The FDA approves drugs in specified dosages for specific conditions. If the manufacturer markets a drug for a condition or at a dosage not approved by the FDA the manufacturer faces civil and criminal penalties. The penalties can be substantial because of the risk to public health. The Department of Justice has announced that it […]
A courageous citizen, Joe Caputo, helped expose his former employer’s fraud against the government and could be paid as much as $4.5 million dollars for his efforts. The employer, MPC Products Corp., has spent years defrauding the federal government in connection with parts used in fighter jets, helicopters and other military systems. MPC plead guilty […]
Medical insurance companies are campaigning vigorously to protect their lucrative business. One of their catch phrases “Don’t let the government get between you and your doctor” is particularly worthy of scrutiny. Today, the insurance company stands between the doctor and patient. Every procedure and medication that the insurance company approves reduces the company’s profitability. This […]
“Never events” are medical errors that the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation says should never happen. They include operating on or removing the wrong limb (reported 116 times in 2008) and inadvertently leaving foreign objects in the patient’s body (reported 71 times in 2008). “Never events” are a good marker for the quality of care […]
