Content about pharmaceutical

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech drug maker Amgen is buying a pharmaceutical company based in Turkey, the companies said Wednesday.

Amgen said it would acquire 95.6% of Istanbul-based Mustafa Nevzat for $700 million in an all-cash deal, saying the purchase would allow it to expand in Turkey and the surrounding region. The company, also known as MN, is a major supplier of injectable drugs in Turkey and, increasingly, an exporter of medicines.

In practical everyday terms, does it matter to the community or health system pharmacist that the Food and Drug Administration is forging ties with other agencies worldwide and becoming more international in its outlook and focus? You bet.

The Emdeon team always looks forward to the NCPDP Annual Conference. The 2012 version is coming up in early May at the Arizona Biltmore. As expected, NCPDP has done an excellent job in scheduling a large number of important and interesting topics. Emdeon’s Lathe Bigler will be discussing the impact of  health information exchanges (HIEs) and accountable care organizations (ACOs) on our industry, and I am scheduled to talk about the industry’s observations and lessons learned regarding the implementation of D.0.

LONDON — Alliance Boots has continued to expand its presence in the global marketplace by opening its 200th store in Thailand.

The international pharmacy-led health and beauty group said the store — which was inaugurated by executive chairman Stefano Pessina, pharmaceutical wholesale division CEO Ornella Barra and health and beauty division CEO Alex Gourlay on Tuesday — is located in central Bangkok. Alliance Boots opened its first Boots store in Thailand in 1997, the company said.

HAYWARD, Calif., and FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Impax Labs has partnered with a pharmaceutical research, development, manufacturing and commercial operations company on a multiproduct agreement.

Impax Labs and Tolmar will develop, supply and distribute alternative dosage form products. The products and terms of the agreement were not disclosed; however, Impax Labs president and CEO Larry Hsu said the new agreement "represents an ideal extension of [our] initial product agreement."

JERUSALEM — Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is switching stock exchanges, the company said.

The world's largest generic drug manufacturer — and increasingly a player in branded and specialty drugs — announced Wednesday that it would transfer the listing of its shares from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange, with plans to start trading on the NYSE on May 30 under its current ticker symbol, "TEVA."

Are pharmacists the weak link in the drug diversion chain? That’s what the pharmacy benefit management lobby seems to imply in a new and controversial ad campaign that questions whether community pharmacists are doing all they should to halt the illegal flow of narcotics from the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain to the dealer on the street.

SOUDERTON, Pa. — A Northern Ireland pharmaceutical company has acquired a chemotherapy agent from Gilead.

Galen said it has acquired DaunoXome (daunorubicin citrate liposome injection), an anthracycline chemotherapy agent that was first approved in the United States in 1996, and is indicated as a first-line cytotoxic therapy for advanced HIV-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma. Galen said its wholly owned subsidiary, Galen US, will market the drug in the United States. DaunoXome will be made available through wholesalers in the United States.

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. — Fuse Science announced that one of its advisory board members has taken on a new role.

Jeanne Hebert, a 20-year industry veteran, will become VP marketing and clinical research, effectively immediately. Her responsibilities will include advancing product innovation through development and commercialization phases, including work with suppliers on product design and advanced medical prototyping.

Prior to her new role, Hebert worked for such companies as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Merck and Integral Orthopedics.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry's main lobby is hoping Congress will act on a proposed user fee program for generic drugs that it helped negotiate with the Food and Drug Administration.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Viewed through an Express Scripts lens, Walgreens' new hire announcement — naming Robyn Peters to group VP managed market sales — may appear timely. The drug store chain is approaching an aggressive marketing overture behind its entire lineup of healthcare proficiency during the first pharmacy benefit manager selling season that it is no longer part of the Express Scripts pharmacy network.