by Wayne Ohio | Dec 8, 2021 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Dec. 8, 2021 — The attorneys general of seven states — including Ohio’s Dave Yost — and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have reached a historic settlement that shuts down an illegal scheme orchestrated by Martin Shkreli, founding CEO of Vyera Pharmaceuticals, that fleeced patients who were using the lifesaving drug Daraprim.
“These ‘Pharma Bros’ thought they could raise the price 4,000% overnight and get away with it,” Yost said. “They got a dose of justice, and there’s more where that came from.”
A complaint filed in 2020 by the attorneys general and FTC alleges that Shkreli and Kevin Mulleady, another former Vyera CEO, violated antitrust laws by establishing the company with a plan to buy Daraprim, raise the price significantly and then block generic competitors from entering the market.
Under the settlement, Vyera and parent company Phoenixus AG will pay up to $40 million in penalties, with $10 million guaranteed and the remaining $30 million paid over 10 years if the company has available funds.
For his part, Mulleady faces an unprecedented seven-year ban from the pharmaceutical industry.
The agreement also essentially creates a marker for what the states and FTC consider behavior that violates antitrust laws.
Daraprim for decades was the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat toxoplasmosis, a serious infection caused by a common parasite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the HIV Medicine Association, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America all recommended Daraprim as the initial therapy of choice for acute toxoplasmosis.
When the Pharma Bros. bought the drug in 2015, they immediately raised the price from $17.50 to $750 per pill. To preserve the astronomical price and their ill-gotten gains, the two created a paperwork logjam to box out for as long as possible manufacturers of generic competitors.
With the scheme now thwarted, the coalition of attorneys general and the FTC continue to pursue their lawsuit against Shkreli, who is expected to go on trial next week for masterminding the scheme.
Besides the seven-year ban, Mulleady also agreed to limit his shareholdings in any pharmaceutical company to nominal amounts for 10 years.
Daraprim is now unpatented, and a generic version of the drug is available in the United States.
In addition to the FTC and Yost, the coalition consists of the attorneys general of California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
by Wayne Ohio | Dec 6, 2021 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Dec. 5, 2021 — Today Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement on the death of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole.
“We just heard that our friend, former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, has died. A few weeks ago, Fran and I received a surprise call from Elizabeth and him. When I entered the Senate, he was the Senate Leader. He was a courageous, tough, strong, and compassionate man, who loved his country deeply.
“He was grievously wounded in Italy during World War II and was lucky to have survived those devastating injuries at all. He was bedridden — his body wracked by pain. He could hardly even move.
“But, he knew that we have to work if we’re going to succeed. And, he worked. He worked through the pain and the rebuilding — and he became one of America’s most important leaders in of the last half-century.
“Even after he left the Senate, he never stopped working. He led the efforts to see to it that the brave men and women who fought so valiantly for our nation during WWII are honored with a national memorial. He turned the plans for that memorial into a reality. I have talked to WWII veterans who made the ‘honor flight’ to Washington to visit the memorial, who were both surprised and delighted to be greeted there by Bob Dole, himself!
“When he was running for President, Fran and I have a very fond memory campaigning with Senator Dole and Elizabeth on the campaign bus with our young daughter Anna and the Oak Ridge Boys. It was an amazing experience that we will never forget.
“Bob Dole was all about making a difference and changing things for the better. He had a ‘let’s get it done’ attitude. When we talked to him the last time, he still had that same zest for life and strong spirit that I always saw when I served with him.
“Today, America has lost a hero and a statesman, and Fran and I will dearly miss our friend. Bob Dole was a man of indisputable integrity, honor, and leadership, and I am proud and honored to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from this extraordinary man.
“We send our love to Elizabeth and his daughter Robin.”
by Wayne Ohio | Dec 3, 2021 | Blog
WAYNE COUNTY, OH, Dec. 3, 2021 — Gift-giving is a holiday tradition for many families. But one tradition that you should consider doing away with this year is wrapping paper. This stuff is designed to be torn into shreds and tossed away in less than 60 seconds. Despite the word “paper” in the name, paper with coatings, glitter, foil, bows, etc. are not recyclable. Additionally, fibers found in cheaper types of paper are not strong enough to recycle. It’s reportedly a roughly $7 billion business in the U.S.
The American Forest and Paper Association recommends trying something called the “Scrunch Test” as a first guideline to determine whether to trash or recycle it. Crinkle the paper up into a ball—if it stays that way when you let go, it’s fine to put it in the recycle bin. If it tries to go back to its original shape, there’s a good chance it’s going to the landfill.
If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. Have fun, be creative look around your house! Instead, use multicolored pages from publications to wrap small gifts and fabrics, newspapers, or maps for larger boxes. Avoid using paper entirely by using reusable decorative tins, baskets, or boxes. If you do buy wrapping paper, look for ones made of recycled paper. Reusable cloth ribbons can be used in place of plastic bows. Finally, unwrap gifts carefully and save wrappings for reuse next year.
Click here for 50 Alternatives to Wrapping Paper.
Article is courtesy of Stark Tusc. Wayne Recycling District
by Wayne Ohio | Dec 1, 2021 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Nov. 30, 2021 — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following statement regarding today’s ruling by the U.S. District Court of Eastern Kentucky enjoining the federal vaccine mandate for federal contractors:
“This is not about vaccines, it’s about the mandates,” Yost said. “The judge’s opinion clearly states that and it has been our position all along that the president cannot impose these mandates on the people.”
by Wayne Ohio | Nov 29, 2021 | Blog
WAYNE COUNTY, OH, Nov. 29, 2021 — Are you looking for a rewarding career in the public sector? Do you value job stability? Great benefits? A great retirement plan? How about 11 paid holidays per year, ample sick and vacation leave? Then Wayne County is the place for you!
Wayne County is currently hiring for the following open positions:
- CARE CENTER ADMINISTRATOR – This position is a full-time interim position at the Wayne County Care Center. Candidates must possess a current, unencumbered Nursing Home Administrator’s license or meet the licensure requirements of the State. A Bachelor’s degree in Public Health Administration or similar is preferred. Questions? Call (330) 287-5410. Deadline is 12/8/21.
- ECONOMIC/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNER – Do you have a heart for rural economic and community development? A Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Administration or similar is preferred. Questions? Call (330) 287-5410. Deadline is 12/8/21.
Click HERE to learn more and download an application.
