Gsk Share Discussion Threads

[chrisc168] 28/4/2009 17:52

madoff
but you have a bigger stake shorting this eh!

[madoff with cash] 28/4/2009 16:57

i think it's recovery on the downside. lol! dont get me wrong. i have small stake here though insignifcant.

[oneeyedjack01] 28/4/2009 16:24

I very much doubt the virus has been contained.
This has a long way to run yet.
Plus its a good time to go a little defensive and this is a the bottom of its trading range.

More than worthwhile sticking it out.

[gotnorolex] 28/4/2009 16:04

Medical experts want crackdown on drugmaker money
By: The Associated Press | 28 Apr 2009 | 11:59 AM ET


WASHINGTON - Millions of dollars in gifts, travel and consulting fees from the pharmaceutical industry should be eliminated to stop companies from influencing how doctors practice medicine, a report by the government's top medical advisers says.

The sweeping recommendations from the Institute of Medicine call on medical professionals - from university professors to family doctors - to shun financial arrangements with companies that have flourished over the past three decades.

Taking free lunches from company salespeople, giving paid lectures on their behalf and other practices "erode public trust while providing no meaningful benefits to patients or society," institute panel chair Dr. Bernard Lo said in a statement.

The report calls on medical schools, hospitals and physician groups to:

_ publicly report funding they receive from companies.

_ not accept free meals, gifts or other items from companies.

_ prohibit doctors who have a financial conflicts of interest from testing new therapies on people.

The 353-page document arrives as lawmakers bolster efforts to require companies to publicly report the money they spend courting physicians. The report could give them more leverage in their push to untangle the knotty relationships between industry and physicians, which some say drive up the cost of medicine.

The American Medical Association and other groups have taken some steps in that direction, for instance, phasing out company-paid trips to luxury resorts. And Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania and other medical schools are disclosing more about faculty members' conflicts of interest. But consumer advocates say more dramatic changes are needed.

"I think there may be some sparks that fly from this report, since many industry and medical groups had already been moving in this direction," said Steven Findlay of Consumers Union. "But I think this will accelerate the movement towards full disclosure of these conflicts."

The IOM advises the federal government on health care matters. While its recommendations are not binding, many executives and physicians are likely to heed the advice to avoid scrutiny from lawmakers.

In the last year, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has uncovered more than a half-dozen questionable arrangements between leading researchers and drug companies. In one case, the chairman of Emory University's psychiatric department was removed after failing to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from a company whose drugs he was studying. The head of Stanford University's psychiatry department stepped down after similar payments came to light.

Grassley and Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis., are pushing a bill that would require companies to disclose all payments to physicians over $100. But the IOM report goes even further, calling for the disclosure of payments to patient groups and other nonprofits that are often funded by industry dollars.

While making payments public will not immediately stop the flow of money, panelists say it's an important first step.

"By bringing things out into the light of day, it's believed people will simply refuse to do things that their colleagues and others might find out about," Dr. Eric Campbell said at a press conference Tuesday.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade group is trying to head off regulation by reining in marketing efforts. Earlier this year the group asked members to voluntarily stop handing out mugs, pens and other freebies in doctor's offices, though modest lunches and textbooks are still allowed. Nearly all the largest drugmakers are members.

Executive Vice President Diane Bieri cautioned about the unintended consequences of adopting the institute's recommendations.

"Reports such as this can have far-reaching effects," said Bieri, who is also the group's general counsel. "And when they admit in the report itself that they don't have a lot of data to support these recommendations, we have to be aware of the negative effect they could have."

Perhaps the most vigorously defended practice is company support for so-called continuing medical education conferences, where doctors learn about the latest treatments. Most state medical boards require physicians to attend a certain number of sessions each year to maintain their licenses.

While the panel stopped short of calling for a ban on industry-funded education, it stated that "a new system of funding ... should be developed that is free of industry influence."

Industry's share of funding for medical education has swelled from 34 to 48 percent in the last 10 years, according to IOM. Opponents of the practice argue that physicians need to pay their way more often.

"Lots of professions pay for their own education - for example, lawyers," said Allan Coukell of the Pew Prescription Project.

But medical specialists argue they are responsible for keeping up with more information than those in other professions.

"The acceleration of science is going to make it tougher and tougher for physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to stay current," said Dr. Jack Lewin, President of the American College of Cardiology.

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 15:45

montyhedge is your resident idiot

[oilgetmecoat] 28/4/2009 15:44

I cannot see how you can say this outbreak has been contained! This outbreak has only just begun! It is highly contagious, and WHO have already stated that it is too late to contain it! It may not be as lethal outside Mexico as feared, but even a mild pandemic can become very unpleasant in time....just like the spanish flu infact....so precautions have to be taken. Relenza will sold in the bucket loads. Bear in mind, Relenza has a more relevant route of delivery (inhaled) which may be critical in achieving rapid effect onset of effect.

[sat69] 28/4/2009 15:43

Monty - I don't know why you make these predictions - they never come true!

[montyhedge] 28/4/2009 15:36

1048p not bad, nothing goes up in a straight line, collect 14p tomorrow, the drop will only be 10p.

[sat69] 28/4/2009 15:33

Closed near the low of the day. The flu has not taken lives in any other country other than Mexico. Looks like the share price may have dropped as the virus is being contained. That being the case we will probably have further to drop tomorrow. My money is on seeing £10 before £11.

[montyhedge] 28/4/2009 15:30

I think it will only drop 10p ex div, but lets wait and see.

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 15:29

And of course will drop Wed/Thurs due to DIVI

[oilgetmecoat] 28/4/2009 15:26

midway between £10 and £11

Which will it reach first?

I think we all know.....

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 15:25

Nearly £10 chaps

[montyhedge] 28/4/2009 15:23

Good call, collect the div tomorrow ex date. 14p.

[daytraders] 28/4/2009 15:23

yeh i think its being shorted for some reason now :( the fact that it went through its triple bottom the other day did not bode well either, spiked on flu news only i think, if it goes below 10 i think it will keep falling, hope not thou.

[oilgetmecoat] 28/4/2009 15:22

Just doubled my holding....thanx to whoever for giving me such a nice price!

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 15:20

looking good for my 'tenner'

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 15:19

Oh sh't, down it goes

[blogit] 28/4/2009 15:16

Am sad for the families that have lost people due to the flu but from a sector point of view it's like Pharmas have only just been born. No one was talking about them a week ago. I like GSK, have held some for years. Good for diversifing away from those small caps commodities I was burnt on and the banks that are looking a little stretched, especially BARC, after a great 6 weeks.

Here's a handy tool if any of you like to look at charts and technical analysis. It's gives you the trend and analysis on any major stock, commodity, index, FX pair.... and here's the nice bit, it's free. Use it don't use it. Don't bother me but it's here if yer want it.

[daytraders] 28/4/2009 15:12

ref dividend, long as you hold shares at midnight tonight you get dividend, even if you buy at 4.29pm today.

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 14:51

OH DEAR !!

[sat69] 28/4/2009 14:46

SP all over the place.

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 14:14

Yeah yeah yeah, right ;@)

[montyhedge] 28/4/2009 14:12

Yes in at 996p friday, hurting should be 1105p by now.

[lord luc4n] 28/4/2009 14:10

montyhedge, you must be hurting bad with this dog