Consumer Group Demands Merck Disclose Amount of Executive Payouts;
<h3>Golden Parachutes Cost Seniors & Patients in Higher Drug Prices</h3>
Healthcare
Terminating Patient Care
<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">It was stories of patients who
died of neglect in California hospitals, like 47 year-old Dwight Lobb,
that led to the state law requiring adequate nurse-to-patient ratios.
But, flush with $150K...</font>
State moves to freeze nurse-patient ratio
<p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p>
<p>In a post-election blow to powerful nursing unions, the Schwarzenegger administration moved Thursday to ease some requirements of the state's first-in-the-nation law telling hospitals how many nurses they must have on hand to care for patients.</p>
State backs off on nurse levels
<p class="source">Contra Costa Times (California)</p>
<p>Responding to complaints that hospitals are closing because of a law that took effect this year, California's health department on Thursday said it will ease nurse staffing requirements.</p>
‘TAKE GENERIC DRUGS,’ BRAND FIRM TELLS ITS EMPLOYEES
<p class="source">Washington Business Information Generic Line</p>
<p>"While big pharma tout their R&D costs, according to their tax filings they spend two to three times more on marketing and advertising," said Jerry Flanagan, healthcare policy director of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights.</p>
The Yonge Street drug connection
<p class="source">The Toronto Star</p>
<p>The Shannons are just two among two dozen Americans who rolled into Union Station Wednesday night on the Rx Express - a train voyage that started five days ago in Miami. Invited aboard by the non-partisan FTCR, they saved an average of 56% on their drug p</p>
Drug maker promotes generics for workers;
<h3>Novartis draws fire on cost-cutting bid</h3><p class="source">New Jersey Star Ledger</p>
<p>Critics said the cost-cutting move by Novartis undermines the industry's position. As they see it, the company is conceding that prescription-drug costs are rising so rapidly that even a large drug maker can't afford to cover costs for its own employees</p>
Presidential Debate on Prescription Drug Prices Isn’t Stopping the RxExpress
<p class="source">CTV - News Canada</p>
<p>More than two dozen seniors and patients arrived in Toronto Wednesday night aboard a chartered train that picked up passengers from across the U.S. as it made its way north from Miami, Florida.</p>
U.S. Seniors Aboard the Rx Express Save 60% on Prescriptions in Canada
<h3>U.S. President Bush and Senator Kerry Urged to Endorse Rx Bulk Purchasing</h3>
U.S. seniors take ‘Rx Express’ to T.O.:
<h3>Come to buy lower-cost Canadian prescriptions</h3><p class="source">The Standard (St. Catharines, Ontario)</p>
<p>The Toronto-bound Amtrak train departed Miami on Monday and stopped in dozens of East Coast cities to pick up passengers. Dubbed the Rx Express, the trip includes 25 seniors or other ailing Americans from several states up and down the east coast.</p>
U.S. seniors descend on Toronto pharmacy
<p class="source">CANADIAN PRESS</p>
<p>A group of U.S. patients frustrated with the cost of drug therapy at home descended on a downtown pharmacy today to send a message to American political leaders - and fill their prescriptions at the same time</p>
U.S. seniors ride ‘Rx Express’ to Toronto to buy lower-cost prescriptions
<p class="source">The Canadian Press (CP)</p>
<p>More than two dozen U.S. seniors and patients rolled into Toronto Wednesday night aboard the Rx Express a chartered train on a whistle-stop tour to buy lower-cost Canadian prescription drugs.</p>