Content about Pharmaceuticals policy

WASHINGTON Passage of the mammoth health-reform bill Sunday night by the U.S. House of Representatives is drawing guarded support from several sectors of healthcare industry, including community pharmacy providers, physician groups and the pharmaceutical industry. But the insurance industry is expressing alarm over provisions in the bill aimed at forcing insurers to cover Americans regardless of pre-existing conditions.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Drug companies had better take a close look at their portfolios and make sure they aren’t marketing unapproved drugs. Any excuses they might have for making prescription drugs without regulatory approval will go unheeded by Food and Drug Administration officials.

(THE NEWS: FDA shuts down unapproved Glenmark, Konec drugs. For the full story, click here)

WESTLAKE, Texas MiddleBrook Pharmaceuticals plans to promote its extended-release antibiotic by expanding a Web-based marketing program, the drug maker announced Wednesday.

IncreaseRx is a virtual sales-contract organization that gives healthcare professionals access to electronic sampling, learning and education tools. The company has entered an agreement with DoctorDirectory.com, its promotion partner for Moxatag (amoxicillin), and plans to use Web-based educational and promotional tactics to reach prescribers with sales and marketing messages for the drug.