Content about Collaborative Care

April 8, 2013
Teva introduces generic painkiller

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

Teva announced the introduction of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Opana and will be available in the 5 mg and 10 mg strengths in bottles of 100 tablets.

 

April 5, 2013
Actavis to market, distribute authorized generic version of Valeant drug; Valeant to co-promote Actavis drug

Actavis will market and distribute an authorized generic version of a genital herpes ointment made by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, the companies said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Actavis will market and distribute an authorized generic version of a genital herpes ointment made by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, the companies said Friday.

The agreement centers around Zovirax, known generically as acyclovir, in the 5% strength. The Food and Drug Administration approved the generic version, made by Mylan, on Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

April 5, 2013
Fruth opens 27th store in Ironton, Ohio

Fruth Pharmacy is opening its second store in the town of Ironton, Ohio, and 27th overall, the retail pharmacy chain said.

IRONTON, Ohio — Fruth Pharmacy is opening its second store in the town of Ironton, Ohio, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

The store, the 27th in the Point Pleasant, W.Va.-based chain, was formerly Staley's Pharmacy, an independent drug store. Owner Jim Staley, considering retirement, sold the store to Fruth. All the store's employees, including Staley and his sister, were offered positions, and most stayed, Fruth said. The chain also recently opened its 26th store in Ironton.

April 5, 2013
GSK tests lupus drug in patients with inflammatory blood vessel disorder

GlaxoSmithKline has started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug in patients with an inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels.

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline has started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug in patients with an inflammatory disease that affects the blood vessels.

The drug maker announced the start of a phase-3 trial of Benlysta (belimumab) in patients with vasculitis, a condition in which the body's immune system attacks blood vessels, leading to inflammation, disruption of blood flow and possible damage to the organs. The drug is being tested in patients with a common form of the disease known as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-positive vasculitis.

April 5, 2013
Japanese study finds link between baldness, heart disease

Men who go bald may be at increased risk of heart disease, according to a new study by researchers in Japan.

NEW YORK — Men who go bald may be at increased risk of heart disease, according to a new study by researchers in Japan.

The researchers, at the University of Tokyo School of Medicine, examined data on 36,690 men, finding that those who experienced vertex baldness were 1.32 times more likely to experience coronary heart disease than those without baldness and those who experienced frontal baldness.

The study, based on previously published medical studies, appeared on April 3 in the journal BMJ Open.

April 5, 2013
Novo Nordisk launches Race with Insulin contest with Charlie Kimball as spokesman

Novo Nordisk has launched a diabetes awareness sweepstakes in which the winners get a free trip to the 2013 IndyCar finale, the Danish drug maker said.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Novo Nordisk has launched a diabetes awareness sweepstakes in which the winners get a free trip to the 2013 IndyCar finale, the Danish drug maker said Friday.

The company announced that it had hired IZOD IndyCar Series Charlie Kimball as spokesman for its Race with Insulin contest. Kimball, the first licensed driver with diabetes to race at the highest level of the series, was diagnosed with the disease during a routine doctor visit in 2007 while racing in Europe and is a user of Novo Nordisk's NovoLog (insulin aspart [rDNA origin]).

April 4, 2013
Covis buys rights to five drugs from Sanofi

Swiss drug maker Covis Pharma will buy U.S. rights to five drugs from Sanofi, Covis said.

ZUG, Switzerland — Swiss drug maker Covis Pharma will buy U.S. rights to five drugs from Sanofi, Covis said Thursday.

April 4, 2013
Dementia costs more to treat than heart disease or cancer, study finds

The annual cost of treating dementia in the United States ranges from $157 billion to $215 billion, according to a new study by the RAND Corp.

NEW YORK — The annual cost of treating dementia in the United States ranges from $157 billion to $215 billion, according to a new study by the RAND Corp.

The research organization said that number meant dementia costs more to treat than cancer or heart disease, with the greatest cost coming from institutional and home-based long-term care, as opposed to medical services.

April 4, 2013
Dr. Reddy's launches generic osteoporosis drug

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

The drug, launched following its approval by the Food and Drug Administration, is a generic version of Novartis' Reclast and is used to treat osteoporosis. Reclast had sales of $355 million during the 12-month period that ended in February, according to IMS Health.

April 4, 2013
FDA grants tentative approval to Aurobindo HIV drug

The Food and Drug Administration has given preliminary approval to a drug made by Aurobindo Pharma for treating HIV infection, the drug maker said.

HYDERABAD, India — The Food and Drug Administration has given preliminary approval to a drug made by Aurobindo Pharma for treating HIV infection in developing countries, the drug maker said.

Aurobindo announced that it had received tentative approval for efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination tablets in the 600-mg/200 mg/300-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Gilead Sciences' Atripla.

April 4, 2013
Florida Senate committee passes biosimilar bill

A committee of Florida's state Senate has passed a bill that could limit the use of biosimilars in the state.

WASHINGTON — A committee of Florida's state Senate has passed a bill that could limit the use of biosimilars in the state.

The Florida Senate Committee on Health Policy passed S.B. 732, sending it to the full state senate. The legislation would require pharmacists to inform doctors when a follow-on biologic was substituted for a brand-name biotech drug. The bill is similar to one signed into law last month by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

April 4, 2013
Reports: Novartis launches new ad campaign aimed at young adults

Novartis is promoting the multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya to young people with a new ad campaign in several national magazine's and websites, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Novartis is promoting the multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya to young people with a new ad campaign in several national magazine's and websites, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the Swiss drug maker had placed ads for its "Hey MS, Take This!" campaign in People, Shape and Self, as well as the website of women's magazines, in addition to online videos. The generic name of Gilenya is fingolimod.

April 4, 2013
URAC gives accreditation to PBM-owned specialty pharmacy

Washington-based accrediting organization URAC has accredited pharmacy benefit manager Catamaran Corp.'s specialty pharmacy brand, Catamaran said.

LISLE, Ill. — Washington-based accrediting organization URAC has accredited pharmacy benefit manager Catamaran Corp.'s specialty pharmacy brand, Catamaran said.

The PBM said BriovaRx had been awarded URAC's Specialty Pharmacy Accreditation. Catamaran said URAC offered the only third-party, voluntary accreditation program of this scope for the pharmacy benefit management and prescription services industry.

April 4, 2013
Valeant earnings per share could take hit in 2013 from herpes ointment generic

The Food and Drug Administration approval this week of a generic genital herpes ointment made by Mylan could make a slight dent in the stock price of the company that makes the branded version.

MONTREAL — The Food and Drug Administration approval this week of a generic genital herpes ointment made by Mylan could make a slight dent in the stock price of the company that makes the branded version.

Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said that while it expected Mylan to receive approval for a generic version of Zovirax (acyclovir) ointment, it did not include the approval in its original budget expectations and thus expected its earnings per share in fiscal year 2013 to be reduced by 30 to 40 cents.

April 3, 2013
FDA approves Mylan genital herpes ointment

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for genital herpes made by Mylan, the drug maker said.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for genital herpes made by Mylan, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Mylan announced the approval of acyclovir ointment in the 5% strength. The drug is a generic version of Valeant International's Zovirax, used to manage initial genital herpes and in limited, non-life-threatening mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in patients with compromised immune systems.

April 3, 2013
FDA approves new allergy drug for children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for allergies in children made by Tris Pharma, the drug maker said.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for allergies in children made by Tris Pharma, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Tris announced the approval of Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine maleate) extended-release oral suspension in the 4 mg-per-five milliliter strength. The company said the drug was the first sustained-release histamine receptor blocking agent for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in children 2 and older.

April 3, 2013
Hamacher Resource Group sponsors independent pharmacy workshop for HBW manufacturers

Manufacturers of health, beauty and wellness products can learn how to grow their sales at a one-day workshop offered by Hamacher Resource Group, the company said.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Manufacturers of health, beauty and wellness products can learn how to grow their sales at a one-day workshop offered by Hamacher Resource Group, the company said Wednesday.

Hamacher announced that it would offer the workshop, How to Grow Sales Within Independent Pharmacy, at its Waukesha, Wis., headquarters on May 9, lead by VP and owners group member Dave Wendland.

April 3, 2013
NCPA responds to CMS call letter

The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

Commenting on the CMS' announcement, the National Community Pharmacists Association said it had prepared a detailed list for its members.

April 3, 2013
Patients who adhere to generic statins have lower overall health costs compared with patients adherent to branded statins

Improving adherence to generic statin drugs for high cholesterol can reduce the costs of health care in a way that adherence to branded statins historically couldn't, according to a new study.

SAN DIEGO — Improving adherence to generic statin drugs for high cholesterol can reduce the costs of health care in a way that adherence to branded statins historically couldn't, according to a new study.

April 2, 2013
Centene purchases specialty pharmacy AcariaHealth

Centene Corp. has purchased specialty pharmacy provider AcariaHealth for a combination of cash and stock, Centene said Tuesday.

ST. LOUIS — Centene Corp. has purchased specialty pharmacy provider AcariaHealth for a combination of cash and stock, Centene said Tuesday.

Monday's purchase of AcariaHealth, formally known as Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, was financed through a combination of 1.7 million shares of Centene stock, cash and up to $15.3 million of Centene stock from an equity offering related to funding.

April 2, 2013
CMS sees 'stable path' for Medicare Advantage in 2014

Next year, for the first time since Medicare Part D's inception, the deductible for the defined standard plan will be lower than in previous years, as healthcare spending across the country has been growing, with Medicare spending per beneficiary at 0.4% in 2012.

WASHINGTON — Next year, for the first time since Medicare Part D's inception, the deductible for the defined standard plan will be lower than in previous years, as healthcare spending across the country has been growing, with Medicare spending per beneficiary at 0.4% in 2012.

April 2, 2013
Dr. Reddy's appoints new chairman, COO

Indian generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed G.V. Prasad as chairman of the company, Dr. Reddy's said.

HYDERABAD, India — Indian generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has appointed G.V. Prasad as chairman of the company, Dr. Reddy's said Tuesday.

Prasad is currently vice chairman and CEO and will continue as chairman and CEO.

Meanwhile, Satish Reddy has been appointed vice chairman in addition to his current role as managing director and COO.

 

April 2, 2013
Federal court rules in favor of Actavis in generic asthma drug case

A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.

April 2, 2013
mScripts receives certification for McKesson's EnterpriseRx system

Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said.

SAN FRANCISCO — Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said Tuesday.

The company said it had received certification for the system, following its announcement of the integration with EnterpriseRx last week.

April 2, 2013
Reports: Analysis finds steep rise in ADHD diagnoses among children

More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the dramatic rise in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD over the last decade could lead to concern of over-diagnosis of the condition, as well as overuse of medications to treat it. The Times based its report on an analysis of raw data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.