Content about Federal Trade Commission

January 20, 2012
FTC, drug cos. clash over patent settlements

It has become a perennial issue, and one that is likely to crop up at least once this year: patent settlements.


It has become a perennial issue, and one that is likely to crop up at least once this year: patent settlements.


January 12, 2012
FTC ends investigation of CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that the Federal Trade Commission has concluded its investigation into the company’s business practices.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that the Federal Trade Commission has concluded its investigation into the company’s business practices.

January 10, 2012
Coalition of consumer groups opposes ESI-Medco merger

A coalition of consumer groups on Tuesday joined its collective voice to the number of constituents opposing the Express Scripts-Medco merger in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, according to a report filed by Reuters.

WASHINGTON — A coalition of consumer groups on Tuesday joined its collective voice to the number of constituents opposing the Express Scripts-Medco merger in a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, according to a report filed by Reuters.

December 22, 2011
Four Congress members add their voice to Express Scripts-Medco merger opposition

In the wake of a key Senate subcommittee hearing this month, and on the heels of the collapse of the blockbuster AT&T and T-Mobile merger, four more U.S. lawmakers have joined the growing ranks of consumer groups, members of Congress and employers questioning the proposed mega-merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — In the wake of a key Senate subcommittee hearing this month, and on the heels of the collapse of the blockbuster AT&T and T-Mobile merger, four more U.S. lawmakers have joined the growing ranks of consumer groups, members of Congress and employers questioning the proposed mega-merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions.
 

December 13, 2011
FTC approves Valeant's acquisitions of Dermik, Ortho Dermatologics

The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Valeant's acquisitions of Dermik, a unit of French drug maker Sanofi that makes drugs for skin conditions, and Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Johnson & Johnson that also makes skin drugs.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The Federal Trade Commission has voted to approve Valeant's acquisitions of Dermik, a unit of French drug maker Sanofi that makes drugs for skin conditions, and Ortho Dermatologics, a division of Johnson & Johnson that also makes skin drugs.

December 6, 2011
FDA, FTC issue seven warning letters to companies promoting OTC HCG products

The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued seven warning letters to companies marketing over-the counter human chorionic gonadotropin products that are labeled as "homeopathic" for weight loss.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued seven warning letters to companies marketing over-the counter human chorionic gonadotropin products that are labeled as "homeopathic" for weight loss. The letters warn the companies that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss.

December 5, 2011
FTC shuts down alleged scam website shilling supplements

The Federal Trade Commission last week jointly filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, seeking to permanently stop a Connecticut-based operation that allegedly used fake news websites to promote its products, made deceptive weight-loss claims and told consumers they could receive free trials of acai berry and "colon cleanse" products, only if they paid the nominal cost of shipping and handling.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission last week jointly filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, seeking to permanently stop a Connecticut-based operation that allegedly used fake news websites to promote its products, made deceptive weight-loss claims and told consumers they could receive free trials of acai berry and "colon cleanse" products, only if they paid the nominal cost of shipping and handling.

November 15, 2011
GPhA urges congressional super committee not to ban patent settlements

The generic drug lobby is stepping up its efforts to persuade the congressional super committee to avoid adopting rules that would ban some patent settlements between branded and generic drug makers.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug lobby is stepping up its efforts to persuade the congressional super committee to avoid adopting rules that would ban some patent settlements between branded and generic drug makers.

November 4, 2011
Q&A: Prez perspective

In September, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced the appointment of Ralph Neas — former president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care — as its new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of the organization in May 2010.

In September, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association announced the appointment of Ralph Neas — former president and CEO of the National Coalition on Health Care — as its new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Jaeger, who stepped down as president and CEO of the organization in May 2010. Drug Store News recently spoke with Neas about his plans and vision for the organization and the industry as a whole.


November 1, 2011
Pharmacy coalition to oppose Express Scripts/Medco merger from the Hill

The Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! coalition will be traveling to the nation's capital on Thursday to urge Congress and the Federal Trade Commission to support patient care and oppose the planned merger between Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the coalition announced Monday.

WASHINGTON — The Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! coalition will be traveling to the nation's capital on Thursday to urge Congress and the Federal Trade Commission to support patient care and oppose the planned merger between Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the coalition announced Monday.

October 26, 2011
Coalition calls on consumers to ask Congress, FTC to oppose ESI-Medco merger

The Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! coalition, which is a coalition of consumers, businesses and community-based pharmacists from across the country that have come together to oppose the planned mega-merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, has issued a call to action to protect Americans from rising costs and decreased access to health care by stopping the planned merger of the PBMs.

WASHINGTON — The Preserve Community Pharmacy Access NOW! coalition, which is a coalition of consumers, businesses and community-based pharmacists from across the country that have come together to oppose the planned mega-merger of Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, has issued a call to action to protect Americans from rising costs and decreased access to health care by stopping the planned merger of the PBMs.

October 25, 2011
FTC staff report attacks branded-generic patent settlements

The Federal Trade Commission released a report Tuesday finding that drug companies entered 28 deals that the FTC called anticompetitive and said would increase healthcare costs for consumers and the government.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission released a report Tuesday finding that drug companies entered 28 deals that the FTC called anticompetitive and said would increase healthcare costs for consumers and the government.

The FTC, which under the leadership of chairman Jon Leibowitz, repeatedly has attacked what it calls "pay-for-delay" deals between branded and generic drug manufacturers and has been lobbying the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the super committee, to ban the deals.

October 24, 2011
House members send letter to FTC criticizing Express Scripts-Medco merger

A number of members of Congress have raised questions about the proposed merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, prompting a lobbying group that represents independent pharmacies and opposes the merger to highlight the matter.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A number of members of Congress have raised questions about the proposed merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, prompting a lobbying group that represents independent pharmacies and opposes the merger to highlight the matter.

October 18, 2011
Teva completes Cephalon acquisition

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has completed its acquisition of another drug maker, following clearance from the Federal Trade Commission.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has completed its acquisition of another drug maker, following clearance from the Federal Trade Commission.

Teva said its acquisition of Frazier, Pa.-based Cephalon, valued at $6.8 billion, will help the company build out its branded and specialty pharmaceuticals business. The combined company is expected to generate about $20 billion in revenues (on a pro-forma basis) for the 12 months ended in June.

In relation to the deal, Teva sold three generic drugs to Par Pharmaceutical Cos.

October 10, 2011
FTC clears Teva-Cephalon acquisition deal

The Federal Trade Commission has given Teva Pharmaceutical Industries the green light to acquire Frazer, Pa.-based drug maker Cephalon, but with some restrictions, Teva said.

JERUSALEM — The Federal Trade Commission has given Teva Pharmaceutical Industries the green light to acquire Frazer, Pa.-based drug maker Cephalon, but with some restrictions, Teva said.

Before it can complete the $6.8 billion deal, Teva must sell to Par Pharmaceutical Cos. its generic versions of two Cephalon drugs, namely generic versions of the cancer pain drug Actiq (fentanyl citrate) and the muscle relaxant drug Amrix (cyclobenzaprine), which have combined sales of $298 million per year, according to IMS Health.

October 7, 2011
Half the states line up against ESI-Medco

The feathers continued to fly last week. First, NACDS debuted a new print ad in the Washington Post, then news broke that half the states in the country are against the $29 billion ESI-Medco mega-merger.

If Express Scripts and Medco are right about the projected closing of what their opponents are calling the “mega-merger,” then we might be looking at dozens of more weeks of this.

(THE NEWS: NACDS urges consumers to prevent super-PBM 'stranglehold' on medicines. For the full story, click here)

October 4, 2011
FTC requires packaging changes for Four Loko beverage

After the Federal Trade Commission charged the maker of an alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage with deceptive advertising, the company has agreed to make changes to its product's packaging.

WASHINGTON — After the Federal Trade Commission charged the maker of an alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage with deceptive advertising, the company has agreed to make changes to its product's packaging.

October 4, 2011
NACDS urges consumers to prevent super-PBM 'stranglehold' on medicines

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Tuesday unveiled the print advertising component of its campaign to emphasize the anti-competitive and anti-consumer effects of the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco.

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Tuesday unveiled the print advertising component of its campaign to emphasize the anti-competitive and anti-consumer effects of the proposed merger of Express Scripts and Medco.

The new print ad was published in the Oct. 4 issue of the Washington Post (and can be seen by clicking here).

September 12, 2011
FTC fights increasing patent settlements

The issue of patent settlements, their effect on drug prices and availability, and by extension their legality has been around for a long time and will likely remain an issue for years to come. But according to a report released in May by the Federal Trade Commission, the settlements have been on the rise, increasing from 16 in 2009 to 31 in 2010.


The issue of patent settlements, their effect on drug prices and availability, and by extension their legality has been around for a long time and will likely remain an issue for years to come. But according to a report released in May by the Federal Trade Commission, the settlements have been on the rise, increasing from 16 in 2009 to 31 in 2010.


September 9, 2011
ESI gets hit from both sides

If this were a fist-fight, you might say Express Scripts just took the old "one-two" to the jaw — though in this case, the punches came from two different directions.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — If this were a fist-fight, you might say Express Scripts just took the old "one-two" to the jaw — though in this case, the punches came from two different directions.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens makes case of value outside of Express Scripts in SEC filing. For the full story, click here)

September 9, 2011
NACDS urges opposition to Express Scripts-Medco merger in comments to U.S. House panel

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is calling on Congress to scrutinize the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco and, in a letter submitted Friday to the House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, outlined the “problems” it believes would result from the mega-merger.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores is calling on Congress to scrutinize the proposed merger of pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco and, in a letter submitted Friday to the House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, outlined the “problems” it believes would result from the mega-merger.

The House panel held a hearing Friday titled “Health Care Industry Consolidation.”

September 6, 2011
FTC requests additional information on ESI-Medco merger

The proposed merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions hit a speed bump Friday as the Federal Trade Commission requested additional information, indicating that the agency has raised antitrust concerns.

NEW YORK — The proposed merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions hit a speed bump Friday as the Federal Trade Commission requested additional information, indicating that the deal has raised antitrust concerns among regulators.

September 1, 2011
FTC: Authorized generics reduce overall drug prices

Branded drugs sold under their generic names at a reduced price can reduce retail and wholesale drug prices, according to a new report by the Federal Trade Commission.

WASHINGTON — Branded drugs sold under their generic names at a reduced price can reduce retail and wholesale drug prices, according to a new report by the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC report found that when an authorized generic is introduced onto the market, it can lower the expected profits of the generic drug's manufacturer and, over the longer term, affect generic manufacturers' decisions to challenge patents covering branded drugs with low sales, though patent challenges by generic drug makers "remain robust."

August 24, 2011
Pharmacists urge N.Y. governor to sign mail-order pharmacy bill

Pharmacists are urging New York governor Andrew Cuomo to give the green light to legislation that would prevent health insurers from requiring patients to receive their drugs via mail order, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pharmacists are urging New York governor Andrew Cuomo to give the green light to legislation that would prevent health insurers from requiring patients to receive their drugs via mail order, according to published reports.

According to the reports, local pharmacists said at a press conference that the bill would help stop losses of pharmacies and jobs.

August 22, 2011
ISPC urges FTC to investigate ESI-Medco merger

The Independent Specialty Pharmacy Coalition is urging the Federal Trade Commission to look into the pending merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the ISPC said Monday.

WASHINGTON — The Independent Specialty Pharmacy Coalition is urging the Federal Trade Commission to look into the pending merger between pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, the ISPC said Monday.