnerable by the law, and those in a position to tell them that perhaps they are not fit to continue living by themselves,” said Ed Hutchison, Director of the National Association of Triads, Inc. “It’s a perceived threat of a loss of independence that drives many to keep quiet.”
With the free tips and the campaign resources made available through Protect Seniors from Fraud, however, seniors, their families and caregivers don’t have to be unwitting victims of those seeking to take advantage of them. For more information about the program, and to access the free online materials, visit www.ProtectSeniorsFromFraud.com.
Scam Alert: Bogus Home Rental Ads On Craigslist/svejo
http://bookmarkerportal.com/story.php?title=wpec-tv-cbs12-news-news-top-stories-scam-alert-bogus-home-rental-ads-on-craigslist-1
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. -- A warning going out to home buyers or renters tonight. There's another scam to watch out for. This one involves properties advertised on Craigslist.
A local woman nearly fell for the scam and would have been out hundreds of dollars. But thanks to her due diligence and the help of a real estate agent, she found out the whole thing was a hoax.
A yellow, two-bedroom house in a nice Boynton Beach neighborhood for rent on Craigslist for just $700. It may sound too good to be true. That's because it is.
"This guy was trying to scoop up a couple of people real quick I think, to fall for it," said homeowner Boyd Boggess.
Boyd Boggess owns the house on Southwest 23rd Terrace, spoke to us on the phone. He's trying to sell or rent the house for about twice that amount, but he didn't place the ad on Craigslist. Someone posing as him did.
"He said I am Boyd Boggess. I need someone responsible. I'm away on a Christian fellowship three year tour," said Boggess.
The homeowers listing agent says he found out about the scam after getting a call from a woman about to send money to the person who the Craiglist Ad that's when he went online and discovered the bogus posting.
"He told her thats a scam the owner is out of the country," said Boggess.
These scam artists are going to real estate web sites and doing a simple right click, save as, copying the pics taking listing information and creating these craigslist postings," Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department.
Boynton Beach police haven't yet received any complaints from people who have fallen for the scam. But they do warn potential buyers or renters using Craigslist to do their homework.
"Verify if its a licensed realtor and go to other sites to see if can find same property," said Slater.
Boynton Beach police say they're investigating, but admit these cases are difficult to prosecute.
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. -- A warning going out to home buyers or renters tonight. There's another scam to watch out for. This one involves properties advertised on Craigslist.
A local woman nearly fell for the scam and would have been out hundreds of dollars. But thanks to her due diligence and the help of a real estate agent, she found out the whole thing was a hoax.
A yellow, two-bedroom house in a nice Boynton Beach neighborhood for rent on Craigslist for just $700. It may sound too good to be true. That's because it is.
"This guy was trying to scoop up a couple of people real quick I think, to fall for it," said homeowner Boyd Boggess.
Boyd Boggess owns the house on Southwest 23rd Terrace, spoke to us on the phone. He's trying to sell or rent the house for about twice that amount, but he didn't place the ad on Craigslist. Someone posing as him did.
"He said I am Boyd Boggess. I need someone responsible. I'm away on a Christian fellowship three year tour," said Boggess.
The homeowers listing agent says he found out about the scam after getting a call from a woman about to send money to the person who the Craiglist Ad that's when he went online and discovered the bogus posting.
"He told her thats a scam the owner is out of the country," said Boggess.
These scam artists are going to real estate web sites and doing a simple right click, save as, copying the pics taking listing information and creating these craigslist postings," Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department.
Boynton Beach police haven't yet received any complaints from people who have fallen for the scam. But they do warn potential buyers or renters using Craigslist to do their homework.
"Verify if its a licensed realtor and go to other sites to see if can find same property," said Slater.
Boynton Beach police say they're investigating, but admit these cases are difficult to prosecute.
Tuesday 24 July 2012
Health care scams targeting elderly-blogger
http://springhillcaregroupambrociabanks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/health-care-scams-targeting-elderly.html
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is joining the Federal Trade Commission in warning consumers about a new scam targeting seniors.
“Do not give personal details to callers posing as government officials attempting to collect your health information as part of the new Affordable Care Act,” said Shannon Smith, Division Chief for the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Federal and state authorities believe scammers will increasingly exploit news about the recent health care ruling to target seniors, confuse and rip them off. One consumer tipped off the Attorney General’s Office that her mother was contacted by someone who said they were from the government calling to update her health information for the new Affordable Care Act. The caller first asked for a checking account number. Then, in an attempt to seem legitimate, the caller referenced the woman’s daughter, who probably showed up in public records searches.
Earlier in July, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned consumers to be watchful for scams related to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling. Scams related to the federal health insurance law were reported immediately after the act was passed. Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO of the BBB in St. Louis commented that “These types of scams often crop up when there is news of a big change in government policy, whether it’s health insurance or tax credits.”
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America with consumers losing billions of dollars each year. People over age 50 are especially vulnerable and make up a significant percentage of those who fall victim to identity thieves. Older people are targeted because thieves know they are wealthier than younger people and generally have better credit. Retirement communities are easy targets. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft targeting people over the age of 60 jumped from 1,800 cases in 2000 to almost 6,000 the following year.
“You can help educate your friends, parents, and others by becoming familiar with some of the more common scams and how they operate and share that information with others,” said Smith.
Be aware of common red flags and know how to avoid them:
Fraudulent sales callers might use high-pressure tactics, but do not be pressured, intimidated or coerced; scammers trying to sell phony policies might urge consumers to buy quickly claiming there is a limited enrollment period.
Be skeptical of offers about health insurance and callers asking for your personal information. Neither the government nor legitimate companies will contact you and ask for personal details, so avoid providing that information over the phone. Never give out personal details such as your social security number or account numbers
Refuse to send money via wire transfers. Assume that any time someone asks you to send money by Western Union or Moneygram, it’s a scam. Once you send funds this way, the money is gone and can’t be retrieved.
GlaxoSmithKline to pay $3 billion for drug fraud-blogger
http://springhillcaregroupambrociabanks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/glaxosmithkline-to-pay-3-billion-for.html
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) ― British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline will pay $3 billion in fines ― the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history ― for criminal and civil violations involving 10 drugs that are taken by millions of people.
The Justice Department said Monday that GlaxoSmithKline PLC will plead guilty to promoting popular antidepressants Paxil and Wellbutrin for unapproved uses. The company also will plead guilty to failing to report to the government for seven years some safety problems with diabetes drug Avandia, which was restricted in the U.S. and banned in Europe after it was found in 2007 to sharply increase the risks of heart attack and congestive heart failure.
In addition to the fine, Glaxo agreed to resolve civil liability for promoting Paxil, Wellbutrin, asthma drug Advair and two lesser-known drugs for unapproved uses. The company also resolved accusations that it overcharged the government-funded Medicaid program for some drugs, and that it paid kickbacks to doctors to prescribe several drugs including asthma drug Flovent and herpes medicine Valtrex.
Sir Andrew Witty, Glaxo’s CEO, expressed regret Monday and said the company has learned “from the mistakes that were made.”
This is the latest in a string of settlements related to drug companies putting profits ahead of patients. In recent years, the government has cracked down on drugmakers’ aggressive tactics, which include marketing medicines for unapproved uses. While doctors are allowed to prescribe medicines for any use, drugmakers cannot promote them in any way not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Let me be clear, we will not tolerate health care fraud,” Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole said Monday during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington.
In addition to the $3 billion penalty ― which includes a $1 billion criminal fine and forfeiture and $2 billion to resolve civil claims ― Glaxo agreed to be monitored by the government for five years to ensure the company complies with marketing and other rules. Glaxo is scheduled to plead guilty to the criminal charges and have the settlement approved at a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston.
The case against Glaxo was originally brought in January 2003 by two whistleblowers, former Glaxo sales representatives Greg Thorpe and Blair Hamrick. In January 2011, the federal government joined in the case.
Prosecutors said Glaxo illegally promoted Paxil for treating depression in children from 1998 to 2003, even though it wasn’t approved for anyone under age 18. The company also promoted Wellbutrin from 1999 through 2003 for weight loss, sexual dysfunction, substance addictions and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, although it was only approved for treatment of major depression.
Starting in 2001, Thorpe reported to his district manager, then to Glaxo’s human resources department and finally to Glaxo’s chief of global compliance about a number of improper marketing practices. The compliance chief eventually began an internal investigation, which confirmed Thorpe’s allegations through marketing materials and other evidence collected and from interviews with Hamrick and other sales representatives, according to lawyers for the two men.
Brian Kenney and Tavy Deming, attorneys for the two salesmen, said top management did nothing to stop the illegal practices, pressured Thorpe to resign and later fired Hamrick for allegedly not cooperating with the company’s investigation of one kickback allegation.
According to Deming, Hamrick reported that at a 2000 regional meeting of sales representatives in Las Vegas, they were directed to promote Wellbutrin as the drug that makes patients happy, skinny and sexually turned on, part of a catchy national slogan repeated to doctors.
Thorpe said in a statement Monday that he was penalized after he reported kickbacks being paid to doctors and sales reps encouraging doctors to promote drugs for unapproved uses, including using Paxil and Wellbutrin in children.
“In the end, I was told that my concerns were not valid. I was put on leave” after a 24-year career, Thorpe wrote. He added that he was told to either “take a severance package or go back to work for the same people, doing the same things I had reported to management.”
Thorpe and Hamrick, plus two other sales rep whistleblowers who joined the case shortly after them, will receive an as-yet undecided portion of the $3 billion.
The Glaxo case underscores how aggressive the Justice Department has become in pursuing such conduct. In a May settlement, Abbott Laboratories pleaded guilty and agreed to pay the government a $700 million criminal fine and forfeiture for promoting Depakote, approved for bipolar disorder and epilepsy, for use in patients with dementia and autism. That was on top of civil settlements with numerous states and the federal government totaling $800 million.
Prior to the Glaxo settlement, the record-setting case involved Pfizer Inc., the world’s biggest drugmaker. It paid the government $2.3 billion in 2009 in criminal and civil fines for improperly marketing 13 different drugs, including erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra and cholesterol fighter Lipitor, the top-selling drug in the world for years. Pfizer was accused of encouraging doctors to prescribe its drugs with free golf, massages and junkets to posh resorts.
“For far too long, we have heard that the pharmaceutical industry views these settlements merely as the cost of doing business,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery, head of Justice’s civil division. “Today’s resolution seeks not only to punish wrongdoing and recover taxpayer dollars, but to ensure GSK’s future compliance with the law.”
TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) ― British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline will pay $3 billion in fines ― the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history ― for criminal and civil violations involving 10 drugs that are taken by millions of people.
The Justice Department said Monday that GlaxoSmithKline PLC will plead guilty to promoting popular antidepressants Paxil and Wellbutrin for unapproved uses. The company also will plead guilty to failing to report to the government for seven years some safety problems with diabetes drug Avandia, which was restricted in the U.S. and banned in Europe after it was found in 2007 to sharply increase the risks of heart attack and congestive heart failure.
In addition to the fine, Glaxo agreed to resolve civil liability for promoting Paxil, Wellbutrin, asthma drug Advair and two lesser-known drugs for unapproved uses. The company also resolved accusations that it overcharged the government-funded Medicaid program for some drugs, and that it paid kickbacks to doctors to prescribe several drugs including asthma drug Flovent and herpes medicine Valtrex.
Sir Andrew Witty, Glaxo’s CEO, expressed regret Monday and said the company has learned “from the mistakes that were made.”
This is the latest in a string of settlements related to drug companies putting profits ahead of patients. In recent years, the government has cracked down on drugmakers’ aggressive tactics, which include marketing medicines for unapproved uses. While doctors are allowed to prescribe medicines for any use, drugmakers cannot promote them in any way not approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Let me be clear, we will not tolerate health care fraud,” Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole said Monday during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington.
In addition to the $3 billion penalty ― which includes a $1 billion criminal fine and forfeiture and $2 billion to resolve civil claims ― Glaxo agreed to be monitored by the government for five years to ensure the company complies with marketing and other rules. Glaxo is scheduled to plead guilty to the criminal charges and have the settlement approved at a hearing Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston.
The case against Glaxo was originally brought in January 2003 by two whistleblowers, former Glaxo sales representatives Greg Thorpe and Blair Hamrick. In January 2011, the federal government joined in the case.
Prosecutors said Glaxo illegally promoted Paxil for treating depression in children from 1998 to 2003, even though it wasn’t approved for anyone under age 18. The company also promoted Wellbutrin from 1999 through 2003 for weight loss, sexual dysfunction, substance addictions and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, although it was only approved for treatment of major depression.
Starting in 2001, Thorpe reported to his district manager, then to Glaxo’s human resources department and finally to Glaxo’s chief of global compliance about a number of improper marketing practices. The compliance chief eventually began an internal investigation, which confirmed Thorpe’s allegations through marketing materials and other evidence collected and from interviews with Hamrick and other sales representatives, according to lawyers for the two men.
Brian Kenney and Tavy Deming, attorneys for the two salesmen, said top management did nothing to stop the illegal practices, pressured Thorpe to resign and later fired Hamrick for allegedly not cooperating with the company’s investigation of one kickback allegation.
According to Deming, Hamrick reported that at a 2000 regional meeting of sales representatives in Las Vegas, they were directed to promote Wellbutrin as the drug that makes patients happy, skinny and sexually turned on, part of a catchy national slogan repeated to doctors.
Thorpe said in a statement Monday that he was penalized after he reported kickbacks being paid to doctors and sales reps encouraging doctors to promote drugs for unapproved uses, including using Paxil and Wellbutrin in children.
“In the end, I was told that my concerns were not valid. I was put on leave” after a 24-year career, Thorpe wrote. He added that he was told to either “take a severance package or go back to work for the same people, doing the same things I had reported to management.”
Thorpe and Hamrick, plus two other sales rep whistleblowers who joined the case shortly after them, will receive an as-yet undecided portion of the $3 billion.
The Glaxo case underscores how aggressive the Justice Department has become in pursuing such conduct. In a May settlement, Abbott Laboratories pleaded guilty and agreed to pay the government a $700 million criminal fine and forfeiture for promoting Depakote, approved for bipolar disorder and epilepsy, for use in patients with dementia and autism. That was on top of civil settlements with numerous states and the federal government totaling $800 million.
Prior to the Glaxo settlement, the record-setting case involved Pfizer Inc., the world’s biggest drugmaker. It paid the government $2.3 billion in 2009 in criminal and civil fines for improperly marketing 13 different drugs, including erectile-dysfunction drug Viagra and cholesterol fighter Lipitor, the top-selling drug in the world for years. Pfizer was accused of encouraging doctors to prescribe its drugs with free golf, massages and junkets to posh resorts.
“For far too long, we have heard that the pharmaceutical industry views these settlements merely as the cost of doing business,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery, head of Justice’s civil division. “Today’s resolution seeks not only to punish wrongdoing and recover taxpayer dollars, but to ensure GSK’s future compliance with the law.”
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Organised investment fraud cost Aussies $113m
Organised investment fraud cost Aussies $113m
The Australian Crime Commission has estimated that 2600 Australians have lost more than $113 million due to investment fraud, in the last five years.
The findings come in a new report, published yesterday, titled Serious and Organised Investment Fraud in Australia (PDF). The report was put together by Taskforce Galilee, a consortium of 19 government departments, including the Crime Commission, the Attorney-General's Department, the Australian Tax Office, the Department of Human Services and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
In addition to offers for shares in companies, the fraudsters offer green energy investments, new technology shares, lotteries and sweepstakes and foreign currency trading, among others.
The report found that most of the operations targeting Australians were based overseas. Many were based in Asia, but were not run in Asia. Those who cold-called victims were generally Australia, English, Scottish, Kiwi or South African.
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