Weird but true: Philip Morris enters healthcare field

The news that a major tobacco company is trying to get into the healthcare business is dividing the healthcare community. Scientists at Philip Morris developed a new design for a handheld inhaler during the years the company was attempting to develop a "safe" cigarette. The tobacco giant now plans to market the technology as a delivery device for inhaled aerosol medicines. A team of researchers working for the company have tested the Aria and found that the device delivers up to 90 percent of drug doses, a significant improvement over the 10 percent rate associated with older inhaler systems. Specialists are happy to hear about the apparent breakthrough but not thrilled by the tobacco industry connection.

- see this article from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)