Author Archive: AZBio

UA Study: Relief of Pain is a Reward

Posted on by

The Pain Research Group at the UA College of Medicine-Tucson studies the underlying causes of acute and chronic pain to promote the discovery of new targets for drug development with the ultimate goal of improved pain management.

By Jean Spinelli,      Arizona Health Sciences Center |             November 26, 2012Continue reading→

This Is A Test – Students Learn How To Deal With A Flu Pandemic

Posted on by

PHOENIX – Hundreds of students from all three state universities will learn side-by-side about the realities of a health pandemic during an exercise set for Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon in Phoenix and Tucson.

The exercise, sponsored by the Interprofessional Education and Practice program at the University of Arizona, will bring students together in Phoenix and Tucson by video to make crucial ethical and logistical decisions in a disaster setting.

Students from the University of Arizona’s colleges of medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing and law will join students from Arizona State University’s School of Social Work. Phoenix-based students from Northern Arizona University’s College of Health and Human Services will also take part.

In the scenario, a pandemic flu has broken out in Arizona and the future health professionals must address the threats and consequences of public health emergencies, underscoring the importance of collaboration across professional disciplines. Students will explore the complex social, psychological, legal and public health issues faced during a public health emergency.

More than 100 students will participate from the Phoenix Biomedical Campus – home to the UA’s College of Medicine – Phoenix, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, College of Pharmacy and NAU’s physician’s assistant programs. More students will take part at the UA campus in Tucson and will be linked to Phoenix by video conference throughout the exercise.
News media can park on site but must contact the College of Medicine – Phoenix Public Affairs office at (602) 827-2022 for instructions.

#    #    #

 

Media Contact:

Al Bravo, Associate Director, Public Affairs
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
550 E. Van Buren St., Room 1263
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2230
(602) 827-2022 (office)
(480) 329-8893 (cell) 

Leaders in the Innovation Economy Reach out to Senate Leadership on Medical Device Tax Repeal

Posted on by

Leaders from over 800 organiztions and companies focused on grwoing our econony and supporting medical device innovation sent a letter to Senate leadership this today calling for repeal of the medical device tax.

The letter included three important reasons to suport repeal:

    • The tax will stifle innovation and cost thousands of high-paying jobs. It will increase the effective tax rate for many medical technology companies, thereby reducing financial resources that should be used for R&D, clinical trials and investments in manufacturing. The impact will be especially hard on smaller companies whose innovations are not immediately profitable.
    • The tax will increase health care costs as confirmed by a report issued in April 2010 by the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In some cases, the 2.3% tax will be passed on to consumers, leading to higher health care costs.
    • The tax will not be offset by increased demand for medical devices. In fact, it is important to note that there is no evidence suggesting a device industry “windfall” from healthcare reform. Unlike other industries that may benefit from expanded coverage, the majority of device-intensive medical procedures are performed on patients that are older and already have private insurance or Medicare coverage. Where states have dramatically extended health coverage, such as in Massachusetts where they added 400,000 new covered lives, there is no evidence of a device “windfall.”

At a time when the federal government is working to promote investment in U.S. industries of the future, it is inconsistent that a tax of this magnitude would be considered on the medical device industry. We must do all we can to encourage and promote research, development, investment and innovation. Instead, increased taxes, such as this one on the medical device industry, coupled with the increased regulatory uncertainty the industry also faces, will lead to further job losses, hinder the development of breakthrough treatments and delay patient access to medical technology.

To read the  full  text and view the list of signatories, please cliche here:  2012-11-13 Medical Device Tax letter to Senate Leadership