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FTC and VA Sign Updated Memorandum of Agreement The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement to continue ongoing efforts to stop fraudulent and deceptive practices targeted at U.S. service members, veterans, and dependents who use military education benefits. The agreement sets forth a framework for cooperation between the FTC and the VA when investigating and taking action against institutions that target service members with unfair or deceptive advertising or enrollment practices. It also outlines the terms under which the VA can refer potential violations to the FTC. FTC Tops the List of “Best Places to Work” Among Mid-Size Federal Agencies The Federal Trade Commission today was rated the number one place to work among mid-size federal government agencies for 2018 by the non-profit, non-partisan Partnership for Public Service, based on the FTC’s high ratings for employee engagement, and other factors including agency leadership, strategic management, and innovation. “I am so proud of my colleagues, whose effort and dedication led to this top ranking,” said FTC Chairman Joe Simons. “Our workforce is highly committed to the agency’s mission of protecting American consumers and promoting competition, which makes the FTC a fantastic place to work.” Out of 27 mid-size federal agencies, the FTC ranked number one in the categories of effective leadership, strategic management, innovation, performance-based rewards and advancements, and employee skills mission-match. The Commission also tied with the Small Business Administration in the rankings for most improved mid-size agency. Overall, the agency’s Bureau of Consumer Protection and Bureau of Competition ranked third and fourth among a total of 415 subcomponents from all federal agencies. The Best Places to Work rankings are a comprehensive assessment of federal civil servants and how they view their jobs and workplaces. Agency rankings are determined by an index score measuring employee engagement, as well as 10 additional categories. In 2018, the rankings took into account the views of more than 847,000 civil servants from 488 federal organizations on a wide range of workplace topics. This year’s rankings mark the first time the FTC has earned the top spot among mid-size agencies. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaintonline or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. and Antitrust Law on Competition Enforcement Activities and Policy Priorities In testimony before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law, the Federal Trade Commission described its current competition enforcement activities and policy priorities. Testifying on behalf of the FTC, Chairman Joseph J. Simons outlined recent FTC initiatives to preserve and promote competition for the benefit of American consumers. These include notable victories stopping anticompetitive mergers and conduct, public hearings on a variety of competition and consumer protection issues, and advocacy both domestically and abroad. Since the beginning of FY 2017, the Commission has challenged 48 mergers, according to the testimony. Although many were resolved through settlements, in the last year alone, the Commission sued to block five mergers, requiring a significant commitment of resources to prepare for litigation. Two of those challenges ended successfully when the parties abandoned the transactions after the Commission initiated litigation. The testimony notes that hiring economic experts for litigation poses an increasing strain on the agency’s resources. The Commission continues to resolve most horizontal merger challenges through negotiated settlements requiring divestitures sufficient to restore lost competition, the testimony states. In the past year, for example, the FTC reviewed mergers involving retail gas stations, convenience stores, agricultural chemicals, cement, industrial gases, medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, ambulance services, casino services, and specialty veterinary services. The FTC also reviews vertical mergers and, when appropriate, acts to prevent harm to competition, the testimony explains. Working closely with the Department of Defense, the FTC investigated and crafted a remedy to address competitive concerns arising from the acquisition of Orbital ATK, a key supplier of solid rocket motors, by Northrop Grumman, a leading provider of missile systems. The Commission also has a robust program for identifying and stopping anticompetitive conduct—particularly in critical health care markets. The Commission continues to scrutinize anticompetitive reverse payment agreements in the pharmaceutical industry that involve a brand-name drug firm paying its potential generic rival to give up a patent challenge and agree not to launch a lower cost generic product. In another health care-related victory, a federal court ruled that AbbVie Inc. used sham litigation to illegally maintain its monopoly over the testosterone replacement drug Androgel, according to the testimony. The court ordered $493.7 million in monetary relief to those who were overcharged for Androgel as a result of AbbVie’s conduct. This case represents the first time any court has held that sham litigation violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act since the U.S. Supreme Court first recognized this legal theory. The Commission is also attentive to situations where health care firms engage in conduct that restrains competition for employees. In July of this year, the FTC charged three parties—a Texas company that provides therapists to home health agencies, the company’s owner, and the former owner of a competing staffing company—with violating the antitrust laws by agreeing to reduce rates paid to therapists, and by inviting other competitors to join their collusive scheme. The testimony also notes that the Commission continues to monitor anticompetitive transactions and conduct by technology firms and will take action when appropriate. As a central part of its competition policy work, the FTC has launched a new set of public hearings, Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century, to consider whether broad-based changes in the economy, evolving business practices, new technologies, and international developments warrant adjustments to competition and consumer protection law, enforcement priorities, and policy hearings and advocacy, according to the testimony. With respect to international cooperation, the FTC and the Department of Justice increasingly engage with foreign antitrust agencies to ensure close collaboration on cross-border cases and convergence toward sound competition policies and procedures, the testimony says. For example, in the recent merger of industrial gas suppliers Praxair, Inc. and Linde AG, Commission staff worked cooperatively with the staff of antitrust agencies in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the European Union, India, Korea, and Mexico to analyze the proposed transaction and potential remedies. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the testimony and include it in the formal record. MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program A new MedWatch Safety Alert recall: CareScape R860 Inspiratory Safety Guard by GE Healthcare: Recall - Due to Risk of Disconnection from Breathing Circuit was just added to the FDA Medical Devices Recall webpage.   You can read the complete recall alert at: https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ListofRecalls/ucm628292.htm Tris Pharma Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Infants’ Ibuprofen Concentrated Oral Suspension, USP (NSAID) 50 mg per 1.25 mL, Due to Potential Higher Concentrations of Ibuprofen Tris Pharma, Inc. has voluntarily recalled three (3) lots of Infants’ Ibuprofen Concentrated Oral Suspension, USP (NSAID) 50 mg per 1.25 mL, to the retail level. The recalled lots of the product have been found to potentially have higher concentrations of ibuprofen. There is a remote possibility that infants, who may be more susceptible to a higher potency level of drug, and therefore may be more vulnerable to permanent NSAID-associated renal injury. Adverse effects that may be experienced are nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, or more rarely, diarrhea. Tinnitus, headache and gastrointestinal bleeding are also possible adverse effects. To date, Tris Pharma, Inc.has not received any reports of adverse events related to the lots of product that are the subject of this recall. MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program A new MedWatch Safety Alert for: E-Cialis HelloCig E-Liquid by HelloCig Electronic Technology Co: Warning - Contains the Undeclared Drugs Sildenafil and Tadalafil E-Rimonabant HelloCig E-Liquid by HelloCig Electronic Technology Co: Warning - Contains the Undeclared Drug Sildenafil intended for: Consumer, Health Professional was just added to the FDA Drug Safety Webpage.   You can read the complete Drug Safety Alert that includes recommendations at: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm628135.htm MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program A new MedWatch Safety Alert recall: Kotex Sleek Tampons, Regular Absorbency by Kimberly-Clark: Recall - Due to a Quality-Related Defect was just added to the FDA Recalls webpage.   You can read the complete recall alert at: https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm628237.htm Inspired Organics Issues Voluntary Recall of Organic Sunflower Butter Due to Potential Health Risk Inspired Organics, LLC has issued a voluntary recall of Organic Sunflower Butter due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. The product was distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods. LLC in Warren, Michigan to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. Kimberly-Clark Announces Voluntary Recall of U by Kotex® Sleek® Tampons, Regular Absorbency,Throughout U.S. and Canada Kimberly-Clark announced a voluntary product recall of its U by Kotex® Sleek® Tampons, Regular Absorbency, sold throughout the United States and Canada for a quality-related defect that could impact the performance of this product. The recall is limited to specific lots of U by Kotex® Sleek® Tampons, Regular Absorbency, that were manufactured between October 7, 2016 and October 16, 2018 and distributed between October 17, 2016 and October 23, 2018. Consumers can identify this product by looking for specific lot numbers found on the bottom of the package. A full list of recalled lot numbers is available on the U by Kotex® website. Retailers have been alerted to remove the recalled lot numbers from shelves and post a notification in their stores. If the stars in consumers’ eyes are from cosmetic contacts, they need a prescription By Lesley Fair What do Hollywood classics Sunset Boulevard, Citizen Kane, Double Indemnity, and Fight Clubhave in common? They all begin with the end of the story. Because one of the business names used by the defendant in a recent FTC action is HollywoodColorContacts.com, we’ll honor that silver screen tradition by opening with the closer: All contact lenses – including non-corrective decorative lenses used to change the wearer’s appearance – are medical devices that require a prescription, and selling contacts without a prescription is illegal. The end. Fade to black. Roll credits. Read more > Today in History Today in 1745, founding father John Jay was born. On this anniversary of his birth, take time to teach your students about the history of this famous politician, the official positions he held, and the role he played in helping establish the United States of America. Science Games Scientists solve puzzles every day since science and research involve finding solutions from the clues given. Help your budding scientists stay engaged in different topics like health and the environment with these fun, educational games from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Winter Weather Safety As we progress into winter weather in many parts of the country, teach your students to tell the difference between frostbite and hypothermia. Help them identify the symptoms of each, learn how to avoid both with different tactics like wearing layers of warm clothing, and when to seek medical attention. Brought to you by USAgov, we connect teachers, kids and parents to  government, schools and educational organizations' information and services.