New German Health Minister Takes Aim At Traditional Pharma Companies.

Newly appointed German Healthcare Minister Philipp Roesler – liberal – Free Democratic Party in likely move to break big pharma stronghold and submit new products to insurance pricing scrutiny and impose an “efficiency and clinical effectiveness /outcomes” pricing performance ratio.

Not totally dissimilar to the British NICE economic and clinical effectiveness system.

Sign of the times perhaps to introduce new effectiveness and economic liberalization in the DME (durable medical equipment) sector of the ever increasing homecare industry.

Maybe not – Roesler is clearly risking his parties popularity as a junior member in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrat Party.

Press release:

Virginia Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Reimbursement for Telemedicine

Contact: Ben Forstag, American Telemedicine Association, 202-223-3333 March 3, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – By a unanimous vote, the Virginia State Legislature yesterday approved SB 675 mandating that health insurers pay for telemedicine services. Governor McDonnell is expected to sign the bill into law.

“This is one more indication that telemedicine is now fully accepted by providers, policy makers, consumers and insurers as an important way to increase access, improve quality and reduce costs in the delivery of healthcare” said Jonathan D. Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
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WASHINGTON – A Senate Finance Committee report released last week that outlines options for financing healthcare reform names HME reimbursement as a possible revenue source, but it doesn't propose specific cuts.

via Cuts to HME: Reform report leaves door ‘wide open’ – HME News | The Business Newspaper for Home Medical Equipment Providers.

The healthcare system in France is the envy of most developed countries of the world. France is also the worlds 5th largest country in terms of GDP.

This makes the above event one of the world’s top events from a business potential for those that have an interest in the rapidly expanding healthcare sectors concerning geriatrics, disability, homecare and institutional care – as the ageing population moves from acute to chronic care.

GerontExpo-handicap provides a venue for updating on the latest technologies, products, policies and trends as well as providing significant business opportunities for either manufacturers, distributors or service providers to significantly enhance their business by finding the right business partners in France and internationally.

As a plus HIT 2009 (Health Information Technologies) – will take place in the same venue and will be linked to GerontExpo-Handicap. HIT represents the rapidly growing French Healthcare IT industry and is expected to have over 100 participating companies – large and small.

Frank Barlin – Sibaya LifeScience! Managing Partner will be attending and can be contacted here.

Days Healthcare Germany – according to this announcement on their website has announced that they will be closing their German business effective end June. Days Healthcare Germany is part of the Irish multinational DCC group and was formerly known as Casacare.
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Press release:

Uneven terrains, door thresholds, kerbs, changes in pavement heights and driving surfaces can pose some serious challenges for wheelchair users. A new ISO standard will measure the ability of electrically powered wheelchairs, including scooters, to safely climb and descend such obstacles.

Electrically powered wheelchair ISO 7176-10:2008, Wheelchairs – Part 10: Determination of obstacle-climbing ability of electrically powered wheelchairs, provides a reliable method for determining the obstacle-climbing and descending ability of electrically powered wheelchairs intended to carry one person. The standard specifies requirements for test equipment, outlines test procedures, and provides specifications for reporting test results.
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Dan Meuser, until recently President at Pride Mobility, is now focusing his time 100% on state GOP politics. More at The Bulletin. Hopefully with his experience he can help bring better quality and cost effective healthcare to those that need it – especially the 40 million uninsured Americans.