Health Law Advisor

Imagine this scenario: a longtime patient at an ENT practice decides to leave the traffic and sprawl of a major metropolitan area for a more idyllic, rural existence elsewhere in the state. Accustomed to the familiar, top-ranked brands of excellent hospitals, however, the patient is unsure of what to expect in the new location in terms of quality of care. Fortunately, posters on the walls in the old and new locations, online websites, and postcards in the mail—with the same familiar names and logos—immediately reassure the patient that the health professionals in this new location are not only as good as those back home but are affiliated with them.

In today's competitive health care landscape, hospitals are increasingly exploring innovative ways to expand their market presence and generate additional revenue streams. One particularly effective strategy is brand licensing to urgent care facilities. Becker’s Health IT, in fact, has reported on Monigle’s rankings of the 30 most trusted health system brands for 2024 and the 25 “most human” health system brands for 2025. This post explores key opportunities, challenges, and best practices for hospital administrators considering brand licensing programs.

On May 31, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) hosted its much-anticipated public hearing titled “Scientific Data and Information about Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-Derived Compounds” (discussed in our prior blog post). The day-long hearing presented an opportunity for FDA panel members to engage directly with stakeholders on the regulatory future of cannabis or cannabis-derived products within the scope of FDA’s jurisdiction.

Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D., kicked off discussions, reminding the panel and ...