The Reed Smith Life Sciences Legal Update blog has been updated to reflect a variety of recent developments of interest, including:

  • A Comparison of the French and U.S. Sunshine Acts. To help global manufacturers navigate the complex new reporting and disclosure requirements under the French and U.S. Sunshine Acts, Reed Smith Partners Elizabeth Carder-Thompson and Daniel Kadar created an at-a-glance summary chart comparing and contrasting the reporting requirements and how each act differs in its attempt to create transparency for patients when they are making decisions regarding their medical treatment.
  • Increased Government Regulation on Cosmetic Procedures in the UK. In response to an April 2013 independent review concerning the regulation of cosmetic interventions, the UK government released a response report in February 2014 detailing significant changes to improve the quality of care and information available to patients when undergoing cosmetic procedures. Authors John Wilkinson, Nicola Maguire, Adam Lewington and Daryl Cue review in detail the proposed regulatory changes.
  • OCR Announces HIPAA Enforcement Settlement Against County Government. On March 7, 2014, the HHS Office for Civil Rights announced its first settlement and corrective action plan with a county government. Skagit County in northwest Washington State has agreed to pay $215,000 to settle potential violations of the HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules. Authors Brad Rostolsky, Nan Bonifant and Jen Pike discuss this case and what local and county governments need to be aware of in order to comply with HIPAA regulations.