OIG Sues Novartis - Kickbacks

[anonymous]

The infamous Note 19....they buried this:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114448/000137036818000005/a180124-99_1.htm

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (S.D.N.Y.) MARKETING PRACTICES INVESTIGATION AND LITIGATION
In 2013, the US government filed a civil complaint in intervention to an individual qui tam action against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) in the United States District Court (USDC) for the S.D.N.Y. The complaint, as subsequently amended, asserts federal False Claims Act (FCA) and common law claims with respect to speaker programs and other promotional activities for certain NPC cardiovascular medications (Lotrel, Starlix andValturna) allegedly serving as mechanisms to provide kickbacks to healthcare professionals (HCPs). It seeks damages, which according to the complaint are “substantial”, including treble damages and maximum civil penalties per claim, as well as disgorgement of Novartis profits from the alleged unlawful conduct. Also in 2013, New York State filed a civil complaint in intervention asserting similar claims. Neither government complaint in intervention adopted the individual relator’s claims with respect to off-label promotion of Valturna, which were subsequently dismissed with prejudice by the court. The individual relator continues to litigate the kickback claims on behalf of other states and municipalities. NPC vigorously contests the S.D.N.Y., New York State and individual claims, both as to alleged liability and amount of damages and penalties.

S.D.N.Y. / WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK HEALTHCARE FRAUD INVESTIGATION
In 2011, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (ALI) received a subpoena from the United States Department of Health & Human Services relating to an investigation into allegations of healthcare fraud. The subpoena requests the production of documents relating to marketing practices, including the remuneration of healthcare providers, in connection with certain ALI products (Vigamox, Nevanac, Omnipred, Econopred; surgical equipment). ALI is cooperating with this investigation.

S.D.N.Y. GILENYA MARKETING PRACTICES INVESTIGATION
In 2013, NPC received a civil investigative demand from the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the S.D.N.Y. requesting the production of documents and information relating to marketing practices for Gilenya, including the remuneration of healthcare providers in connection therewith. In 2017, S.D.N.Y. and New York State declined to intervene in claims raised by an individual relator, which continue to be vigorously contested.

GOVERNMENT GENERIC PRICING ANTITRUST INVESTIGATIONS, ANTITRUST CLASS ACTIONS
In 2016 and 2017, Sandoz Inc. received subpoenas and interrogatories from the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and from the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut requesting documents related to the marketing and pricing of generic pharmaceutical products sold by Sandoz Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Fougera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Fougera), and related communications with competitors. Sandoz Inc. is cooperating with these investigations, which it believes to be part of a broader inquiry into industry practice.
Since the third quarter of 2016, Sandoz Inc. and Fougera have been sued alongside other generic pharmaceutical companies in more than 20 consolidated complaints by proposed classes of direct and indirect purchasers, and Attorneys General for 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have sought leave to file a complaint, alleging that defendants, including Sandoz, engaged in anti-competitive conduct with regard to the sales of various generic drugs and asserting violations of federal and state antitrust laws as well as consumer protection laws. Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Novartis AG and Novartis International AG were dismissed from the proceedings. The cases have been consolidated for pretrial purposes in the USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (E.D. Pa.) and the claims are being vigorously contested.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS (D. MASS.) CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INVESTIGATION
In 2016 and 2017, NPC received subpoenas from the USAO for the D. Mass. requesting documents related to NPC’s support of 501(c)(3) organizations that provide co-payment assistance to Medicare patients who are prescribed Novartis medicines, including the respective accounting and tax treatment, as well as related to pricing strategies for Gleevec, Tasigna, Zometa, and Gilenya. The requests are focused on potential violations of federal health care offenses, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, and FCA. NPC is cooperating with this investigation, which it believes to be part of a broader inquiry into industry practices.

ASIA/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION
In 2017, Novartis Group companies, as well as present and former senior executives of Alcon, received document requests and subpoenas from the DoJ and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting information concerning Alcon’s business practices in Asia and Russia and related accounting treatment, both before and after Alcon became part of the Novartis Group. Novartis is cooperating with this investigation.

LUCENTIS/AVASTIN® MATTERS
In connection with an investigation into whether Novartis Farma S.p.A., Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Genentech Inc. and Roche S.p.A. colluded to artificially preserve the market positions of Avastin® and Lucentis, in 2014 the Italian Competition Authority imposed a fine equivalent to USD 125 million on Novartis AG and Novartis Farma S.p.A. Novartis paid the fine, subject to the right to later claim recoupment, and is appealing before the Consiglio di Stato. In 2014 and 2015, the Italian Ministry of Health and the Lombardia region sent letters with payment requests for a total equivalent of approximately USD 1.5 billion in damages from Novartis and Roche entities based on the above allegations. In 2014, the French Competition Authority opened an investigation against Novartis Groupe France with respect to the French market for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) products indicated for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Novartis continues to vigorously contest all claims in Italy and France. Also, Novartis is challenging policies and regulations allowing off-label/unlicensed use and reimbursement for economic reasons in various countries, including in Italy and the UK.

JAPAN INVESTIGATION
In 2015, a trial started against a former Novartis Pharma K.K. (NPKK) employee, and also NPKK under the dual liability concept in Japanese law, over allegations brought by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Office in two counts for alleged manipulation of data in sub-analysis publications of the Kyoto Heart Study regarding valsartan. The charges against NPKK are subject to a maximum total fine of JPY 4 million. In 2017, the Tokyo District Court issued a not-guilty ruling for both the former NPKK employee and NPKK. An appeal by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Office remains pending.

SOUTH KOREA INVESTIGATION
In 2016, the Seoul Western District Prosecutor initiated a criminal investigation into, among other things, allegations that Novartis Korea utilized medical journals to provide inappropriate economic benefits to HCPs. A criminal trial is ongoing concerning allegations that Novartis Korea utilized medical journals to provide inappropriate economic benefits to HCPs. In addition, other authorities in South Korea, including the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted investigations into Novartis Korea. Those investigations have led to total fines of approximately USD 53 million as well as sales and reimbursement suspensions on Novartis Korea products in 2017.

GREECE INVESTIGATION
Novartis is investigating allegations of potentially inappropriate economic benefits in Greece to HCPs and others. Novartis Group companies in Greece are providing information to the Greek authorities related to these allegations. Novartis is also responding to a subpoena and document requests from the SEC and DoJ that it received in 2016 and 2017 in connection with such allegations and is cooperating with their investigation.

Senator announced on CNN last night they are going to do a full investigation on Novartis and Cohen connection. Will they discover the real reason for the payment when they disregard the corporate press releases and they start to dig through this list?

 

[anonymous]

It looks like someone could be putting the pieces together. Preet is out soon after the meeting with Cohen. Preet was the one that oversaw current, pending and future whistleblower lawsuits against Novartis. The current case against Novartis was in the hands of the courts so that case could not be touched. The pending and potential future cases disappeared after Preet was fired. There were pending cases no one ever heard of and will only be found in the annual report. New SNDY atty aboard not pursing Novartis in pending and new cases. The new SDNY was hired by Trump.

Was this why the $1.2 million was paid? Did the $1.2 million payment was an investment to save hundreds of millions in additional whistleblower lawsuits? If so, it was a good investment.

We can only make these assumptions because we won't be able to see the inside information. But federal prosecutors can get the information. If you believe the above scenario could hold some merit and you are disgusted by Novartis' actions, send this information to the news networks and let them do the research. The media believes the money was for access to the administration. Maybe that is a smoke screen.

B I N G O !!!!!!!
STAY TUNED
THIS IS FAR FROM OVER
DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN KEPT REGARD WH INFLUENCE ON SDNY
JETZ GEHTS LOS!!

 

[anonymous]

The infamous Note 19....they buried this:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1114448/000137036818000005/a180124-99_1.htm

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK (S.D.N.Y.) MARKETING PRACTICES INVESTIGATION AND LITIGATION
In 2013, the US government filed a civil complaint in intervention to an individual qui tam action against Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) in the United States District Court (USDC) for the S.D.N.Y. The complaint, as subsequently amended, asserts federal False Claims Act (FCA) and common law claims with respect to speaker programs and other promotional activities for certain NPC cardiovascular medications (Lotrel, Starlix andValturna) allegedly serving as mechanisms to provide kickbacks to healthcare professionals (HCPs). It seeks damages, which according to the complaint are “substantial”, including treble damages and maximum civil penalties per claim, as well as disgorgement of Novartis profits from the alleged unlawful conduct. Also in 2013, New York State filed a civil complaint in intervention asserting similar claims. Neither government complaint in intervention adopted the individual relator’s claims with respect to off-label promotion of Valturna, which were subsequently dismissed with prejudice by the court. The individual relator continues to litigate the kickback claims on behalf of other states and municipalities. NPC vigorously contests the S.D.N.Y., New York State and individual claims, both as to alleged liability and amount of damages and penalties.

S.D.N.Y. / WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK HEALTHCARE FRAUD INVESTIGATION
In 2011, Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (ALI) received a subpoena from the United States Department of Health & Human Services relating to an investigation into allegations of healthcare fraud. The subpoena requests the production of documents relating to marketing practices, including the remuneration of healthcare providers, in connection with certain ALI products (Vigamox, Nevanac, Omnipred, Econopred; surgical equipment). ALI is cooperating with this investigation.

S.D.N.Y. GILENYA MARKETING PRACTICES INVESTIGATION
In 2013, NPC received a civil investigative demand from the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the S.D.N.Y. requesting the production of documents and information relating to marketing practices for Gilenya, including the remuneration of healthcare providers in connection therewith. In 2017, S.D.N.Y. and New York State declined to intervene in claims raised by an individual relator, which continue to be vigorously contested.

GOVERNMENT GENERIC PRICING ANTITRUST INVESTIGATIONS, ANTITRUST CLASS ACTIONS
In 2016 and 2017, Sandoz Inc. received subpoenas and interrogatories from the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and from the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut requesting documents related to the marketing and pricing of generic pharmaceutical products sold by Sandoz Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Fougera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Fougera), and related communications with competitors. Sandoz Inc. is cooperating with these investigations, which it believes to be part of a broader inquiry into industry practice.
Since the third quarter of 2016, Sandoz Inc. and Fougera have been sued alongside other generic pharmaceutical companies in more than 20 consolidated complaints by proposed classes of direct and indirect purchasers, and Attorneys General for 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have sought leave to file a complaint, alleging that defendants, including Sandoz, engaged in anti-competitive conduct with regard to the sales of various generic drugs and asserting violations of federal and state antitrust laws as well as consumer protection laws. Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Novartis AG and Novartis International AG were dismissed from the proceedings. The cases have been consolidated for pretrial purposes in the USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (E.D. Pa.) and the claims are being vigorously contested.

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS (D. MASS.) CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INVESTIGATION
In 2016 and 2017, NPC received subpoenas from the USAO for the D. Mass. requesting documents related to NPC’s support of 501(c)(3) organizations that provide co-payment assistance to Medicare patients who are prescribed Novartis medicines, including the respective accounting and tax treatment, as well as related to pricing strategies for Gleevec, Tasigna, Zometa, and Gilenya. The requests are focused on potential violations of federal health care offenses, including the Anti-Kickback Statute, and FCA. NPC is cooperating with this investigation, which it believes to be part of a broader inquiry into industry practices.

ASIA/RUSSIA INVESTIGATION
In 2017, Novartis Group companies, as well as present and former senior executives of Alcon, received document requests and subpoenas from the DoJ and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requesting information concerning Alcon’s business practices in Asia and Russia and related accounting treatment, both before and after Alcon became part of the Novartis Group. Novartis is cooperating with this investigation.

LUCENTIS/AVASTIN® MATTERS
In connection with an investigation into whether Novartis Farma S.p.A., Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Genentech Inc. and Roche S.p.A. colluded to artificially preserve the market positions of Avastin® and Lucentis, in 2014 the Italian Competition Authority imposed a fine equivalent to USD 125 million on Novartis AG and Novartis Farma S.p.A. Novartis paid the fine, subject to the right to later claim recoupment, and is appealing before the Consiglio di Stato. In 2014 and 2015, the Italian Ministry of Health and the Lombardia region sent letters with payment requests for a total equivalent of approximately USD 1.5 billion in damages from Novartis and Roche entities based on the above allegations. In 2014, the French Competition Authority opened an investigation against Novartis Groupe France with respect to the French market for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) products indicated for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Novartis continues to vigorously contest all claims in Italy and France. Also, Novartis is challenging policies and regulations allowing off-label/unlicensed use and reimbursement for economic reasons in various countries, including in Italy and the UK.

JAPAN INVESTIGATION
In 2015, a trial started against a former Novartis Pharma K.K. (NPKK) employee, and also NPKK under the dual liability concept in Japanese law, over allegations brought by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Office in two counts for alleged manipulation of data in sub-analysis publications of the Kyoto Heart Study regarding valsartan. The charges against NPKK are subject to a maximum total fine of JPY 4 million. In 2017, the Tokyo District Court issued a not-guilty ruling for both the former NPKK employee and NPKK. An appeal by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Office remains pending.

SOUTH KOREA INVESTIGATION
In 2016, the Seoul Western District Prosecutor initiated a criminal investigation into, among other things, allegations that Novartis Korea utilized medical journals to provide inappropriate economic benefits to HCPs. A criminal trial is ongoing concerning allegations that Novartis Korea utilized medical journals to provide inappropriate economic benefits to HCPs. In addition, other authorities in South Korea, including the Korea Fair Trade Commission, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted investigations into Novartis Korea. Those investigations have led to total fines of approximately USD 53 million as well as sales and reimbursement suspensions on Novartis Korea products in 2017.

GREECE INVESTIGATION
Novartis is investigating allegations of potentially inappropriate economic benefits in Greece to HCPs and others. Novartis Group companies in Greece are providing information to the Greek authorities related to these allegations. Novartis is also responding to a subpoena and document requests from the SEC and DoJ that it received in 2016 and 2017 in connection with such allegations and is cooperating with their investigation.

Their goal is to reduce this list because the cases on this list could cost 100's of millions of dollars. It looks like they were successful in ending at least 1 case shortly after the money was paid and Bharara was fired.

 

[Message to Vas]

Their goal is to reduce this list because the cases on this list could cost 100's of millions of dollars. It looks like they were successful in ending at least 1 case shortly after the money was paid and Bharara was fired.

Novartis Corruption at this point, is literally in the Zeitgeist of America. If Vashole wanted to prove there is a change in culture he would suck it up pay what he has to & resolve all outstanding legal issues Sparing shareholders the WASTE of tens of millions in legal fees the slick law firms bamboozle them out of.

There's a mountain of Corruption over the last 10 years. This latest Cohen fiasco will play heavily in a trial, try as they might, to suppress it. Which is reason to hope they continue fighting ultimately losing at trial & be assessed triple damages at minimum.

There isn't a jury in world that won't have heard of Novartis corruption esepcially in the midst of a senate probe Certainly not one sympathetic to the ONLY Pharma company on the planet that tried a back handed devious method to directly influence the FREAKING POTUS!

Hopefully the slip & fall lawyers will continue to string them along with false hope. Meanwhile the govt should serioulsy consider exclusion & REFUSE to settle for pennies on the dollar. The momentum is obviously on their side. Management is clearly too stupid to see it

 

[anonymous]

Novartis Corruption at this point, is literally in the Zeitgeist of America. If Vashole wanted to prove there is a change in culture he would suck it up pay what he has to & resolve all outstanding legal issues Sparing shareholders the WASTE of tens of millions in legal fees the slick law firms bamboozle them out of.

There's a mountain of Corruption over the last 10 years. This latest Cohen fiasco will play heavily in a trial, try as they might, to suppress it. Which is reason to hope they continue fighting ultimately losing at trial & be assessed triple damages at minimum.

There isn't a jury in world that won't have heard of Novartis corruption esepcially in the midst of a senate probe Certainly not one sympathetic to the ONLY Pharma company on the planet that tried a back handed devious method to directly influence the FREAKING POTUS!

Hopefully the slip & fall lawyers will continue to string them along with false hope. Meanwhile the govt should serioulsy consider exclusion & REFUSE to settle for pennies on the dollar. The momentum is obviously on their side. Management is clearly too stupid to see it

I remember someone on this board touting that NVS would end up paying the largest settlement 'til date for a pharma co., for the "sham" speaker events still under investigation.

GSK holds the current record at $3bn.

The current circumstances put the company on a precarious precipice, given the CIA that NVS signed with OIG in 2010 and extended until 2020. If the "sham" speaker events, some of which are claimed to happen in 2011 after the signed CIA, are determined to be in violation, then those would be grounds alone to pay a heavy penalty. With these fresh Essential Consultants revelations, we have an admission that the contract with Cohen was a mistake. By any objective measure, it would not be difficult to argue that the transaction breached the company's Code of Conduct, which would also constitute a breach of the CIA in and of itself.

NVS needs to sell Alcon like there's no tomorrow. And hopefully, the poor worker bees, who had nothing to do with above said, do not end up becoming part of the collateral damage.

 

[Judges Read Vas]

I remember someone on this board touting that NVS would end up paying the largest settlement 'til date for a pharma co., for the "sham" speaker events still under investigation.

GSK holds the current record at $3bn.

The current circumstances put the company on a precarious precipice, given the CIA that NVS signed with OIG in 2010 and extended until 2020. If the "sham" speaker events, some of which are claimed to happen in 2011 after the signed CIA, are determined to be in violation, then those would be grounds alone to pay a heavy penalty. With these fresh Essential Consultants revelations, we have an admission that the contract with Cohen was a mistake. By any objective measure, it would not be difficult to argue that the transaction breached the company's Code of Conduct, which would also constitute a breach of the CIA in and of itself.

NVS needs to sell Alcon like there's no tomorrow. And hopefully, the poor worker bees, who had nothing to do with above said, do not end up becoming part of the collateral damage.

Can you imagine any judge in America with an Ongoing Senate Probe of Novartis Corruption trying to buy influence directly with the POTUS deciding to dimiss cases or issue summary judgements in Novartis's favor?
The scrutiny they would be under would be immense. Likely destroy their reputation.

Remember when the geniuses in Managment could have made allegations against rouge DM's that were abusive / discriminatory to women go away probably for a few hundred thousand $ & firing said rouge DM's , yet they decided to pay the shark lawyers millions so they could LOSE a QUARTER of a BILLION !

This is the level of competency in Novartis Legal Dept / Executives

The more the Novartis Cohen Bribe explodes the less likelyhood Novartis will ever find a sympathetic jury for any type of case period & those odds were already slim to none before this latest repulsive act.
As it is price gouging Pharma is one of the top despised industry but Novartis has carved a new niche as the most detested loathsome pharma company on earth

At least they've finally managed to reach #1 in something

 

[anonymous]

I remember someone on this board touting that NVS would end up paying the largest settlement 'til date for a pharma co., for the "sham" speaker events still under investigation.

GSK holds the current record at $3bn.

The current circumstances put the company on a precarious precipice, given the CIA that NVS signed with OIG in 2010 and extended until 2020. If the "sham" speaker events, some of which are claimed to happen in 2011 after the signed CIA, are determined to be in violation, then those would be grounds alone to pay a heavy penalty. With these fresh Essential Consultants revelations, we have an admission that the contract with Cohen was a mistake. By any objective measure, it would not be difficult to argue that the transaction breached the company's Code of Conduct, which would also constitute a breach of the CIA in and of itself.

NVS needs to sell Alcon like there's no tomorrow. And hopefully, the poor worker bees, who had nothing to do with above said, do not end up becoming part of the collateral damage.

Not sure how the CIA relates to any potential wrongdoing from the Cohen/EC transaction. Anyone with a better understanding of the legalities care to chime in?

 

[anonymous]

Not sure how the CIA relates to any potential wrongdoing from the Cohen/EC transaction. Anyone with a better understanding of the legalities care to chime in?

I don't think anyone knows anything for certain, but reading these threads here is the theory.

Years ago whistleblower lawsuits filed against Novartis in the southern district of ny.Some are in the courts in some are pending.The allegations in these lawsuits happened, in part, while under CIA.Payment agreement made to Cohen in early 2017.Shortly after the attorney for the SDNY fired by Trump.The attorney fired was a pitbull against pharma compaies.Then Trump replaced attorney.At least one lawsuit wasn't pursued by new attorney in 2017.This all happened from early 2017 to Fall 2017.Someone found the current lawsuits in a SEC filing

I think I got the timeline correct.
The theory is the $1.2 m payments was to make lawsuit go away because if the lawsuit was successful could be a large payout because under CIA.

I don't think there is proof because it would be mentioned in media.Maybe it is something that will be looked at when investigation proceeds.

 

[anonymous]

I don't think anyone knows anything for certain, but reading these threads here is the theory.

Years ago whistleblower lawsuits filed against Novartis in the southern district of ny.Some are in the courts in some are pending.The allegations in these lawsuits happened, in part, while under CIA.Payment agreement made to Cohen in early 2017.Shortly after the attorney for the SDNY fired by Trump.The attorney fired was a pitbull against pharma compaies.Then Trump replaced attorney.At least one lawsuit wasn't pursued by new attorney in 2017.This all happened from early 2017 to Fall 2017.Someone found the current lawsuits in a SEC filing

I think I got the timeline correct.
The theory is the $1.2 m payments was to make lawsuit go away because if the lawsuit was successful could be a large payout because under CIA.

I don't think there is proof because it would be mentioned in media.Maybe it is something that will be looked at when investigation proceeds.

Well the media isn't going to make these connections if NVS is buying airtime on their networks to sell ads.

Bharara himself will need to spark speaking out at some point, and soon, if the theory has any merit.

 

[anonymous]

Novartis's fall back line has always been "It's a usual & accepted part of the industry"

Soooooooooooooo

When there isn't one other healthcare company (let alone pharma)
on the Entire Planet that did what sleazy Novartis did in bribing Trump's lawyer

Do they still maintain its & "usual & accepted part of the industry?"

AT&T which is looking at a Hundred Billion $$ merger paid only 1/6th
of what Novartis paid to Trump's lawyer Cohen so what
exactly did Novartis Expect for 6x the amount paid by a company looking at
one of the biggest mergers in corporate history????????????

Vas needs to be deposed at the bare minimum & have him on the record

 

[anonymous]

Novartis's fall back line has always been "It's a usual & accepted part of the industry"

Soooooooooooooo

When there isn't one other healthcare company (let alone pharma)
on the Entire Planet that did what sleazy Novartis did in bribing Trump's lawyer

Do they still maintain its & "usual & accepted part of the industry?"

AT&T which is looking at a Hundred Billion $$ merger paid only 1/6th
of what Novartis paid to Trump's lawyer Cohen so what
exactly did Novartis Expect for 6x the amount paid by a company looking at
one of the biggest mergers in corporate history????????????

Vas needs to be deposed at the bare minimum & have him on the record

What were they looking at ?

There have been a few theories floated on these boards: 1) advice on Trump's thinking, 2) neutering SDNY investigations, 3) ensuring a pharma-friendly FDA, 4) keeping Medicare from negotiating drug prices.

 

[anonymous]

What were they looking at ?

There have been a few theories floated on these boards: 1) advice on Trump's thinking, 2) neutering SDNY investigations, 3) ensuring a pharma-friendly FDA, 4) keeping Medicare from negotiating drug prices.

Vas already said facts don't matter. He's right. It's all about optics.

He will and can not do anything meaningful to stem a corporate culture of corruption that is systemically corrupt. The propaganda will continue, and we will continue to do what has to be done to service a particular lifestyle arrangement.

Nothing fundamentally changes, just the appearances thereof, though the collapse will be cataclysmic !

 

[anonymous]

Vas already said facts don't matter. He's right. It's all about optics.

He will and can not do anything meaningful to stem a corporate culture of corruption that is systemically corrupt. The propaganda will continue, and we will continue to do what has to be done to service a particular lifestyle arrangement.

Nothing fundamentally changes, just the appearances thereof, though the collapse will be cataclysmic !

“... Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss...”
The Who - We don’t get fooled again.

 

[anonymous]

What were they looking at ?

There have been a few theories floated on these boards: 1) advice on Trump's thinking, 2) neutering SDNY investigations, 3) ensuring a pharma-friendly FDA, 4) keeping Medicare from negotiating drug prices.

How about, none of the above.