"Mortgage applications drop 15.1%" by Bloomberg News | February 26, 2009
NEW YORK - Wall Street firms have been handing out pink slips like trading slips, and that's making potential homebuyers plenty nervous."
Whose got $$$ to buy a home -- even if you can get the loan?
Yeah, I do get sick of the disingenuousness, readers.
Framingham discounter TJX Cos. said yesterday it is cutting $150 million in costs from its budget, including eliminating merit pay raises, offering a voluntary retirement program, and reducing spending on marketing. TJX, which runs the T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and other chains, also plans to extend a hiring freeze it implemented last September, tighten travel expenses, and more efficiently manage payroll in stores....
TJX reported fiscal fourth-quarter net income dropped... to $250.7 million... in part because of a stronger dollar and a charge for a security breach...."
They STILL MADE $251 MILLION last quarter? Headline makes it sound like poverty.
There, they did it again.
"Firm accused of shipping tainted syringes" by Associated Press | February 25, 2009
RALEIGH, N.C. - A North Carolina company is accused of bypassing sterilization tests for medical syringes in a cost-cutting move that prosecutors say sickened hundreds of patients and led to five deaths.
US Attorney George Holding said yesterday that federal authorities have launched an international search for the executive charged with rushing shipments of bacteria-contaminated syringes from an AM2PAT Inc. plant. Two former plant workers who provided prosecutors details about the plant's operations have pleaded guilty for their roles.
The syringes contained Heparin, a blood thinner, and saline, and were recalled in December 2007 after an outbreak of illnesses. Health inspectors identified bacterial infections in Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Florida.
Must have been shipped out to the VA (second article down), huh?
Heparin and saline are used to flush intravenous lines during cancer treatments, kidney dialysis, and other procedures. Holding said investigators believe AM2PAT CEO Dushyant Patel has fled to his native India. Patel was indicted last week on 10 charges including fraud, false statements, and selling adulterated medical devices.
Patel's company sold nearly $7 million worth of heparin and saline syringes in 2006-07. Prosecutors said the facility in Angier, about 20 miles south of Raleigh, cut corners and failed to follow rules for checking sterility. They also said manufacturing dates were falsified to make it appear that safeguards were followed.--more--"
Just one more reason I hate shots.
Of course, YOU CAN TRUST the PROFITEERING PHARMACEUTICALS and their POISONS, right?
"Drug-pricing case brings $78.4m judgment" by Associated Press | February 25, 2009
MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Jurors ordered the German-based pharmaceutical company Sandoz Inc. yesterday to pay Alabama $78.4 million for causing government insurance programs to pay too much for prescription drugs from 1991 to 2005.
Seriously, it is time for Sicko-style, single-payer, not-for-profit health care.
The jury ordered Sandoz, a subsidiary of
"We had a very strong case and we are satisfied," said attorney Jere Beasley, who represented the state in a trial lasting little more than two weeks. Sandoz attorney Tavor Novak said the company would appeal.
Sandoz, which is based in Holzkirchen, Germany, is one of more than 70 prescription drug makers sued by Alabama Attorney General Troy King in 2005 over drug prices dating to 1991. This is the third time a jury in Alabama has ruled against pharmaceutical companies in lawsuits brought by King.
A year ago, an Alabama jury ordered the US subsidiary of UK drug maker
In July, another Montgomery County jury found
Just the AMOUNT of MONEY TOSSED around makes you ILL!!!
--more--"
Not an isolated case, either.
WASHINGTON - Forest Laboratories Inc. offered kickbacks to doctors for prescribing its antidepressants Celexa and Lexapro and pushed the drugs for unapproved use on children, according to a complaint filed yesterday by federal prosecutors.
Yup, but they are WORKING FOR YOU because they CARE ABOUT YOU and YOURS, not the almighty buck -- at least, that's what the tv ads say!!!!
The New York-based drug maker offered cash payments, expensive meals, and entertainment to induce doctors and others to prescribe the drugs, the complaint said. It also accused Forest of promoting Celexa for pediatric use, even though a study showed it was no more effective than a placebo for children.
It's ALL ABOUT the $$$$$$!!!!
Forest induced doctors with cash payments disguised as grants or consulting fees, expensive meals and entertainment and other things of value, all in violation of federal antikickback laws, according to the complaint.
I really got into the wrong field.
Forest executive Frank Murdolo said he hasn’t seen the complaint and could not comment on it. But he said it stemmed from a federal investigation that dates back to 2004. The vice president of investor relations said Forest has disclosed this investigation in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Yeah, they sound like real heroes, don't they? Told the SEC about it and everything!
--more--"
Need more killers?
