January 30, 1996

• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 30, 1996
  FTC, Unveil "Project Roadblock" Crackdown on New High-Tech Telescams.
  Regulators Warn of Surge in Latest Generation of High-Tech Schemes; 20 States, FTC Move Against Paging License, "900" Number, Other Scams.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 30, 1996
  Announced Actions for January 30, 1996
  Applications for prior approval of transactions:

January 26, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 26, 1996
  Announced Actions for January 26, 1996
  Petitions to reopen and modify or set aside orders:

January 25, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 25, 1996
  The FTC Has Ended the Obligation of American Home Products Corporation (AHP) to Obtain Commission Approval Before Acquiring More than 1 Percent of any U.S. Developer or Manufacturer of Tetanus, Diphtheria or Rotavirus Vaccine.
  The Federal Trade Commission has ended the obligation of American Home Products Corporation (AHP) to obtain Commission approval before acquiring more than 1 percent of any U.S. developer or manufacturer of tetanus, diphtheria or rotavirus vaccine.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 25, 1996
  Boca Raton Telemarketers Agree To Pay $1.3 Million To Settle FTC Fraud Charges.
  The defendants in a Federal Trade Commission action that halted an allegedly fraudulent scheme to sell overpriced business supplies by telephone have agreed to transfer their frozen assets totalling approximately $1.3 million to the Commission as part of the proposed settlement of the charges.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 25, 1996
  California Telemarketers Charged with Misrepresenting Investment Opportunity in Satellite Broadcast TV Systems Agree to Pay Over $700,000 to Settle FTC Charges.
  Five companies and three individuals behind an allegedly fraudulent scheme to pitch consumers' investments in a plan to market and distribute Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) television programming in certain areas of Georgia have agreed to pay a total of more than $700,000, much of which should be returned to injured consumers, as part of settlements reached with the Federal Trade Commission.

January 24, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 24, 1996
  FTC Gives Final Approval to a Consent Agreement with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products
  The Federal Trade Commission has given final approval to a consent agreement with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, a subsidiary of the personal health-care products giant, Johnson & Johnson.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 24, 1996
  Hang-Ups Art Enterprises, Inc. Agrees To Pay $150,000 as Part of a Settlement of FTC Charges.
  DEFENDANTS IN FTC ART FRAUD CASE TO PONY UP $150,000 FOR REDRESS TO CONSUMERS WHO BOUGHT COUNTERFEIT PRINTS
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 24, 1996
  Freedom Medical, Inc. of Hilliard, Ohio, Agrees to Settle FTC Charges That They Were Deceptively Telemarketing Medical Equipment to Consumers Nationwide.
  DEFENDANTS IN ALLEGEDLY DECEPTIVE TELEMARKETING OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AGREE TO SETTLE INSURANCE FRAUD CHARGES

January 23, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 23, 1996
  FTC has Ended the Obligation of Pasteur Merieux Serums & Vaccins S.A. to Obtain Approval Before Acquiring any Company that Manufactures or Sells in the United States any Human Vaccine also Manufactured by Merieux
  The Federal Trade Commission has ended the obligation of Pasteur Merieux Serums & Vaccins S.A. to obtain FTC approval before acquiring any company that manufactures or sells in the United States any human vaccine also manufactured by Merieux.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 23, 1996
  FTC has Granted in Part the Petition of Rohm and Haas Company, Ending the Company's Obligation to Obtain FTC Approval Before Acquiring an Interest in any Entity that Produces Architectural Acrylic Emulsion Polymers
  The Federal Trade Commission has granted in part the petition of Rohm and Haas Company, thereby ending the company's obligation to obtain FTC approval before acquiring an interest in any entity that produces architectural acrylic emulsion polymers, an ingredient in exterior latex paints.

January 22, 1996

• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 22, 1996
  FTC Endorese Changes to Consumer Leasing Regulations.
  The Federal Trade Commission has endorsed Federal Reserve Board ("Board") plans to simplify and clarify the disclosures required in consumer lease transactions.

January 19, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC has Ended the Obligation of Roche Holding Ltd. to Obtain Prior-Approval to Acquire an Interest Greater than One Percent in any Company Involved in the Market for Drug Abuse Testing (DAT) Products, and the Markets for Vitamin C, Human Growth Factor, or CD4-Based Therapeutics for the Treatment of AIDS/HIV.
  The prior- approval requirements were included in two separate consent orders stemming from FTC charges that Roche's 1990 acquisition of a controlling interest of Genetech, Inc., a competitor in the market for the pharmaceutical products, and its 1994 acquisition of Syntex, and its subsidiary, Syva, a competitor with Roche in the market for DAT products, violated antitrust laws.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC has Given Final Approval to a Consent Agreement with First Data Corporation, in Connection with that Firm's Merger with First Financial Management Corporation.
  The consent order settles charges that the $6.7 billion merger would violate federal antitrust law and lead to higher prices for money wire transfer services, because these are the only two companies that offer these services in the United States.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 30, 1996
  Staff Members of FTC have Recommended some Alternative, and more Flexible, Strategies for the Food and Drug Administration to Consider in Regulating Economic Claims Made in Marketing Prescription Drugs to Health Plans and Other Business Entities.
  More and more claims about the cost-effectiveness of drugs are being used in marketing pharmaceuticals to health plans, according to the FDA, which sought public comments on proposals governing their use.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC Comments to the Food and Drug Administration Regarding the FDA's Regulation of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising for Prescription Drugs.
  The FTC staff views respond to an FDA notice in the Federal Register inviting comments on this topic.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC Challenges "Most Favored Nation" Clause in Tennessee Pharmacy Network Contract.
  The Federal Trade Commission today announced that RxCare of Tennessee, Inc., the leading provider of pharmacy network services in that state, has agreed to settle charges that RxCare's use of a "most favored nation" clause discourages the pharmacies from discounting and thereby limits price competition among the pharmacies in their dealings with pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and third-party payers.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC Sues Florida Suppliers of Deceptive Direct Mail Solicitations.
  The Federal Trade Commission filed suit against Marketing Response Group, Inc. ("MRG") and its officers and affiliates for allegedly acting with numerous telemarketers nationwide to defraud consumers with direct mail promotions that falsely promise quick land sales, guaranteed awards, and free vacations. According to the FTC, MRG devises the promotions, creates the standard mail pieces, selects the mailing lists, and then prints, addresses, and mails the deceptive solicitations on behalf of its client-telemarketers.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 19, 1996
  Consumer Access to Price Information About Funerals to get Major Boost Under New FTC/Industry Program.
  The Federal Trade Commission today announced its support for two new programs to boost compliance with the FTC's Funeral Rule which, among other things, requires funeral homes to give consumers a list of prices for the merchandise and services they offer.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 19, 1996
  FTC Says Action to Block Merger of Grand Rapids Hospital will Help Keep Prices Competitive at all Area Hospitals.
  The Federal Trade Commission said today it will seek a federal district court order to block the proposed merger of Butterworth Hospital and Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, the two largest hospitals in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

January 18, 1996

• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 18, 1996
  Senior Citizens Against Telemarketing -- a Las Vegas-Based "recovery room," Agrees To Pay Approximately $25,000 To Settle FTC Charges
  SCAT -- Senior Citizens Against Telemarketing -- a Las Vegas-based "recovery room," and its president have agreed to pay approximately $25,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they engaged in an allegedly deceptive telemarketing scheme that preyed on elderly consumers.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 18, 1996
  Sun Company, Inc. Has Petitioned the FTC To Reopen and Set Aside a 1989 Consent Order
  Sun Company, Inc. has petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to reopen and set aside a 1989 consent order that requires divestiture of certain light petroleum assets, and also mandates that Sun obtain Commission approval before acquiring any light petroleum products terminals or pipelines in certain parts of New York and Pennsylvania.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 18, 1996
  FTC Has Approved the Application of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation To Divest Its 84 Percent Partnership Interest in the Alaska Surgery Center in Anchorage, Alaska
  The Federal Trade Commission has approved the application of Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation to divest its 84 percent partnership interest in the Alaska Surgery Center in Anchorage, Alaska, to Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc. Both Columbia/HCA and Surgical Care Affiliates are headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

January 16, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 16, 1996
  FTC Has Ended Obligation of Boston Scientific CorporationTo Obtain Commission Approval Before Acquiring Companies Engaged in Researching, Developing or Manufacturing Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) Catheters
  The Federal Trade Commission has ended the obligation of Boston Scientific Corporation to obtain Commission approval before acquiring any company engaged in researching, developing or manufacturing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters for sale in the United States and before acquiring any asset used in manufacturing the catheters, and has replaced the priorapproval requirement for acquisitions of exclusive rights to U.S. patents or patent applications to improve the IVUS catheter technology with a priornotice requirement.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 30, 1996
  Sentinel Group, Inc. and Service Corporation International (collectively SCI) Have Petitioned FTC To Reopen and Modify Consent Orders
  Sentinel Group, Inc. and Service Corporation International
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 16, 1996
  FTC "sweep" of Tampa Area FuneralHomes Nets Settlements of Allegations Against Five
  FTC says consumers weren't getting required pre-purchase information
• For Your Information: JANUARY 16, 1996
  FTC Has Approved Application of Thrifty PayLess, Inc. (formerly TCH Corporation) and Green Equity Investors, L.P. To Divest Pharmacy Assets
  The Federal Trade Commission has approved the application of Thrifty PayLess, Inc. (formerly TCH Corporation) and Green Equity Investors, L.P. to divest the pharmacy assets in the Thrifty Drugstore in Mt. Shasta, California, to C&K Market, Inc.

January 11, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 11, 1996
  Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, of Nashville, Tennessee, Has Petitioned FTC To Modify an Agreement
  Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, of Nashville, Tennessee, has petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to modify an agreement between the firm and the agency reached in connection with the firm's acquisition of Healthtrust, Inc..
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 11, 1996
  Praxair, Inc. To Settle FTC Charges over CBI Acquisition; Will Divest Four CBI Plants To Restore Competition
  Praxair, Inc. has agreed to divest four atmospheric gases production plants to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that its $2 billion acquisition of CBI Industries, Inc. would violate federal antitrust laws, reduce competition and raise prices in the market for atmospheric gases produced off-site for industrial customers in several areas of the country.

January 10, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 10, 1996
  Schnuck Markets, Inc. Has Applied for FTC Approval To Divest 23 St. Louis, Missouri-Area Supermarkets
  Schnuck Markets, Inc. has applied for Federal Trade Commission approval to divest 23 St. Louis, Missouri-area supermarkets to Family Company of America, which intends to

January 5, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 5, 1996
  FTC Gives Final Approval To Consent Agreement settling Charges Against Blenheim Expositions, Inc. for Misrepresenting Results of a Gallop Poll
  The Federal Trade Commission has given final approval to a consent agreement settling charges that Blenheim Expositions, Inc., a Winter Park, Florida-based company that produces a variety of franchise trade shows and expositions, misrepresented the results of a Gallup Poll featuring franchisee success and earnings rates in its advertisements promoting the International Franchise Expo, the largest of these trade shows.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 5, 1996
  FTC Is Looking for Individuals or Other Entities Interested in Serving as Trustees To Accomplish Divestitures or To Oversee Other Obligations of Respondents under FTC Antitrust Orders
  The Federal Trade Commission is looking for individuals or other entities interested in serving as trustees to accomplish divestitures or to oversee other obligations of respondents under FTC antitrust orders.

January 4. 1996

• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 4, 1996
  FTC Staff Study Analyzes Effects of Liner Conferences on Ocean Shipping Rates.
  A staff report released today by the Federal Trade Commission analyzes whether ocean shipping rates are affected by the presence and practices of ocean liner conferences.

January 3, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 3, 1996
  FTC Supports FDA's Goal of Reducing Tobacco use Among Children and Adolescents.
  In comments made public today, the Federal Trade Commission has told the Food and Drug Administration that it supports the FDA's goal of reducing tobacco use among children and adolescents.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 3, 1996
  Robert F. Leibenluft Named to Head FTC Bureau of Competition, Health Care Shop.
  Robert F. Leibenluft has been named to head the health care division within the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition, announced Bureau Director William J. Baer today.

January 2, 1996

• For Your Information: JANUARY 2, 1996
  Oerlikon-Buhrle Holding AG has Requested FTC Approval.
  Oerlikon-Buhrle Holding AG has requested Federal Trade Commission approval to divest its turbomolecular pump business by means of an initial public offering of stock in a wholly-owned Oerlikon-Buhrle subsidiary that operates the business.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 2, 1996
  Hoechst A.G. and its U.S. Subsidiaries Have Petitioned the FTC to Reopen and Modify a 1991 Consent Order.
  Hoechst A.G. and its U.S. subsidiaries have petitioned the Federal Trade Commission reopen and modify a 1991 consent order to end their obligation to obtain Commission approval before acquiring any interest in a firm that owns or operates assets to produce acetal anywhere in the world.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 2, 1996
  HEALTHSOUTH Corporation, and its Subsidiary, ReLife of Tennessee, Inc., Have Applied for FTC Approval.
  HEALTHSOUTH Corporation, and its subsidiary, ReLife of Tennessee, Inc., have applied for Federal Trade Commission approval to divest assets in Nashville Rehabilitation Hospital to Edgefield Rehabilitation L.L.C. Edgefield Rehabilitation L.L.C. was formed to acquire ReLife's majority interest in Nashville Rehabilitation Hospital, and its principals are William L. Samples and Buddy Duke, both private investors, and Pacific Capital, L.P.
• For Your Information: JANUARY 2, 1996
  Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation has Applied for FTC Approval .
  Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation has applied for Federal Trade Commission approval to divest Emergency Medical Service (EMS) of Milton, Florida, to Rural/Metro Corporation.
• FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 2, 1996
  $10,000 Civil Penalty for "Project Telesweep" Defendant Quartercall Communications, to Settle FTC Charges.
  Fitzgerald Lewis, president of Quartercall Communications, Inc., has agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty to settle federal charges that he and his company failed to provide key information to potential investors in their pay phone business opportunity, as required by the Federal Trade Commission's Franchise Rule.