Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Toshiba's drive to sell its Toshiba Medical Systems division to Canon took a big step forward today with the signing of a definitive agreement between the companies, and Toshiba has begun transferring the medical division's assets to Canon.
Today's news doesn't mean the divestiture is a done deal just yet -- the agreement still requires the approval of Japanese regulatory authorities. But given the long ties between the two firms and Toshiba's dire financial straits, it's unlikely that government officials will hold up the sale.
The fast-moving divestiture represents a stunning turnabout for a brand that's been a fixture in the radiology industry for more than 100 years. It's especially head-scratching given Toshiba's intention to focus on its nuclear power and flash memory operations going forward -- both industries that face serious challenges in future years.
On the positive side, Canon finally realizes its goal of expanding in the healthcare market, an area that's been coveted by other Japanese consumer electronics firms looking to capitalize on the graying population. Read more about Canon's plans for its new acquisition by clicking here.
Imaging use drops again
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has released another annual report on Medicare spending, and once again the report confirms that the use of medical imaging in the Medicare population continues to fall.
The MedPAC report found a 1.1% decline in imaging volume per Medicare beneficiary in 2014, with most of that decline being fueled by a shift of cardiac imaging from physician offices to hospital outpatient departments -- perhaps a sign that efforts to rein in cardiologist self-referral are having an effect.
As in past reports, MedPAC chose to gloss over recent numbers on the decline in imaging volume, instead highlighting how much higher imaging utilization is now than it was 15 years ago. But at the same time, the commission telegraphed that it probably would not recommend large downward adjustments to Medicare payments in 2017. Get the rest of the story by clicking here.
PET/MRI for oncology
While PET/MRI represents the pinnacle of medical imaging technology, the hybrid modality faces a tough road to routine clinical adoption due to its complexity and high price tag. A new article in our Molecular Imaging Community analyzes PET/MRI and the roadblocks facing more widespread adoption. Read more by clicking here, or visit the community at molecular.auntminnie.com.
