Congress investigates Emory professor

A former Emory University department chair is under investigation for money he took from pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Charles Nemeroff stepped down Friday as chair of the psychiatry department. Congressional investigators say Nemeroff made nearly $3 million as a consultant for drug companies from 2000 to 2007 but failed to report at least $1.2 million of it to Emory. In an Emory news release, Nemeroff denied the allegations.

(Associated Press)

Perdue suspends sample drug taxes

Gov. Sonny Perdue has suspended collection of taxes on free samples of prescription drugs, saying it conflicts with the tax exemption on prescription sales. The move comes in the wake of a 2001 court decision that contact lenses, available only with a valid prescription, are taxable to the manufacturer or distributor when distributed by them as free samples. Perdue's order also covers drug samples provided for clinical trials. He said taxing those puts the state at a disadvantage in attracting research and development activities to Georgia.

New drug program for uninsured

Georgia has a new prescription drug benefit for uninsured Georgians eligible for Medicare or other public health care. TogetherRx is the brainchild of major pharmaceutical companies. In Georgia, it promises a savings of 25 to 40% on brand-name prescriptions. The program covers more than 300 medicines.

Meth ring busted

29 defendants stand accused of taking part in a methamphetamine ring in Savannah. The indictment unsealed yesterday says the organization has been operating in at least 10 counties since 2005. Nine of the defendants are already in jail on other charges. Seventeen have been arrested. Three remain fugitives.