Content about Collaborative Care

April 23, 2012
Par buys rights to generic drug for GERD

Par Pharmaceutical has bought rights to a generic drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease from Handa Pharmaceuticals, Par said.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical has bought rights to a generic drug for gastroesophageal reflux disease from Handa Pharmaceuticals, Par said.

Handa, based in Fremont, Calif., sold rights to the regulatory approval application it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for dexlansoprazole capsules, a generic version of Takeda's Dexilant, in the 60-mg strength.

April 23, 2012
Pfizer sells nutrition business to Nestlé

Pfizer is selling its nutrition business to Nestle for $11.85 billion, Pfizer said Monday.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is selling its nutrition business to Nestlé for $11.85 billion, Pfizer said Monday.

Pfizer Nutrition, which had sales of about $2.1 billion in 2011, manufactures and markets nutrition products for children, including baby and toddler formulas, follow-on formulas and maternal and adult nutrition products.

April 23, 2012
Walgreens survey: 42% of U.S. adults lack knowledge about recommended vaccinations

It seems that many U.S. adults are unaware of what inoculations are government-recommended vaccinations, while more than half are not diligent about regular checkups with their primary care physician, according to a Walgreens survey.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — It seems that many U.S. adults are unaware of what inoculations are government-recommended vaccinations, while more than half are not diligent about regular checkups with their primary care physician, according to a Walgreens survey.

April 23, 2012
Watson launches authorized generic diabetes drug

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of an authorized generic version of a drug used to lower blood glucose in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of an authorized generic version of a drug used to lower blood glucose in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

April 22, 2012
NACDS aims at disruptive innovation

Steve Anderson recalled during Sunday morning’s State of the Association address how when he started as the president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores five years ago, people were interested to see what his eyes would discover at NACDS and within community pharmacy that might help make a difference for the future. Anderson said that today he answers that question in the same way he did back then: “Every day my eyes see something fresh in what you do — in the innovative offerings of community pharmacy.”

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Steve Anderson recalled during Sunday morning’s State of the Association address how when he started as the president and CEO of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores five years ago, people were interested to see what his eyes would discover at NACDS and within community pharmacy that might help make a difference for the future. Anderson said that today he answers that question in the same way he did back then: “Every day my eyes see something fresh in what you do — in the innovative offerings of community pharmacy.”

April 20, 2012
CDC: Measles on the rise

Despite achieving measles elimination in 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its "Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report" that a total of 222 measles cases and 17 measles outbreaks were reported to the CDC last year, compared with a median of 60 cases and four outbreaks reported annually during the 2001-2010 period.

ATLANTA — Despite achieving measles elimination in 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its "Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report" that a total of 222 measles cases and 17 measles outbreaks were reported to the CDC last year, compared with a median of 60 cases and four outbreaks reported annually during the 2001-2010 period.

In the United States, the incidence of measles has reached a 15-year high, the CDC said.

April 20, 2012
Clerisy launches two nasal products through Wegmans

Clerisy on Thursday announced its nasal delivery system Nasal SoftStrips, designed to administer over-the-counter medicants or therapeutic vapors, now will be available in 71 Wegmans stores in the grocer's Nature's Marketplace section.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Clerisy on Thursday announced its nasal delivery system Nasal SoftStrips, designed to administer over-the-counter medicants or therapeutic vapors, now will be available in 71 Wegmans stores in the grocer's Nature's Marketplace section.

According to the company, Nasal SoftStrips delivery system is a patented and FDA-approved medical device designed to deliver health-benefitting concentrated therapeutic vapors through the nasal system, without the use of sprays or powders.

April 20, 2012
FDA approves Bayer blood-glucose monitoring system

Regulators have approved a new blood-glucose monitoring system made by Bayer HealthCare, the company said.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Regulators have approved a new blood-glucose monitoring system made by Bayer HealthCare, the company said.

Bayer announced the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Contour Next EZ, which includes a meter and test strip sensors that the company said would improve accuracy.

Bayer said the system is being introduced on a market-by-market basis and will be available in the United States this summer.

April 20, 2012
Generics among fastest-growing industries this decade, report finds

According to the latest numbers, the country's economy is slowly growing, while unemployment has been slowly declining. But while growth has been somewhat less than stellar, 10 industries have outpaced the rest of the economy, including generic drugs.

NEW YORK — According to the latest numbers, the country's economy is slowly growing, while unemployment has been slowly declining. But while growth has been somewhat less than stellar, 10 industries have outpaced the rest of the economy, including generic drugs.

April 20, 2012
Genzyme to present MS drug trials

Drug maker Genzyme plans to present data from trial programs of two multiple sclerosis drugs at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in New Orleans, which starts this Saturday and lasts until next Saturday.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Drug maker Genzyme plans to present data from trial programs of two multiple sclerosis drugs at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in New Orleans, which starts this Saturday and lasts until next Saturday.

Genzyme, owned by French drug maker Sanofi, will present results of 12 trials of the experimental drugs alemtuzumab and teriflunomide, including the phase-3 "CARE-MS II" trial, which compares alemtuzumab with Rebif (interferon beta-1a), made by Pfizer and Merck KGaA.

April 20, 2012
Jean Coutu Group reduces stake in Rite Aid

The Jean Coutu Group has sold 56 million of its approximately 234.4 million shares in Rite Aid, the company said Friday.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec -- The Jean Coutu Group has sold 56 million of its approximately 234.4 million shares in Rite Aid, the company said Friday.

The Canadian retailing group said the $83.6 million, $1.51-per-share sale, which amounts to a nearly 24% reduction in the number of Rite Aid shares the company owns, would reduce its stake in Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid to 19.85%. The Jean Coutu group still owns about 178.4 million shares in the 4,667-store chain.

April 20, 2012
Two strategies for managing anemia in hepatitis C patients work equally well, Merck says

Merck is testing two means of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C for anemia, a common side effect of certain treatments for the viral infection, the drug maker said.

BARCELONA, Spain — Merck is testing two means of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C for anemia, a common side effect of certain treatments for the viral infection, the drug maker said.

Merck announced results of a phase-3 study comparing two strategies for managing anemia and how they affect the curing of hepatitis C in patients taking Victrelis (boceprevir) with Pegintron (peginterferon alfa-2b) and ribavirin.

April 19, 2012
Bartell's plans new store in North Bend, Wash.

Bartell Drugs will open its 59th store next year, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs will open its 59th store next year, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Bartell's, based in Seattle, announced plans to open a store in North Bend, Wash., in mid-2013. The company said it would be the chain's first "all-new store" to showcase its new store concept, which the company unveiled in September 2011.

April 19, 2012
Cardinal Health Foundation kicks off annual grant program

The charitable arm of Cardinal Health is inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for grant funding to support local efforts to prevent the abuse and misuse of prescription medications.

DUBLIN, Ohio — The charitable arm of Cardinal Health is inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for grant funding to support local efforts to prevent the abuse and misuse of prescription medications.

April 19, 2012
Consumer groups go on record in support of retail pharmacy versus ESI-Medco merger

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday accepted an amici curiae from the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League, the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices and U.S. PIRG (a federation of 28 nonprofit, nonpartisan state Public Interest Research Groups) on behalf of retail pharmacy plaintiffs in their suit to dismantle the Express Scripts-Medco merger.

PITTSBURGH — The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday accepted an amici curiae from the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumers League, the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices and U.S. PIRG (a federation of 28 nonprofit, nonpartisan state Public Interest Research Groups) on behalf of retail pharmacy plaintiffs in their suit to dismantle the Express Scripts-Medco merger.

April 19, 2012
GPhA signs on with IMS Health to address drug shortages

A trade organization representing generic drug manufacturers announced Thursday its latest solution to the problem of drug shortages.

WASHINGTON — A trade organization representing generic drug manufacturers announced Thursday its latest solution to the problem of drug shortages.

April 19, 2012
Lawmakers to address 2012 NCPA Legislative Conference attendees

In anticipation of its 2012 Legislative Conference next month, the National Community Pharmacists Association unveiled its lineup of congressional speakers who will discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues with pharmacists.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In anticipation of its 2012 Legislative Conference next month, the National Community Pharmacists Association unveiled its lineup of congressional speakers who will discuss pressing healthcare and pharmacy issues with pharmacists.

April 19, 2012
NCPA: Nearly 1,500 community pharmacies participate in Dispose My Meds program

The National Community Pharmacists Association and Sharps Compliance said community pharmacies nationwide are ready for consumers to safely dispose of unused patient medications.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association and Sharps Compliance said community pharmacies nationwide are ready for consumers to safely dispose of unused patient medications.

April 19, 2012
SXC, Catalyst announce merger as PBM market continues to consolidate

SXC Health Solutions and Catalyst Health Solutions on Wednesday announced a merger agreement under which SXC and Catalyst will combine in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion.

LISLE, Ill. — SXC Health Solutions and Catalyst Health Solutions on Wednesday announced a merger agreement under which SXC and Catalyst will combine in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $4.4 billion. The announcement comes some three weeks after Express Scripts and Medco consummated their $29.1 billion merger.

April 19, 2012
Watson seeks approval for generic Type 2 diabetes drug

Generic drug maker Watson is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Watson said Thursday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Depomed's Glumetza (metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets) in the 1,000-mg strength.

April 18, 2012
Healthcare organizations lag in social media activity, study finds

Social media open many new opportunities for healthcare organizations to engage consumers and are changing the nature of healthcare interaction, according to a new report by PwC's Health Research Institute.

NEW YORK — Social media open many new opportunities for healthcare organizations to engage consumers and are changing the nature of healthcare interaction, according to a new report by PwC's Health Research Institute.

April 18, 2012
Mark Wahlberg, GNC team on Marked sports nutrition line

GNC on Wednesday announced its partnership with actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on the launch of Marked, a new nutritional supplement line designed to meet the demanding lifestyles of fitness consumers.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Wednesday announced its partnership with actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on the launch of Marked, a new nutritional supplement line designed to meet the demanding lifestyles of fitness consumers.
 
"I'm excited to join forces with GNC, a brand I trust for quality and integrity, to develop the Marked products," Wahlberg said. "I attribute much of my own success to my dedication to living healthy and fit, so it is important for me to create products that will help motivate others to pursue their own personal wellness goals."

April 18, 2012
Roche ends bid to buy diagnostics firm

Roche has decided not to buy diagnostics firm Illumina, the drug maker said Wednesday.

BASEL, Switzerland — Roche has decided not to buy diagnostics firm Illumina, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Roche said it had decided not to extend its $51-per-share offer for Illumina following the reelection of Illumina's incumbent directors. Roche offered to buy Illumina for $44.50 per share in January, increasing the offer to $51 on March 29. The company took the offer directly to shareholders earlier this month after Illumina's board rejected it.

April 18, 2012
Valeant buys product lines from Atlantis Pharma for $71 million

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International is acquiring "certain assets" of a drug maker based in Mexico.

MONTREAL — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International is acquiring "certain assets" of a drug maker based in Mexico.

Valeant said Wednesday that it would buy gastric, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs from branded generics manufacturer Atlantis Pharma for $71 million. The products had sales of $26 million last year.

April 18, 2012
Walgreens donates remaining flu shot inventory to Lao PDR

Walgreens on Wednesday donated 375,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday donated 375,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Lao PDR health officials have designated the 375,000 doses of donated flu vaccine for people at high risk of flu complications in that country, including pregnant women, seniors and people with such chronic health conditions as heart and lung disease. The Walgreens donation was the result of a longstanding collaboration between the Lao MOH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.