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All News Analyses by this Author

Pantech's Intelligent Marketing Appoach Results in Increased Sales

January 5, 2009

Analysis of:Korea's Pantech Rings Up U.S. Sales | www.forbes.com

Pantech Wireless (PWI) is a relatively small cell-phone manufacturer who has developed success in the US market through a careful analysis of its strengths.   With the current economic environment otherwise predicting falls in sales, it has leveraged its relationship with corporate giant AT&T, and created desirable products for its targeted niches.

The War for Wireless Domination: Investors Beware

January 5, 2009

Analysis of:Verizon aims for LTE deployment in 2009 | www.networkworld.com

Verizon's announcement for LTE deployment in 2009 represents a marketing response to Sprint's plans for nationwide application of its 4G version of WiMax.  Both are jockeying for position in a world where speed will win in the race of broadband.  In general, the competition is good, as long as shortcuts are not selected over product/application quality.   Investors must be cautious in reacting to this news.

The Initiation of Phase IIb/III Study of Ralfinamide Represents an Exciting Development in the Treatment of Neuropathic Low Back Pain

December 30, 2008

Analysis of:Newron to initiate Phase IIb/III study of Ralfinamide in patients with Neuropathic Low Back Pain (NLBP) | www.pipelinereview.com

Neuropathic low back pain originates from injury to nerves related to the low back.  This injury results in a cascade of events, one of which involves the modulation of ion channels potentially effected by a new drug, Ralfinamide.  The results of the phase IIb/III trials using Ralfinamide will help confirm safety and efficacy of this promising new drug and perhaps ultimately increase the treatment armamentarium for physicians treating the debilitating condition of neuropathic low back pain.

Drug Marketing Techniques Can Be Both a Risky and a Useful Endeavor

December 30, 2008

Analysis of:Drug Marketing Techniques May Be Risking Patient Safety | pharmalive.com

In the article "Drug Marketing Techniques May Be Risking Patient Safety", an analysis was completed which explores both sides of how drug marketing techniques could be a risky or potentially beneficial endeavor.  On the risk side, drug marketing techniques pressure regulatory agencies into more rapid approval of new drugs.  This could result in compromise of full evaluation of risks to patients from the new drug.  On the benefit side, drug marketing techniques could also be applied to help avoid complications if they were used in a manner which helped to report and evaluate drug safety.

Commonwealth Fund Ratings of Hospitals is a Step in the Right Direction

December 29, 2008

Analysis of:Commonwealth Fund Rates Hospitals Online to Spur Improvement | blogs.wsj.com

The Commonwealth Fund has integrated data from patient survey results and a website, Hospital Compare, to create a new quality ranking system designed to "fill the gaps" which other ranking systems incompletely address.  Specifically, this ranking system allows direct comparison between and among hospitals in addition to offering participating hospitals the resources to improve practices and systems to achieve even better quality scores.  Companies which may be poised to prosper as a result of this new rating system include those hospitals which maintain high quality rankings and heath insurance providers who utilize these rankings as a tool for cost-savings and "pay for performance."   On a larger scale, internet corporations who help support this type of "content-focused" health information system will stand to profit from the trend towards more globally rating health care delivery.  

Further Inroads in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

December 29, 2008

Analysis of:Jazz Pharmaceuticals and UCB Announce Positive Phase III Results for Sodium Oxybate in Fibromyalgia | www.ibtimes.com

The current treatment alternatives for the fibromyalgia are limited by the sparse information regarding its etiology and natural history.  Further scientific study is necessary to accurately define methods of treatment, which additionally may lead to insight into its cause.  The recent study utilizing Sodium Oxybate is one investigation which has increased our knowledge regarding this troubling condition.

Health IT Represents a Promising Proposal for Cost Savings if Implemented Correctly

December 28, 2008

Analysis of:Budget Office Highlights Health IT as Promising Proposal | www.ihealthbeat.org

The Congressional Budget Office has concluded the use of health IT will result in cost savings as a result of a reduction in medical errors and redundant medical testing.  For this to occur, health IT must have both security and clinical relevancy for both physicians and patients alike to embrace its usefulness.  Companies which will be likely to prosper as a result of a successful health IT implementation include Google and MSN who are actively pursuing platforms to support health IT.

Physician support for Personal Health Record Platform will be Challenging

December 28, 2008

Analysis of:Google Reveals Plans for Personal Health Record Platform | www.cio.com

Personal Health Records (PHR) and its relative, the Electronic Medical Record(EMR) represent ideals which have the potential to improve the delivery of health care to consumers.  Introduction of these platforms by such enterprises as Google may increase visibility of these tools and influence utilization.  The challenge, however, will be the acceptance and integration of these platforms by the physicians. 

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