Content about Pharmaceutical sciences

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug is hosting the North Carolina launch of the National Consumer League’s “Script Your Future” medication adherence campaign, the regional retail pharmacy chain said.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Pfizer has filed suit against generic drug maker Impax Labs in connection with the latter’s attempt to market a generic drug for bladder problems.

Impax said Friday that Pfizer filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey in connection with Impax’s attempt to market a generic version of Detrol (tolterodine tartrate) immediate-release tablets in the 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — As part of a series on prescription drugs in America, CNN’s “American Morning” program on Wednesday hosted Safeguard My Meds spokesman and National Community Pharmacists Association executive committee member Keith Hodges to discuss pharmacy robberies and prescription drug abuse in a segment called “Pharmacies as Targets.”

“Prescription drug use is on the rise, especially over the last 10 to 15 years, and pharmacies are an easy target,” Hodges told CNN reporter Kiran Chetry.

WASHINGTON — CVS Caremark and a panel of health experts explored research findings and the problem of medication nonadherence Thursday morning during CVS Caremark’s first-ever national forum on medication nonadherence at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Capping off a meeting that brought hundreds of independent community pharmacists to Washington for the National Community Pharmacists Association Legislative Conference, members of Congress joined pharmacists at the Capitol on Wednesday to discuss the cost-saving services provided by local pharmacies now and in the future.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is set to market a generic version of an HIV treatment, the drug maker announced Thursday.

Teva said it will launch generic Combivir tablets (lamivudine and zidovudine) and is eligible for a 180-day period of marketing exclusivity, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The drug maker is expected to ship the drug in fourth quarter 2011, per terms of a settlement agreement between Teva, Glaxo Group and ViiV Healthcare.

WASHINGTON — California-based companies are developing nearly more than one-fifth of the drugs to treat some of the deadliest diseases in the world, according to an analysis by the drug industry lobby.

According to two Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America reports released this year, of the 1,186 drugs under development for heart disease and cancer, 243 were from California companies. These include 188-of-the-887 drugs for more than 20 types of cancer, and 55-of-the-299 drugs for heart disease and stroke.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — A generic drug maker has been granted approval from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture its version of a urinary tract infection treatment.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals said that its nitrofurantoin oral suspension in the 25-mg/5-mL strength is the first-to-market, AB-rated, generic version of Furadantin, which is made by Shionogi Pharma.

Amneal will sell its generic in 8-oz./230-mL size bottles, the company said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Louisiana State Senate passed legislation that would expand the authority given to pharmacists to administer immunizations.

State Sen. Fred Mills Jr., R-22, who serves on the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, is the author of SB 60, which would expand pharmacists' authority to provide immunizations to Louisianans ages 18 years and older against pneumonia, shingles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis without a prescription.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Global spending on medicines will reach nearly $1.1 trillion by 2015, according to a new study by market research firm IMS Health.

PARIS — A court in France has ordered generic drug maker Mylan to pay French drug maker Ipsen $24 million for allegedly misleading marketing of a drug, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Mylan had allegedly marketed the drug Vitalogink as a generic version of Ipsen’s Tanakan rather than as a “therapeutic equivalent.” Both drugs are derived from ginkgo biloba and are used to improve memory.

Mylan has said it will appeal the decision, Bloomberg reported.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday that it sent a letter to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in support of the administration's strategy to prevent and reduce prescription drug diversion and misuse. Last month, the administration released its report, "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis," detailing its policy recommendations.