Healthcare
Shutting down Big Pharma U
Call it Big Pharma U. It's the commonplace practice of drug companies and medical device manufacturers to flood medical schools with millions…
Jun 3, 2008Consumer Watchdog
Providing an effective voice for American consumers in an era when special interests dominate public discourse, government and politics. Non-partisan.
Articles by Consumer Watchdog
Privacy
Keep track of your $6 billion
Do you want to know what California's stem cell agency is doing with California taxpayers' $6 billion? Here's one way...
Jun 3, 2008
Healthcare
AG’s Office Announces Online Drug Database
Los Angeles, CA -- Doctors and pharmacists are having trouble cutting off drug abusers because of the state's clunky process for checking…
Jun 3, 2008Gasoline Brushing $4.00 Is Breaking Point for Consumers Hit by Flat Wages, Job Losses
Government Must Speed Market Regulation, Says Consumer Watchdog; Group Calls for Stiffer Oil Trading Rules and Oversight of Refineries Santa Monica,…
Jun 2, 2008
Insurance
Keep strategic planning open, inclusive
Dr. Alan Trounson, the California stem cell institute's president, wants to revise the agency's strategic plan. The effort is needed, but Trounson…
Jun 2, 2008
Privacy
Poolside politics
ABC World News stirred up a mini ethics controversy with its report last week exposing California Representative Dan Lungren’s use of creative…
Jun 2, 2008
Insurance
Watchdogs Snarl Before FCC Tackles Wireless Fees
Wireless phone service providers may avoid paying millions of dollars in lawsuits if the Federal Communications Commission develops rules for early termination…
Jun 2, 2008
Privacy
Supreme Court: T-Mobile USA’s ‘Free Phone’ Lawsuit Can Move Forward
The Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings that held federal arbitration law does not pre-empt class-action litigation against T-Mobile USA Inc.,…
Jun 2, 2008
Energy
Life In The $4 Lane
Rising fuel costs eat into profits and curb fun, yet boost wealth for some Like invisible fumes spreading across the ground and…
Jun 1, 2008
Courtroom
Drug Company Stands To Benefit From Legislation
A drug company stands to financially benefit from proposed state legislation that could invalidate a class-action invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against it. The bill,…
Jun 1, 2008
Healthcare
California Regulators Near Deal With PacifiCare Over Rescission, Dropped Patients
State regulators are close to a deal with PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. to restore coverage to patients whose policies were canceled unfairly…
May 30, 2008
Healthcare
Senate Bill OKs Druggists’ Sharing Patient Files
A bill that would allow pharmacies in California to share patient prescription information with third-party businesses working for drugmakers was approved in…
May 30, 2008
Courtroom
CA Senate Caves to Drug Industry, Approves Bill Allowing Marketing Firms to Access Prescription Drug Records Without a Patient’s Consent
Santa Monica, CA -- The California Senate passed a bill today that will allow marketing firms, like bill sponsor Adheris, to gain…
May 29, 2008Consumer Watchdog Welcomes Investigation of Oil Price Manipulation, Cautions That CFTC May Be Ill-Equipped
Group Calls for FBI, Justice Department Participation, Public Support by Bush Santa Monica, CA -- The announcement that federal regulators are investigating…
May 29, 2008
Privacy
Stem cell law firm gets bigger contract
Despite difficulty mustering a quorum the stem agency's Governance Subcommittee Wednesday approved a 66 percent increase in a contract with its outside…
May 29, 2008
Healthcare
Bill Would Let Pharmacies Sell Medical Records
Pharmacies in California would be allowed to sell confidential patient prescription information to third-party marketing firms working for drug companies under a…
May 28, 200833-Cent Monthly Rise in Gasoline Keeps Oil’s Foot on Drivers’ Necks
Oil Prices Sag Yet Pump Keeps Zooming; Lack of Oversight Means ‘Double Whammy for Consumers’ and Economy This Summer, Says Group …
May 27, 2008
Privacy
Slipping into old bad habits
When the California stem cell agency was in start-up mode, the staff had a difficult time making key documents available before oversight…
May 27, 2008