Genetic Test Company 23andMe Completes Merger with Richard Branson’s VG Acquisition Corp., Stock Now Trades on NASDAQ

23andMe executives say they plan to leverage their database of millions of customer genotypes ‘to help accelerate personalized healthcare at scale,’ a key goal of precision medicine In what some financial analysts believe may be an indication that popularity of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing among customers who seek info on their ethnic background and genetic predisposition to disease is waning, personal genomics/biotechnology company 23andMe announced it has completed its merger...

Success of Harvard Pilgrim Value-Based Pharma Contracts Might Indicate a Transition Away from Fee-for-Service to Value-Based Care in Other Healthcare Areas

New value-based healthcare payment models could have far-reaching effects on medical laboratories and the testing they provide Hospitals, physicians, and medical laboratories recognize the transition from “volume to value” that’s underway in the American healthcare system. Fee-for-service payments for clinical services (regardless of whether they are needed or effective) will soon cease and providers will be increasingly paid on how much value they deliver to patient care. This will...

Use of 20 Most-Prescribed Pharmaceuticals in 2009 Drive Increased Utilization of Clinical Pathology Laboratory Tests

Much medical laboratory testing done in support of cholesterol and cardiovascular management In many cases, a prescription for a therapeutic drug is the result of a medical laboratory test. Thus, pathologists and clinical laboratory managers might be interested in knowing which drugs topped the 2010 IMS Health Incorporated list for most-prescribed pharmaceuticals. Topping the list is the combo drug hydrocodone acetaminophen, which is primarily taken to control pain. This blended...
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