Content about Pharmacist Society

JERUSALEM — Drug maker Teva on Tuesday said its North American sales during the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 drove the drug maker's financial well-being.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has given expedited review to a drug for preventing hemodialysis failure in patients with end-stage kidney disease.

The FDA granted fast-track review status to the cell-based therapy Vascugel, made by Pervasis Therapeutics. The FDA grants the status to accelerate review of treatments for serious and life-threatening conditions, particularly those that address serious, unmet medical conditions.

NAPLES, Fla. — Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

Speaking at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference, NACDS board chairman and CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo said that scientific research has further demonstrated how care and services provided by pharmacists and pharmacies have improved health outcomes of patients and cut costs for the healthcare system.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two pharmacy trade groups already have given their blessings to legislation that would support medication therapy management, and a retail pharmacy chain that has made MTM part of its mission is following suit.

Kerr Drug announced its support for the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2011, which Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., recently introduced. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association endorsed the bill last week.

NEW YORK — One of the world's largest drug makers has entered a definitive agreement to purchase a Copenhagen-based consumer healthcare business.

Pfizer said Monday that it agreed to acquire from Altor 2003 Fund GP Limited Ferrosan’s consumer healthcare business, which includes a portfolio of such dietary supplements and lifestyle products as Multi-Tabs and Bifiform. Ferrosan caters to such markets as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Turkey and many countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — GlaxoSmithKline company Stiefel has made its popular acne wash formulations available for over-the-counter use.

Stiefel will market two products that are indicated for the treatment of acne over the counter under the PanOxyl brand: PanOxyl acne creamy wash will be available in 4% BPO and 8% BPO.

A marketing campaign directed toward pharmacists and dermatologists will communicate details of the new PanOxyl 4% and 8% BPO acne creamy washes. The products will be available for shipment in May.

ATLANTA — A drug designed to treat an eye condition caused by diabetes may provide a long-term option for patients, according to Alimera Sciences.

Alimera said in two three-year, phase-3 pivotal clinical trials — collectively known as the FAME Study — of Iluvien, which is designed to treat diabetic macular edema, the drug improved visual acuity among patients.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Hi-Tech Pharmacal subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating insomnia.

ECR announced Friday the launch of Zolpimist (zolpidem tartrate) oral spray. The drug comes in units that provide 60 metered sprays, administering 5-mg or 10-mg doses of the active ingredient. As a hypnotic agent, the drug is classified as a CIV controlled substance by the federal government.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

Amgen and Pfizer on Friday announced the results of the phase-4 study of Enbrel (etanercept), in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with scaling on the scalp, also known as scalp involvement. Data from the trial will be presented Friday at the 69th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New Orleans.

PITTSBURGH — A private entrepreneur is close to introducing a take-home intracervical insemination fertilization kit to retail, according to a story published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Friday. The product will be submitted for Food and Drug Administration approval in the first half of 2011. If approved, Steve Bollinger first plans to introduce the product into doctor’s offices before launching through retail pharmacy.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A free, publicly accessible and searchable healthcare resource developed last year by the charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores dramatically has grown since its inception.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club pharmacies, which ranked highest among retailers in the prescription ordering and pickup process category in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. National Pharmacy Study, is expanding its services this month.

Throughout the month of February, Sam's Club is emphasizing its pharmacy segment by offering customers a free prescription checkup on any medication, as well as a free 10-count sample of its Member's Mark fish oil supplements (except in Puerto Rico-based stores).