A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine compared television food advertising to U.S. children in 2007 and 2013. No significant improvement in the nutritional quality of foods marketed to children has been achieved since industry self-regulation was adopted. In 2013, 80.5% of all foods advertised to children were for products in the poorest nutritional category.
How New Jersey’s Smart Gun Law Backfired
Bloomberg News reports that a law intended to encourage safer, digitally enhanced firearms has actually impeded their development. Gun store owner Andy Raymond gained passing fame last year for posting an Internet video about his abortive attempt to sell so-called smart guns, a type of digitally equipped firearms designed to thwart unauthorized users. As punishment for offering smart guns, some of his detractors threatened to kill him and burn down his store in Rockville, Md.
California Supreme Court allows “pay-to-delay” suit to proceed
Consumer Law and Policy Blog reports that the California Supreme Court has revived antitrust suits against Bayer and Barr Laboratories. The cases stem from an agreement between brand-name manufacturer Bayer and generic manufacturer Barr, under which Bayer agreed to pay Barr $398.1 million in exchange for Barr postponing the sale of the generic version of Bayer’s antibiotic Cipro. Such agreements, called “pay-to-delay” agreements, have been frequently challenged under the antitrust laws.
Are gun silencers a threat to safety?
A bill under consideration in Illinois would make gun silencers legal, reports ABC’s Eyewitness News. “The suppressor makes a firearm a safer gun,” said Josh Waldron, CEO of SilencerCo.
“It protects your hearing and makes the person firing the firearm, more comfortable and less likely to flinch when he pulls the trigger.” Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart disagrees. “Frequently the telephone calls that come in to law enforcement about problems that occur on streets come from neighbors who have heard gunshots out there. If there was none of that, it would decrease the ability for law enforcement to get to a location and quickly find out what happened.”
Pharmaceutical Companies Buy Rivals’ Drugs, Then Jack Up the Prices
On Feb. 10, reports The Wall Street Journal, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. bought the rights to a pair of life-saving heart drugs. The same day, their list prices rose by 525% and 212%. Neither of the drugs, Nitropress or Isuprel, was improved as a result of costly investment in lab work and human testing, Valeant said. Nor was manufacture of the medicines shifted to an expensive new plant. The big change: the drugs’ ownership.
“Fighting a Hurricane”: Tobacco Industry Efforts to Counter Perceived Threat of Islam
A new study in the American Journal of Public Health describes attempts by the tobacco industry to reinterpret Islamic teaching to make smoking acceptable to Muslims and to help develop markets in countries with large Muslim populations. Tobacco companies have perceived Islam as a threat to its attempts to sell more tobacco products in emerging markets in Asia.
Car-Safety Chief: Decision Near on Reopening Jeep Probe
The Wall Street Journal reports that federal regulators will decide within the next two weeks whether to reopen a probe into older Jeep models involved in fiery rear-end crashes and be “as aggressive as possible” when weighing measures to address the vehicles, the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.
Group’s lawsuits aim to boost public health
The Center for Public Health Litigation, a new Boston group, seeks to promote public health through the courts. According to the Boston Globe, the Center is currently pursuing cases against the tobacco industry, unfair and deceptive sales practices by Big Food companies, and retailers who sell lottery tickets to children.
Australian public health advocates seek access to regional trade pact negotiations
The prime lobby group for American pharmaceutical manufacturers has been given privileged access to negotiations for a major regional trade pact that could see the cost of medicines skyrocket in Australia, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Public health advocates and business groups are concerned that pharmaceutical giants will be able to advance their commercial interests while the details of the pact are kept secret from the Australian public.
It’s true: Drug companies are bombarding your TV with more ads than ever
According to a column in the Washington Post, drug makers in 2014 spent $4.5 billion marketing prescription drugs, up from $3.5 billion in 2012. That’s also up from the $2.5 billion drug makers spent in 2000, or $3.39 billion in 2015 dollars when adjusted for inflation. The United States is just one of a few countries that allows drug companies to advertise directly to patients.
Corporations and Health Watch 