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American Medical News

 
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News in brief - Oct. 16, 2000


More drugs diverted from Maine - Aetna settles shareholder suit - Consumer drug ads hit docs - Plan cuts premium, ups deductible

More drugs diverted from Maine

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have decided against shipping drugs to Maine, following a similar decision by SmithKline Beecham.

The companies say they are concerned about Maine's law regulating prescription prices, the only such law in the nation, but emphasize that their products will still reach Maine pharmacies through warehouses outside the state.

Aetna settles shareholder suit

Aetna Inc. paid $82.5 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it did not inform shareholders of financial problems when it purchased U.S. Healthcare in mid-1997.

The insurer did not admit any wrongdoing. Aetna expects to take a third-quarter charge of $5 million for the settlement.

Consumer drug ads hit docs

After seeing direct-to-consumer ads, 29% of patients said they had asked doctors for prescriptions, according to a survey by Michael S. Wilkes, MD, a researcher at the University of California in Los Angeles.

If the doctor refused to prescribe the drugs, 25% said they would try to persuade him and another 25% said they would seek a new doctor.

Plan cuts premium, ups deductible

To boost access, Blue Cross of California will offer basic plans for individuals for as little as $55 a month, raise hospital deductibles to $5,000, and pay complete costs of all routine doctor visits.

But Jamie Court, an advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, warns Blue Cross members are "getting a price decrease for a policy that's worth half as much or less."

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