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Healthcare & Fitness

This Month

The number of ADHD patients and prescriptions in Australia have doubled in four years.

Diagnosed in 10 minutes. Inside Australia’s ADHD industrial complex

Prescriptions for ADHD drugs have doubled in the past four years and private clinics are cashing in. Doctors fear profits are taking priority over patient care.

  • Michael Smith
Sigma Pharmaceutical shareholders will meet on January 29 to vote on a $30 billion merger with Chemist Warehouse.

Sigma clears hurdle in $30b Chemist Warehouse deal

The independent expert commissioned by Sigma Healthcare to review its $30b Chemist Warehouse merger says the deal is fair and reasonable.

  • Michael Smith
Mesoblast says its MSC cells will save childrens’ lives.

Mesoblast shares rocket on FDA approval, but CEO says risks remain

FDA approval for Mesoblast’s cell therapy used to treat children for complications that can occur during bone marrow transplants is a breakthrough for the biotech.

  • Michael Smith
TPG has held clinical trial research organisation Novotech since 2017.

TPG Capital weighs new options for Novotech’s future

Street Talk understands TPG is weighing up a bunch of complicated options for its $4 billion clinical research group.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Healthscope chief executive Greg Horan has been trying to secure deals with insurers.

Only one thing can end the $22b private health war

Brookfield’s latest fund injection into Healthscope is more evidence of the need for the government to step in to try to resolve a desperate and messy issue.

  • James Thomson
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Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth’s insurance unit, was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel.

The CEO, not the shooter, is the real working-class hero

Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot in New York, is a model for how a talented, determined man from humble roots can rise to the top of corporate life.

  • Bret Stephens
Affinity defeated Pacific Equity Partners and TPG Capital to buy Lumus at the end of September.

Affinity PE closes $515m Lumus Imaging debt deal

GIlbert + Tobin’s banking group head Gail Christopher was on hand to support Affinity with the negotiations.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
John Fawkner Hospital in Melbourne is one of the Healthscope-owned facilities that will charge Bupa customers more for procedures.

Bupa offers Healthscope doctors payments to switch hospitals

The health insurer giant is offering Healthscope doctors up to $500 per patient if they move to another hospital.

  • Michael Smith
Sonic Healthcare chief executive Colin Goldschmidt has made a $700 million investment in Germany.

Sonic Healthcare to buy German lab group for $700m

Pathology giant Sonic Healthcare is buying one of Germany’s top medical lab groups as it seeks to expand its market share in Europe.

  • Michael Smith
Last year, Bain Capital snapped up Estia Health, one of few listed on the ASX, for $838 million. Estia has 73 homes across the country.

Bain Capital kicks off dividend recap at aged care biz Estia Health

Sources said the loans are being provided by infrastructure-focused investors including Keppel Infrastructure, Stonepeak and Pacific Equity Partners.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Health Minister Mark Butler says health insurers are exploiting a loophole to increase premiums.

Health insurers tricking members with secret premium rises: Labor

Health Minister Mark Butler says insurers are exploiting a loophole that allows them to charge hundreds more by replacing products with more expensive new ones.

  • Michael Smith
The AMA warns insurance companies have too much say over at-home treatment.

Doctors say health insurers have too much control over home care

The AMA is warning that Australia is at risk of adopting “US-style managed care” where insurance companies call all the shots.

  • Michael Smith
Mark Butler has a difficult decision to make.

Mark Butler’s health problem with no fix

The health minister is in the middle of an almighty fight between private hospitals and the health insurers, and he’s facing a difficult decision in the lead up to the election.

  • Michael Smith
David Baxby from Coogee Capital.

Why Branson’s ex right-hand man is investing in workplace health

David Baxby has invested in just about everything from airlines to gyms. Now for the first time, he is putting his money into healthcare.

  • Michael Smith
This dastardly government: Twomey tears up during a press conference in April 2023

Pharmacy Guild sends voodoo dolls to fans and supporters

Trent Twomey doesn’t fear the scorn of the political establishment. Or the evil eye.

  • Myriam Robin
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Calvary Health Care chief executive Martin Bowles does not support the private hospital association’s demand for emergency funding.

Private hospitals split over industry’s demand for emergency funding

Two not-for-profit groups say they are opposed to calls from bigger players like Ramsay Health Care for more money, or the introduction of $200 visit fees.

  • Michael Smith
Pixii supplies 800 sites with organic cotton tampons and pads, made freely available via wall dispensers.

Making period products free a ‘workplace, societal issue’

Nina Tavener had a light-bulb moment at a women’s conference. A speaker asked whether anyone had ever faced not having period products at hand when they needed them most.

Sponsored 

by Pixii

Nurses at the John Fawkner Hospital in Melbourne. The hospital is owned by Healthscope, which tore up its contract with several big insurers.

Private hospitals want $200 per visit fee to head off funding crisis

Operators of major private health facilities say it is their only option if they aren’t handed $1.3 billion in emergency funding by the federal government

  • Michael Smith
Orthocell Chairman John Van Der Wielen with Professor Fiona Wood in front of a wall of framed patents in their offices at Murdoch University in Perth. 21st November 2024 Photo: Trevor Collens

Perth’s billionaire set is piling into this little-known medtech

The value of West Australian nerve repair biotech Orthocell has doubled since September as it beefs up its shareholder bases and prepares to break into the US.

  • Michael Smith
Sam Hupert of Pro Medicus.

Pro Medicus billionaires in $500m sell-down

The trade crossed the screen in two lines on Tuesday afternoon, with about 2 million shares changing hands at last price.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
National home care provider Five Good Friends co-founders Nathan Betteridge and Simon Lockyer.

TPG Capital to buy majority stake in founder-owned Five Good Friends

TPG is expected to join Five Good Friends’ register as the controlling owner alongside Nathan Betteridge and Simon Lockyer, who founded the business in 2016

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says insurers will return $140 million to the public health system by paying higher room rates.

Insurers warn of premium hikes after losing NSW bed rate battle

Private health insurers have caved to pressure from the Minns government to pay higher hospital bed rates following a protracted campaign.

  • Michael Smith

November

NIB CEO Mark Fitzgibbon with his partner Rebecca Thompson and their grandchildren Charlie, 3, and Mimi, 2.

Insurance chief Mark Fitzgibbon’s lessons from Ted Lasso

NIB’s veteran CEO talks about his battle with hospitals and politicians, and his realisation that a healthy life is finite.

  • Michael Smith
Pacific Smiles operates 128 dental clinics in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT and employs 800 dentists and 1600 support staff.

Genesis crowns Pacific Smiles directors as major shareholder exits

Genesis Capital leapt over the 50 per cent threshold on Friday morning to secure majority control of the dental clinic chain.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Processed meats are high in salt and saturated fat, both of which are inflammatory. 

Why that ultra-processed food is ageing you

As anyone who’s ever tried to stop at just one potato chip can tell you, the stuff is moreish – and scientists are discovering more about the harmful effects.

  • The Economist

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/companies/healthcare-and-fitness