Content about Health & Wellness

NEW YORK — A group representing specialty pharmacies is calling on the Department of Defense to not use exclusive networks in the Tricare pharmacy program.

The Independent Specialty Pharmacy Coalition said exclusive arrangements for the program, also known as TPharm, were anti-competitive and harmful to patients who rely on specialty care by reducing patient choice and disrupting the continuum of care for them, and that reductions in pharmaceutical costs would not necessarily reduce overall healthcare spending.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — A pill developed by AstraZeneca and Pozen that combines a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a proton-pump inhibitor was well-tolerated in patients with osteoarthritis, according to a new study.

AstraZeneca announced results of PN400-304, a 12-month study of Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) delayed-release tablets in patients with osteoarthritis who need daily treatment with NSAIDs but are at risk of NSAID-related gastric ulcers. Vimovo is designed to reduce pain while reducing gastric ulcer risk.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Bristol-Myers Squibb said its late-stage clinical trial for a cancer treatment, which currently is under review by the Food and Drug Administration, achieved its primary endpoint.

The company said its phase-3 trial for investigational compound ipilimumab, designed for previously untreated patients that were diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, improved overall survival. The study compared the combination of ipilimumab 10 mg/kg and chemotherapy (dacarbazine) with chemotherapy alone.

BASEL, Switzerland — The Food and Drug Administration has extended its regulatory review period for Novartis' new drug application for its once-daily, long-term maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema, the drug maker said.

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline withdrew all regulatory approval applications for a drug designed to cut men's risk of developing prostate cancer.

The drug maker announced it no longer would pursue global approval for Avodart (dutasteride) and would work with regulatory agencies to remove the indication from the product’s license.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will bring their over-the-counter product lines and capabilities together in a deal they expect to be completed this fall.

PRINCETON — Sandoz has introduced an authorized generic version of a herpes treatment made by parent company Novartis, the company said Thursday.

Sandoz announced the launch of famciclovir tablets, an authorized generic of Famvir, used to treat genital herpes and cold sores in patients with healthy immune systems, and to treat shingles and herpes simplex infections of the skin and mucosa in patients with HIV.

Authorized generics are branded drugs sold under their generic chemical names at a reduced price, often through third-party companies.

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Almost all women take on at least one preventive health-and-wellness measure in the morning to start their day, but only half apply lip balm to protect their lips from dryness and sun damage.

In Blistex's grooming routine survey, the lip care brand found that even though 91% of women perform at least one measure that boosts their health and wellness (e.g., taking a vitamin, exercising and applying an anti-aging facial product), their lips often are abandoned, which could put them at risk for infection, Blistex said.

BETHESDA, Md. — Most patients that suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease or persistent heartburn symptoms rarely speak with a healthcare provider about their condition, according to a new study conducted on behalf of the American Gastroenterological Association, in partnership with drug maker Takeda.

FRAZER, Pa. — Cephalon plans to acquire a privately owned company developing treatments for cancer, Cephalon said Monday.

The Frazer, Pa.-based drug maker said it would pay $225 million upfront for Malvern, Pa.-based Gemin X, and Gemin X stockholders would be eligible to receive up to $300 million in milestone payments related to products under development.

Gemin X specializes in cancer treatments that target and kill cancer cells. Its lead product is GX15-070 (obatoclax), currently in phase-2b clinical development as a treatment for small cell lung cancer.

SAN FRANCISCO — Less than 20% of surveyed patients with nasal allergies find their symptoms are completely controlled over a one-week period of treatment, according to a survey performed by drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — J. Michael Pearson has been appointed to chairman of the board at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Pearson, who is Valeant's CEO, will extend his contract with Valeant through February 2017, the company said.

Pearson replaces current chairman Robert Ingram, who remains on the board as an independent board director and lead director.