Content about Pharmacology

May 1, 2013
Teva introduces generic bronchospasm drug

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic inhaler used to treat bronchospasm, the company said.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic inhaler used to treat bronchospasm, the company said.

Teva announced the introduction of levalbuterol inhalation solution. The product is a generic version of Sunovion's Xopenex and is available in the 0.31 mg, 0.63 mg and 1.25 mg strengths.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $438.8 million in 2012, according to IMS Health.

April 30, 2013
Aurobindo receives FDA approval for hypertension, antibiotic drugs

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs made by Aurobindo Pharma, the drug maker said.

HYDERABAD — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs made by Aurobindo Pharma, the drug maker said.

The company announced Tuesday the approval of quinapril tablets in the 5-mg, 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Accupril and is used to treat high blood pressure. Various versions of the drug had sales of about $49 million during the 12-month period ending in September, according to IMS Health.

April 30, 2013
Cleaning out that medicine cabinet: Pharmacies help cut teen Rx abuse

Teens looking for something to get them high score drugs from friends, from friends of friends, from networks on campus or at school, or from dealers on the street. But increasingly, they’re also turning to another source: Mom and dad’s medicine cabinet.

Teens looking for something to get them high score drugs from friends, from friends of friends, from networks on campus or at school, or from dealers on the street. But increasingly, they’re also turning to another source: Mom and dad’s medicine cabinet.

April 30, 2013
Drug for rare, fatal genetic disorder receives FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for a genetic disorder that affects about 500 people in the United States and 3,000 worldwide, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for a genetic disorder that affects about 500 people in the United States and 3,000 worldwide, the agency said Tuesday.

April 30, 2013
FDA approves anticoagulant-reversal product

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug that reverses the effects of anticoagulant drugs in patients who have suffered acute major bleeding, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug that reverses the effects of anticoagulant drugs in patients who have suffered acute major bleeding, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of CSL Behring's Kcentra (prothrombin complex concentrate [human]) for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonist, or VKA drugs such as warfarin.

April 30, 2013
FDA approves Genentech arthritis drug for rare disorder in children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for a rare form of arthritis in children, the company said Tuesday.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for a rare form of arthritis in children, the company said Tuesday.

Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced the approval of Actemra (tocilizumab) for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older, either alone or combined with the generic drug methotrexate.

April 30, 2013
FDA delays approval of Gilead HIV drugs

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve two drugs for HIV made by Gilead Sciences for which the company was seeking approval for use as part of treatment regimens.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve two drugs for HIV made by Gilead Sciences for which the company was seeking approval for use as part of treatment regimens.

April 29, 2013
FDA appoints Mary Beth Clarke as director of Office of Executive Programs

A Food and Drug Administration staffer who has led implementation of the Generic Drug User Fee Act has been named to a new director position at the agency, the FDA said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A Food and Drug Administration staffer who has led implementation of the Generic Drug User Fee Act has been named to a new director position at the agency, the FDA said Monday.

The FDA announced that it had appointed Mary Beth Clarke as permanent director of the Office of Executive Programs. Clarke had previously served as the OEP's executive director.

April 26, 2013
Actavis can launch generic OxyContin in January 2014 under settlement with Purdue

Generic drug maker Actavis is settling a patent-infringement suit with Purdue Pharma concerning the opioid painkiller OxyContin, Actavis said, saying it expected to make more than $100 million in the deal between 2014 and 2015.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Actavis is settling a patent-infringement suit with Purdue Pharma concerning the opioid painkiller OxyContin, Actavis said Friday, saying it expected to make more than $100 million in the deal between 2014 and 2015.

April 26, 2013
CVS Caremark stresses proper management, disposal of meds in light of study on teen Rx abuse

With National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27 and in light of a new national study revealing that 1-out-of-4 teenagers has misused or abused a prescription medication at least once, CVS Caremark is reminding families that proper management, storage and disposal of their medication can reduce access to drugs by young people in their homes.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 27 and in light of a new national study revealing that 1-out-of-4 teenagers has misused or abused a prescription medication at least once, CVS Caremark is reminding families that proper management, storage and disposal of their medication can reduce access to drugs by young people in their homes.

April 26, 2013
From top to bottom, retail pharmacy will prove pharmacist role in improving patient outcomes

Pharmacy's value as part of an outcomes-based healthcare alignment was the highlight of the closing business presentation at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2013 Annual Conference. And now it's up to NACDS members to expose Congress leaders to that value quotient on a regular basis.

That was the message shared by incoming NACDS chairman Bob Narveson. It goes to show that even as the gavel passes from the head of one of the industry's largest pharmacy chains to one of the smaller chains, innovation in patient care is happening at all levels.

Pharmacy's value as part of an outcomes-based healthcare alignment was the highlight of the closing business presentation at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2013 Annual Meeting. And now it's up to NACDS members to expose Congressional leaders to that value quotient on a regular basis. 

April 26, 2013
Mallinckrodt collects unused medications in St. Louis

Medical products manufacturer Covidien's pharmaceutical division is expanding an initiative to collect unused and unwanted medications.

ST. LOUIS — Medical products manufacturer Covidien's pharmaceutical division is expanding an initiative to collect unused and unwanted medications.

Mallinckrodt said it would expand communities' access to drug take-back collection boxes and promote safe disposal practices, installing lock boxes in three police stations around St. Louis. The company said it purchased the boxes under a collaboration with the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators and also would provide a grant to help incinerate the medications that are collected.

April 26, 2013
Obama administration hopes to tackle prescription drug abuse

More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

WASHINGTON — More than 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2010 were related to abuse of prescription drugs, and the problem has become widespread enough that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies it as an epidemic. In response, curbing abuse of prescription drugs has become a cornerstone of the Obama administration's drug policy.

April 26, 2013
PhRMA report lists 241 drugs under development for blood cancer

More than 200 drugs for blood cancers are under development, according to a new report by a drug industry trade group.

WASHINGTON — More than 200 drugs for blood cancers are under development, according to a new report by a drug industry trade group.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said 241 medicines were in clinical development or under review by the Food and Drug Administration, including 98 for lymphoma, 97 for leukemia, 52 for multiple myeloma and 24 for malignancies of the bone marrow, blood and lymph nodes.

April 26, 2013
Rogue Internet pharmacies should be primary focus in efforts to secure supply chain

A House Subcommittee on Health hearing Thursday focused on efforts to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain, and particularly on draft legislation meant to accomplish that.

While often touted as the safest in the world, the U.S. drug supply chain remains vulnerable to counterfeit, adulterated and stolen medications. Given the potentially dangerous risks of using such medicines, it is imperative that they be kept out.

A House Subcommittee on Health hearing Thursday focused on efforts to strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain, and particularly on draft legislation meant to accomplish that.

While often touted as the safest in the world, the U.S. drug supply chain remains vulnerable to counterfeit, adulterated and stolen medications. Given the potentially dangerous risks of using such medicines, it is imperative that they be kept out.

April 25, 2013
Actavis to launch generic ADHD drug in December 2014

Actavis can launch a generic version of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug made by Shire next year under an agreement between the two companies announced Thursday.

PARSAPPANY, N.J. — Actavis can launch a generic version of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug made by Shire next year under an agreement between the two companies announced Thursday.

April 25, 2013
Greenstone launches authorized generic painkiller

Greenstone has launched an authorized generic painkiller, the company said.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone has launched an authorized generic painkiller, the company said.

Greenstone, the generics arm of Pfizer, announced the introduction of authorized generic oxaprozin caplets in the 600 mg strength. The drug is a version of Pfizer's Daypro, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID.

Authorized generics are branded drugs sold under their generic names at a reduced price.

 

April 25, 2013
Mylan marks 25th anniversary of EpiPen's approval by giving it away for free

Mylan Specialty announced Thursday the introduction of a "$0 Co-Pay Offer" on a product used to treat severe allergic reactions.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Mylan Specialty announced Thursday the introduction of a "$0 Co-Pay Offer" on a product used to treat severe allergic reactions.

The drug maker is offering a co-pay card to patients with or without insurance for the EpiPen in recognition of the 25th anniversary of its approval by the Food and Drug Administration. The co-pay card is available online at EpiPen.com, and the offer will expire on Dec. 31.

April 25, 2013
Strengthening of drug supply chain's effects on independent pharmacies raises concerns

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health heard testimony on Thursday morning from representatives of the Food and Drug Administration and several industry trade groups following the introduction of draft legislation that sponsors said would strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain.

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health heard testimony on Thursday morning from representatives of the Food and Drug Administration and several industry trade groups following the introduction of draft legislation that sponsors said would strengthen the country's pharmaceutical supply chain.

April 25, 2013
Watertree hires former NBA champion as celebrity spokesman

Watertree Health has hired former NBA champion John Salley to market its free prescription discount cards, the company said.

NEW YORK — Watertree Health has hired former NBA champion John Salley to market its free prescription discount cards, the company said.

Salley, who maintains a vegan diet, is a health and wellness advocate and has appeared in film and television. Watertree provides prescription discount cards and distributes them to anyone who needs help paying for medicines. According to the company, more than 100 million Americans don't have full prescription coverage.

April 24, 2013
Hospira looks to U.S. as it marks European biosimilar milestone

Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

CHICAGO — Generic drug maker Hospira marked its fifth year marketing knock-off versions of biotech drugs in Europe Wednesday as it presented at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention this week.

The drug maker said it delivered more than 5 million doses of biosimilar medicines to patients in Europe and Australia. The convention includes multiple sessions devoted to such topics as biosimilar regulatory approval, manufacturing and market formation, the company said.

April 24, 2013
Parents often complicit in teens' prescription drug abuse, study finds

A dramatic jump in the rates of misuse of prescription stimulants over the past four years is linked to lax attitudes on the part of parents, according to a new study, though misuse and abuse of prescription opioids has remained flat.

NEW YORK — A dramatic jump in the rates of misuse of prescription stimulants over the past four years is linked to lax attitudes on the part of parents, according to a new study, though misuse and abuse of prescription opioids has remained flat.

April 23, 2013
Cardinal Health offers grants to prescription drug-abuse programs

Cardinal Health's philanthropic division is offering grants to organizations for programs to prevent abuse and misuse of prescription drugs.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health's philanthropic division is offering grants to organizations for programs to prevent abuse and misuse of prescription drugs.

The Cardinal Health Foundation said it was inviting non-profits in 18 locations around the country, as well as Puerto Rico, to apply for grant funding. The announcement marks the fourth year of the foundation's Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse Prevention Grant Program.

April 23, 2013
FDA approves second BD Rx generic injectable drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a second product in BD's new line of injectable drugs, the company said Tuesday.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a second product in BD's new line of injectable drugs, the company said Tuesday.

BD Rx, the pharmaceutical arm of the medical technology manufacturer, whose name stands for Becton, Dickinson and Co., received FDA approval for metoclopramide, part of its BD Simplist line of ready-to-administer pre-filled generic injectables. The product is an antiemetic, a drug used to stop vomiting.

April 23, 2013
Kmart store robbed, suspect steals information backed up electronically from store safe

An armed robber allegedly stole sensitive electronic information on pharmacy customers from a Kmart store in Little Rock, Ark., last month, the mass merchandise retailer said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — An armed robber allegedly stole sensitive electronic information on pharmacy customers from a Kmart store in Little Rock, Ark., last month, the mass merchandise retailer said.