Content about Medicinal chemistry

April 5, 2013

NIH funds drug-herb interaction research at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy on Wednesday announced that it is the recipient of a five-year, $2.1 million grant to train graduate and postdoctoral students in natural product drugs and dietary supplements.

CHICAGO — The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy on Wednesday announced that it is the recipient of a five-year, $2.1 million grant to train graduate and postdoctoral students in natural product drugs and dietary supplements. The grant is funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, one of the National Institutes of Health.

April 2, 2013

mScripts receives certification for McKesson's EnterpriseRx system

Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said.

SAN FRANCISCO — Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said Tuesday.

The company said it had received certification for the system, following its announcement of the integration with EnterpriseRx last week.

April 1, 2013

Winners of contest to spur interest in pharmacy, STEM careers for high school students announced

Three high school seniors from Topeka, Kan., won a contest that sponsors hope will lead to better health outcomes while also getting young people interested in pharmacy careers.

WASHINGTON — Three high school seniors from Topeka, Kan., won a contest that sponsors hope will lead to better health outcomes while also getting young people interested in pharmacy careers.

March 29, 2013

FDA approves J&J diabetes drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Johnson & Johnson for treating Type 2 diabetes, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Johnson & Johnson for treating Type 2 diabetes, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Invokana (canagliflozin) tablets, designed for use with diet and exercise to improve blood-sugar control in adults with the disease.

March 27, 2013

FDA approves injectable antihistamine using BD Simplist

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug administered through a new line of injection devices made by BD, the company said Wednesday.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug administered through a new line of injection devices made by BD, the company said Wednesday.

BD announced the approval of diphenhydramine hydrochloride injection, an antihistamine, packaged in its recently launched Simplist pre-filled injectables, which are made by subsidiary BD Rx and designed to improve patient care and safety by decreasing the number of steps in the traditional vial and syringe injection sequence and thus reduce the potential risk of medication errors.

March 26, 2013

The genomics revolution has begun in pharmacy

It’s often the case that those in the midst of revolutionary times don’t really see how fundamentally the world around them is changing until long after the changes have occurred. So let’s start by declaring that the revolution has begun: Genomic research will dramatically transform both the practice of pharmacy and the way patients are treated with medications for many diseases.

The sequencing of the human genome was a huge scientific breakthrough, and it’s spawning additional breakthroughs as genetic testing labs spring up and the cost of testing individual patients for their ability to metabolize a particular drug drops to affordable levels for health plan payers.

March 21, 2013

FDA advises against use of three adulterated drug products

The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients.

March 21, 2013

NACDS responds to WSJ article citing cynicism, inaccuracies

A recent Wall Street Journal article, “10 Things Drugstores Won’t Tell You,” has caught the attention of National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, who responded to the article by saying that it put sensational headlines and statements ahead of the facts, thus depicting pharmacies inaccurately.

ARLINGTON, Va. — A recent Wall Street Journal article, “10 Things Drugstores Won’t Tell You,” has caught the attention of National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, who responded to the article by saying that it put sensational headlines and statements ahead of the fa

March 19, 2013

GAO pushes FDA for final NDI guidance to improve enforcement efforts

The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Monday advised the Food and Drug Administration to establish a time frame on New Dietary Ingredient guidance, as well as guidance clarifying whether a liquid product may be labeled and marketed as a dietary supplement or as a conventional food with added ingredients.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Monday advised the Food and Drug Administration to establish a time frame on New Dietary Ingredient guidance, as well as guidance clarifying whether a liquid product may be labeled and marketed as a dietary supplement or as a conventional food with added ingredients. Those two guidelines will help the agency use adverse event reports in overseeing dietary supplement products, the GAO stated.

March 18, 2013

CARE Pharmacies names new director of operations

CARE Pharmacies announced the addition of Mark Ey to their corporate team as director of operations.

LINTHICUM, Md. — CARE Pharmacies on Monday announced the addition of Mark Ey to their corporate team as director of operations.

“We are very excited to have him lead our operations team,” stated CARE CEO Michael Wysong. “Mark’s unique background coupled with his longstanding track record of success make him a perfect fit to oversee our growing operational footprint.”

March 18, 2013

FDA approves Mylan bronchospasm drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for bronchospasm made by Mylan, the drug maker said Monday.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for bronchospasm made by Mylan, the drug maker said Monday.

Mylan announced the approval of levalbuterol inhalation solution in the 0.31 mg/3 mL, 0.63 mg/3 mL and 1.25 mg/3 mL strengths. The company has begun shipping the product.

The drug is a generic version of Sunovion's Xopenex inhalation solution, which is used to treat bronchospasm in patients ages 6 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

March 15, 2013

NACDS announces promotion of Roy McGrath, Alex Adams

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced the promotions of two staff members that were effective March 1.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday the promotions of two staff members, that were effective March 1.

Roy McGrath has been promoted to VP of business development and conventions, from director of business development and conventions.

Alex Adams has been promoted to VP of pharmacy programs for NACDS, and VP of NACDS Foundation research programs, from director of pharmacy programs.

March 15, 2013

NACDS RxImpact Day comes at a critical time for industry

Hundreds of community pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies took to Capitol Hill last week for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day and conducted more than 400 meetings with U.S. senators and representatives.

With implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2014, Congress desperately needs to hear from a stakeholder that can actually save the system money. There is growing awareness on the Hill that for every $1 invested in MTM, you save $10 to $12 — the bill introduced this week by Sens. Pat Roberts and Kay Hagan to expand MTM is a strong demonstration of that.

March 14, 2013

5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day reflects pharmacy's role in patient care

Illustrating the vital role of community pharmacy in healthcare delivery, 300 community pharmacists, pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies from 38 states took to Capitol Hill this week, donning their white coats for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Illustrating the vital role of community pharmacy in healthcare delivery, 300 community pharmacists, pharmacy executives, pharmacy students and other pharmacy advocates representing 41,000 chain pharmacies from 38 states took to Capitol Hill this week, donning their white coats for the 5th Annual NACDS RxImpact Day on Capitol Hill.

March 14, 2013

FDA approves Par generic obsessive compulsive disorder drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for obsessive compulsive disorder made by Par Pharmaceutical Cos., the drug maker said Thursday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for obsessive compulsive disorder made by Par Pharmaceutical Cos., the drug maker said Thursday.

Par announced the approval and shipment of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in the 100-mg and 150-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Luvox CR.

March 14, 2013

FDA to review experimental opioid drug

The Food and Drug Administration will decide in late August whether to approve an experimental opioid painkiller made by QRxPharma, the drug maker said Thursday.

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration will decide in late August whether to approve an experimental opioid painkiller made by QRxPharma, the drug maker said Thursday.

Australia-based QRxPharma is seeking approval for Moxduo (morphine and oxycodone), and the FDA plans to decide whether to approve the drug on Aug. 26.

March 14, 2013

SoloHealth named to Georgia’s list of Top 10 Innovative Technology Companies

SoloHealth on Thursday announced it has been selected as one of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Top 10 Innovative Technology Companies. SoloHealth was recognized for its FDA-approved health and wellness kiosk, the SoloHealth Station.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Thursday announced it has been selected as one of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Top 10 Innovative Technology Companies. SoloHealth was recognized for its FDA-approved health and wellness kiosk, the SoloHealth Station.

"The Top 10 awards are given to an elite group of companies whose products and solutions are not only changing their respective industries, they also are putting Georgia on the map as a state where technology innovation can thrive," stated Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG.

March 12, 2013

State, territorial attorneys general call for anti-tampering measures in opioids

The attorneys general of 46 states and two territories are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to make prescription painkillers harder to abuse.

NEW YORK — The attorneys general of 46 states and two territories are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to make prescription painkillers harder to abuse.

March 4, 2013

FDA accepts application for NSAID painkiller

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory application for a new painkiller from Iroko Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory application for a new painkiller from Iroko Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Monday.

Iroko is seeking approval for a lower-dose, submicron diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for treating mild to moderate acute pain in adults.

February 28, 2013

NCPA supports Kentucky Senate bill for transparency of MAC pricing

The National Community Pharmacists Association applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday applauded the Kentucky Senate for voting to pass S.B. 107, a bill that will provide transparency regarding how pharmacy reimbursements are determined for multiple source generic drugs, and establish an appeals process when a dispute arises over those payment levels.

February 25, 2013

FDA approves Bayer's Stivarga for gastrointestinal stromal tumors

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for treating tumors of the digestive system, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for treating tumors of the digestive system, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Stivarga (regorafenib) for gastrointestinal stromal tumors that could not be removed through surgery or had spread to other parts of the body and were no longer responding to treatment with Novartis' Gleevec (imatinib) or Pfizer's Sutent (sunitinib).

February 25, 2013

NCPA survey: Closed-door LTC pharmacies dispense meds at 25% higher cost vs. retail

Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Long-term care pharmacies incur dispensing costs that are 25% higher than those of traditional retail pharmacies and provide additional services to meet the unique health needs of LTC residents, according to the findings of a new survey released Friday by the National Community Pharmacists Association Long-Term Care Division.

February 21, 2013

FDA approves new vial size for Privigen

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vial size for a drug made by CSL Behring to treat a bleeding disorder and an immune disorder, the company said.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vial size for a drug made by CSL Behring to treat a bleeding disorder and an immune disorder, the company said Thursday.

February 20, 2013

NACDS, NCPA offer suggestions to DEA on drug take-back programs

Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed support for a rule the DEA proposed in December to govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants - including pharmacies - and patients, as well as people acting on their behalf.

February 19, 2013

Anthem suspends controversial Calif. mail-order specialty pharmacy policy

Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.

NEW YORK — Anthem Blue Cross will indefinitely suspend a policy that would require many specialty pharmacy patients in California, most of them HIV patients, to receive their drugs via mail order in order to receive coverage for them, drawing criticism from patients and retail pharmacies.