7 things for gastroenterologists to know for today – March 20, 2015

Here are seven news updates for gastroenterologists to know for March 20, 2015.

New HCV pills drive up U.S. drug spending.
New treatments for hepatitis C have been found to be effective, but expensive. A new report has found that these new drugs accounted for a 13.1 percent increase in U.S. prescription drug spending in 2014. Spending on hepatitis C treatments, including options from Gilead Sciences and AbbVie, increased 734 percent from 2013 to 2014.

Olympus faces 5 lawsuits.
Seven patients were infected with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae after undergoing ERCP at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in Los Angeles. Olympus, the manufacturer of the scopes used in these cases, now faces lawsuits from five of these patients. Of the seven patients infected, two died.

Endomicroscopy with Cellvizio receives additional CPT code.
Cellvizio, developed by device company Mauna Kea Technologies, received a new CPT code from the American Medical Association.The new code is related to the use of endomicroscopy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The Category III CPT code, 039X7T, will go into effect Jan. 1, 2016.

Gastroenterology Associates of Piedmont named top outpatient surgery provider in Triad region.
The Triad Business Journal listed the top outpatient surgery providers in Triad area of North Carolina. The Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont in Winston-Salem, N.C., made the top five providers on the list. The list is based on the number of procedures performed.

Florida endoscopy center joins "80 percent by 2018" initiative.
Pensacola, Fla.-based The Endoscopy Center announced that it will sign a pledge with the American Cancer Society to achieve a shared goal to increase colorectal cancer screening rates nationwide to 80 percent by 2018.

Swallow Solutions raises $1.1M in funding.
Swallow Solutions has raised $1.1 million in a funding round led by Wisconsin Super Angel Fund. The funding will serve to support the sales efforts for the company's swallowing disorders device. Thus far, the company has raised $3.2 million from investors.

North Texas Heartburn and Reflux Center offers new procedure.
North Texas Heartburn and Reflux Center in Southlake has begun to offer transnasal esophagoscopy to screen patients for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. The examination at the center costs approximately $400 and does not require sedation.

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