Trust Digest 169 (December 12, 2016)

In Antitrust Trial, Justice Department Questions Aetna-Humana Asset Sale Plan
The Justice Department hammered away in court Thursday at the viability of a plan by Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc. to sell off assets to alleviate antitrust concerns about their proposed $34 billion merger.      
Key Words: Aetna-Humana, antitrust trial  
Trust Issues: Transparency, Risk Tolerance  

Former Insys CEO Arrested in Opioid Prescription Kickback Case  
Six former executives and managers at Insys Therapeutics Inc. were arrested on Thursday and charges with conspiring to defraud health insurers and bribe doctors in exchange for prescribing the company’s fentanyl painkiller, Subsys, the Justice Department said.
Key Words: Insys, opioid, prescription kickback case  
Trust Issues: Transparency, Capability, Integrity 

Pfizer Fined $107 Million for Overcharging U.K. for Epilepsy Drug  
The U.K.’s top antitrust regulator slapped Pfizer Inc. with a record $107 million fine, alleging it overcharged the national health-care system for an epilepsy treatment.
Key Words: Pfizer, U.K., epilepsy drug  
Trust Issues: Honesty, Transparency

Senate Clears Bill to Ease FDA Drug and Device Approvals  
Passage of legislation aimed at speeding up Food and Drug Administration approvals, combined with an incoming president who has pledged to “cut red tape” at the agency, is expected to usher in a new, more industry-friendly era of drug and device regulation. 
Key Words: Senate, FDA  
Trust Issues: Transparency, Accountability, Adjustment

As Democrats demand probe over CIA election claim, GOP senators express doubt  
Senior Democratic lawmakers are calling for a full investigation of the CIA’s claims that Russia attempted to tilt the election to Donald Trump, demanding that the intelligence community turn over all its evidence to Congress.  
Key Words: CIA, election claim  
Trust Issues: Honesty, Risk Tolerance  

Tillerson choice raises questions of corporate vs. national interest  
The central question facing Exxon Mobil Corp Chief Executive Rex Tillerson if he becomes U.S. secretary of state is whether a lifelong oil man with close ties to Russia can pivot from advancing corporate interests to serving the national interest. 
Key Words: U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson  
Trust Issues: Transparency, Accountability  

U.S. and Russia propose safe exit for Aleppo rebels- opposition officials  
The United States and Russia on Sunday tabled a proposal to rebels in Aleppo that would offer safe passage from the city for fighters, their families and other civilians, three opposition officials with Aleppo rebel groups told Reuters. 
Key Words: Aleppo, U.S., Russia  
Trust Issues: Volatility, Security