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CDC reports first pediatric flu death in 2018-19 seasonNew York state considers blocking parts of CVS-Aetna merger21 hospitalized in 29-state antibiotic-resistant Salmonella outbreakNext Thursday is the Distribution Rep Networking Mixer in Atlanta!Bovie Medical appoints Laura Iversen as director of global operations for advanced energyDynarex introduces durable medical equipment lineHHS awards $293 million to expand primary healthcare workforceMaine hospital to consolidate services to single location| Market Research | CDC reports first pediatric flu death in 2018-19 season
The CDC, in its most recent FluView report, says the first flu-associated pediatric death of the 2018-19 season was reported in the week ending October 13. During the week ending October 13, two states reported local flu activity; 40 states and DC reported sporadic flu activity. Eight states reported no flu activity. Additionally, the report states that influenza A viruses have predominated in the US since the beginning of July. The CDC found 76% of specimens tested in clinical laboratories were influenza A. Outpatient visits for influenza-like illness remained low at 1.4%, below the national baseline of 2.2%. | | | -back to top- | New York state considers blocking parts of CVS-Aetna merger
New York state officials are considering blocking parts of the $68 billion merger of CVS Health and Aetna Inc. CVS and Aetna won approval from the US Department of Justice on October 10, contingent on Aetna divesting its Medicare Part D business, which covers prescription drugs for seniors. The deal still needs to pass through state regulatory bodies. At a public hearing, Maria Vullo, superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services, said her agency might block CVS’s merger with Aetna’s New York unit. She called DOJ approval of the overall deal “myopic” and repeatedly asked CVS and Aetna representatives for written evidence that they would deliver on promises to lower prices. Although CVS has said in the past that the merger would result in lower costs for consumers, Elizabeth Ferguson, deputy general counsel for CVS, told Vullo there wasn’t a specific plan to lower prices, according to Bloomberg. | | | -back to top- | 21 hospitalized in 29-state antibiotic-resistant Salmonella outbreak
The CDC and public health and regulatory officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections linked to raw chicken products. As of October 17, 2018, 92 sick people have been reported from 29 states, including 21 people who have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in live chickens and in many types of raw chicken products, indicating it might be widespread in the chicken industry. A single, common supplier of raw chicken products or of live chickens has not been identified. Testing shows that the outbreak strain of Salmonella is resistant to at least 13 antibiotics that may be used to treat people with severe Salmonella infection. Click here to see the CDC's report. | | | -back to top- | | From Repertoire Magazine | Next Thursday is the Distribution Rep Networking Mixer in Atlanta!
Repertoire Magazine invites you to the Regional Networking Mixer, November 1 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta, Georgia! This is a FREE event for distribution. Join us for networking and content on "Personal Selling in an Age of Online Buying: Are distribution reps a dying breed or are they the competitive advantage that saves distribution?"
Questions? Contact Anna McCormick at amccormick@sharemovingmedia.com. | | | -back to top- | | Manufacturer News | Bovie Medical appoints Laura Iversen as director of global operations for advanced energy
Bovie Medical Corporation (Clearwater, FL) appointed Laura Iversen to the newly created position as director of global operations for advanced energy. In this role, Iversen will be responsible for all aspects pertaining to the operations and manufacturing of the company’s advanced energy portfolio. Prior to joining Bovie Medical, she was the director of manufacturing and lean leader for Orluck Industries Inc. | | | -back to top- | Dynarex introduces durable medical equipment line
Dynarex (Orangeburg, NY) launched a Durable Medical Products (DME) line to round-out the company’s current product portfolio. The complete line offers hundreds of products including mobility items, rollators, wheelchairs, bathroom safety, beds and rails, mattresses and cushions, and patient room and accessories. Dynarex’s DME line is expected to help clients and end-users by offering more value while providing alternative equivalent products to many well-known brands, according to the company. Additionally, Dynarex partnered with the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) to officially launch the DME line at the Medtrade show in Atlanta, Georgia, October 14-16. As part of the partnership, Dynarex will donate 100 wheelchairs initially and continue to contribute a portion of the proceeds from every DME sale. | | | -back to top- | | Government News | HHS awards $293 million to expand primary healthcare workforce
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced $293 million in awards to primary healthcare clinicians and students through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Nurse Corps programs. The NHSC and Nurse Corps programs build healthy communities by providing scholarships and loan repayment to health care providers in exchange for working in areas of the US with limited access to care. About 10,900 NHSC members provide care at more than 5,000 healthcare sites. Nurse Corps has about 1,800 Nurse Corps members. To see a list of programs HHS has awarded support to, click here. | | | -back to top- | | Hospital and IDN News | Maine hospital to consolidate services to single location
Mercy Hospital (Portland, ME) will consolidate its services to one location and is launching a $20 million campaign to make the change. The project will see the hospital move its services to its Fore River campus. Once the project is complete, Mercy says it will close and sell the campus on State Street. | | | -back to top- |
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