Content about Pharmacist Society

March 22, 2011
Watson introduces generic Famvir

A subsidiary of Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a treatment for herpes infections, the company said Monday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A subsidiary of Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched a treatment for herpes infections, the company said Monday.

Watson Labs launched famciclovir tablets in the 125-mg, 250-mg and 500-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Famvir and is used to treat cold sores and genital herpes in patients with and without HIV.

Famvir and generic versions had sales of about $197 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

March 21, 2011
AAPCHO addresses diabetes with new program

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations has introduced a program that aims to reduce the secondary complications of diabetes among specific ethnic groups living with the disease.

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations has introduced a program that aims to reduce the secondary complications of diabetes among specific ethnic groups living with the disease.

AAPCHO said its five-year diabetes program addresses diabetes among vulnerable populations in three Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities:

March 21, 2011
Coinstar 'eyes' SoloHealth

Coinstar will help boost the retail presence of a self-service kiosks provider through a new deal.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Coinstar will help boost the retail presence of a self-service kiosks provider through a new deal.

March 21, 2011
Credit Suisse projects strong Q2 for WAG

Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

NEW YORK — Following the recent sale of Walgreens' pharmacy benefit management business, Credit Suisse analysts said they are interested in the executive team's updated thinking on their healthcare strategy and plans for the $550 million in proceeds.

March 21, 2011
Exergen granted new patent for TemporalScanner brand of thermometers

Exergen said a new patent granted to the company protects its temporal artery thermometers brand.

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Exergen said a new patent granted to the company protects its temporal artery thermometers brand.

Exergen said its portfolio of intellectual property rights has expanded with the new patent for its TemporalScanner brand of noninvasive thermometry products. Recently, Exergen said it filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Kidz-Med, American Scientific Resources and Tecnimed SRL.

March 21, 2011
Fruity Sensa offering hits market

Shortly after announcing the launch of its weight-loss system for men, Sensa is introducing a fruity lineup of energy-enhanced vitamin drinks.

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — Shortly after announcing the launch of its weight-loss system for men, Sensa is introducing a fruity lineup of energy-enhanced vitamin drinks.

Sensa Quench, available in orange crush, pink grapefruit and berry splash flavors, is a sugar-free drink mix that when added to 12 oz. of water includes a powerful blend of natural ingredients to energize, help increase the metabolism and hydrate, according to the company.

The Sensa Quench weight-loss system is available in a 30-pack for $39.95.

March 21, 2011
GPhA responds to potential OGD funding cuts; announces exit of Gordon Johnston

The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

Republicans in Congress have sought to reduce government spending by making large cuts to various domestic programs and agencies, including the FDA, which critics of the plan said could jeopardize food and drug safety.

March 21, 2011
Hi-Tech Pharmacal acquires candidiasis treatment

Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has acquired the rights to a drug for mouth infections, the company said Monday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has acquired the rights to a drug for mouth infections, the company said Monday.

Hi-Tech said it acquired nystatin oral suspension from Bausch & Lomb for an undisclosed sum. The drug is used to treat candidiasis, a fungal infection, in the mouth.

The market for the drug is $23 million, according to IMS Health.

March 21, 2011
Kerr Drug boosts free delivery program with new website

Customers looking to take advantage of Kerr Drug's free delivery service now can visit a new website developed by the chain.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Customers looking to take advantage of Kerr Drug's free delivery service now can visit a new website developed by the chain.

By logging on to KerrDrugDelivers.com, customers can find the nearest Kerr Drug pharmacy to request free delivery. The service allows customers to find the nearest Kerr Drug pharmacy and phone number to call and order their prescriptions, along with anything else in the store they may need.

March 21, 2011
MedPro Rx announces Education Is Power scholarship program

Patients with bleeding disorders could be eligible for a scholarship from a specialty pharmacy provider that specializes in treating them.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Patients with bleeding disorders could be eligible for a scholarship from a specialty pharmacy provider that specializes in treating them.

MedPro Rx announced Sunday that patients with such disorders as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease attending college and active in their communities could be eligible for its Education Is Power scholarship program.

March 21, 2011
Nature's Health Connection's Australian Dream achieves record sales

Nature's Health Connection said its over-the-counter pain-relief cream has garnered record retail sales.

REDFORD, Mich. — Nature's Health Connection said its over-the-counter pain-relief cream has garnered record retail sales.

Sales for Australian Dream — a Food and Drug Administration-approved odorless, greaseless, dye-free and capsaicin-free cream — increased more than 145%, according to the company. Nature's Health Connection attributed the sales spike to a 30-second television commercial. 

Australian Dream is designed to treat minor aches and pains associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other muscle ailments.

March 21, 2011
Nipro Diagnostics promotes senior execs

Nipro Diagnostics, a provider of diabetes monitoring and management products, announced the promotion of Gregg Johnson to SVP consumer healthcare and Lisa Nardi to VP marketing. Both will continue reporting to Scott Verner, Nipro president.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nipro Diagnostics, a provider of diabetes monitoring and management products, announced the promotion of Gregg Johnson to SVP consumer healthcare and Lisa Nardi to VP marketing. Both will continue reporting to Scott Verner, Nipro president.

March 21, 2011
Report: Mylan looks to block Ranbaxy from making generic Lipitor

Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

March 18, 2011
Bausch + Lomb names chief medical officer

Bausch + Lomb on Friday appointed a clinical professor of ophthalmology to serve as the company's first-ever chief medical officer.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bausch + Lomb on Friday appointed a clinical professor of ophthalmology to serve as the company's first-ever chief medical officer.

As CMO, Calvin Roberts will coordinate B + L's research and development efforts across its vision care, pharmaceuticals and surgical business units.

In addition to his role at Bausch + Lomb, Roberts is a clinical professor of ophthalmology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. He also is a member of the board of directors at Alimera Sciences, a biopharmaceutical company he co-founded in 2003.

March 18, 2011
FDA: Be wary of sites touting fraudulent radiation treatments

Due to the public concern related to the nuclear incident in Japan, there has been an increased demand for such drugs as potassium iodide (KI), used to prevent and treat the harmful effects of radiation, according to a Food and Drug Administration Web page updated Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Due to the public concern related to the nuclear incident in Japan, there has been an increased demand for such drugs as potassium iodide (KI), used to prevent and treat the harmful effects of radiation, according to a Food and Drug Administration Web page updated Thursday.

March 18, 2011
Journal notes heart-related risks posed by Avandia

With respect to the Type 2 diabetes drug Avandia, British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has another medical study to worry about.

LONDON — With respect to the Type 2 diabetes drug Avandia, British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has another medical study to worry about.

March 18, 2011
Lichi Super Fruit Diet now available at CVS/pharmacy

Bainbridge & Knight's Lichi Super Fruit Diet supplement has made its way to CVS/pharmacy.

NEW YORK — Bainbridge & Knight's Lichi Super Fruit Diet supplement has made its way to CVS/pharmacy.

The company said its new distribution deal signals major growth for the product, which will be rolled out in all of CVS' 7,000-plus locations.

Currently sold at Rite Aid, GNC, Duane Reade, A&P, ShopRite, Weis Markets, Harmon, Pathmark, Kings Supermarket and Circle K, as well as on Walgreens.com, for $29.99, Lichi Super Fruit Diet comes with 90 soft gels in a bottle for a 30-day supply.

March 18, 2011
Lilly issues warning over alcohol prep pads associated with Forteo

Drug maker Eli Lilly is warning patients to avoid using alcohol prep pads that come with one of its osteoporosis drugs due to the risk of bacterial infections.

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly is warning patients to avoid using alcohol prep pads that come with one of its osteoporosis drugs due to the risk of bacterial infections.

March 18, 2011
NAD recommends modification of Peak Life's ad claims

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Peak Life modify its advertising to clearly convey the message that claimed sleep benefits associated with its Somnapure dietary supplement are achieved from a regular, consistent program of supplementation with these ingredients, and not with one-time use.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Peak Life modify its advertising to clearly convey the message that claimed sleep benefits associated with its Somnapure dietary supplement are achieved from a regular, consistent program of supplementation with these ingredients, and not with one-time use.

March 18, 2011
NAD reviews Exergen's ad claims for temporal thermometers

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Exergen modify superior performance claims for its temporal thermometers as compared with tympanic (in-the-ear) readings.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Exergen modify superior performance claims for its temporal thermometers as compared with tympanic (in-the-ear) readings.

March 18, 2011
Report: Menthol-flavored cigarettes could be latest banned tobacco product

Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON — Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

Reuters reported Friday that a committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration said in a report that banning mentholated cigarettes would benefit public health. Under legislation adopted in 2009, most flavored cigarettes already are banned.

March 17, 2011
AADE: Kentucky now requires licenses for diabetes educators

The American Association of Diabetes Educators supported new legislation that was passed in the state of Kentucky that required licensure for all diabetes educators.

CHICAGO — The American Association of Diabetes Educators supported new legislation that was passed in the state of Kentucky that required licensure for all diabetes educators.

The licensing requirement, AADE said, will demonstrate and communicate a standard of care and ensure that people have an appropriate comfort level and respect for the discipline.

The bill was signed by Kentucky state governor Steve Beshear on Wednesday.

March 17, 2011
Arkansas PSE bill could spark fresh debate

SB 437, a bill passed Wednesday by the Arkansas House by a vote of 60-31, introduces a number of new issues to the debate on whether or not pseudoephedrine and similar ingredients should be sold behind the counter or by prescription only.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — SB 437, a bill passed Wednesday by the Arkansas House by a vote of 60-31, introduces a number of new issues to the debate on whether or not pseudoephedrine and similar ingredients should be sold behind the counter or by prescription only.

March 17, 2011
Dulcolax maker sponsors CCA's fashion show

To help promote the third annual St. Louis Undy 5000 5K run on March 26, the Colon Cancer Alliance is introducing the “Parade of Undies” fashion show, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of Dulcolax products.

ST. LOUIS — To help promote the third annual St. Louis Undy 5000 5K run on March 26, the Colon Cancer Alliance is introducing the “Parade of Undies” fashion show, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of Dulcolax products.

Rather than wear race-day t-shirts, participants will wear specially designed boxer-style shorts, providing a fun way to bring attention to a serious disease. American fashion designer and colon cancer survivor Carmen Marc Valvo will serve as one of the judges.

March 17, 2011
Gilead, Roche sue Natco Pharma over generic Tamiflu

Drug makers Gilead Sciences and Roche are suing Indian drug maker Natco Pharma concerning a generic version of an influenza treatment, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Drug makers Gilead Sciences and Roche are suing Indian drug maker Natco Pharma concerning a generic version of an influenza treatment, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that Gilead and Roche were accusing Natco of patent infringement due to its efforts to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a generic version of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate). Natco became the first company to file for approval of a generic version in February.