Here are seven articles published by Becker's Hospital Review this week highlighting safety issues with devices, tips for reining in hospital linen costs and supply chain leaders' thoughts on self-distribution, among other topics.
1. FDA: St. Jude Medical downplayed device defect and delayed recall for years
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday sent a warning letter to St. Jude Medical, saying the devicemaker downplayed issues with its defibrillator batteries and failed to recall the devices for years.
2. Supply chain tip of the week: Hospital linens cost more than you think
The cost of linen and linen reprocessing can represent 2 to 3 percent of a hospital's total annual budget, and linen is the second largest expense in nursing departments outside of labor.
3. Survey: 5% of healthcare leaders think Trump will take 'meaningful' action on drug prices
While a majority of healthcare leaders believe President Donald Trump's administration will take action to lower drug prices, few think these measures will be "meaningful."
4. FedEx launches first customer-facing robot
FedEx CEO Frederick W. Smith celebrated the use of technology and innovation in the logistics industry during an April 6 speech at the University of Memphis (Tenn.).
5. Survey: 26% of supply chain leaders considering self-distribution
A new Swisslog survey shows self-distribution is increasingly on the minds of health system supply chain leaders.
6. Why this pork producer has its eye on the transplant market
Smithfield Foods — a major pork producer — created a bioscience unit to support its business strategy of supplying pig parts for medical uses. The company's ultimate goal is to sell pig organs for human transplants.
7. FDA identifies safety issues at Mylan HIV drug facility in India
The FDA sent a letter to Mylan Pharmaceuticals — the manufacturer of the EpiPen — on April 3 detailing quality control issues at one of the company's facilities in India.
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PhRMA blames insurers for high drug costs in new ad
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