Content about Collaborative Care

BOSTON — The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America announced Friday the appointment of Eli Lilly chairman, president and CEO John Lechleiter as PhRMA chairman at its annual meeting. The group also elected Celgene president and CEO Robert Hugin as chairman-elect of its board of directors and Pfizer president and CEO Ian Read as board treasurer. Lechleiter replaces Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher as chairman.

STOCKHOLM — A group of industrial chemicals commonly found in cosmetics and plastics may disrupt insulin production, particularly among seniors, according to a study published in Diabetes Care.

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca has launched a new drug for treating high blood pressure, the company said Thursday.

The Anglo-Swedish drug maker announced the launch of Dutoprol (metoprolol succinate extended-release and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets, calling it the first and only pill to combine the active ingredient of its Toprol-XL ER (metoprolol succinate) and hydrochlorothiazide.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Generic drug maker Impax Labs is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, the company said Thursday.

Impax announced that it had filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for gabapentin tablets, a generic version of Depomed's Gralise, in the 300-mg and 600-mg strengths.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Thursday announced that it has initiated shipments of its guaifenesin extended-release tablets in the 600-mg strength, a generic version of Mucinex.

The company expects to initiate its full-scale over-the-counter launch of the store-brand equivalent to Mucinex in blister packaging to its retail and wholesale customers before the end of its current fiscal year in June.

Mucinex 600-mg tablets has estimated annual sales of approximately $135 million, according to Perrigo.

DUBLIN, Ohio — A digital advertising network for retail pharmacies set up by one of the country's largest healthcare services companies appeared to be effective in marketing products to consumers, according to a new study.

PHOENIX — Arizona has become one of the first state governments in the nation to join a program created by UnitedHealth Group's Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance.

The state of Arizona joins more than 25 other Arizona employers who have enrolled in the DPCA's Not Me program — an employer- and community-based initiative aimed at tipping the scales against the epidemic of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity — since its launch in 2010.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has announced that this spring it is offering a free monitoring visit for patients with diabetes to help keep their health in check between visits to a primary care provider.

The complimentary monitoring service, which is available seven days a week, is administered by a MinuteClinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant and includes:

• Hemoglobin A1C and blood-glucose test (as needed);

• Blood pressure check;

• Body mass index (BMI);

NEW YORK — A federal judge in Pittsburgh will rule "later" on whether to block or allow a merger between pharmacy benefit managers Medco Health Solutions and Express Scripts, and is considering a request by two trade groups seeking to keep Medco's operations and assets separate from ESI while the lawsuit is pending, according to published reports.

LAS VEGAS — Rolling Strong on Tuesday introduced a wellness application specifically targeting professional drivers.

Rolling Strong’s RoadApp to Wellness is a free downloadable app to any iPhone, iPad or computer via RollingStrong.com/app. The app specifically is designed for the professional driver with helpful information to navigate their personal wellness, as well as transportation companies looking to connect with the mobile workforce.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech manufacturer Amgen will acquire the private South San Francisco, Calif.-based drug developer Kai Pharmaceuticals for $315 million, the companies said Tuesday.

The deal includes the acquisition of KAI-4169, an experimental drug Kai is developing for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Amgen has provided a loan to fund phase-3 clinical studies of the drug and will acquire rights to it worldwide, except for Japan.