Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 biggest and most influential stories from the day’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
3. Medtronic settles CRM kickbacks case with final, $362k payment
Medtronic made the final payment in the $11.1 million settlement of a 2009 lawsuit alleging that it ran a kickbacks scheme to induce physicians to use its cardiac rhythm management products, but admitted no wrongdoing in the agreement.
The lawsuit, filed by former Medtronic business development manager Adolfo Schroeder, alleged that the Fridley, Minn.-based medical device company paid doctors to speak at conferences, created free marketing and business plans and gave them free tickets to sporting events, restaurants and even strip clubs. Read more
2. Did Boston Scientific lose $74M mesh trial over an email?
Medtech titan Boston Scientific’s logged a major loss after winning a few rounds in the ongoing lawsuits over its vaginal sling implants, and the deciding factor may have been the revelation of an internal company email.
The Marlborough, Mass.-based medical device company won the first 2 lawsuits to go to trial in a Massachusetts state court, but a Dallas jury ruled earlier this month that Boston Scientific’s Obtryx pelvic mesh device caused Martha Salazar’s injuries, awarding her $73.5 million in damages. Read more
1. House passes bill to repeal, refund medical device tax
The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday to repeal and refund the medical device tax and promptly went into recess until after the mid-term elections in November.
The House voted 253-163 to approve the “Jobs for America Act,” a package of bills that had already individually passed the lower chamber. The package includes a measure that would roll back the 2.3% excise tax on U.S. sales of medical devices and issue a retroactive refund to companies for payments made on the tax since it went into effect last year. Read more
