Content about Drug

April 26, 2013

With National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27 and in light of a new national study revealing that 1-out-of-4 teenagers has misused or abused a prescription medication at least once, CVS Caremark is reminding families that proper management, storage and disposal of their medication can reduce access to drugs by young people in their homes.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27 and in light of a new national study revealing that 1-out-of-4 teenagers has misused or abused a prescription medication at least once, CVS Caremark is reminding families that proper management, storage and disposal of their medication can reduce access to drugs by young people in their homes.

March 5, 2013

Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a drug used to treat certain cancers, the company said Tuesday.

HYDERABAD, India — Generic drug maker Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched a drug used to treat certain cancers, the company said Tuesday.

Dr. Reddy's announced the launch of injectable zoledronic acid in the 4-mg-per-5-mL strength. The launch followed the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the drug.

The drug is a generic version of Novartis' Zometa. The drug is used to treat cancers that have spread to the bones and multiple myeloma.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the strength of the drug. The story has been corrected.

February 13, 2013

Bi-Lo on Wednesday launched in all of its pharmacies a prescription program that significantly enhances the offerings of its existing program.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bi-Lo on Wednesday launched in all of its pharmacies a prescription program that significantly enhances the offerings of its existing program. The expanded program runs through the Bi-Lo BonusCard and offers deep discounts on more than 450 generic medications and varied discounts on name-brand and other generic medication.

February 12, 2013

A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

Tri-Luma (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%), tretinoin 0.05%) is described as the only Food and Drug Administration-approved triple combination topical product for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe melasma. The chronic skin condition affects more than 7 million people in the United States.

January 28, 2013

The illegal diversion of prescription medication is a growing problem in this country. Controlled substances have great potential for abuse and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recreational use of prescription drugs is on the rise; in 2010, 2 million people reported using prescription painkillers for recreational purposes for the first time that year.

The illegal diversion of prescription medication is a growing problem in this country. Controlled substances have great potential for abuse and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recreational use of prescription drugs is on the rise; in 2010, 2 million people reported using prescription painkillers for recreational purposes for the first time that year.

January 25, 2013

Canada's provincial and territorial governments have reached a deal that they said would save money on drugs, but that generic drug makers said had left them "disappointed."

NEW YORK — Canada's provincial and territorial governments have reached a deal that they said would save money on drugs, but that generic drug makers said had left them "disappointed."

January 23, 2013

Five pharmacies dominated prescription drug dispensing revenues in the United States last year, according to a new study.

PHILADELPHIA — Five pharmacies dominated prescription drug dispensing revenues in the United States last year, according to a new study.

The proprietary study, by the Drug Channels Institute, found that pharmacy retailers CVS Caremark, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts accounted for 63% of all prescription drug revenues in the $276.5 billion U.S. pharmacy industry in 2012.

January 2, 2013

In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved 39 new drugs, 8 alone in December, marking the largest increase in 16 years.

NEW YORK — In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration approved 39 new drugs, 8 alone in December, marking the largest increase in 16 years. The wave of approvals poises pharmaceutical makers to see big gains after billions in losses in recent years to generic drug makers because of patent expirations.

December 20, 2012

Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday.

The company said it reached a settlement with Orion to resolve patent litigation concerning a generic version of Orion's drug Comtan (entacapone) tablets in the 200-mg strength. The drug is used with levodopa-carbidopa therapy to treat Parkinson's patients who experience signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing off."

September 12, 2012

Drug maker Shire is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new usage for a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA — Drug maker Shire is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new usage for a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Wednesday.

Shire announced that the FDA had accepted its regulatory approval application for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules for maintenance treatment of ADHD in patients ages 6 to 17 years. There currently are no stimulants approved for maintenance treatment of the condition in that age group, Shire said, and the FDA said it would complete its review by April 2013.

August 14, 2012

Regional player Kinney Drugs has snapped up four independent pharmacies located in central New York and Vermont, bringing its total store count to 94.

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Regional player Kinney Drugs has snapped up four independent pharmacies located in central New York and Vermont, bringing its total store count to 94.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
 

July 18, 2012

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Wednesday that it has submitted a statement to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, detailing chain pharmacy’s engagement in the prevention of prescription drug abuse, and its commitment to maintaining patients’ ready access to medications vital for pain management and for treatment regimens.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Wednesday that it has submitted a statement to the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, detailing chain pharmacy’s engagement in the prevention of prescription drug abuse, and its commitment to maintaining patients’ ready access to medications vital for pain management and for treatment regimens.

NACDS submitted its statement for the Caucus’ hearing on “Responding to the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic.”

July 12, 2012

While most of the attention to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorization focused on what it would mean for the generic drug industry, one other aspect of the law recently drew applause from a group that advocates on behalf of the blind.

NEW YORK — While most of the attention to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorization focused on what it would mean for the generic drug industry, one other aspect of the law recently drew applause from a group that advocates on behalf of the blind.

June 21, 2012

While the picture of a new Rx-to-OTC switch paradigm is being painted with a broad stroke brush, already there are two divergent pathways emerging around what that new paradigm landscape might look like. 


While the picture of a new Rx-to-OTC switch paradigm is being painted with a broad stroke brush, already there are two divergent pathways emerging around what that new paradigm landscape might look like. 


OTC manufacturers have been framing the new paradigm within the existing two-drug-class system, suggesting that the diagnostic tools that already are available in the marketplace significantly could help expand which medicines are considered appropriate in the OTC space.


Retail pharmacists, on the other hand, are advocating for the creation of a third class of drugs.


June 11, 2012

With overwhelming support in both the U.S. House and Senate and the strong backing of President Obama, a reauthorization of the landmark Prescription Drug User Fee Act that funds new drug application reviews at the Food and Drug Administration is a near certainty, probably within days or weeks at most. But one amendment to the Senate's version of PDUFA reauthorization, contained in the Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act, could threaten both retail pharmacies and the patients they serve.

With overwhelming support in both the U.S. House and Senate and the strong backing of President Obama, a reauthorization of the landmark Prescription Drug User Fee Act that funds new drug application reviews at the Food and Drug Administration is a near certainty, probably within days or weeks at most. But one amendment to the Senate's version of PDUFA reauthorization, contained in the Food and Drug Administration Safety Innovation Act, could threaten both retail pharmacies and the patients they serve.

June 7, 2012

Government authorities are working to educate independent pharmacy owners on prescription drug abuse, an independent pharmacy network said.

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — Government authorities are working to educate independent pharmacy owners on prescription drug abuse, an independent pharmacy network said.

In an event sponsored by American Associated Pharmacies in San Diego, Drug Enforcement Administration deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control Joseph Rannazzisi discussed topics related to prescription drug abuse. Rannazzisi explained how drug abusers divert prescription drugs through doctor shopping, forged prescriptions, theft and the Internet.

May 11, 2012

There is an important distinction to be made here, one that could place pharmacy operators and over-the-counter manufacturers on opposite sides of the aisle.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — There is an important distinction to be made here, one that could place pharmacy operators and over-the-counter manufacturers on opposite sides of the aisle. And that's the call for a codified third class of drugs, made more or less by both the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association in their written submissions to the Food and Drug Administration on expanding the switch paradigm.

May 11, 2012

Despite predictions that consumers in recessionary times would flock to cheaper over-the-counter drugs, the world's over-the-counter drug market grew just 3.5% in the past three years, according a report released by Kalorama Information.

NEW YORK — Despite predictions that consumers in recessionary times would flock to cheaper over-the-counter drugs, the world's over-the-counter drug market grew just 3.5% in the past three years, according a report released by Kalorama Information.

May 9, 2012

Kerr Drug announced the launch of its Healthy Pet program, offering a full range of pet medications that customers can order on the chain's website and have delivered to their homes, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug announced the launch of its Healthy Pet program, offering a full range of pet medications that customers can order online on the chain's website and have delivered to their homes, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Wednesday.

May 8, 2012

An organization that promotes efforts to stop prescription drug abuse announced Tuesday the release of a mobile app that directs users to places where they can safely get rid of unwanted and unused medications.

WASHINGTON — An organization that promotes efforts to stop prescription drug abuse announced Tuesday the release of a mobile app that directs users to places where they can safely get rid of unwanted and unused medications.

The American Medicine Chest Challenge said the AMCC Rx Drop app, sponsored by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, links to the AMCC's directory of local, county and state law enforcement-sponsored permanent collection sites around the country. The app is available for Apple and Android devices.

April 9, 2012

How do you squeeze water from a stone? That seems to be the goal of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in its long quest to cut prescription reimbursements for Medicaid patients by setting new, tighter payment caps for the community pharmacies that dispense those medicines.

How do you squeeze water from a stone? That seems to be the goal of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in its long quest to cut prescription reimbursements for Medicaid patients by setting new, tighter payment caps for the community pharmacies that dispense those medicines.

March 28, 2012

Giant-Carlisle will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to sponsor several medication take-back events next month, the company said.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant-Carlisle will work with the Drug Enforcement Administration to sponsor several medication take-back events next month, the company said.

The chain, owned by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold and officially known as Giant Food Stores, will work with the DEA and local law enforcement agencies as part of the national drug take-back initiative on April 28, collecting unwanted medications at several of its stores.

March 27, 2012

A few weeks ago, we joined some 37,000 of our closest friends for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference. HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of health care.

A few weeks ago, we joined some 37,000 of our closest friends for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference. HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology and management systems for the betterment of health care.

March 12, 2012

One of the long-term goals of many drug companies has been to win Food and Drug Administration approval for cholesterol-lowering statins as over-the-counter drugs. But it's a goal that has long eluded them due to the agency's concerns about patient safety.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the long-term goals of many drug companies has been to win Food and Drug Administration approval for cholesterol-lowering statins as over-the-counter drugs. But it's a goal that has long eluded them due to the agency's concerns about patient safety.

(THE NEWS: FDA mulls making some prescription drugs available over the counter. For the full story, click here.)

March 9, 2012

A company that makes pet drugs has launched what it calls the first generic prescription heartworm preventive medication for sale at retail pharmacies around the country.

NEW ORLEANS — A company that makes pet drugs has launched what it calls the first generic prescription heartworm preventive medication for sale at retail pharmacies around the country.

FidoPharm announced the launch of Pet Trust Plus (ivermectin and pyrantel), a generic version of Merial's Heartgard Plus. The drug is meant to prevent heartworms from developing and reaching a dog's arteries and heart.