Health
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
AB 824 would prohibit pharmaceutical agreements in which a drug company transfers anything of value to delay a competitor’s research, marketing, or sale of a competing version of its drug.
These agreements, known as “pay-for-delay” agreements, have significantly contributed to price increases for prescription drugs in California.
“Patients and consumers deserve to be free of unfair practices and price manipulation within the pharmaceutical industry,” said Attorney General Becerra. “This legislation is a crucial step in combating predatory pricing practices, like “pay-for-delay” schemes, by drug companies and in defending access to affordable care.”
“When drug companies use these quiet pay-for-delay agreements with generic drug manufacturers it hurts consumers twice – once by delaying the introduction of an equivalent generic drug that is almost always cheaper than the brand name and again by stifling additional competition when multiple generic companies begin producing even less expensive generic equivalents,” said Assemblymember Wood. “This is just wrong.”
Drug manufacturers employ pay-for-delay agreements to block competitors from marketing lower-cost versions of their drugs. Studies from the Federal Trade Commission and from experts have consistently shown that, as a result of these anticompetitive maneuvers, consumers are left to pay as much as 90 percent more for drugs shielded from competition.
Pay-for-delay agreements are the product of lawsuit settlements between a branded drug company and a generic drug company. In these cases, the branded company sues the generic company for alleged patent infringement. The companies then settle the case out of court in a confidential agreement.
As part of the agreement, the branded drug company pays the generic drug company to keep its generic drug off the market for a period of time. These pay-for-delay arrangements are kept secret from the public through out-of-court settlements.
AB 824 would presume these agreements are anticompetitive and that they delay entry of the generic drug into the marketplace. It would also prevent the parties from withholding relevant evidence regarding the agreements behind attorney-client and common-interest privileges.
This legislation is the first state legislation in the United States to tackle pay-for-delay agreements, providing California with the opportunity to continue to be a leader in pay-for-delay litigation.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital is recruiting volunteers to serve as the face of the front desk in the hospital lobby, as well as serve in other roles throughout the hospital.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s volunteer Auxiliary has been serving the community through their work with the organization since 1961.
Historically, volunteers have managed the hospital gift shop, helped check patients in for surgery, and helped with clerical work in the Emergency Department and Family Birth Center.
Volunteering at the front desk is a new opportunity for members of the Auxiliary.
“We’re excited to involve volunteers in serving as the face of the hospital when patients walk through our doors,” says Dan Peterson, chief administrative officer. “It’s fitting that community members would serve in this role, as we are such a community-oriented organization.”
Duties will include greeting patients, checking in visitors, helping patients navigate the building, answering questions and warmly welcoming all who enter.
No computer work is necessary and training will be provided.
Two four-hour shifts are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Applications are also accepted for work in the gift shop, at the surgery center and in the emergency department.
Applicants must be over the age of 18; a minimum one year commitment is required.
Interested applicants should contact Morgen Jarus at 707-262-5121 or
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Dr. John A. Sundin, a board-certified general surgeon, is available to see patients immediately.
Dr. Sundin is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Virginia. He performed his residency at Yale, then worked in Rwanda, Haiti and Sri Lanka as a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders and the American Red Cross.
People Magazine noted him as a Hero of the Year in 1994 for his work during the height of the African genocide; Doctors Without Borders won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for their work in Rwanda.
He has more than 25 years of private practice experience, having previously practiced in Key West, Florida and Cortez, Colorado.
“General surgeons are masters of surgery, skilled in abdominal, hernia, laparoscopic, endoscopic and skin surgeries,” says Sundin. “My philosophy of care is to treat the whole person, both surgical problems and adaptation to a healthier lifestyle. The essence of a surgeon is determining when a patient needs surgery versus when he or she doesn’t. Sometimes that means adjusting diet and lifestyle for a healthier digestive tract. I evaluate and diagnose abdominal problems – and solutions.”
Dr. Sundin, whose wife is an RN in San Francisco, considers himself a dual resident of both the big city and the quiet country. “Lake County is an enchanted community nestled amongst the mountains of a prehistoric volcano.”
And while he enjoys sport fishing, his hobbies are few and far between. “I don’t have hobbies,” he jokes. “I’m too busy being a surgeon.”
Sutter Lakeside Medical Practice is located at 987 Parallel Drive, Suite C in Lakeport. The practice includes primary care, podiatric (foot) care, internal medicine, tele psychiatry and routine medical office procedures.
The practice is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To inquire about booking an appointment with Dr. Sundin, please call 707-262-5088.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
“Strong and healthy communities are foundational for prosperity in rural America,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, we are committed at USDA to building innovative partnerships and driving more effective and efficient use of our resources to address the opioid misuse crisis at the local level.”
McCance-Katz said, “We know that the opioid crisis has hit rural communities hard, and we need to leverage all possible partnerships to support these communities. Housing plays a vital part in the recovery process for those living with opioid use disorders.”
USDA and HHS formalized their partnership through an official memorandum of understanding, or MOU. Nonprofit organizations will be able to purchase homes from USDA and convert them to transitional housing for people recovering from opioid misuse.
USDA Rural Development and HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, will coordinate efforts to sell USDA’s Real Estate Owned single-family housing properties at a discount to non-profit organizations that provide housing, treatment, job training and other key services for people in substance misuse treatment and recovery.
This will further enhance the two organizations’ formal collaboration. It began in 2018 with SAMHSA’s supplementing of USDA Cooperative Extension grants to expand technical assistance and training on opioid use disorder prevention and treatment.
President Donald J. Trump has mobilized his entire Administration to address opioid misuse by directing the declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency.
To help local leaders respond to this epidemic, USDA has worked to build infrastructure for prevention, treatment and recovery, facilitate partnerships, and drive innovation in rural communities.
In 2018, USDA worked with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to establish a White House Rural Opioid Federal Interagency Working Group which is improving the coordination of federal resources in rural America. In December, USDA launched the Community Opioid Misuse Toolbox. This initiative includes the Community Resource Guide, a comprehensive directory of federal resources that can help rural communities address the opioid crisis, and the Community Assessment Tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and healthcare; and high-speed internet e-Connectivity in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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