Will the supreme court protect big pharma?

It is estimated that generic medications saved the U.S. healthcare system, including taxpayers and patients, an estimated $193 billion in 2011.

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about "pay for delay" deals between pharmaceutical companies and makers of generic medications. In the "pay for delay" deal, a generic drugmaker files a challenge to the patent held by a brand-name drugmaker, hoping to prove the patent is flawed and thus allowing a generic version of the drug to be offered before the patent ends. In turn, the brand-name drugmaker sues its generic counterpart. In lieu of years of expensive litigation, the companies usually settle, with the brand-name pharmaceutical company paying a large settlement amount to the generic medications manufacturer.

Critics of such settlements claim these deals cost health care consumers over 3 billions dollars annually because they could be saving money on generic drugs if the companies were allowed to win the lawsuits and begin marketing their generic products earlier.

Mobile Toxicology Laboratory for DUI/DWI testing

Medellin, Columbia is testing out the usefulness of a mobile laboratory to test for alcohol use in drivers.  The video is in spanish, and I am unable to translate all of it, but I did translate the description, and that is what follows here:

"The first Mobile Laboratory of Toxicology of the country, would advance permanent operating in the city to reduce the accident rate by conducting tests for drunkenness.

The mobile lab will serve an average of 100 to 250 people depending on the site and has a specialized team consisting of a doctor specializing in toxicology, a technician and a certified Traffic Agent Legal Medicine.

The mobile unit of toxicology cost $ 298 million and allow greater willingness in testing for alcohol using equipment calibrated and verified with the aim of reducing the accident rate for drunkenness, alcohol or drugs, and having access to a doctor's office to ensure the privacy in mobile operating."

MedHelp Journal Entry - Deanna Erickson

"Hello. My name is Deanna Erickson and I am a certified medical laboratory technician.  It has been reported that doctors base about 75% of their decisions on laboratory results.  I know a lot about all different kinds of lab tests because I was what they call a "generalist" in the lab.  I have done everything from identifying parasites and uncommon bacteria, to leukemia, to drug testing and more.   

I hope some of the knowledge that I have learned over the years can be helpful to other people whose doctors have not had time to answer all of their questions about the science behind various laboratory tests. Sometimes people don't think of questions to ask until after they leave the doctors office.  I can't answer all of the questions that a doctor can, but I know a lot more about the laboratory than your nurse does. "


To follow Deanna's MedHelp journal, click here.

The truth about MLT pay: Part I

If I were a man, I could be making up to $20,000 more per year, according to The Medical Laboratory Observer's 2013 annual salary survey.  Granted, this study data was compiled from 379 MLO subscribers,  a population which cannot possibly represent over 300,000 individuals who work in the profession currently.     Most of the folks who returned the survey had over 20 years of experience in the field, a bachelors degree, and were female.  A good portion were also working in management.  This should not come as a surprise, as most "bench techs" do not have time to fill out MLO surveys.  Though I have a great amount of respect for the Medical Laboratory Observer, I understand the survey to be a representation of smaller clinical laboratory managers, not the average technician or technologists.  If I want to know the truth about salary, I must search elsewhere.

My next search was with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,which reports the average MLT makes about $36K/year. (Disclaimer:  Don't expect your first offer out of school to be more than this.  There are factors involved such as location, years of experience, and type of lab).  The median and average salaries are much higher for medical technologists.  The difference is about $20,000.  I am still not convinced as to the real reason behind this.  According to CLIA regulations, the only thing an MLT with a two year degree is not qualified to do is become a supervisor.  Though the BLS data was interesting, I was disappointed to learn they do not break down salary by gender, number of years in the field or even age.  If they do, it was not in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.  Interestingly, government data does not suggest a shortage coming any time soon, either.  

Without an acceptable source of survey data, the best conclusion that I can come to is that MTs are paid more because the organization is making an investment in MT who might one day become a leader in their organization.  If you've ever worked in a laboratory, you know it's not because they work any faster than an MLT.  It's definitely not because of any impending shortage.  Though I have been personally hearing about fears of a "lot much grey in the lab" for about 5 years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts MT growth at 11%, which is below the 14% average growth of all occupations.

To be continued ..........................

Anatomy and Physiology Study Materials (ClickBank Product)

Let's face it.  If you don't do well in your college Anatomy and Physiology course, it might be a good idea to find another way to make a living.  This is one of the first required courses for many allied health professions, including medical laboratory technicians and technologists (or clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory scientists or whatever the "nom du jour" is.)

When I trained to become a medical laboratory technician, I did not go to a traditional MLT school.  I was army trained.  My program was NAACLS accredited and condensed two years worth of training into one year.  One of the first courses we took was anatomy and physiology.  I couldn't stay awake in class most of the time, but thanks to excellent study guides, I was a "go" after successfully passing all of my tests and competencies.

I wouldn't dare taking this course without a great study guide.  I can't wait to find out how well this one works for you..Click Here!

The movement for laboratory professional licensure in Minnesota

"We strongly view the CLIA regulations as low level, basement regulations and that we need to operate at a higher level" - This statement came from the Minnesota Licensure Coalition, and the honesty is refreshing. The acceptance of continuously decreasing standards in the industry is unacceptable and the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Scientists in Minnesota is doing something about it. There is an active group of laboratory professionals in Minnesota working to promote state licensure for medical laboratory technicians and technologists. Their opposition is coming mainly from American Association of Bioanalysts and the Minnesota Hospital Association. What a surprise! One of those groups is a competitor of properly trained clinical scientists and the other is the group who doesn't want to pay for quality. You can read more about the Minnesota Licensure Coalitiaton here.
And.... if you're a medical technologist getting ready for the boards (because you know it's the right thing to do), or just want to brush up check out these helpful books from Amazon. These books are also helpful at developing questions for in service presentations or developing your own continuing medical laboratory education courses.