Trust Digest 148 (July 18, 2016)

Drugmakers’ Pricing Power Remains Strong
Pharmaceutical companies’ power to raise prices is firmly intact despite pushback from health insurers, scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers and anxiety about rising prescription drug spending. 
Key Words: Prescription drug costs, Pharmaceutical companies, insurers  
Trust Issues: Security, Integrity, Risk Tolerance, Capability  

Trying to Serve More Veterans Faster, VA Opens Door to Disability Fraud  
Payouts soar as embattled department expands coverage and streamlines claims process, risking overpayments; act ‘like you have a screw loose’. 
Key Words: Veteran Affairs Medical Center, disability fraud  
Trust Issues: Benevolent Concern, Integrity 

Wal-Mart Escalates Fight With Visa, Blocks Cards at Three Canadian Stores 
Wal-Mart Inc. on Monday began blocking the use of credit cards from Visa Inc. at three of its Canadian stores, marking another battle in an escalating was between the retail behemoth and credit card companies.
Key Words: Wal-Mart, Visa, Ontario  
Trust Issues: Similarities, Interests, Communication 

U.K and EU Officials Promise Close Cooperation on Foreign Affairs, Security  
British and European Union officials pledged Monday they would continue to work closely on foreign and security policy matters despite the U.K.’s exit from the bloc, but under the surface questions were already emerging about the shape of that cooperation. 
Key Words: U.K., E.U., foreign and security policy matters  
Trust Issues: Relative Power, Integrity, Predictability 

Ireland Hits Brexit Alarm in Biggest Foreign Crisis in 50 Years  
The intertwining of trade and finance means no other country is feeling the fallout from the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union more than Ireland. In the year the Irish marked the centenary of their uprising against British rule, the country remains at the mercy of the unfolding drama in its closest neighbor.  
Key Words: Ireland, Brexit, foreign crisis  
Trust Issues: Security, Power, Integrity  

China admiral warns freedom of navigation patrols could end ‘in disaster’  
China has refused to recognize the ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines. 
Key Words: China, South China Sea, arbitration court 
Trust Issues: Risk Tolerance, Power  

World Anti-Doping Agency Finds Cheating Conspiracy by Russia at Sochi Olympics    
Pressure on International Olympic Committee to ban country ahead of Rio Games. 
Key Words: World Anti-Doping Agency, Sochi Olympics, Russia 
Trust Issues: Integrity, Risk Tolerance