> Direct to consumer spending by pharmaceutical companies shot up 15 percent during the third quarter, to $1.16 billion, with a big chunk being spent on the Internet. FiercePharma
> Vowing not to see a repeat of this year, when H1N1 vaccine-making capability fell well below demand, HHS is working to make sure that vaccines can be produced far more quickly when the next pandemic hits. FierceVaccines
> New health IT tools are emerging which allow healthcare analysts to better adapt to changing conditions, according to a presenter at the Radiological Society of North America's annual conference. FierceHealthIT
> CMS will soon send guidance out to state Medicaid agencies to help them develop health IT plans that meet requirements of the stimulus law. FierceEMR
And Finally... Aussies may like chips, but these cross the line. Article