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Lord of the Files
Visit the official blog for guests and subscribers of the Oncology Manager's Briefcase.
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Contact Us
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Melissa Welch
Southwest Oncology Network
6921 Shoreview Drive
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Membership Minute
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| As 2009 comes to a close, we thank our members! In less than two years SWON has grown from a concept to a strong Group Purchasing Organization. With more than 100 practices representing over 250 physicians, we are driving down drug costs for practices large and small across the southwest!
Look for even more great benefits to your SWON membership in 2010! |
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Teva seeks FDA nod for biosimilar of Amgen drug
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Generic drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (TEVA.TA) said on Tuesday it is seeking U.S. approval to market a biotechnology medicine to boost white blood cells that is similar to Amgen Inc's (AMGN.O) big-selling Neupogen.
The Teva drug, XM02, is already being sold under the brand name TevaGrastim in several European countries, where a pathway for approving generic biotech drugs - so called biosimilar's - exists.
There are no such rules yet in place in the United States, so Israel-based Teva submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) with teh U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which treats XM02 as a new biotech medicine.
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Health Care Reform Could Skip Final Step, Roll Right Through House
The health care reform bill that passes the Senate might be the one that ends up on President Obama's desk, bypassing the usual House-Senate conference committee and avoiding another 60-vote threshold to end a filibuster.
There is increased chatter on Capitol Hill about a possible "ping-ponging" of the Senate health care bill: that chamber would pass its health care bill, send it to the House and the House would be asked to pass it with no changes and send it directly to the president.
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IRS Changes Mileage Reimbursement
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The Internal Revenue Service has issed the standard-mileage-reimbursement rate for 2010. The standard-mile rate for business miles driven will be 50 cents per mile in 2010, down from 55 cents per mile in 2009 and from 58.5 cents in the second half of 2008. |
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| Roche Applies for Avastin Advanced Breast Cancer Use
Roche Unit Submits Two Applications to U.S. FDA
Zurich, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) said on Tuesday its Genentech unit had submitted two applications for using Avastin to treat women for advanced breast cancer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Avastin is an antibody that helps control tumour growth by binding and blocking the biological effects of vascular endothelial growth factor, a driver of the process necessary for a tumour to spread to other parts of the body.
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CMS Releases Q4 ASP Fee Schedule
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| The payment amounts that will be used to pay for Part B covered drugs for the fourth quarter of 2009 are outlined at the link below. Comparing the fourth quarter 2009 payment amounts with the previous quarter reveals that for the most part average drug prices in the market remain stable. On average, prices for the top part B drugs increased by less than 1%.
For most of the higher volume drugs (34 out of the top 50), the prices changed 2 percent or less. Overall, the prices for 32 of the top 50 drugs increased, while 6 remained the same. In general, among the top drugs with a decrease, there are a number of competitive market factors at work - multiple manufacturers, alternative therapies, new products, recent generic entrants, or market shifts to lower priced products.
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Suggested Reading
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Conflict Resolution
By: Daniel Dana
(From the Back Cover) Tips and Tools for Managers to Recognize, Prevent, and Resolve Conflicts--in Today's Higher-Stress Workplace
Workplaces are changing. As interpersonal rules of conduct become looser and time deadlines become tighter, conflict resolution is gaining importance as a strategic management issue. Conflict Resolution is the first book to provide specific mediation skills and managerial tools for successfully preventing, managing, and resolving workplace conflicts. Before minor skirmishes become full-blown wars, refer to this hands-on, solution-oriented book to learn:
* The 4 primary tasks of preventive mediation--with two important tools to help you perform those tasks
* Practical tools for mediating conflicts between others--as well as resolving conflicts between yourself and another
* Proactive techniques to frame conflicts as both-gain opportunities--instead of win-lose or lose-lose contests
Organizations that recognize today the necessity of strategically managing internal conflict will be one step ahead in tomorrow's increasingly competitive business environment. Let Conflict Resolution provide you with the latest information and procedures you need for mediating or even preventing conflicts--and fostering teamwork--in the workplace.
For ordering information, click here. | |
