The Economist: Patently Absurd

The Economist recently published an interesting opinion article on the impact of innovation on the economy — specifically the negative impact of patent backlogs on business (particularly small entrepreneurial business). Patently Absurd INNOVATION and jobs have become a modern version of motherhood and apple pie in Washington, DC. Everyone in America’s capital wants lots more [...]

Asthma rates climb in US for children, adults

An article from today’s Wall Street Journal highlights the results of a new CDC study, which reports a 12.3% increase in the prevalence of asthma in the United States from 2001-2009.   Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, affected 8.2% of all U.S. residents in 2009 (24.6 million), up from 7.3% in 2001. The CDC estimated [...]

US and Russia partner to eradicate polio around the world

Today, the U.S. government and the government of the Russian Federation, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation (MOHSD), signed a Protocol of Intent on Cooperation for the Global Eradication of Polio.

The Promise of American Medical Innovation

Ahead of its symposium Wednesday (Medical Innovation at the Crossroads:  Choosing the Path Ahead), the Council for American Medical Innovation released a Web video on the impact of medical innovation on American life and its potential (as reported by POLITICO Pulse).  The symposium includes U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, [...]

US Bill proposes to strengthen drug safety laws

Leaders of four committees in the US House of Representatives have introduced a bill — Drug Safety Enhancement Act (Bill HR 6543) — which would upgrade America’s prescription drug safety laws.  This Bill proposes to equip the FDA with the authorities and resources it needs to adequately regulate the growing global marketplace for drugs. HR [...]

Opinion: Knowledge-based jobs for health, wealth and security

The following opinion editorial on the future of knowledge-based economies was published by The Cameron Institute and raises some interesting thoughts in terms of how innovation can fuel economic growth while also helping improve patient outcomes and society as a whole. What do miracle blood clot-busters, cold water detergents, chlorine-free coffee filters, lighter-weight motor vehicles, [...]

CDC estimates 1 in 3 adults could have diabetes by 2050

As many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue, according to a new analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in 10 U.S. adults has diabetes now. The prevalence is expected to rise sharply over the next 40 years due to an aging population [...]

US releases IP enforcement strategy

Today, Vice President Joe Biden and Victoria Espinel, Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator, released the U.S. government’s official IP enforcement strategy.  The plan — developed following extensive public consultation — identifies 33 key action items to combat intellectual property infringement, both domestically and internationally. Download the PDF to read the complete 2010 Joint Strategic Plan on [...]

Global Health Spending Comparisons – Public vs. Private

It is well know that significant disparities exist in the amount of health spending between countries around the world.  What is less well known is that there are similar disparities when it comes to the source of health funding — public vs. private. The following graph (from the latest issue of Global Health Magazine) highlights [...]

The economic impact of IP infringement: a report from the U.S. GAO

The United States Government Accountability Office recently released a report on efforts to quantify the effects of counterfeit goods (Intellectual property:  observations on efforts to quantify the effects of counterfeit and pirated goods). Intellectual property is an important component of the U.S. economy, however the report noted that the illicit nature of counterfeiting and piracy [...]