Content about Massachusetts

January 28, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Genzyme for an experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis, the company said Monday.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Genzyme for an experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis, the company said Monday.

Genzyme, a division of French drug maker Sanofi, said the FDA accepted its application seeking approval for Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) for relapsing MS. The company expects the agency to decide whether to approve the drug in the second half of this year.

January 24, 2013

One-of-every-4 deaths among Americans between the ages of 35 years and 69 years can be attributed to smoking, according to a study published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

WALTHAM, Mass. — One-of-every-4 deaths among Americans between the ages of 35 years and 69 years can be attributed to smoking, according to a study published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine. But smoking cessation efforts can help curb that trend, researchers noted. 

January 22, 2013

The Yankee Candle Co. has introduced a new line of scented candles for spring, the company said.

SOUTH DEERFIELD, Mass. — The Yankee Candle Co. has introduced a new line of scented candles for spring, the company said Tuesday.

Yankee announced the launch of five new Yankee Candle fragrances and six new fragrances in its Pure Radiance line, with beach and exotic fruit scents to remind people of vacations in tropical places. The candles will be available at more than 564 Yankee Candle stores, yankeecandle.com and various specialty retailers and gift shops.

January 21, 2013

Zipnosis, which provides patient access to mainstream medicine via online diagnosis and the treatment of common health needs, has announced that its services are now available in 11 states across the country.

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn. — Zipnosis, which provides patient access to mainstream medicine via online diagnosis and the treatment of common health needs, has announced that its services are now available in 11 states across the country.

Patients who live in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin can now visit Zipnosis.com and receive a diagnosis and treatment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

January 16, 2013

After literally creating the juice aisle more than 80 years ago, Ocean Spray is taking a detour to the perimeter of the store. Now chilled juice lovers can enjoy Ocean Spray with new premium cranberry and blueberry juice beverages.

LAKEVILLE-MIDDLEBORO, Mass. — After literally creating the juice aisle more than 80 years ago, Ocean Spray is taking a detour to the perimeter of the store. Now chilled juice lovers can enjoy the big, bold taste that only Ocean Spray delivers, with new premium cranberry and blueberry juice beverages.

January 15, 2013

While replacing a single combination pill for HIV with generics would save the healthcare system money, it could also diminish the effectiveness of treatment, a new study suggests.

NEW YORK — While replacing a single combination pill for HIV with generics would save the healthcare system money, it could also diminish the effectiveness of treatment, a new study suggests.

The study, led by investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College, and published in the Jan. 15 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, found $1 billion in potential savings, but the more complicated treatment regimen might result in more patients missing doses and a loss of drug effectiveness.

January 14, 2013

Profitect announced that Weis Markets has selected its cloud-based Profit Amplification solution, a pattern-seeking predictive analytics tool, for deployment throughout the chain.

WALTHAM, Mass. — Profitect on Monday announced that Weis Markets has selected its cloud-based Profit Amplification solution, a pattern-seeking predictive analytics tool, for deployment throughout the chain. 

January 10, 2013

A new product is designed to make toilet paper mimic wet wipes while being easier to flush.

CANTON, Mass. — A new product is designed to make toilet paper mimic wet wipes while being easier to flush.

Fresh Dab, introduced by a company of the same name, is a gel applied to toilet paper, which the company said would allow for better removal of residue than toilet paper alone, while also allowing toilet paper to break down as it normally would, unlike wet wipes that can clog sewage and septic systems.

January 7, 2013

A company that provides cloud-based electronic health record, practice management and care-coordination services is buying a developer of point-of-care mobile health applications for physicians.

WATERTOWN, Mass. — A company that provides cloud-based electronic health record, practice management and care-coordination services is buying a developer of point-of-care mobile health applications for physicians.

Athenahealth announced Monday that it would buy Epocrates for about $293 million, or $11.75 per share. The deal for Epocrates, used by more than 330,000 physicians, is expected to close in second quarter 2013, pending approval from Epocrates' shareholders and other conditions.

January 7, 2013

Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

The drug maker announced that it had submitted a regulatory application for recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein, or rFIXFc, which it called the first long-lasting factor IX therapy for hemophilia B.

January 7, 2013

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has introduced legislation that would give the state government broader power over compounding pharmacies, the governor's office announced.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has introduced legislation that would give the state government broader power over compounding pharmacies, the governor's office announced.

January 3, 2013

An experimental drug for Lou Gehrig's disease made by Biogen Idec has failed in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug maker said.

WESTON, Mass. — An experimental drug for Lou Gehrig's disease made by Biogen Idec has failed in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug maker said Thursday.

Biogen announced results of its phase-3 trial of dexpramipexole in patients with the disease, known technically as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The drug failed to improve functioning and survival in patients and failed to show efficacy in key secondary endpoints as well, the company said.

December 28, 2012

The filing seeks to establish a fund to compensate individuals and families affected by a nationwide meningitis outbreak.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — New England Compounding Center announced the company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing seeks to establish a fund to compensate individuals and families affected by a nationwide meningitis outbreak. In papers filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts, the company said its goal is to provide a greater, quicker, fairer payout to its creditors than could be achieved through piecemeal litigation.

December 18, 2012

A majority of prescribers would prescribe biosimilar versions of two treatments for rheumatoid arthritis within a year of their approval, according to a new study.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — A majority of prescribers would prescribe biosimilar versions of two treatments for rheumatoid arthritis within a year of their approval, according to a new study.

December 12, 2012

A national group representing state boards of pharmacy has announced its support for efforts to strengthen regulations on compounding pharmacies.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — A national group representing state boards of pharmacy has announced its support for efforts to strengthen regulations on compounding pharmacies.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy said Wednesday that it would implement a four-part action plan centered around inspection of compounding pharmacies and sharing data from the inspections among boards of pharmacies around the country.

December 12, 2012

More than 10% of Americans consider Web-enabled, mobile health apps a part of their health care and key to living long lives, according to a new survey by a division of electronics manufacturer Philips.

ANDOVER, Mass. — More than 10% of Americans consider Web-enabled, mobile health apps a part of their health care and key to living long lives, according to a new survey by a division of electronics manufacturer Philips.

Royal Philips Electronics commissioned Opinion Research to conduct a survey of 1,003 adults, finding that 11% said that were it not for Web-based health information, they might already be "dead or severely incapacitated."

December 7, 2012

Authorities in Massachusetts are looking to tighten regulations on compounding pharmacies as the state health department announced some changes to the makeup of the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and sent cease-and-desist notices to three compounding pharmacies for alleged violations.

Retail pharmacies looking to get into sterile compounding and exercise greater control over that supply chain — as Walgreens did last month when it bought an independent specialty compounding pharmacy in Indiana — should take note because it seems there will be increased scrutiny on the practice following a nationwide outbreak of meningitis linked to alleged unsanitary conditions at the Framingham, Mass.-based New England Compounding Center.

Authorities in Massachusetts are looking to tighten regulations on compounding pharmacies as the state health department announced some changes to the makeup of the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy and sent cease-and-desist notices to three compounding pharmacies for alleged violations.

December 7, 2012

The state health department in Massachusetts has made changes to the state's pharmacy board and leveled sanctions against three pharmacies in the wake of a nationwide meningitis outbreak traced to a compounding pharmacy in the state, the department said.

BOSTON — The state health department in Massachusetts has made changes to the state's pharmacy board and leveled sanctions against three pharmacies in the wake of a nationwide meningitis outbreak traced to a compounding pharmacy in the state, the department said.

November 28, 2012

Physicians Interactive and McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions on Tuesday announced a joint collaboration to deliver eCoupon, one of the industry’s first automated pharmaceutical voucher and coupon distribution solution for clinicians who use electronic health records and ePrescribing software.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Physicians Interactive and McKesson Patient Relationship Solutions on Tuesday announced a joint collaboration to deliver eCoupon, one of the industry’s first automated pharmaceutical voucher and coupon distribution solution for clinicians who use electronic health records and ePrescribing software.  

November 26, 2012

L’Oréal has signed an agreement with Castanea Partners to acquire the fashion-forward, edgy beauty brand Urban Decay.

NEWTON, Mass. — L’Oréal has signed an agreement with Castanea Partners to acquire the fashion-forward, edgy beauty brand Urban Decay.

Terms of the deal, which is expected to close by the end of the year, were not disclosed. In the fiscal year ended in June 2012, Urban Decay, which is sold in such beauty retailers as Ulta and Sephora, recorded net sales of $130 million.

In the United States, Urban Decay will report to Carol Hamilton, president of L'Oréal Luxe USA.

November 20, 2012

When considering new, stiffer regulations governing the compounding of medicines in the wake of the meningitis outbreak, tread carefully and don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

That’s the message chain pharmacy had for Congress as lawmakers mull new restrictions on drug compounding by pharmacists.

November 19, 2012

Drug maker Shire has started a research program focused on rare diseases and their effects on patients and healthcare professionals, the company said Monday.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Drug maker Shire has started a research program focused on rare diseases and their effects on patients and healthcare professionals, the company said Monday.

Shire announced the launch of the Shire Rare Disease Impact Report, which includes surveys of patients, caregivers, physicians, payers and others in the United States and United Kingdom, with results expected in the first half of 2013.

November 14, 2012

In recognition of Veterans Day, CVS Caremark paid homage to nearly 50 disabled military veterans from across New England on Nov. 10, treating them to a football skills camp at Gillette Stadium in partnership with the New England Patriots.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In recognition of Veterans Day, CVS Caremark paid homage to nearly 50 disabled military veterans from across New England on Nov. 10, treating them to a football skills camp at Gillette Stadium in partnership with the New England Patriots.

The CVS Caremark/New England Patriots Veterans Skills Camp paired Patriots Super Bowl champions with veterans from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire for a day of fun and skills training at Gillette Stadium.

November 14, 2012

Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg is asking Congress to give the agency more power to regulate compounding pharmacies amid a national meningitis outbreak linked to a Massachusetts-based compounding pharmacy that has claimed dozens of lives nationwide.

NEW YORK — Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg is asking Congress to give the agency more power to regulate compounding pharmacies amid a nationwide meningitis outbreak linked to a Massachusetts-based compounding pharmacy that has claimed dozens of lives nationwide.

November 14, 2012

Rocasuba on Wednesday launched a homeopathic energy-booster utilizing a unique patch delivery system. Providing up to five hours of energy, the product delivers homeopathic ingredients, including naturally derived caffeine, tea extract and zinc.

MASHPEE, Mass. — Rocasuba on Wednesday launched a homeopathic energy-booster utilizing a unique patch delivery system. Providing up to five hours of energy, the product delivers homeopathic ingredients, including naturally derived caffeine, tea extract and zinc.