Current Events in March 2017

Forty states are alleging that generic drug companies have conspired to artifically drive up the cost of their products, up from the 20 states that originally banded together to pursue the action.

"The anticompetitive actions that we allege in this complaint are egregious and, ultimately, consumers, businesses and taxpayers paid the price," said Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, who assembled the 40-state coalition.

The amended complaint adds claims of alleged violations of state antitrust laws – in addition to earlier alleged violations of federal antitrust laws – in each of the 40 states, as well as state consumer protection laws in most of the states, against the defendant generic companies Heritage Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc., Citron Pharma, LLC, Mayne Pharma (USA), Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.

In July 2014, the state of Connecticut opened an investigation of the reasons behind suspicious price increases of certain generic pharmaceuticals. The investigation uncovered evidence of a well-coordinated and long-running conspiracy to fix prices and allocate markets for doxycycline hyclate delayed release, an antibiotic, and glyburide, an oral diabetes medication, Jepsen said.

The complaint further alleges that the defendants routinely coordinated their schemes through direct interaction with their competitors at industry trade shows, customer conferences, and other events, as well as through direct email, phone, and text message communications.

The alleged anticompetitive conduct – including efforts to fix and maintain prices, allocate markets, and otherwise thwart competition – caused significant, harmful and continuing effects in the country’s healthcare system, the states allege.

The lawsuit was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

States joining Connecticut in filing the action are Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Entertainment and instant gratification comes standard with every smartphone, and kids these days typically own multiple devices. While technology has helped to enhance the learning landscape in many ways, its effect on a child’s ability to focus isn't always positive.

Textbooks often have a hard time competing with smartphones’ reward system of likes, alerts, and social media activity. But a new form of note taking could make books and learning more appealing to device-obsessed students.

Sketchnoting is a purposeful form of doodling that caters to a variety of learning styles. Key points may begin to sink in as students use this form of visual note taking. In fact, experts say doodlers gain a 29% increase in information retention.

Works well for visual learners

The act of sketchnoting requires students to make hand movements and create visual representations, which makes it especially beneficial to visual learners.

Teacher and illustrator Red Rohl has a new book series centered around the benefits of sketchnoting. Heavy Sketches -- a graphic novel series containing illustrations paired with facts, fiction, and other educational content -- was designed with disengaged learners in mind.

Rohl says the sketchnote-inspired art in his series can ignite kids' love of reading by helping to make learning fun and engaging. 

Improves retention

"In the classroom, students have various learning styles and if they aren't tuned in, they are bored, disengaged, and apathetic. This causes them to miss educational opportunities and fall behind in the required curriculum.” Rohl said. “That discord is what started me on my mission to make a difference.”

He notes that visual learners may be better able to absorb information when given the ability to do a hands-on activity, such as doodling. Sketchnote inspired art can help engage students and improve their comprehension, says Rohl.

Rohl isn’t the only one singing the praises of sketchnoting. Educators are increasingly using sketchnoting as way of improving retention and learning among students, and adults in the corporate world are using it to remember key points made in meetings.

Children acquire important learning skills through play. While they’re figuring out which button produces which sound or attempting to match a square-shaped block to its corresponding cut-out, they’re mastering important life skills such as critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) agrees that age-appropriate toys can double as teachers of early learning skills while helping to foster curiosity, as well as social and emotional skills.

But with so many toys vying for parents' dollars, it can be tricky to figure out what to bring home. To make matters less complicated, parents may want to consider heeding the NAEYC’s advice on how to choose appropriate and safe toys.

For older infants

Little ones between 7 to 12 months old understand their own names and other common words, can identify body parts, find hidden objects, and put things in and out of containers. Things to drop and take out, such as plastic bowls or nesting toys, make good toys for babies this age.

LeapFrog’s new Stack and Tumble Elephant, available Fall 2017, may be just right for older infants. Stacking five textured rings on the elephant’s trunk helps build fine motor skills. At the same time, the elephant introduces colors, numbers, and shapes. Push down on his tail, and he’ll sneeze the brightly colored rings right off his trunk.

For one-year-olds

Babies master quite a few skills in their first year of life. By their first birthday, a baby can typically walk steadily and even climb stairs. One-year-olds also enjoy songs and stories, pretend play, and toys with parts that do things.

Step and Learn Scout, also part of LeapFrog’s recently expanded line of infant toys, aims to help kids learn letters and numbers while encouraging pretend play and gross motor skills. Scout can be pulled on a leash or manually scooted on the floor. The happy pup sings educational songs while sporting letter and number graphics on his LED backpack.

Two and up

Toddlers are rapidly learning language and enjoy toys that enable them to solve problems, build, and create. Pretend play is also usually on a 2-year-olds list of favorite activities.

LeapFrog’s new Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart lets kids pretend and create while following directions to complete their customer’s ice cream order. Memory and sequencing skills can be built upon as little ones attempt to make sure their creation matches the image on the ice cream order card. Kids can add pretend syrup as they count along from 1 to 10, then ring up the customer’s order using the cash register.

For the two-and-older set, LeapFrog has also come out with a new kid-friendly educational laptop, called the 2-in1 LeapTop Touch. Using the laptop's number buttons and A-Z keyboard, kids can pretend to email their pal Scout or play learning games. All new products on LeapFrog's expanded range of infant and preschool toys will be available later this year.

When choosing toys for infants and young children, parents should look for products that are shatterproof, well-made, painted with non-toxic paint, and easily cleaned. Additionally, it's important to make sure the toy has no small parts or pieces that could pose a choking risk. 

Applying for the right credit card is important. Not only do you need to select a card that best matches your spending patterns, offering rewards for what you spend most on, it's important to find a match to your credit worthiness.

This is where some consumers run astray. They see an ad, or maybe even get a credit card solicitation in the mail, and apply, thinking they'll be approved. They may be disappointed if they're turned down and not really understand why.

Credit Sesame, a personal finance company, has launched a service that pre-qualifies consumers for credit cards that are issued by Capital One. The company says it saves time and maybe even prevents a ding to their credit rating if they apply for a card and don't get it.

Company CEO Adrian Nazari says the system was developed using technology from the Capital One developer platform. When a member logs on, he or she is presented with the Capital One cards that best align with their credit ratings and goals.

Narrows the offering for each member

Some cards are targeted at people with excellent credit. Some are designed for people with only fair credit scores. Nazari says the pre-qualification service narrows the scope for each individual consumer, making it an easier decision.

For credit cards from issuers other than Capital One, consumers can still productively narrow their focus by just looking at the cards designed for particular creditworthiness.

Credit Sesame, as well as most other credit card comparison sites like CreditCards.com, and WalletHub.com, break down credit card offers by credit ranking.

FICO score breakdowns

For example, if your FICO score is 740 to 850, you have excellent credit and should apply for a card in that category. Currently, some of the offerings include the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which provides 50,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 the first three months the card is active.

If your FICO score is between 640 and 739, you have good credit. In that category, the Discover It Card is a popular choice, providing 5% cash back on rotating categories.

FICO scores of 650 to 699 put you in the fair credit category. The Chase Slate Card is popular in that category, especially if you want to transfer a balance from another high-interest card.

There is no transfer fee on balances transferred within 60 days of opening the account and there is no interest for 15 months.