Content about Pharmaceutical sciences

April 11, 2013

Chattem launches pair of topical anti-itch solutions under Allegra brand

Chattem announced the launch of Allegra Anti-Itch Cooling Relief Cream and Allegra Anti-Itch Intensive Relief Cream.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Chattem on Thursday announced the launch of Allegra Anti-Itch Cooling Relief Cream and Allegra Anti-Itch Intensive Relief Cream.

"We identified an opportunity in the topical anti-itch category and leveraged our experience with Allegra Allergy to introduce a new product for common skin irritations that not only helps stop the itch but also provides a moisturizing benefit," stated John Stroud, EVP marketing, Chattem.

April 11, 2013

Congress leaders call out energy drink marketers to list caffeine content in investigative report

Three Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday released a report that found inconsistencies in the labeling and classification of energy drinks, extensive marketing to adolescents and young adults through social media and events, and high caffeine levels that exceed what is considered safe in soda by the Food and Drug Administration.

WASHINGTON — Three Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday released a report that found inconsistencies in the labeling and classification of energy drinks, extensive marketing to adolescents and young adults through social media and events, and high caffeine levels that exceed what is considered safe in soda by the Food and Drug Administration. The report was compiled using responses from 14 energy drink companies received by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Sens. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., from their investigation into the industry.

April 11, 2013

CVS Caremark releases annual insights report on drug spend

The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The increased availability of generics combined with CVS Caremark's generic dispensing rate of 77.4% helped reduce spending on traditional medications by 3.6% for the company's commercial clients, according to its newly released annual insights report, which reviews drug trend and highlights key issues in pharmacy care.

CVS Caremark's GDR is the result of two elements. First, 2012 marked a high point in the flood of generic launches, with the estimated market value of brands that lost their patents in 2012 exceeding $35 billion.

April 11, 2013

QS/1 introduces 'first of its kind' Medicare Part B documentation system

QS/1 has released Medicare Part B compliance documentation, which it said would be the first of its type on the market to help pharmacies that want to serve Part B customers while remaining compliant, the company said.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — QS/1 has released Medicare Part B compliance documentation, which it said would be the first of its type on the market to help pharmacies that want to serve Part B customers while remaining compliant, the company said.

QS/1 said its Medicare Part B Compliance Documentation software system was the first of its kind, allowing pharmacies using NRx or PrimeCare Pharmacy Management Systems to serve Medicare Part B customer needs while keeping necessary documents in the event of an audit.

April 11, 2013

Reports: Alberta government to give pharmacists allowance in preparation for generic pricing changes

The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists $1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — The government of Canada's Alberta province will pay pharmacists C$1 for each prescription filled as part of a one-year transition program for which it will spend $24 million, according to published reports.

April 11, 2013

Rite Aid posts $118.1 million profit for fiscal year 2013

Rite Aid's profits grew in the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 amid stronger front-end sales and prescription count, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's profits grew in fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013 amid stronger front-end sales and prescription count, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

April 11, 2013

Study finds wide disparities in antibiotic prescribing rates between South, Midwest

Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

NEW YORK — Research has indicated that about half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary, raising concerns about the growth of bacteria resistant to them, but a new study by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also finds that prescriptions are highest in several states in the South and Midwest.

The study, published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, was based on a database maintained by IMS Health that includes a sample of more than 70% of U.S. prescriptions.

April 9, 2013

FDA approves first new morning sickness pill in 30 years

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

ROSEMONT, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Drug maker Duchesnay USA said the FDA approved Diclegis (doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride) delayed-release tablets in the 10 mg/10 mg strength for NVP, more commonly known as morning sickness, in women who don't respond to conservative treatment. NVP is estimated to affect 70-85% of pregnant women, and symptoms range from nausea to severe vomiting and retching that can last throughout the day.

April 9, 2013

Pharmaceutical balance tipping to specialty side

The new world of targeted, specialized medicines — many of them bioengineered and many of them aimed at smaller and smaller segments of the population — isn’t just on its way. It’s here. And it’s going to radically change the practice of pharmacy.

Here’s an eye-opener: Specialty drugs will likely account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, up from 28.7% of total prescription drug costs in 2012.

April 8, 2013

Teva introduces generic painkiller

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

Teva announced the introduction of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Opana and will be available in the 5 mg and 10 mg strengths in bottles of 100 tablets.

April 5, 2013

District Court orders FDA to lift prescription restriction of Plan B One-Step for underage women

The Food and Drug Administration has 30 days to approve over-the-counter availability of the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step to women of all ages, according to a decision issued by Judge Edward Korman of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has 30 days to approve over-the-counter availability of the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step to women of all ages, according to a decision issued Friday by Judge Edward Korman of the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York. In a second decision, Korman declined to intervene on Teva Pharma's behalf in extending patent exclusivity for Plan B One-Step.

April 4, 2013

Covis buys rights to five drugs from Sanofi

Swiss drug maker Covis Pharma will buy U.S. rights to five drugs from Sanofi, Covis said.

ZUG, Switzerland — Swiss drug maker Covis Pharma will buy U.S. rights to five drugs from Sanofi, Covis said Thursday.

April 4, 2013

Dr. Reddy's launches generic osteoporosis drug

Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs has launched zoledronic acid injection in the 5 mg-per-100-mL strength, the Indian generic drug maker Thursday.

The drug, launched following its approval by the Food and Drug Administration, is a generic version of Novartis' Reclast and is used to treat osteoporosis. Reclast had sales of $355 million during the 12-month period that ended in February, according to IMS Health.

April 4, 2013

FDA grants tentative approval to Aurobindo HIV drug

The Food and Drug Administration has given preliminary approval to a drug made by Aurobindo Pharma for treating HIV infection, the drug maker said.

HYDERABAD, India — The Food and Drug Administration has given preliminary approval to a drug made by Aurobindo Pharma for treating HIV infection in developing countries, the drug maker said.

Aurobindo announced that it had received tentative approval for efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate combination tablets in the 600-mg/200 mg/300-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Gilead Sciences' Atripla.

April 4, 2013

Florida Senate committee passes biosimilar bill

A committee of Florida's state Senate has passed a bill that could limit the use of biosimilars in the state.

WASHINGTON — A committee of Florida's state Senate has passed a bill that could limit the use of biosimilars in the state.

The Florida Senate Committee on Health Policy passed S.B. 732, sending it to the full state senate. The legislation would require pharmacists to inform doctors when a follow-on biologic was substituted for a brand-name biotech drug. The bill is similar to one signed into law last month by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.

April 4, 2013

Rite Aid front-end comps up 3.8% amid shift in timing of Easter

Same-store sales at Rite Aid decreased 2% in March, including a 3.8% increase in same-store sales on the front end and a 4.5% decrease in pharmacy sales due in part to new introductions of generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Same-store sales at Rite Aid decreased 2% in March, including a 3.8% increase in same-store sales on the front end and a 4.5% decrease in pharmacy sales due in part to new introductions of generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The 4,621-store chain reported total sales for the month of $1.939 billion, a 2.5% decrease compared with $1.989 billion in March 2012, while same-store prescription count increased 0.3%.

April 4, 2013

Valeant earnings per share could take hit in 2013 from herpes ointment generic

The Food and Drug Administration approval this week of a generic genital herpes ointment made by Mylan could make a slight dent in the stock price of the company that makes the branded version.

MONTREAL — The Food and Drug Administration approval this week of a generic genital herpes ointment made by Mylan could make a slight dent in the stock price of the company that makes the branded version.

Canada-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said that while it expected Mylan to receive approval for a generic version of Zovirax (acyclovir) ointment, it did not include the approval in its original budget expectations and thus expected its earnings per share in fiscal year 2013 to be reduced by 30 to 40 cents.

April 3, 2013

FDA approves Mylan genital herpes ointment

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for genital herpes made by Mylan, the drug maker said.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for genital herpes made by Mylan, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Mylan announced the approval of acyclovir ointment in the 5% strength. The drug is a generic version of Valeant International's Zovirax, used to manage initial genital herpes and in limited, non-life-threatening mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in patients with compromised immune systems.

April 3, 2013

FDA approves new allergy drug for children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for allergies in children made by Tris Pharma, the drug maker said.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for allergies in children made by Tris Pharma, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Tris announced the approval of Karbinal ER (carbinoxamine maleate) extended-release oral suspension in the 4 mg-per-five milliliter strength. The company said the drug was the first sustained-release histamine receptor blocking agent for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in children 2 and older.

April 3, 2013

NCPA responds to CMS call letter

The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The recent call letter released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services addresses issues that can have an adverse effect on the program's cost and quality of care, a trade group representing independent retail pharmacies said Wednesday.

Commenting on the CMS' announcement, the National Community Pharmacists Association said it had prepared a detailed list for its members.

April 2, 2013

APhA, Cardinal Health Foundation name second annual APhA GenerationRx Award of Excellence recipient

During the American Pharmacists Association's 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition, the Cardinal Health Foundation and APhA awarded the second annual APhA GenerationRx Award of Excellence to Anthony Tommasello, who was chosen in recognition of his work in the area of substance abuse education.

LOS ANGELES — During the American Pharmacists Association's 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition here, the Cardinal Health Foundation and APhA on Tuesday awarded the second annual APhA GenerationRx Award of Excellence to Anthony Tommasello, who was chosen in recognition of his work in the area of substance abuse education. Throughout his career, Tommasello has conducted research and provided education to a wide range of patient populations at risk for substance abuse.

April 2, 2013

Federal court rules in favor of Actavis in generic asthma drug case

A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A court has ruled in favor of generic drug maker Actavis concerning its generic version of a drug to treat asthma in children, the company said.

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 2, 2013

Reports: Indian Supreme Court strikes down leukemia drug patent

A ruling by India's high court means cheaper generic versions of a cancer drug will remain available in developing countries, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A ruling by India's high court means cheaper generic versions of a cancer drug will remain available in developing countries, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the Indian Supreme Court ruled drug companies there could keep making generic versions of Swiss drug maker Novartis' leukemia medication Gleevec (imatinib). According to the Times, generic versions of Gleevec in India cost about $2,500 per year, compared with $70,000 per year for the branded version.

April 2, 2013

Rx Response reporting system gets name change

A coalition of drug and pharmacy organizations formed to address patients' medication needs during disasters is changing the name and Web address of its reporting system to make it easier to remember, the organization said Tuesday.

NEW ORLEANS — A coalition of drug and pharmacy organizations formed to address patients' medication needs during disasters is changing the name and Web address of its reporting system to make it easier to remember, the organization said Tuesday.