Content about Pharmaceuticals policy

September 6, 2012

Study shows rapid growth in cost of physician-dispensed prescriptions versus pharmacies

While regulations meant to control the prices of drugs dispensed through physician offices for injured workers can keep costs down without limiting access, employers in many states may end up paying more than twice what they would have if the workers had gone to a pharmacy instead, according to a new study.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — While regulations meant to control the prices of drugs dispensed through physician offices for injured workers can keep costs down without limiting access, employers in many states may end up paying more than twice what they would have if the workers had gone to a pharmacy instead, according to a new study.

September 5, 2012

Good news first...

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. On one hand, 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions and consult on medications, with local independents ranking at the high end of the curve, at 84%. Unsurprisingly, pharmacists at mail-order pharmacies got the lowest marks (56%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

This is one of those good news/bad news situations. On one hand, 77% of pharmacy patients believe that the pharmacist at their preferred pharmacy is always available to answer their questions and consult on medications, with local independents ranking at the high end of the curve at 84%. Unsurprisingly, pharmacists at mail-order pharmacies got the lowest marks (56%), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

September 4, 2012

A chain reaction?

More than one-third of pharmacy patients say that the pharmacist is a very important factor for them when choosing a preferred pharmacy — and 92% of patients say they have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. But when asked which types of pharmacies they believed had the most professional and trained pharmacists, 33% answered traditional drug store chains, such as Walgreens and CVS.

More than one-third of pharmacy patients say that the pharmacist is a very important factor for them when choosing a preferred pharmacy — and 92% of patients say they have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. But when asked which types of pharmacies they believed had the most professional and trained pharmacists, 33% answered traditional drug store chains, such as Walgreens and CVS.

September 4, 2012

FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee to meet on Oxytrol Rx-to-OTC switch

According to a Food and Drug Administration post Friday, the FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee will be meeting Nov. 9 regarding the partial switch application from prescription to over the counter of Oxytrol (oxybutynin transdermal system), as submitted by MSD Consumer.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — According to a Food and Drug Administration post Friday, the FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee will be meeting Nov. 9 regarding the partial switch application from prescription to over the counter of Oxytrol (oxybutynin transdermal system) submitted by MSD Consumer. The proposed OTC product would be called Oxytrol for Women and would be indicated for the treatment of overactive bladder in women.

The prescription form of Oxytrol is licensed by Watson Pharma.

September 4, 2012

The pharmacist factor

It's probably no surprise that for the 9-of-10 patients who say they have a preferred pharmacy that the pharmacist is a very important factor in choosing one pharmacy over another (37% overall), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. It should be even less surprising that this number was even higher among patients who listed the local independent as their preferred pharmacy (54%).

It's probably no surprise that for the 9-of-10 patients who say they have a preferred pharmacy that the pharmacist is a very important factor in choosing one pharmacy over another (37% overall), according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August. It should be even less surprising that this number was even higher among patients who listed the local independent as their preferred pharmacy (54%).

August 30, 2012

How patients choose a preferred pharmacy

More than 90% of pharmacy patients have a preferred pharmacy — and for 98% of that group, it isn’t mail order. But how do patients choose a preferred pharmacy, you ask? According to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August, after convenience/location (among the top three factors selected by 75% of patients), the second most critical reason is customer service (top three for 57% of patients).

More than 90% of pharmacy patients have a preferred pharmacy — and for 98% of that group, it isn’t mail order. But how do patients choose a preferred pharmacy, you ask? According to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August, after convenience/location (among the top three factors selected by 75% of patients), the second most critical reason is customer service (top three for 57% of patients).

August 29, 2012

Surprise, surprise: 98% of patients DON’T prefer mail order

Although fully one-third of patients use multiple pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, 9-of-10 say they actually do have a preferred pharmacy, according to an exclusive survey of nearly 800 patients, conducted by AccentHealth and DSN in late July and early August.

August 28, 2012

2012 off to 'soft start' as patent cliff continues

While the growth in healthcare costs remains a threat in the United States, the growth in drug expenditures is moderating, but numerous opportunities exist for retail, according to a speech delivered Tuesday morning at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2012 Pharmacy and Technology Conference in Denver by Doug Long, VP industry relations of healthcare industry research firm IMS Health.

DENVER — While the growth in healthcare costs remains a threat in the United States, the growth in drug expenditures is moderating, but numerous opportunities exist for retail, according to a speech delivered Tuesday morning at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2012 Pharmacy and Technology Conference in Denver by Doug Long, VP industry relations of healthcare industry research firm IMS Health.

August 26, 2012

Survey: Medication flavoring impacts pharmacy satisfaction, loyalty

Customer satisfaction and pharmacy loyalty among parents increase significantly when the pharmacist can add custom flavoring to a child's medications, according to a new study.

COLUMBIA, Md. – Customer satisfaction and pharmacy loyalty among parents increase significantly when the pharmacist can add custom flavoring to a child's medications, according to a new study.

August 23, 2012

FDA approves Wockhardt hypertension drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for high blood pressure made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for high blood pressure made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said.

Wockhardt announced the approval of felodipine extended-release tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Plendil, and Wockhardt said it would launch the drug immediately.

Various versions of the drug have a market presence of more than $66 million, according to IMS Health.

August 23, 2012

FDA releases GDUFA draft guidance

The Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance for the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance for the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments to the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the agency said.

A collection of documents posted on the FDA's website includes guidance for the generic drug industry on self-identification of generic drug facilities, sites and organizations, questions and answers about the draft guidance and others.

August 22, 2012

FDA postpones decision on Pfizer RA drug, citing time needed to review new data

The Food and Drug Administration has postponed its decision whether or not to approve an experimental arthritis drug made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has postponed its decision whether or not to approve an experimental arthritis drug made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

Pfizer said the FDA had extended its action date for the drug tofacitinib by three months, to Nov. 21, because additional analyses of data that the company submitted constituted a "major amendment" to Pfizer's regulatory application and will require additional time to review.

August 17, 2012

Generics offer affordability for specialty Rx

The U.S. healthcare system presents a paradox: It’s the most expensive system in the world, and yet it produces among the worst results among developed countries.

The U.S. healthcare system presents a paradox: It’s the most expensive system in the world, and yet it produces among the worst results among developed countries. According to the most recent report from the National Health Expenditure Accounts, spending on health care reached $2.6 trillion in 2010, or more than $8,400 per person and around 18% of the country’s gross domestic product. 

August 17, 2012

Kerr Drug receives accreditation under ACHC's Community Retail program

Kerr Drug has received approval for reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, making it the first corporate organization to receive approval for ACHC's new Community Retail program, the organization announced.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Kerr Drug has received approval for reaccreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, making it the first corporate organization to receive approval for ACHC's new Community Retail program, the organization announced.

August 17, 2012

Pharmacists, retail clinicians move to front lines of health care

The idea of pharmacists as the most accessible healthcare professionals isn't just some hokey marketing gimmick: It's a readily observable fact, and one that will become increasingly important as retail pharmacies and retail clinics play a greater role on the front lines of care.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The idea of pharmacists as the most accessible healthcare professionals isn't just some hokey marketing gimmick: It's a readily observable fact, and one that will become increasingly important as retail pharmacies and retail clinics play a greater role on the front lines of care.

August 15, 2012

FDA approves Wockhardt enlarged prostate drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for enlarged prostate made by generic drug maker Wockhardt, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for enlarged prostate made by generic drug maker Wockhardt, the company said.

Wockhardt, based in Mumbai, India, announced the approval of alfuzosin hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 10-mg strength, which is designed to treat enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi's Uroxatral. Various versions of the drug have sales of about $81.5 million, according to IMS Health.

August 15, 2012

HHS partners with drug store chains to underscore Medicare benefits to seniors

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced partnerships with several pharmacies to help customers learn about new Medicare benefits available to them under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday announced partnerships with several pharmacies to help customers learn about new Medicare benefits available to them under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

These partnerships — with CVS Caremark, Sam's Club, Thrifty White, Walgreens and Walmart — will provide Medicare beneficiaries with a range of educational materials on newly available preventive services, as well as savings on prescription drug spending in the "doughnut hole" coverage gap.

August 15, 2012

Watson sues FDA over generic Actos

Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is suing the Food and Drug Administration, alleging that an agency decision would improperly delay its release of a generic drug for diabetes, the company said Wednesday.

August 13, 2012

Sun to take Taro private

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

MUMBAI, India — Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will take Taro Pharmaceutical Industries private, under a merger agreement between the two companies announced Sunday.

Sun, based in India, has sought to buy Israel-based Taro since 2007 and owns about 77.5% of the latter's shares.

After the merger is complete, Taro will become a privately held company and wholly owned subsidiary of Sun. Taro shareholders will receive $39.50 per share.

August 10, 2012

Mylan launches generic sleep disorder, bipolar disorder drugs

Mylan has launched a generic drug used to treat sleep disorders, the company said Friday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug used to treat sleep disorders, the company said Friday.

The generic drug maker announced the launch of modafinil tablets in the 100-mg and 200-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Provigil, made by Cephalon — a company that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries acquired last year — and used to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work disorder.

August 9, 2012

Hospira relaunches chemotherapy drug

Hospira has relaunched a generic chemotherapy drug for the U.S. market, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira has relaunched a generic chemotherapy drug for the U.S. market, the generic drug maker said Thursday.

The company, which specializes in generic injectables, announced the relaunch of oxaliplatin, a version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

August 9, 2012

Sagent Pharmaceuticals launches oxaliplatin

Drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Drug maker Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

Sagent announced the launch of oxaliplatin, a generic version of Sanofi's Eloxatin.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $1.7 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

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August 6, 2012

A cool trillion in generic savings: Are the feds taking full advantage?

A cool trillion dollars. That’s what the generic industry said U.S. patients and public and private health plan payers have saved over the last decade by switching from branded to generic prescription drugs at pharmacy counters.

Looked at another way, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association trumpeted in a study released last Thursday that me-too medicines saved a half-billion dollars a day between 2002 and 2011.

August 6, 2012

Amneal plans $120 million expansion

Generic drug maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals will spend $120 million to expand three of its plants, the company said Monday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Generic drug maker Amneal Pharmaceuticals will spend $120 million to expand three of its plants, the company said Monday.

Amneal said it would spend the money over a two-year period lasting through 2014 to "significantly" grow operations at research-and-development, manufacturing and distribution plants in New York, New Jersey and Kentucky. The company, which employs more than 1,100 people in the United States, said the expansion would create 500 more jobs.

August 6, 2012

FDA approves generic versions of asthma, allergy drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of a drug used to treat asthma and allergies, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of a drug used to treat asthma and allergies, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of montelukast sodium, a drug indicated for controlling asthma symptoms and relieving indoor and outdoor allergies.

The drug is a generic version of Merck's Singulair, which had sales of $4.6 billion in 2011, according to IMS Health.