A newsletter roundup covering recent news stories, including the rising number of Legionnaires’ cases in the U.S., a legal settlement with two drug makers, and the ongoing Takata airbag recall.

1. NEWS You Can Use
From the Walker Advertising Research Desk 6/15/16
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Courtesy news clipping service provided to clients of Walker Advertising. All material is copyrighted by respective
publications. For copies of complete articles, contact your sales rep or Walker Advertising at 1-800-4WALKER.
1. Legionnaires’ Cases On the Rise, CDC Says
Adapted from Wall Street Journal, 6/8/16
The rate of Legionnaires’ disease in the U.S. rose to 1.62 cases per 100,000 people in 2014, up from
.42 per 100,000 people in 2000, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The report partially attributed the increase to a failure by hotels, long-term-care facilities and hospitals
to ensure their water is clean. Other possible factors include an aging population, a higher number of
people with comprised immune systems, and decaying plumbing. Over the last year, about 5,000 people
were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease and more than 20 outbreaks were reported to officials.
2. Drugmakers pay $67 million to settle claims
Adapted from L.A. Times, 6/8/16
Genentech and another drugmaker have agreed to pay $67 million to resolve claims they misled
doctors into prescribing an ineffective treatment for lung cancer patients. The lawsuit alleged some
patients using Tarceva may died earlier than if they had received a more effective drug. From 2006-
2011, Genentech and its marketing partner OSI Pharmaceuticals reportedly promoted Tarceva as a
treatment for all patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. However, studies showed the drug was only
effective for patients who had never smoked or who had an EGFR gene mutation. San Francisco-based
Genentech indicated it settled to avoid costly litigation. The suit was brought by former Genentech
employee Brian Shields and then joined by federal prosecutors.
3. Car Makers Recall More Vehicles in U.S. and NHTSA, GM at odds over recall
Adapted from Wall Street Journal, 6/3/16, and L.A. Times, 6/3/16
General Motors (GM) Co. and Ford Motor Co. each recalled about 1.9 million vehicles with front
passenger-side Takata air bags. The announcements are part of the ongoing recall of Takata airbags,
which can explode with too much force and spray the passenger compartment with shrapnel. This is
GM’s largest recall yet over the potentially faulty airbag inflators, but the automaker has said the parts
are unique to its vehicles and do not pose a safety risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) has disputed GM’s assessment.
4. Hospital violated law in handling of outbreak
Adapted from L.A. Times, 6/3/16
In a letter, Pasadena officials claimed Huntington Hospital broke California state law by failing to
promptly report a suspected superbug outbreak. An investigation by the city found contaminated
endoscopes sickened 16 patients, 11 of whom died. The report noted only one patient’s death
certificate listed the dangerous drug-resistant bacteria as the cause of death. Under state law, hospitals
must report an “occurrence of any unusual disease” or “any outbreaks of disease” to local health
officials within 24 hours.

2. NEWS You Can Use
From the Walker Advertising Research Desk 6/15/16
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Courtesy news clipping service provided to clients of Walker Advertising. All material is copyrighted by respective
publications. For copies of complete articles, contact your sales rep or Walker Advertising at 1-800-4WALKER.
5. L.A. Wins Limits On Oil Field
Adapted from L.A. Times, 6/9/16
On June 8, L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer announced that an oil field near the University of Southern
California must comply with stringent regulations or remain closed permanently. Neighbors had long
accused the site of causing health problems including nosebleeds and serious respiratory illness. If it
wants to reopen the site, operator Allenco Energy Inc. must install a health and safety monitoring
system and be more responsive to residents’ complaints than is required by law. Allenco will pay $1.25
million in civil penalties, according to the permanent injunction of the L.A. County Superior Court.