Legal Radar

Teva Spots Possible FCPA Violations

Teva, a pharmaceutical company, indicated in a securities filing that an internal probe revealed business practices to likely have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The drug indicated before it was looking into matters in multiple countries that may lead to a rise of FCPA violations and/or possible violations to local laws, based on a securities filing last year.

Teva said its internal investigation started after receiving subpoenas and further requests on details related to foreign bribery from the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the Justice Department beginning in 2012.

The probe revealed business practices and transactions in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Russia which is said to likely violate FCPA and local laws.

Teva previously mentioned that it may end up paying fines in relation to the FCPA investigation. The drug maker also mentioned that its affiliates in specific countries who are being investigated offered local authorities false or altered details on their marketing processes.

FTC Further Strengthens Antitrust Victory in Healthcare Case

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is consistently maintaining a court presence regarding its efforts to halt healthcare mergers it thinks aren't competitive.

A judge-panel from the 9^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals mentioned that an Idaho federal judge remained on strong round when he ruled that 2012 deal of St. Luke’s Health System with the Saltzer Medical Group could push to higher pricing for medical services.

The 9^th Circuit indicated that when a merger in healthcare happens it risks higher pricing. At the same time it’s not enough to prove that a merger would let the current system serve patients better.

St. Luke’s pointed out that the merger would let it offer improved healthcare as well as enhanced electronic sharing of medical records. The court of appeals, however, showed findings that St. Luke’s isn’t required to purchase a new group of doctors to take in a different and new approach.

GOP Again to Try Abolishing Health Law, White House to Host Beneficiaries

With the Republicans making their 56^th vote to abolish the Affordable Care Act this week, the White House will host several individuals who have shown impact of the country’s health law.

The latest vote by the Republicans is the first shot for the House to vote on such measure since the Republicans gained control of the Senate last month. GOP’s latest lawmakers, a majority elected due to their opposition of the law, have yet to vote on such repeal.

Law supporters are saying it branched out access to health care for a number of Americans who weren’t insured previously due to pre-existing medical condition(s) or financial matters.

Republicans require at least six Democratic votes to break the issue in the Senate or to try the Senate “reconciliation” process, which is purposely reserved for the budget legislation, that would allow them to pass on the bill by means of a simple majority.

President Barack Obama promised to veto any repeal bill aimed at his achievement in the last two years of his office.

Britain Moving Closer to Allow Three-Parent-Babies Rules

Britain is taking another close step early this week to become the first nation to lawfully allow

“Three Parent” babies as lawmakers supported a plan for fertility clinics to utilize genetic material from a father, mother, and a female donor.

Supporters of the proposed law say it would give hope to families who would otherwise risk transferring diseases to their offspring. But critics have questioned the ethics of such proposal, indicating it would be another wrong step to making designer babies.

But in the end, the said proposal was passed and handed over to the House of Lords, which will expect a vote later on the measure although no date has yet been created. Law observers predict that the first three-parent-baby could be brought into the world by 2016 if changes are pushed through.

If the proposal does receive a green light in Britain, the first set of babies would possess genetic material from their father, mother, and a minute amount of DNA from an anonymous female donor.

 

Uber Updating User Privacy to Congress

Ridesharing company, Uber, shared results of an audit regarding its data privacy practices by Hogan Lovells, a law firm. The company commissioned the audit last November after comments triggered concerns of Uber tracking its riders in real-time.

The incident ignited an important inquiry from Senator Al Franken, currently the chairman of the Senate committee on technology, privacy, and law. He called Uber to be clearer on its privacy policies.

Uber is following new regulations regarding the elimination of user data when riders delete their account, and conducting background checks on its employees who has access to private data, as indicated in the audit.

The firm has plans to begin conducting more thorough reviews of its privacy policy, aiding riders to understand its regulations clearly, and allowing passengers to track their star rating offered by Uber drivers.

Franken has received the audit copy of the company and is looking into the document closely.

Ross Ulbricht Won’t Testify on Silk Road Trial

Ross Ulbricht informed the federal judge early this week that he won’t be testifying, which revealed his decision after the government closed a case against a suspected ringleader of an internet-based bazaar known as Silk Road.

Ulbricht is currently on a Manhattan federal court trial facing a charges related to a suspected Silk Road operation. He did not plead guilty and said he was being framed by a criminal.

Timing of the trial was shorter than expected. Last year, Ulbricht’s attorneys mentioned that testimony of witnesses could take anywhere from one to two weeks. But this time, it’ll likely take less than a day.

Early this week, government prosecutors went knee deep in an evidence that suspected Ulbricht to have carried out murders of several Silk Road users to protect its online portal.

Prosecutors indicated in previous court filings that there was no evidence of murders being carried out.