FTC

IMS Health closes SDI deal, must divest two SDI product lines

Marc Iskowitz November 01, 2011

Federal regulators gave IMS Health the go-ahead to buy SDI Health, and IMS's parent company must now divest two SDI product lines.

Much ado about mommy bloggers, mobile apps and paid posts

Matthew Arnold March 02, 2011

An Abbott iPhone app is drawing attention to the practice of compensating bloggers for app reviews, as some call into question the ethics of pay-for-play online PR.

Health sites' sly tactics stir privacy advocates to petition FTC

Marc Iskowitz November 24, 2010

Pharmaceutical advertisers use an array of tactics to gather information about online health seekers in a way that is unfair and deceptive, consumer advocates have charged in a complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

FTC did not abuse power in Watson brouhaha, judge opines

Marc Iskowitz August 17, 2010

A judge magistrate said that federal antitrust officials did not overstep or share confidential information while probing whether Cephalon illegally settled patent disputes with Watson Pharmaceuticals and others, but he disagreed with the way antitrust officials conducted the investigation.

Ruling in FTC-Watson case may sway pay-for-delay debate in Senate

Marc Iskowitz July 19, 2010

A US magistrate judge ruled that the Federal Trade Commission overstepped its authority when the agency tried to pressure a generic drug company to enter into a business deal with a competitor.

FTC actions in Watson case come under Senate scrutiny

Marc Iskowitz June 10, 2010

Two senators grilled the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday over allegations made by Watson Pharmaceuticals that the agency used its subpoena power and access to confidential information to force the company into a business deal with a rival generics firm.

Watson: FTC abused power in trying to 'engineer' entry of generic Provigil

Marc Iskowitz May 27, 2010

The FTC, which opposes reverse-payment patent settlements but has failed to muffle them via the courts or healthcare reform legislation, is now trying some new tactics: harassment, use of privileged information and attempting to force a pharma company to partner with another firm against its will.

Vermont pharma foe gets FTC nod

Matthew Arnold November 24, 2009

The nomination of former Vermont assistant attorney general Julie Brill to serve on the Federal Trade Commission would, if confirmed, be the latest of several appointments to give the healthcare industry pause.