Content about Pharmacist Society

February 22, 2011
Zipnosis, Park Nicollet Health Services team up with Minn. service cooperative

Zipnosis, which offers online access to mainstream medicine by providing consumers with simple and convenient online diagnosis and treatment of common health needs, and Park Nicollet Health Services have announced a new initiative with Resource Training and Solutions that will bring online health care to people living in central Minnesota.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Zipnosis, which offers online access to mainstream medicine by providing consumers with simple and convenient online diagnosis and treatment of common health needs, and Park Nicollet Health Services have announced a new initiative with Resource Training and Solutions that will bring online health care to people living in central Minnesota.

February 18, 2011
Boiron reports illness levels rise 6.4%

Nearly 39 million people are feeling the effects of cold and flu as illness levels continue to climb across the nation, Boiron reported Friday.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Nearly 39 million people are feeling the effects of cold and flu as illness levels continue to climb across the nation, Boiron reported Friday.

The latest figures reflect an increase of 6.4% from last week. Some of the most prevalent indications are fever (10.8%) and influenza-like symptoms, such as chills, body aches and headache (22.2%).

February 18, 2011
CVS Caremark saluted for Pharmacy Advisor program

CVS Caremark announced on Friday that the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute awarded the company and its PBM client, ArcelorMittal, the 2011 Rx Benefit Innovation Award. The award recognizes the Pharmacy Advisor program, which was developed by CVS Caremark to manage costs, improve medication adherence and close gaps in care for members with diabetes.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Friday that the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute awarded the company and its PBM client, ArcelorMittal, the 2011 Rx Benefit Innovation Award. The award recognizes the Pharmacy Advisor program, which was developed by CVS Caremark to manage costs, improve medication adherence and close gaps in care for members with diabetes.

February 18, 2011
FDA OKs Corifact

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for a rare bleeding disorder.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for a rare bleeding disorder.

The FDA announced the approval of Corifact, used to prevent bleeding in people with the genetic disorder congenital Factor XIII deficiency, which affects 1-in-3 million to 5 million people in the United States.

The drug is manufactured by Marburg, Germany-based CSL Behring.

February 18, 2011
FDA wants terbutaline to carry boxed warning label

An asthma drug widely available as a generic should not be used for preventing or treating preterm labor in pregnant women, the Food and Drug Administration warned.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — An asthma drug widely available as a generic should not be used for preventing or treating preterm labor in pregnant women, the Food and Drug Administration warned.

February 18, 2011
Former Clorox executive named CEO at Schiff Nutrition International

Schiff Nutrition International on Friday named Tarang Amin CEO, president and director, effective March 7. Amin will replace Bruce Wood, CEO, president and director, who is retiring.

SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition International on Friday named Tarang Amin CEO, president and director, effective March 7. Amin will replace Bruce Wood, CEO, president and director, who is retiring.

February 18, 2011
Impax granted FDA approval for generic Adoxa

A generic drug maker received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic version of a bacterial infection treatment.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic version of a bacterial infection treatment.

The drug maker on Friday said it received final approval of its abbreviated new drug application for doxycyline monohydrate capsules in the 150-mg strength. The drug, which is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, is a generic version of Adoxa. Adoxa is manufactured by PharmDerm, a Nycomed subsidiary.

Impax said its generic division, Global Pharmaceuticals, will launch the product.

February 18, 2011
Study: Lipitor may prevent diabetic-related blindness

A drug used to treat high cholesterol, which will lose patent protection and face generic competition starting this year, also may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the University of Georgia.

ATHENS, Ga. — A drug used to treat high cholesterol, which will lose patent protection and face generic competition starting this year, also may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes, according to a study by researchers at the University of Georgia.

February 18, 2011
Task force takes down Medicare fraud schemes

The Medicare Fraud Strike Force on Thursday charged 111 defendants in nine cities — including doctors, nurses and healthcare company owners and executives — for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing. The operation marks the largest federal healthcare-fraud takedown.

WASHINGTON — The Medicare Fraud Strike Force on Thursday charged 111 defendants in nine cities — including doctors, nurses and healthcare company owners and executives — for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing. The operation marks the largest federal healthcare-fraud takedown.

February 17, 2011
APhA encourages consumers to consult pharmacists about heart health

February is American Heart Month, and a professional group representing the country’s pharmacists is using that as an opportunity to encourage the public to learn how to prevent heart disease from the most easily accessible members of the healthcare system.

WASHINGTON — February is American Heart Month, and a professional group representing the country’s pharmacists is using that as an opportunity to encourage the public to learn how to prevent heart disease from the most easily accessible members of the healthcare system.

February 17, 2011
Auralgan otic solution seized by government officials

The Food and Drug Administration has seized supplies of a drug used to treat ear infections, under a program the agency started to remove unapproved drugs from the market.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has seized supplies of a drug used to treat ear infections, under a program the agency started to remove unapproved drugs from the market.

The FDA announced the seizure of about $16.5 million worth of Auralgan otic solution made by Brooks, Ky.-based Integrated Commercialization Solutions. Chapel Hill, N.C.-based Deston Therapeutics manufactures the drug, while ICS warehouses it.

February 17, 2011
FDA OKs Abilify as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

The FDA approved Abilify (aripiprazole), made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, as an adjunct to lithium or valproate for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.

February 17, 2011
Novartis names Naomi Kelman as new head of the Novartis OTC division

Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

The Novartis OTC and animal health businesses will become separate Novartis divisions, in addition to the pharmaceuticals, Sandoz (generics), vaccines and diagnostics divisions. As previously announced, following the completion of the merger between Novartis and Alcon, CIBA Vision and Novartis ophthalmic medicines will be merged into the new Alcon eye care division of Novartis.

February 17, 2011
Perrigo gains entry to store-brand blood-glucose meter market

Perrigo on Thursday announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AgaMatrix to sell and distribute blood-glucose monitors and test strips in the U.S. store-brand channel.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Thursday announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AgaMatrix to sell and distribute blood-glucose monitors and test strips in the U.S. store-brand channel.

Nipro Diagnostics long has dominated store-brand blood-glucose meters with a co-branding program that includes TRUE2Go, TRUEresult and TRUEtrack.

As part of the agreement, Perrigo will sell and distribute certain products in the current AgaMatrix portfolio, as well as certain future new products.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

February 17, 2011
Report: Exclusivity period for biotech drugs may be reduced to seven years

The Obama administration’s proposed budget for 2012 contains an item that could change the game for biosimilars, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s proposed budget for 2012 contains an item that could change the game for biosimilars, according to published reports.

According to the reports, the administration would lower the 12-year data exclusivity period for biotech drugs mandated in the healthcare-reform law to seven years.

February 17, 2011
Savient announces executive appointments

Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

The drug maker appointed Louis Ferrari as its SVP corporate development, Christine Mikail as SVP and Stephen Davies as chief information officer and group VP.

February 17, 2011
Sean Whelan named Diplomat's new CFO

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a new CFO, the company said.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a new CFO, the company said.

Diplomat announced the appointment of Sean Whelan, citing his experience as a CFO in the healthcare industry. Whelan will report directly to president and CEO Phil Hagerman.

February 17, 2011
Teva's Jinteli now available

Generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic drug for treating symptoms of menopause.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic drug for treating symptoms of menopause.

Teva announced Thursday the availability of Jinteli (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol) tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Warner Chilcott’s FemHRT and is available in the 1-mg/5-mcg strength.

February 17, 2011
ViVa Beverages introduces new relaxation aids

ViVa Beverages on Wednesday announced the national launches of Quick Beverages Sleep and Quick Beverages Relax, two new 2-oz. shots containing relaxation aids in a zero-calorie, sugar-free, berry-flavor drink.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — ViVa Beverages on Wednesday announced the national launches of Quick Beverages Sleep and Quick Beverages Relax, two new 2-oz. shots containing relaxation aids in a zero-calorie, sugar-free, berry-flavor drink.

"We live in a high-stress, amped-up, always-on-the-go society, which is why energy shots have grown into a huge category," stated Paul Fuegner of ViVa Beverages. "Quick Beverages Sleep and Relax are the all-natural alternatives to energy shots."

February 16, 2011
Amicus' Amigal improves symptoms among Fabry disease patients in trial

Amicus Therapeutics received good results from its mid-stage trial of a drug for a rare, genetic disorder, the drug maker said Wednesday.

CRANBURY, N.J. — Amicus Therapeutics received good results from its mid-stage trial of a drug for a rare, genetic disorder, the drug maker said Wednesday.

February 16, 2011
Baxter on verge of revolutionizing flu shot life cycle

Baxter International on Tuesday announced results of a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet that demonstrated effectiveness and tolerability of the company’s Preflucel in protecting against seasonal influenza.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Baxter International on Tuesday announced results of a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet that demonstrated effectiveness and tolerability of the company’s Preflucel in protecting against seasonal influenza.

February 16, 2011
Dribble to Stop Diabetes unites NBA with American Diabetes Association, Sanofi-Aventis

The National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League are at the forefront of a new campaign that seeks to raise awareness about diabetes prevention.

NEW YORK — The National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League are at the forefront of a new campaign that seeks to raise awareness about diabetes prevention.

February 16, 2011
Employees' job worries trump health concerns, survey finds

As employers try to engage employees in health management programs to slow healthcare cost inflation, fewer employees are placing a high priority on managing and improving their health, according to a survey released Wednesday of more than 9,000 employees at large and midsize employers, conducted by Towers Watson.

NEW YORK — As employers try to engage employees in health management programs to slow healthcare cost inflation, fewer employees are placing a high priority on managing and improving their health, according to a survey released Wednesday of more than 9,000 employees at large and midsize employers, conducted by Towers Watson.

February 16, 2011
HHS unveils National Vaccine Plan

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new National Vaccine Plan to enhance coordination of all aspects of federal vaccine and immunization activities with the goal to ensure that all Americans can gain access to vaccines.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new National Vaccine Plan to enhance coordination of all aspects of federal vaccine and immunization activities with the goal to ensure that all Americans can gain access to vaccines.

“Vaccines are a critical cornerstone of the public health system,” stated Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health for HHS. “The National Vaccine Plan articulates a vision that will ensure that the nation’s prevention strategies protect the public for the next decade and beyond.”

February 16, 2011
N.Y. Medicaid program redesign could save state millions

The New York State Health Department has proposed a plan that could save the state’s Medicaid program $350 million through 2015.

WASHINGTON — The New York State Health Department has proposed a plan that could save the state’s Medicaid program $350 million through 2015.

The proposal would redesign the program so that it acts more like Medicare and private insurers. According to the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, a trade group for pharmacy benefit managers, the program currently uses fewer generic drugs and pays pharmacists twice what they get from private insurers and Medicare.