Content about Collaborative Care

NEW YORK — Drug makers could strike big with new treatments for rare diseases, according to a new report by a market research firm.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Take Care Clinics once again are offering free blood-pressure testing every day throughout the month in honor of National High Blood Pressure Education Month.

The announcement follows Walgreens' free blood-pressure testing in February as part of the Million Hearts Initiative, a national public and private sector collaboration aimed at preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for a rare genetic disorder that affects 10,000 people worldwide.

Pfizer and Protalix BioTherapeutics announced Wednesday the approval of Elelyso (taliglucerase alfa), an enzyme-replacement therapy for the long-term treatment of Type 1 Gaucher disease.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis' generics division has acquired Fougera Pharmaceuticals, the company said Wednesday.

Sandoz announced the acquisition of Melville, N.Y.-based Fougera for $1.525 billion in cash. Fougera specializes in generic dermatology drugs, and Sandoz said the acquisition would make it the world's largest company in the space.

WASHINGTON — The philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association has announced this year's recipients of an award that recognizes pharmacists who increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and promote the use of national treatment guidelines.

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has released a version of a drug used to treat bacterial infections, the company said.

Mylan announced the launch of doxycycline hyclate delayed-release tablets in the 150-mg strength. The launch follows a decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that Mylan's product did not infringe patents covering the drug's branded version, Doryx. Warner Chilcott, which markets Doryx, had brought the case.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Eisai announced that Allen Waxman has joined the company.

Waxman, who has worked at such companies as Kaye Schouler LLP and Pfizer, will serve as SVP and general counsel, where he will be responsible for leading the office of the general counsel and all legal matters for the company in the United States. Waxman also will be a member of the company's executive committee and also will join others in providing leadership for a number of global legal matters for Eisai.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Mylan will be barred from marketing a generic version of a Merck cardiovascular drug until the drug's patent expires, under a court ruling announced Friday.

Merck said the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against Mylan in two patent infringement suits related to the drugs Zetia (ezetimibe) and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin). Specifically, the court ruled that a patent covering the drug, RE 42,461, is valid and enforceable and enjoined Mylan from launching until the patents expiration in April 2017.

NEW YORK — An online plea for help from a mother dying of breast cancer prompted the manufacturer of an experimental drug to release it early, according to published reports.

In an article posted on its website, CNN told the story of 46-year-old Darlene Gant, a woman with stage-four breast cancer, as she wrote letters to be given to her 11-year-old son on his upcoming birthday, and at future events, such as his high school and college graduations and marriage.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — A drug made by Novartis has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to treat benign kidney tumors related to tuberous sclerosis complex.

The FDA approved Afinitor (everolimus) tablets for treating the tumors, known as renal angiomyolipomas, in adults with TSC who don't require surgery. The drug already was approved to treat brain tumors known as subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, or SEGA, in patients with TSC.

NEW YORK — Two companies have settled with Teva over the latter's efforts to launch a generic version of an emergency treatment for allergic reactions.

Under the agreement, involving Mylan and Pfizer's Meridian Medical Technologies subsidiary, Teva will be allowed to launch a generic version of EpiPen (epinephrine) auto-injector in June 2015, assuming it wins approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Mylan Specialty markets the EpiPen, which Meridian manufactures.

NEW YORK — Tennis pro Serena Williams will serve as spokeswoman around the launch of Sleep Sheets, a natural sleep aid designed to support a natural sleep cycle, parent company PureBrands announced Friday.