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BASEL, SWITZERLAND - Novartis Pharmaceuticals announced that Argeris "Jerry" Karabelas, former executive vice president of worldwide pharmaceuticals at SmithKline Beecham, is the new head of its global health care operations and CEO of its pharmaceuticals division.

The 34-member Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry presented President Clinton with a proposed consumer bill of rights in late November.

Improve your financial health via the Internet.

One standard against which many providers are measuring their performance is the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

The European Union may pass a law that prohibits the import of medicines derived from sheep, goats and cattle, according to Jeffrey Trewhitt, vice president of communications for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Washington.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued two guidelines to the pharmaceutical industry on what off-label information can be provided to the medical community.

Hospitals are more likely than medical groups and physician management companies to acquire unprofitable physician practices, according to a recent survey released in "The 1997-1998 Physician Practice Acquisition Resource Book."

KALAMAZOO, MI - Pharmacia & Upjohn is expanding its prescription pharmaceutical sales force by more than 600 sales representatives and sales managers.

The problem of obesity has grown dramatically during the 20th century and will escalate into what the World Health Organization has described as a pandemic unless people significantly change their diet and physical exercise habits, according to a new report from Datamonitor.

WASHINGTON - Nearly three months later than originally anticipated, the FDA Modernization and Accountability Act of 1997 became law.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute issued updated guidelines for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Sales representatives' daily call schedules could change if Chong Jones, a former rep and current CEO of Missoula, MT-based Professional Time Brokers successfully promotes the strategy of his new company.

Prices for prescription pharmaceuticals were nearly 3% higher during the third quarter of 1997 than during the third quarter of 1996, according to IMS America's Quarterly Pricing Report.

Zyban, a prescription smoking-cessation product launched by Glaxo Wellcome, Research Triangle Park, NC, last June, has muscled its way in front of its prescription and over-the-counter competitors, according to new data from Newton, PA-based Scott Levin.

In what may be largest fine ever levied for contempt of court in Canada, courts in Winnipeg penalized Novopharm Ltd. $1.25 million.

While 1998 may be a blockbuster year for pharmaceutical sales, health maintenance organizations may find themselves wishing for happier times.

PHILADELPHIA - The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists will form an independent, interdisciplinary panel with the Alliance for Aging Research to examine medication-related problems in nursing facilities, the association announced at its annual meeting in November.

With the recent influx of new hires, some experienced sales reps are coaching newcomers by taking them along on sales calls.

One team of reps joined forces to make a difference.

The National Society of Pharmaceutical Sales Trainers has announced the results of its survey of training practices in the pharmaceutical industry.

Spice up your sales.

Almost every representative can think of at least one high-prescribing, important customer who coldly rebuffs every rapport-building gesture the representative makes. Here's how to change that physician's mind.

Pharmaceutical and managed care executives debated the importance and impact of employer coalitions on health care at a Pinsonault Associates seminar in Parsippany, NJ in October.

It is a maxim in business school that in order to make money selling something, you have to identify a need in the marketplace and position a product or service to satisfy that need.

The market for retail pharmacy sales rose 15.8% during the second quarter, according to Newton, PA-based Scott-Levin. In its "Source Prescription Audit," the company reported that pharmaceutical companies generated a total of $20.7 billion during the quarter.

When Glaxo Inc. and Burroughs Wellcome Co. merged two years ago to form Glaxo Wellcome Inc., the new company realized it needed to combine dissimilar career advancement processes into one simple, uniform program.

KALAMAZOO, MI - Pharmacia & Upjohn will create a global operational headquarters on the East Coast, the company announced.

Educating rural women about the need for early breast cancer detection was the special focus of the 11th Annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed in October.