EDC Mag AR powerbank
20k mAh AR Mag Powerbank with charge indicator in both tan & black

Outstandards announced today the launch of the world's first military-grade power bank designed to the exact dimensions of an AR-15 rifle magazine. The Williamsburg, Virginia-based company introduced the Every-Day Carry Magazine (EDC MAG) with a unique twist; a power bank charger produced to AR-15 magazine specifications, a design that facilitates carrying externally on the body in existing magazine pouches in vests, belts, and pants. 

The company designed the product for the most rugged environments, utilizing military-grade material for the outer shell that makes the device water-, dirt-, and crush-resistant. The EDC MAG has a large 20,000 mAh capacity with high-speed charging and the latest power bank charger technology.

Outstandards conceptualized the EDC MAG based on real-world "missions in challenging environments" by their personnel that required easy-to-carry, easily accessible portable power that could withstand the harshest environments. Outstandards will market the EDC MAG to outdoor enthusiasts in the hunting, camping, hiking, and outdoor adventure communities, where increasingly prolific USB-charged outdoor gadgetry, from heated hunting vests to GPS devices to radios and flashlights, is driving up demand for rugged, portable all-weather chargers. 

"Our goal was to bring to market a product that met the increasing demand for electronics that the average consumer faces daily, while at the same time being rugged enough to withstand the toughest environments they could venture into. The EDC Mag AR achieves every aspect of that goal," said Jared Boyd, COO at Outstandards, who is a recently retired U.S. Marine.

Early Impact on Consumers

Many consumers have already found ways to incorporate the EDC Mag AR into their outdoor adventures during this hunting season leaving several positive reviews on their website (outstandards.myshopify.com). "This Outstandards powerbank is incredible!  It has more than enough juice to keep my heated vest and all my other electronics for those long days on the hunting stand…Being water-resistant and military-grade has sure helped as I have put this device through all the paces (being dropped, getting mud, blood, soda on it, etc.)," wrote one reviewer in Virginia. Another from Missouri wrote, "I wish I would have had this all hunting season, very glad to have it now. It sits well in my vest, exposed to all kinds of weather and elements and dirt, and just keeps going."

Product Availability

Outstandards is selling the EDC MAG directly off its website straight to consumers at www.Outstandards.com.

About Outstandards

Outstandards conceptualizes and creates unique, innovative products like no others in the world.  Their products are mission-generated, designed and forged through practical experiences during service to the U.S. in some of the world's most difficult and challenging environments. 

Levin Health
Levin Health

According to Levin Health, a sports science company focused on researching, developing and commercialising a range of medicinal cannabis products such as CBD oil Australia wide, research into medicinal cannabis has uncovered a clear movement away from illicit use to legal use. People using cannabis for health reasons prefer the layer of safety that comes with medically prescribed treatments. However, the Cannabis as a Medicine (CAMS20) survey found that 47% of medicinal cannabis users think it's too expensive.

Levin Health explains that the price depends on factors like the patient's condition, any other medication the patient may be taking in addition to medicinal cannabis, and the type of product being prescribed. Generally, patients can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per week, with the average weekly cost sitting at $79.

Since medicinal cannabis is not currently subsidised by the Commonwealth Government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Levin Health explains that the entire cost has to come from the patient's pocket.

The good news is that changes to the industry are on the horizon, says Levin Health. Until now, the price of medicinal cannabis Melbourne and Australia wide has been high because 95% of products are imported from overseas countries, including Canada and the United States. 

Despite Australia being the world's second largest medical cannabis market, Australian wages and energy prices make local production difficult. International suppliers are able to supply Australians at less than half the price.

However, that model is being turned on its head. 

Australia is in the midst of year-on-year growth in locally cultivated and manufactured medicinal cannabis products. As of May 2022, 66 cultivation licenses and 57 manufacturing licenses had been awarded in Australia and now there are around 1300 estimated employees in the industry, according to an Australian medicinal cannabis industry report.

With domestic cultivation on the rise, imports are expected to be pushed to the side, making way for a 50/50 split between imported and locally-grown or manufactured products.

The savings picked up from turning away from overseas goods are already being passed onto Australian patients. The average price per mg dropped 12% between March and September 2021, with the downward price trend expected to continue. 

Biosafety Cabinet
Germfree's new Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet

Germfree, a Florida based company, is introducing its new line of aseptic PEC (primary engineering control) equipment at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas. The newly redesigned equipment includes Laminar Flow Hoods, Biological Safety Cabinets, and Cleanroom Pass-Through Boxes.  These new products build on Germfree's 60 years of aseptic PEC expertise in both the hospital compounding and pharmaceutical industries. The equipment has been designed to meet and exceed the strict cGMP and USP <797>/<800> regulatory requirements found in these industries.  

"The USP <797> and <800> standards have changed the working environment for many in the compounding industry," said Ryan Henry, Marketing and Product Segment Manager at Germfree. "We listened to our customers and responded with new designs that are ideally suited for cleanroom use, enhancing the cleanability, durability, and ergonomics that they have come to expect from our products."

All of the new products are constructed from stainless steel, both in the work areas and on the exterior of the units. The new biosafety cabinet line features an automatic, adjustable, tempered glass sliding sash and touch screen controls that come pre-loaded with instructional videos on proper usage and care for the equipment. The laminar flow line includes touch controls and low glare LED lights integrated into the work area. Both units have a night mode setting that allows the hood to remain running during periods of non-use while reducing energy consumption.

The cleanroom pass-through boxes utilize mechanical interlocks to only allow one door to be open at a time. The active HEPA purge cycle is triggered by closing either door while the interlocks remain locked until the cycle is complete. These units have been designed with an upward door swing that reduces the equipment footprint and allows for universal installation.

"Providing aseptic environments to the hospital compounding and pharmaceutical industries has been incredibly important to Germfree going back to our founding in 1962," said Kevin Kyle, CEO of Germfree. "We are proud to be able to continue to serve these vital industries and innovate products that prevent sterile product contamination and protect patient safety."

About Germfree: Germfree Laboratories LLC creates environments that serve life science innovation and advance global health. The company, founded in 1962, designs, engineers and manufactures equipment and facilities to serve the compounding pharmacy, biopharmaceutical and biocontainment industries throughout the world. 

Cornerstone Specialty Network
Cornerstone Specialty Network

Over 129 community oncology healthcare professionals, including 81 prescribers, representing 35 community oncology practices across the nation, registered to join Cornerstone Specialty Network, LLC for its second annual European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2022 Data Review Symposium on Oct. 27, 2022. The program was chaired by Edith A. Perez, MD (Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL), Sujith R. Kalmadi, MD, (Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers, Phoenix, AZ), and Eric S. Schaefer, MD, (Highlands Oncology Group, Fayetteville, AR).  

The Cornerstone Data Review Symposia are a unique and valuable series of programs offered to community oncology healthcare providers (HCPs); they summarize the latest clinical data that immediately impacts practice patterns in the community oncology setting. The live programs also create an interactive forum to ask questions and discuss the data's direct impact on patient care. "I have been a co-chair for Cornerstone's Data Review Meetings for the past three years. I continue to be impressed by the level of interest and engagement from attendees," says Edith A. Perez, Academic Chair.

"Consistent with our mission to provide value to independent community oncology practices, we offer several innovative and interactive forums bridging the gap between academic conference data, and how it is applied to community oncology practice. These programs continue to grow each year, reinforcing their value to community oncologists," stated Joel Schaedler, Cornerstone's CEO.

In addition to the ESMO Data Review Meeting, Cornerstone Specialty Network also hosts the following data review meetings: 

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Nursing Care in the Community Oncology Practice  
• Lung Data Review Meeting
• American Society of Hematology ASH (American Society of Hematology)
• SABCS (San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium) 
• Cornerstone Oncology Fellowship Advancement Initiative (COFAI) - Specifically customized for oncologists who are new to the community setting with the goal of accelerating quality patient care.

To view any of the data review meetings, please visit https://www.cornerstoneoncology.com/events/ 
 

About Cornerstone

Cornerstone Specialty Network, LLC is the leading provider of long-term, sustainable value through an aggregated network of Community Oncology practices. Founded in 2016, Cornerstone Specialty Network's mission is to provide value to Community Oncology practices to help maximize the quality of patient care. Through network aggregation, Cornerstone Specialty Network delivers value-added opportunities that support independence and long-term sustainability for community oncology practices. For more information, please visit our website at cornerstoneoncology.com.

Levin Health
Levin Health

According to Levin Health, a sports science company focused on researching, developing and commercialising a range of medicinal cannabis products such as CBD oil Australia wide, as the stigma around medical cannabis dissolves, interest and acceptance are on the rise. Between Q1 and Q3 in 2021, the number of patients grew by 50%. 

Levin Health explains that many Australians have dealt with years of long waiting lists and high costs in some traditional medical services. Since the federal government made the prescription of cannabis-based products legal back in 2016, patients have had other options.

The desire for an alternative to the traditional medical system, coupled with a growing interest in clinical trials that test the efficacy of medicinal cannabis for a range of conditions, partly explains the movement towards the treatment. The majority of prescriptions for medical marijuanas Australia wide written last year were for patients with chronic pain, anxiety and sleep disorders, explains Levin Health.

In 2018, the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) changed the system medical practitioners had to follow to apply for medicinal cannabis products. The Special Access Scheme Category B (SAS B) was utilised to minimise the need to apply for a single permit for each product. The new system meant permits could last anywhere between three months and two years, simplifying the entire process.

In a 3-month period in 2021, the number of Authorised Prescribers grew by 40%. Levin Health says this highlights a major uplift in clinicians that want to make medicinal cannabis a regular treatment option.

To date, there have been over 307,000 approved SAS-B applications.

Levin Health points out that as product availability increases, the price for consumers decreases. Every year sees more locally cultivated and manufactured products, which doubled between 2020 and 2021. With more than 200 different medicinal cannabis products available, patients can choose between oils, capsules, nasal sprays and oral sprays.

And despite the industry achieving massive growth overall (with sales expected to reach $423 million by the end of this year), individual patient spend has dropped. The average individual spend now sits at $278 a month for cannabis Melbourne and Australia wide, with the average price per mg of cannabinoid continuing to drop.

HealthJoy, a connected healthcare navigation platform, announced today its latest partnership with Consociate Health, to bring HealthJoy to current and prospective Consociate clients. This collaboration will offer industry-leading TPA services that not only enhance the member experience, but also ensure access to a network of support Consociate Health is known for. 

HealthJoy connects members with the tools, programs, and on-demand help that they need to navigate their healthcare journey. The app leverages insurance verification and precertification data to get ahead of costly decisions and steer members to high-value care. Clients will automatically have access to HealthJoy's virtual Musculoskeletal (MSK) solution through this partnership.

"We are thrilled to align with the Consociate Health team. HealthJoy has created an experience that enables members to understand their benefits, become better consumers of healthcare, reduce HR administrative burden, and connect members to the best care possible. Partnering with Consociate Health is allowing us to bring a newly enhanced, fully connected platform to more members. Through data and claims, we can now create a more personalized approach to healthcare by proactively engaging members at the time that matters most," said Dave Mallen, Executive Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at HealthJoy.

Through HealthJoy's platform, Consociate Health clients can also expect to see a reduction in benefits questions to HR and gain access to its in-app communication tool, Broadcaster. Whether it's scheduling appointments and contacting providers, or providing price transparency assistance for procedures, services, and prescription drugs, HealthJoy will be there to support members throughout their care journey — saving them time, money, and frustration.

Darren Reynolds, Consociate's President and CEO, said "This innovative integration delivers an improved and embedded navigation platform for employers seeking to increase member engagement. HealthJoy's powerful resource provides access to healthcare concierges, along with an award winning AI powered app, delivering results through simplifying access to healthcare at the time of need."

About Consociate Health

Since 1995, Consociate Health has partnered with employers, and their trusted advisors throughout the United States, to provide innovative employee benefits programs, plan administration services, and actionable plan analytics. Consociate cares passionately about their employees, clients, and plan members and prides itself in delivering exceptional and personal customer service. To learn more, visit consociatehealth.com.

About HealthJoy

HealthJoy's mobile application creates an intuitive, connected healthcare experience that takes the confusion and complexity out of healthcare by connecting its members with the right benefits at the right moment in their care journey. Its mobile platform and human concierge team bring benefits together to surface the best providers, virtual care, and savings. Ultimately, HealthJoy helps employees lead healthier, happier lives. To learn more about HealthJoy's proven approach to healthcare navigation, visit www.healthjoy.com.