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Health Inc. : Shots - Health News As spending on care rises, the business of health keeps getting more important. We feature news on and analysis of drugmakers, health insurers, hospitals, doctors and others in the business of providing health care.

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Health News From NPR

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Thursday May 27, 2010

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FDA: Johnson & Johnson Concealed Motrin Recall

May 27, 2010 • The Food and Drug Administration claims the pharmaceutical giant used a contractor to buy up supplies of the painkiller, under orders not to use the word "recall" to stores.

Wednesday May 26, 2010

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House Committee Readies Grill For Johnson & Johnson

May 26, 2010 • A House hearing on problems with children's medicines could shed light on quality issues at the company.

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Hepatitis C Drug Shines In Human Study

May 26, 2010 • A drug called telapravir dramatically improved the cure rates for patients with hepatitis C by curbing the reproduction of the virus inside their cells.

Tuesday May 25, 2010

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J&J Kids Medicines Recall Prompts Closer Look At Drug Safety

May 25, 2010 • Key senator raises questions about the Food and Drug Administration's ability to oversee drug safety in the wake of this month's recall of kids' medicines.

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Requiring Doctors To Justify Scans Reduces Waste

May 25, 2010 • When computers tell doctors that scans may not help diagnose patients much, the orders for the tests are often dropped.

Wednesday May 19, 2010

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3 Ways To Shed More Light On FDA

May 19, 2010 • A government panel offers 21 ways to make the FDA more transparent in its dealings with the public. We give you the top three.

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Kids Become Prime Growth Market For Prescription Drugs

May 19, 2010 • Growth in children's use of prescription medicines outpaced increases for all other age groups last year, a new report says.

Tuesday May 18, 2010

Food Industry Pledges To Reduce Calories

Michelle Obama tours a Philadelphia supermarket in March while stumping for healthier eating. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

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Food Industry Pledges To Reduce Calories

May 18, 2010 • The food industry is pledging to work with First Lady Michelle Obama to reduce obesity in America by decreasing calories and portions of their products.

Monday May 17, 2010

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Hospitals Hit For Overcharging Medicare For Back Treatment

May 17, 2010 • Whistleblowers helped the federal government get more than $9.4 million back from hospitals that allegedly billed Medicare too much for back treatments.

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Brand-Name Drug Prices Climb Higher

May 17, 2010 • Brand-name drug prices are galloping upward just before drugmakers have to start paying a new tax in 2011 to help pay for health overhaul.

Thursday May 13, 2010

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Health Insurers Shift Cost Blame

May 13, 2010 • As Consumer Group Slams Health Plans' Profits, Insurers Point Finger Elsewhere

Blowing The Whistle On Drugmakers' Misdeeds Takes Guts, Stamina

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Blowing The Whistle On Drugmakers' Misdeeds Takes Guts, Stamina

May 13, 2010 • Interviews with 26 whistleblowers reveal a mix of motives and common challenges. Personal integrity was a more important factor than money.

No Gene Test At Walgreens Just Yet

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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No Gene Test At Walgreens Just Yet

May 13, 2010 • The Food and Drug Administration wants more information on a battery of tests for genes related to health that were supposed to go on sale at Walgreens this week.

Tuesday May 11, 2010

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FDA Asks Doctors To Help Catch Bad Ads

May 11, 2010 • The Food and Drug Administration wants the people who prescribe medicines to report untruthful drug ads and sales spiels.

Friday May 7, 2010

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Insurer Seeks A Little Less Parity For Mental Health Coverage

May 7, 2010 • UnitedHealth objects to federal regulations that forbid separate deductibles for mental health and other care.

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