an article from smh today, page-2

Great pick up TTH, I heard on the grapevine that Qiagen were again shooting for reimbersement but could not confirm.

This is great news for GBI and PapType.

This is the 3rd time that Digene/Qiagen have been knocked back in getting reimbersement. They continue to be extremely stubborn and will not lower price sufficiently.

My recollection is that they were going for $110 1st time around and on their 3rd attempt have still only gone down to $90.

GBI can come in early 2010 with a proposal I imagine at $50-$60 and make the health economics stack up. Remember GBI's indicative pricing is approximately US$15 and so the margin metrics can work for everyone even at this significantly lower price.

Average reimbersement for Qiagen's HC2 in the US is US$45 so why treat Australians like fools and get $90 through the system? Not going to happen!

Hologic sells Thinprep to pathology labs in the US at an ASP of US$6.70 and reimbersement is set at US$23. They too will have to sharpen their pencil (say down to $25) if they want reimbersement in Australia.

Rgds

Prof

I reckon a largish selling line has completed this afternoon and SP may tick up from here going into the AGM.