Content about Prodrugs

May 21, 2013
Vitamin C kills drug-resistant TB, researchers find

Vitamin C can kill a virulent form of tuberculosis, researchers in New York have found.

NEW YORK — Vitamin C can kill a virulent form of tuberculosis, researchers in New York have found.

The researchers, at Yeshiva University's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, determined that vitamin C was able to kill drug-resistant forms of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis in lab culture, publishing their findings in the online journal Nature Communications. They had been looking into how TB bacteria become resistant to isoniazid, a first-line drug used to treat it.

May 17, 2013
Mylan launches cholesterol drug

Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating cholesterol, the company said.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating cholesterol, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the launch of fenofibrate tablets in the 48 mg and 145 mg strengths. The drug is used to reduce so-called "bad" low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B while increasing "good" high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adults with primary hyperocholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

April 9, 2013
Americans consider addiction a greater problem than chronic pain, poll shows

A majority of Americans say chronic pain ranks far below drug addiction as a major health problem, according to a new poll.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A majority of Americans say chronic pain ranks far below drug addiction as a major health problem, according to a new poll.

April 8, 2013
Teva introduces generic painkiller

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic opioid medication for treating pain, the company said.

Teva announced the introduction of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Endo Pharmaceuticals' Opana and will be available in the 5 mg and 10 mg strengths in bottles of 100 tablets.

 

January 23, 2013
Parents not very concerned about prescription narcotic misuse, poll finds

A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

January 9, 2013
WEB FEATURE: FDA guidance aims to encourage abuse-deterrent painkillers

One of the most serious drug abuse problems in the country doesn't involve heroin, methamphetamine or crack, but abuse of legal prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, a problem that the Food and Drug Administration aims to change with draft guidance released Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — One of the most serious drug abuse problems in the country doesn't involve heroin, methamphetamine or crack, but abuse of legal prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, a problem that the Food and Drug Administration aims to change with draft guidance released Wednesday.

November 21, 2012
Lupin launches generic fenofibrate

Lupin Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic drug for cholesterol disorders, the company said.

BALTIMORE — Lupin Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic drug for cholesterol disorders, the company said.

Lupin announced the launch of fenofibrate tablets in the 48-mg and 145-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia.

The drug is a generic version of Abbott's Tricor, which had sales of $1.26 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

November 14, 2012
CSPN, Dara BioSciences enter distribution contract for breast cancer drug

The Community Specialty Pharmacy Network has entered a contract with Dara BioSciences to distribute a nonsteroidal anti-estrogen product.

DREXEL HILL, Pa. — The Community Specialty Pharmacy Network has entered a contract with Dara BioSciences to distribute a nonsteroidal anti-estrogen product.

CSPN announced the agreement with Dara to distribute Soltamox (tamoxifen) solution for oral administration. The drug, a treatment for breast cancer, is for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills.

October 22, 2012
Avella named distribution source for oral-liquid breast cancer drug

A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for a new liquid chemotherapy drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

PHOENIX — A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for an oral-liquid drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Avella Specialty Pharmacy announced Monday a deal with Dara BioSciences that would make a distribution source for Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate) oral solution in the United States. The drug is the only available oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, previously available in pill form only.

October 10, 2012
Mylan settles suit over asthma, allergy drug

Mylan has settled a patent infringement suit over a drug used to treat respiratory diseases, Mylan said.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has settled a patent infringement suit over a drug used to treat respiratory diseases, Mylan said.

The generic drug maker said it resolved a patent litigation suit filed by Shionogi and Cima Labs over prednisolone sodium phosphate orally disintegrating tablets, a generic version of Orapred ODT. Mylan is hoping to market its generic version of the drug in the 10-mg, 15-mg and 30-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat asthma and certain allergic conditions.

September 28, 2012
Bi-Lo adds generic Plavix to discount program

Supermarket chain Bi-Lo is adding the generic form of a blood-thinning drug to its generic-discount program.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Supermarket chain Bi-Lo is adding the generic form of a blood-thinning drug to its generic-discount program.

The company announced Friday that patients could buy generic clopidogrel for $4 for a 30-day supply and $10 for a 90-day supply with the chain's Pharmacy Discount Card. The branded version of the drug, which recently became available as a generic, is marketed by Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

June 14, 2012
Kadmon announces launch of 600 mg/day dose pack of Ribasphere RibaPak

Kadmon Pharmaceuticals earlier this month announced that it has launched a new 600 mg/day dose pack of Ribasphere RibaPak (ribavirin, USP), Kadmon's proprietary ribavirin regimen available in a daily, two-pill compliance package for enhanced therapy adherence.

NEW YORK — Kadmon Pharmaceuticals earlier this month announced that it has launched a new 600 mg/day dose pack of Ribasphere RibaPak (ribavirin, USP), Kadmon's proprietary ribavirin regimen available in a daily, two-pill compliance package for enhanced therapy adherence.

The new dose pack is designed to provide added dosing control to improve the management of hemolytic anemia in certain patients prescribed the triple therapy of a protease inhibitor, pegylated alpha interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

May 17, 2012
Sagent launches generic chemotherapy drug

Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a generic version of a chemotherapy drug, the company said Thursday.

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

Sagent announced the launch of irinotecan injection, a generic version of Pfizer's Camptosar, in latex-free, preservative-free, single-dose vials.

Various versions of the drug had sales of about $28 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

May 16, 2012
Generic Plavix arrives at Walmart, Sam's Club stores

Walmart and Sam's Club will be among the first retailers to offer a generic version of an antiplatelet drug.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and Sam's Club will be among the first retailers to offer a generic version of an antiplatelet drug.

Clopidogrel, the generic version of Plavix, will be available at both banners pharmacies on May 19. The patent for the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi drug officially expires Thursday.

March 9, 2012
Kerr Drug, UNC pharmacy school to collaborate in pharmacogenetic study

A regional retail pharmacy chain and a nearby school of pharmacy will collaborate on a study to evaluate the implementation of a pharmacogenetic program in a community pharmacy setting.

RALEIGH, N.C. — A regional retail pharmacy chain and a nearby school of pharmacy will collaborate on a study to evaluate the implementation of a pharmacogenetic program in a community pharmacy setting.

Kerr Drug announced Friday that it would work with the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill's Eshelman School of Pharmacy to explore the feasibility of a program for Sanofi's and Bristol-Myers Squibb's blood-thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate).

January 12, 2012
Prasco to distribute authorized generic drug for seizures, pain

Prasco Labs will act as the distributor for an authorized generic version of a Shire anticonvulsant drug, the company said Thursday.

CINCINNATI — Prasco Labs will act as the distributor for an authorized generic version of a Shire anticonvulsant drug, the company said Thursday.

Prasco announced that it had partnered with Shire to distribute carbamazepine extended-release capsules in the 100-mg, 200-mg and 300-mg strengths. The drug is an authorized generic version of Carbatrol, used to treat certain types of seizures and pain.

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

September 28, 2011
Chelsea seeks approval for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension drug

Chelsea Therapeutics International has applied for Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug for a disorder that affects patients with diseases like Parkinson's disease.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chelsea Therapeutics International has applied for Food and Drug Administration approval of a drug for a disorder that affects patients with diseases like Parkinson's disease.

The drug maker announced the submission of a new drug application for Northera (droxidopa) as a treatment for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. NOH predominantly affects people with primary autonomic failure, a group of diseases that includes Parkinson's, multiple system atrophy and pure autonomic failure.

August 15, 2011
Study: Investigational GSK, Impax drug reduces Parkinson's symptoms

Patients taking an experimental treatment for Parkinson's disease experienced greater reduction in symptoms than those taking standard therapies, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Patients taking an experimental treatment for Parkinson's disease experienced greater reduction in symptoms than those taking a drug already on the market, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

July 26, 2011
Impax enrolls patients into late-stage trial for Parkinson's treatment

The branded drugs division of Impax Labs has finished enrolling patients in a late-stage trial of a drug for Parkinson’s disease.

HAYWARD, Calif. — The branded drugs division of Impax Labs has finished enrolling patients in a late-stage trial of a drug for Parkinson’s disease.

Impax Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday that it had enrolled patients in ASCEND-PD, a phase-3 trial of IPX066 that will compare the drug with carbidopa-levodopa and entacapone in patients with advanced Parkinson’s. IPX066 is an extended-release formulation of carbidopa-levodopa in capsule form.

June 17, 2011
Watson's nabumetone tablets get FDA OK

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for arthritis made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Watson said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for arthritis made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Watson said Friday.

The drug maker announced the approval of nabumetone tablets in the 500-mg and 750-mg strength. The drug is used to treat signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Nabumetone had sales of $58 million during the 12-month period ended in April, according to IMS Health.

June 6, 2011
FDA finds manufacturing issues at Impax's Hayward, Calif., plant

The Food and Drug Administration has found manufacturing issues at a plant owned by generic drug maker Impax Labs, the drug maker said Monday.

HAYWARD, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has found manufacturing issues at a plant owned by generic drug maker Impax Labs, the drug maker said Monday.

April 20, 2011
Mylan launches generic Famvir

Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating herpes, the company said Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating herpes, the company said Wednesday.

Mylan announced the launch of famciclovir tablets in the 125-mg, 250-mg and 500-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Famvir.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $196 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

April 18, 2011
Study: Drug-drug interaction warning letters work

A letter educating healthcare providers regarding a drug-drug interaction between prescription anticlotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel) and a proton-pump inhibitor has resulted in a reduction in the number of patients combining the two therapies, according to a new study by Prime Therapeutics released Monday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A letter educating healthcare providers regarding a drug-drug interaction between prescription anticlotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel) and a proton-pump inhibitor has resulted in a reduction in the number of patients combining the two therapies, according to a new study by Prime Therapeutics released Monday.

April 1, 2011
Impax says Parkinson's disease treatment is safe, effective

An investigational drug for Parkinson’s disease was safe and effective, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial scheduled for presentation next week.

HAYWARD, Calif. — An investigational drug for Parkinson’s disease was safe and effective, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial scheduled for presentation next week.

Impax Pharmaceuticals, the branded products division of Impax Labs, said it would present data from a phase-3 trial of extended-release IPX066 (carbidopa-levodopa) at the American Academy of Neurology Conference’s annual meeting in Hawaii, which takes place from April 9 through April 16.

The company also said there were no unexpected serious side effects observed in patients.

March 24, 2011
Actavis' generic Valtrex OKed by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for shingles and genital herpes made by Actavis, the drug maker said Wednesday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for shingles and genital herpes made by Actavis, the drug maker said Wednesday.

The FDA approved Actavis’ valacyclovir hydrochloride tablets in the 500-mg and 1-g strengths.

The drug is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline’s Valtrex. Branded and generic forms of the drug had sales of about $1.5 billion in 2010, according to IMS Health.