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February 19, 2013

FDA grants priority review to ViiV drug for HIV

The Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to an experimental drug made by ViiV Healthcare for HIV, the company, a joint venture between British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and American drug maker Pfizer, announced.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review to an experimental drug made by ViiV Healthcare for HIV, the company, a joint venture between British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and American drug maker Pfizer, announced.

The FDA gave the designation to dolutegravir, designed for use in combination with other antiretrovirual drugs in adults and adolescents. The agency gives priority review to drugs that offer significant improvement compared with products already on the market.

February 19, 2013

Gilead voluntarily recalls one lot of injected AIDS-related infection drug

Drug maker Gilead Sciences has recalled a single lot of an injected drug used to treat an opportunistic infection in AIDS patients due to the presence of foreign matter, the company said.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — Drug maker Gilead Sciences has recalled a single lot of an injected drug used to treat an opportunistic infection in AIDS patients due to the presence of foreign matter in some vials, the company said.

Gilead announced the voluntary recall of lot B120217A of Vistide (cidofovir), an injected drug used to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS, due to particulate matter.

February 19, 2013

Less than half of employers have specialty prior authorization programs under medical benefits, study finds

Management of specialty drugs under the medical benefit continues to trail management under the pharmacy benefit, according to a new report by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

PLANO, Texas — Management of specialty drugs under the medical benefit continues to trail management under the pharmacy benefit, according to a new report by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

February 19, 2013

Mylan, Biocon enter deal on generic analog insulins

Mylan and Biocon have a deal to develop and sell generic insulin-analog products for diabetes, Mylan said.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan and Biocon have a deal to develop and sell generic insulin-analog products for diabetes, Mylan said.

Under the deal, Mylan will have the rights to develop and market Biocon's Glargine, Lispro and Aspart, respectively generic versions of Sanofi's Lantus, Eli Lilly's Humalog and Novo Nordisk's NovoLog.

February 19, 2013

Reports: Florida House subcommittee approves biosimilar-substitution bill

A new bill in Florida's state legislature would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for branded biotech drugs, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new bill in Florida's state legislature would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars for branded biotech drugs, according to published reports.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Health Quality Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives approved a bill that would allow for substitution while requiring pharmacists to notify prescribing physicians within five days and require the doctor and pharmacist to maintain a record for at least four years.

February 19, 2013

Reports: Insurers, employers support YMCA diabetes program

The YMCA is sponsoring a diabetes-control program that some say could slow the disease's spread, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The YMCA is sponsoring a diabetes-control program that some say could slow the disease's spread, according to published reports.

February 19, 2013

Sergeant's launches generic version of Frontline spray

Sergeant's Pet Care Products has launched a generic version of a commonly used spray for killing fleas and ticks in dogs and cats, the company said Tuesday.

OMAHA, Neb. — Sergeant's Pet Care Products has launched a generic version of a commonly used spray for killing fleas and ticks in dogs and cats, the company said Tuesday.

Sergeant's announced the launch of Pronyl, a version of Sanofi's Frontline. Pronyl uses the same active ingredient, Fipronil, but also uses what the company calls Bag-on-Valve technology that allows a continuous and quiet spray from any angle.

February 19, 2013

Study finds dramatic improvement in blood-sugar control among diabetes patients

Control of A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol among patients with diabetes has improved markedly, but more room for improvement remains, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Control of A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol among patients with diabetes has improved markedly, but more room for improvement remains, according to a new study.

February 15, 2013

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Kids with Food Allergies merge

Two nonprofit groups focused on asthma and allergies will merge to combine their efforts.

WASHINGTON — Two nonprofit groups focused on asthma and allergies will merge to combine their efforts.

The Kids with Food Allergies Foundation will become a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and the combined organization will provide education, advocacy, research, social networking and support for families living with the diseases. The groups' boards agreed to merge in 2012.

February 15, 2013

Costco sued over diamond engagement rings

Jewelry maker Tiffany & Co. is suing Costco Wholesale, alleging that the club retailer falsely marketed diamond engagement rings as coming from the New York-based jeweler, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Jewelry maker Tiffany & Co. is suing Costco Wholesale, alleging that the club retailer falsely marketed diamond engagement rings as coming from the New York-based jeweler, according to published reports.

News media reported that Tiffany filed suit against Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco in the Federal District Court in Manhattan.

February 15, 2013

DSN will be closed for Presidents Day

Due to Presidents Day on Monday, February 18, DSN will not be publishing stories. We will resume publishing on Tueday, February 19. Have a great Presidents Day holiday!

February 15, 2013

FDA approves Teva ADHD drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, the Israeli generic drug maker said.

February 15, 2013

Legislation would allow states to levy sales taxes on out-of-state online purchases

Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings, the parent company of mass merchandiser Kmart, is throwing its support behind a bill that would grant states authority to enforce existing sales tax laws and require out-of-state online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes on sales made to their residents.

The Marketplace Fairness Act was sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; as well as Reps. Steve Womack, R-Ark.; Kristi Noem, R-S.D.; Peter Welch, D-Vt.; and John Conyers, D-Mich.

February 15, 2013

NACDS Foundation sponsors nationwide heart-health initiatives

The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The philanthropic arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is supporting various heart-health programs around the country to support a Department of Health and Human Services campaign.

The NACDS Foundation announced the launch of the NACDS Foundation and Million Hearts "Heart to Heart Community Health Fairs," supporting HHS' "Team Up, Pressure Down" campaign. Various initiatives will take place in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

February 15, 2013

Reports: Study finds salt reduction would reduce cardiovascular-related deaths

A new study indicates that the United States could prevent up to half a million deaths during the next 10 years by reducing salt intake, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new study indicates that the United States could prevent up to half a million deaths during the next 10 years by reducing salt intake, according to published reports.

February 15, 2013

Retail CFOs to emphasize online, mobile retail in 2013, study finds

Retail executives are moderating their expectations for 2013 following uneven sales in December and January, according to a new survey of CFOs by professional services firm BDO USA.

CHICAGO — Retail executives are moderating their expectations for 2013 following uneven sales in December and January, according to a new survey of CFOs by professional services firm BDO USA.

February 15, 2013

W.Va. senators, representative introduce prescription drug abuse bill

Two Democrats from West Virginia are sponsoring legislation in the House and Senate to combat prescription drug abuse.

WASHINGTON — Two Democrats from West Virginia are sponsoring legislation in the House and Senate to combat prescription drug abuse.

February 14, 2013

Actavis can launch generic painkiller in May 2014 under settlement

Actavis and Mallinckrodt have reached a settlement concerning the former's generic version of an opioid painkiller made by the latter, Actavis said Thursday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Actavis and Mallinckrodt have reached a settlement concerning the former's generic version of an opioid painkiller made by the latter, Actavis said Thursday.

The companies settled patent lawsuit regarding Actavis' generic version of Mallinckrodt's Exalgo (hydromorphone hydrochloride) extended-release tablets in the 32-mg strength. The companies settled litigation regarding the 8-mg, 12-mg and 16-mg strengths last month.

February 14, 2013

Dr Pepper Snapple Group sales, profits increase

Dr Pepper Snapple Group reported $629 million in profits for fiscal year 2012, up from $606 million in 2011, the beverage maker said Thursday.

PLANO, Texas — Dr Pepper Snapple Group reported $629 million in profits for fiscal year 2012, up from $606 million in 2011, the beverage maker said Thursday.

Profits for the fourth quarter were $170 million, compared with $166 million in fourth quarter 2011, driven by fiscal year 2012 sales of $5.99 billion and fourth-quarter sales of $1.48 billion, compared with $5.9 billion and $1.46 billion in 2011, respectively.

February 14, 2013

Eisai receives orphan drug designation for thyroid cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has granted special designation to a drug made by Eisai for treating thyroid cancer.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted special designation to a drug made by Eisai for treating thyroid cancer.

The drug maker said Thursday that its experimental drug E7080 (lenvatinib) had received orphan drug designation from the FDA for follicular, medullary, anapestic and metastatic or locally advanced papillary thyroid cancer.

February 14, 2013

Reports: Buffett, Lemann buy H.J. Heinz; Buffett investment group increases Costco holding

The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The investment groups of billionaires Warren Buffett and Jorge Paulo Lemann will buy H.J. Heinz for about $23 billion, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Lemann's 3G Capital would buy the condiment maker for $72.50 per share, and the deal includes $12 billion to $13 billion from Buffett's group. Heinz also owns the Ore-Ida potato chip brand.

February 14, 2013

Reports: Google Flu Trends may have overestimated epidemic

Google seems to have found a nifty niche for itself with Google Flu Trends, which seeks to track the influenza outbreak by monitoring Web searches for flu-related topics, but its accuracy may be in doubt, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Google seems to have found a nifty niche for itself with Google Flu Trends, which seeks to track the influenza outbreak by monitoring Web searches for flu-related topics, but its accuracy may be in doubt, according to published reports.

Nature reported that a comparison between data from Google Flu Trends and official surveillance data found that the Google tool had overestimated peak flu levels. Nevertheless, according to Nature, the problem is minor, and the Internet services giant will probably be able to fix it.

February 14, 2013

Safeway, UCSF School of Pharmacy partner on smoking-cessation program

Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

NEW YORK — Safeway pharmacists will use a program developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy to help people quit smoking, under a partnership with the supermarket operator announced by the university.

Safeway pharmacists will receive training in smoking-cessation counseling techniques developed by the UCSF pharmacy faculty, while stores will locate OTC nicotine-replacement therapies near pharmacy areas, giving customers convenient access to the pharmacist.

February 14, 2013

ScriptPro wins top spot in KLAS rankings

Pharmacy automation system manufacturer ScriptPro has received a top spot from a research firm that specializes in monitoring and reporting on the performance of healthcare vendors.

MISSION, Kan. — Pharmacy automation system manufacturer ScriptPro has received a top spot from a research firm that specializes in monitoring and reporting on the performance of healthcare vendors.

ScriptPro said the healthcare IT research firm KLAS ranked its SP Central Pharamcy Management System No. 1 in the category of Software Solutions – Pharmacy – Outpatient (Retail) in the "2012 Best in KLAS Award: Software & Services."

February 14, 2013

Target, Mindless Behavior partner in lyric-writing contest

Target has a deal with pop music group Mindless Behavior to let fans write lyrics for the band, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has a deal with pop music group Mindless Behavior to let fans write lyrics for the band, the mass merchandise retailer said Thursday.

The contest, called "Your Lyrics, Their Voices," gives fans the opportunity to write their own song lyrics for a verse of a special fan edition of the title track for the album "All Around the World."