tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post5992367684627413488..comments2024-01-25T17:58:34.297-05:00Comments on Scott's Web Log: Halloween and Competition in the Sugar MarketScott Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-24755889115920398782006-11-10T08:39:00.000-05:002006-11-10T08:39:00.000-05:00Hey Bernard,
Sorry I did not respond sooner, but ...Hey Bernard,<br /><br />Sorry I did not respond sooner, but you're 100% correct about test strips. Believe it or not, at one time, there actually WAS one generic test strip manufacturer, and that company was based in your home state of Massachusetts (actually, they were a Scottish company with U.S. HQ there). Do you remember a Waltham-based company called Inverness Medical Inc.? Probably not, since Johnson & Johnson's Lifescan division acquired the company.<br /><br />I'm not sure why U.S. antitrust regulators did not even question that, but if you examine the SEC filings, you see the issue of reducing competition never even came up in the hearings.<br /><br />Patent law also plays a role here. Ever wonder why after a few years, the manufacturers make minor changes to the strips and call them "new and improved"? For example, J&J/Lifescan once sold a meter and test strips called "FastTake", which were modified only slightly to become the OneTouch Ultra. I would expect a new version in the next few years, since the OneTouch Ultra patents will start to expire shortly. Basically, this pattern enables them to extend the life of their patents without having to do much of anything. Its kind of an underhanded thing to do, but as publicly-held companies, they do have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders. Universal healthcare would go a long way towards addressing this, and perhaps the new rules in Massachusetts will show the rest of the U.S. how to do it!<br /><br />Regards,<br />ScottScott Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-54850943963801375872006-10-30T22:02:00.000-05:002006-10-30T22:02:00.000-05:00Scott
Amen to more competition in the diabetes ma...Scott<br /><br />Amen to <b>more competition</b> in the diabetes market. I think competition and innovation have to be great for any marketplace.<br /><br />How about test strips? How long have these been around and they <i>still</i> cost about $0.50 each on average. Don't tell me that's due to the cost of R&D - these are a cash cow for meter manufacturers.Bernardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14936264471078732019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-80953487374737122902006-10-30T08:13:00.000-05:002006-10-30T08:13:00.000-05:00Thank you both for your comments! Regardless of w...Thank you both for your comments! Regardless of whether you use glucose tabs or not, market innovation and competition in the market benefits all of us. As a side note, personally, I do not get too excited by halloween, but some people do, and it is not uncommon for parents to raid their children's trick-or-treat baskets (when I was growing up, my father used to ... LOL).Scott Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03286529314567223617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-34677214666331003342006-10-29T07:52:00.000-05:002006-10-29T07:52:00.000-05:00I don't typically consume glucose tabs. If at hom...I don't typically consume glucose tabs. If at home, I find that an evil HFCS-containing juice drink is lightning fast. For easier dry porting, Smarties is my first choice.<br /><br />Last Halloween, I committed myself to eat no candy and started a disciplined exercise routine. That's what I now think about this time of year. :)Johnboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03616286847335034637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16774010.post-13611254475377037692006-10-28T23:22:00.000-04:002006-10-28T23:22:00.000-04:00I really like those Reli-On brands. They really d...I really like those Reli-On brands. They really do taste better!<br /><br />I thought I was in heaven when I first found those "Tropical Fruit" flavored tabs! Ahhhh... The things that please us sometimes eh?<br /><br />Looking forward to your article in Diabetes Health! Way to go! That's very exciting!Scott K. Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601851114190791084noreply@blogger.com