Content about Neurology

March 1, 2011
Express Scripts finds generic antidepressant users as adherent as brand-name counterparts

Patients who take generic antidepressants will remain as adherent as those who take brand-name drugs to treat the condition, according to a new study.

ST. LOUIS — Patients who take generic antidepressants will remain as adherent as those who take brand-name drugs to treat the condition, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by Express Scripts and published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, found patients starting generic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and generic selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors had a discontinuation rate of 44.2%, compared with 46.8% among those on brand-name SSRIs and SNRIs.

February 28, 2011
Matrix Labs' gabapentin capsules get FDA OK

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for shingles made by a subsidiary of generic drug maker Mylan.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for shingles made by a subsidiary of generic drug maker Mylan.

Mylan announced Monday the approval of Matrix Labs’ gabapentin capsules in the 100-mg, 300-mg and 400-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, a painful complication of shingles.

Gabapentin capsules had sales of about $300 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

February 25, 2011
Watson seeks regulatory approval for generic Adderall XR

Watson Labs is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a popular drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

PHILADELPHIA — Watson Labs is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a popular drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

British drug maker Shire announced Thursday that it had received notification that Watson filed for regulatory approval of a version of Adderall XR (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) capsules with the Food and Drug Administration. Watson’s application contained a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that the patent covering Adderall XR is invalid, unenforceable or won’t be infringed by Watson’s product.

February 23, 2011
Study: Amphetamine use could pose Parkinson's disease risk

Use of amphetamines could increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Use of amphetamines could increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study.

February 22, 2011
Hi-Tech Pharmacal receives market exclusivity for generic Neurontin

Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its version of a drug used to treat neurological disorders, the company said Tuesday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its version of a drug used to treat neurological disorders, the company said Tuesday.

Hi-Tech announced the approval of gabapentin oral solution in the 250 mg/5 mL strength, a generic version of Pfizer’s Neurontin oral solution.

The drug is used to treat postherpetic neuralgia and epilepsy. Neurontin had sales of $15 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

February 4, 2011
ECR launches Zolpimist

Hi-Tech Pharmacal subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating insomnia.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Hi-Tech Pharmacal subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating insomnia.

ECR announced Friday the launch of Zolpimist (zolpidem tartrate) oral spray. The drug comes in units that provide 60 metered sprays, administering 5-mg or 10-mg doses of the active ingredient. As a hypnotic agent, the drug is classified as a CIV controlled substance by the federal government.

February 4, 2011
Tennessee legislators have PSE choice between NPLEx and Rx-only

Tennessee may be the next state to adopt an electronic tracking tool to enforce pseudoephedrine sales restrictions and combat methamphetamine production in real time.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee may be the next state to adopt an electronic tracking tool to enforce pseudoephedrine sales restrictions and combat methamphetamine production in real time.

January 31, 2011
Transcept announces PDUFA action date for Intermezzo

Transcept announced Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has classified the drug maker's insomnia treatment as a complete class-2 response, and assigned the drug a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date for this summer.

POINT RICHMOND, Calif. — Transcept announced Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has classified the drug maker's insomnia treatment as a complete class-2 response, and assigned the drug a Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date for this summer.

Transcept resubmitted its new drug application for Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate) on Jan. 18 after receiving a complete response letter from the FDA in October 2009. The drug maker said for the completion of the NDA review, the FDA set the PDUFA action date for July 14.

January 18, 2011
Transcept seeks regulatory approval for Intermezzo

Transcept Pharmaceuticals has resubmitted its regulatory application for a drug to treat insomnia to the Food and Drug Administration, following a previous denial of approval by the agency, the drug maker said Tuesday.

POINT RICHMOND, Calif. — Transcept Pharmaceuticals has resubmitted its regulatory application for a drug to treat insomnia to the Food and Drug Administration, following a previous denial of approval by the agency, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Transcept sent in its application for Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate), a pill placed under the tongue for treating patients who awake in the middle of the night and have difficulty falling asleep again.

January 13, 2011
Report: Nevada looks to push PSE Rx legislation

Nevada Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, is working with Carson City district attorney Neil Rombardo on introducing a bill to require a prescription for pseudoephedrine as a tool to cut down on illicit methamphetamine production, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Wednesday evening.

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, is working with Carson City district attorney Neil Rombardo on introducing a bill to require a prescription for pseudoephedrine as a tool to cut down on illicit methamphetamine production, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Wednesday evening.

January 5, 2011
Students make strides in adherence among elderly

BALTIMORE — If the government paid for drug cost incentives for Medicare patients with congestive heart failure, the program could recoup those costs and more by spending less on expensive hospitalizations for patients. 


That finding was one of several to emerge from research conducted by pharmacy students at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The four students presented their findings on elderly drug adherence at the annual meeting of the Gerontology Society of America in New Orleans.

December 3, 2010
Moving PSE to Rx-only in Mo. lacks fiscal sense

The forward-looking vision employed by Gov. Jay Nixon in exploring “next steps” in fighting methamphetamine abuse before even the last step has been put into place and enacted is, in a matter of speaking, extremely short-sighted. It doesn’t even make fiscal sense, because the National Precursor Log Exchange will do more to curb many of the costs associated with fighting meth addicts without conversely increasing the costs associated with fighting a cold. And truth be told, there are probably a lot more stuffy heads in Missouri than there are meth addicts.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The forward-looking vision employed by Gov. Jay Nixon in exploring “next steps” in fighting methamphetamine abuse before even the last step has been put into place and enacted is, in a matter of speaking, extremely short-sighted. It doesn’t even make fiscal sense, because the National Precursor Log Exchange will do more to curb many of the costs associated with fighting meth addicts without conversely increasing the costs associated with fighting a cold.

November 8, 2010
Upsher-Smith to extend epilepsy drug trial

Drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs will add an extension study to its late-stage clinical trial of...

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. Drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs will add an extension study to its late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating epilepsy, the company said Tuesday.

 

Upsher-Smith announced an additional study for patients who completed the phase-3 “Prevail” trial of the drug USL255 (topiramate extended-release). The drug is designed to provide a once-daily dosage for adults with the disease.

 

 

October 18, 2010
FDA approves Actavis' generic Ambien CR

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating insomnia made by Actavis,...

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating insomnia made by Actavis, the generic drug maker said Monday.

 

Actavis announced the approval of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets in the 6.25-mg strength. The company has begun shipping the drug.

 

 

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi-Aventis’ Ambien CR, which had sales of around $129 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

 

October 17, 2010
NeurogesX seeks expanded approval for Qutenza

A company that develops drugs for pain is hoping to get approval of one of...

SAN MATEO, Calif. A company that develops drugs for pain is hoping to get approval of one of its drugs for a pain condition associated with HIV.

September 30, 2010
Mylan's generic Wellbutrin XL enters market

Mylan has launched a generic version of a common antidepressant, the company said Friday....

PITTSBURGH Mylan has launched a generic version of a common antidepressant, the company said Friday.

 

Mylan announced the launch of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 150-mg and 300-mg strengths, a once-daily treatment for depression.

 

 

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Wellbutrin XL. Various versions of the drug had sales of around $752 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

 

September 15, 2010
MDA offers vouchers for free flu shots at Walgreens

Walgreens is teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to administer flu shots to those...

SALT LAKE CITY Walgreens is teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to administer flu shots to those who need them most, according to published reports.

The MDA is handing out vouchers for free flu shots at Walgreens to those affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases, according to ABC4News in Salt Lake City.

Voucher requests can be submitted here.

September 8, 2010
N.C. law enforcement seeks access to pharmacy records to curb Rx abuse

Residents in North Carolina prescribed controlled substances could receive some attention from more than their...

RALEIGH, N.C. Residents in North Carolina prescribed controlled substances could receive some attention from more than their physicians and pharmacists, according to published reports.

 

September 8, 2010
Safeway raises $11.2 million for muscular dystrophy

Safeway announced Wednesday that it raised $11.2 million to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association during...

September 6, 2010
Silenor now available by prescription

Drug maker Somaxon Pharmaceuticals has made its treatment for insomnia available by prescription, the company...

SAN DIEGO Drug maker Somaxon Pharmaceuticals has made its treatment for insomnia available by prescription, the company said Tuesday.

 

Somaxon announced the availability of Silenor (doxepin), which received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in March as a treatment for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance.

 

 

September 1, 2010
Actavis' generic Strattera gets OK from FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Actavis for treating...

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug made by Actavis for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Actavis said Wednesday.

 

The FDA approved the drug maker’s atomoxetine hydrochloride capsules in the 10-mg, 18-mg, 25-mg, 40-mg, 60-mg, 80-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Eli Lilly’s Strattera, which had $532 million in sales during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

 

 

August 16, 2010
US WorldMeds acquires Solstice Neurosciences

US WorldMeds has acquired Solstice Neurosciences for $35.7 million, US WorldMeds said....

August 1, 2010
FDA approves Merz's Xeomin

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for muscle spasms and twitches....

GREENSBORO, N.C. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for muscle spasms and twitches.

 

July 20, 2010
FDA approves additional strengths of Actavis' generic Wellbutrin SR

Actavis has received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a generic antidepressant,...

MORRISTOWN, N.J. Actavis has received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a generic antidepressant, the drug maker announced Wednesday.

Actavis said it immediately will begin distributing its bupropion HCl extended-release (SR) tablets in 100-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug is the generic equivalent of GlaxoSmithKline's Wellbutrin SR. Actavis already has marketed generic Wellbutrin SR in the 150-mg strength. The drug maker received approval in March 2008.

July 18, 2010
FDA accepts NDA for Eisai's Banzel

Eisai's new drug application for a drug designed as an adjunctive treatment of seizures associated...