Content about pharmaceuticals

June 20, 2012

With more retail pharmacies pursuing pet prescriptions, Drug Store News recently talked to Rob Devlin, Nutramax director of veterinary science division, for some perspective on what the opportunity might be across the aisle in over-the-counter pet health products.

With more retail pharmacies pursuing pet prescriptions, Drug Store News recently talked to Rob Devlin, Nutramax director of veterinary science division, for some perspective on what the opportunity might be across the aisle in over-the-counter pet health products.

DSN: With the number of retailers looking to expand their reach into veterinary pharmaceuticals, what is the opportunity on the OTC side?

June 19, 2012

Mylan's Canadian subsidiary has launched a new website that is designed to help Canadians learn more about the value, reliability and quality of generic pharmaceuticals.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan's Canadian subsidiary has launched a new website that is designed to help Canadians learn more about the value, reliability and quality of generic pharmaceuticals.

June 1, 2012

WebMD has tapped Pfizer's group president of animal health, consumer health care and corporate strategy to serve as its new chief executive.

NEW YORK — WebMD has tapped Pfizer's group president of animal health, consumer health care and corporate strategy to serve as its new chief executive.

Cavan Redmond was appointed CEO of WebMD, as well as a member of the company's board of directors on Thursday. He brings to his new role more than 20 years of healthcare experience, encompassing a broad range of global healthcare businesses, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, consumer health care and infant nutritionals.

May 18, 2012

That trip to the local restaurant is off the menu for consumers today, as are furnishings and electronics, Empathica reported on Thursday, citing its latest Consumer Insights Panel survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers.

TORONTO — That trip to the local restaurant is off the menu for consumers today, as are furnishings and electronics, Empathica reported on Thursday, citing its latest Consumer Insights Panel survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers. One-out-of-3 shoppers surveyed reported that the economy is still very much top of mind for them. But "need" items — gas, pharmacy and grocery — are not seeing declines in purchase intent compared to findings from this time the previous year, the report noted.

April 19, 2012

The National Community Pharmacists Association and Sharps Compliance said community pharmacies nationwide are ready for consumers to safely dispose of unused patient medications.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association and Sharps Compliance said community pharmacies nationwide are ready for consumers to safely dispose of unused patient medications.

March 28, 2012

It’s common knowledge that pharmaceuticals have provided humankind with almost miraculous benefits over the past century in their ability to prevent, cure or reduce the impact of disease and to prolong life. But serious errors in the way medicines are dispensed by pharmacies and self-administered by patients are taking a big and growing toll on patients’ well-being.

It’s common knowledge that pharmaceuticals have provided humankind with almost miraculous benefits over the past century in their ability to prevent, cure or reduce the impact of disease and to prolong life. But serious errors in the way medicines are dispensed by pharmacies and self-administered by patients are taking a big and growing toll on patients’ well-being.

March 21, 2012

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

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."

February 24, 2012

Generic drug maker Hospira has joined the country's largest lobby for the generic drug industry, the company said.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Generic drug maker Hospira has joined the country's largest lobby for the generic drug industry, the company said.

Hospira, which specializes in generic injectables and infusion technology, announced that it had joined the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. In addition to generic pharmaceuticals, the company also makes biosimilars for the European market.

February 22, 2012

Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday named Alex Gorsky CEO of the company, effective April 26, the date of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday named Alex Gorsky CEO of the company, effective April 26, the date of the company’s annual meeting of shareholders. Gorsky also has been nominated for election to the board of directors at the meeting.

February 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration's action to address the ongoing shortage of certain cancer drugs has garnered praise from a group representing the manufacturers and distributors of generic pharmaceuticals.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration's action to address the ongoing shortage of certain cancer drugs has garnered praise from a group representing the manufacturers and distributors of generic pharmaceuticals.

The Generic Pharmaceutical Association said it applauded the FDA's action to address the shortage of cancer drugs Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection) and preservative-free methotrexate. GPhA also added that generic drug manufacturers are tirelessly working with regulators to provide needed supplies of the critical medicines.

November 30, 2011

While sales figures for pharmaceuticals are frequently reported on, drugs for people's four-legged friends also are a money maker.

NEW YORK — While sales figures for pharmaceuticals are frequently reported on, drugs for people's four-legged friends also are a money maker.

According to Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, retail sales of pet medications — including sales through retail stores, online retailers and veterinarians — will reach $6.7 billion this year.

November 2, 2011

AmerisourceBergen on Tuesday recorded revenues of $20.4 billion for fourth quarter 2011 ended Sept. 30, up 3.5%. Diluted earnings per share increased 8% to 54 cents. For the year, AmerisourceBergen posted $80.2 billion in revenue, up 2.9%.

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — AmerisourceBergen on Tuesday recorded revenues of $20.4 billion for fourth quarter 2011 ended Sept. 30, up 3.5%. Diluted earnings per share increased 8% to 54 cents. For the year, AmerisourceBergen posted $80.2 billion in revenue, up 2.9%.

October 20, 2011

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced changes to its senior management team, including the appointment of its U.S. pharmaceuticals president.

NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb announced changes to its senior management team, including the appointment of its U.S. pharmaceuticals president.

October 19, 2011

PakSense has launched a new label that monitors time and temperature of such perishable items as food, vaccines, pharmaceuticals and biologics during distribution and storage.

BOISE, Idaho — PakSense has launched a new label that monitors time and temperature of such perishable items as food, vaccines, pharmaceuticals and biologics during distribution and storage.

September 13, 2011

First-quarter net sales for Hi-Tech Pharmacal's generic pharmaceuticals business increased by 52% to nearly $49 million, the drug maker reported.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — First-quarter net sales for Hi-Tech Pharmacal's generic pharmaceuticals business increased by 52% to nearly $49 million, the drug maker reported.

Hi-Tech Pharmacal attributed the spike to stronger sales of fluticasone propionate nasal spray.

For the three months ended July 31, the company recorded net income from continuing operations of $13.8 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, a 58% rise compared with net income from the year-ago period.

Overall, net sales for Hi-Tech Pharmacal jumped 43% during its first quarter to $56.2 million.

September 12, 2011

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone.

It’s hard to disagree that generic drug companies have had a good run for the last several years. Branded drug companies developed a large number of drugs that proved highly effective at treating widespread medical conditions and became blockbusters, garnering billions of dollars in sales in the United States alone. As patents on these blockbuster drugs have expired, they’ve provided generic manufacturers with enormous revenues, helping some to join the ranks of the world’s biggest drug companies.


September 6, 2011

Impax Labs has appointed a new president of its generic pharmaceutical division.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has appointed a new president of its generic pharmaceutical division.

The drug maker said that Carole Ben-Maimon will be responsible for expanding the generic business. Recently, Ben-Maimon served as Qualitest Pharmaceuticals' SVP corporate strategy consulting. Additionally, she served as the chairman of the board of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association from 2000 to 2003.

Ben-Maimon will report to Impax's president and CEO Larry Hsu.

August 24, 2011


A worldwide flood of counterfeit and unsafe medications is seeping into the United States and other developed countries via the Internet and porous borders, threatening public health and the security of the pharmaceutical supply chain.


A worldwide flood of counterfeit and unsafe medications is seeping into the United States and other developed countries via the Internet and porous borders, threatening public health and the security of the pharmaceutical supply chain. In response, federal drug safety overseers and such drug manufacturers as Pfizer are working to shore up the integrity of drug supplies and stop production of fake and adulterated pharmaceuticals at their source.


June 2, 2011

A company that develops insulin-pump technology without tubing, such as the OmniPod insulin management system, has acquired a durable medical equipment distributor that specializes in direct-to-consumer sales of diabetes supplies.

BEDFORD, Mass. — A company that develops insulin-pump technology without tubing, such as the OmniPod insulin management system, has acquired a durable medical equipment distributor that specializes in direct-to-consumer sales of diabetes supplies.

June 1, 2011

Sandoz has launched generic versions of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Swiss drug maker Novartis said Wednesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz has launched generic versions of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Swiss drug maker Novartis said Wednesday.

Sandoz announced the launch of donepezil hydrochloride film-coated tablets and donepezil hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablets, which are generic versions of Eisai and Pfizer’s Aricept and Aricept ODT, respectively.

Donepezil hydrochloride film-coated and orally disintegrating tablets had sales of $2.3 billion in the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

May 26, 2011

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to file for regulatory approval for 11 new drugs between 2011 and 2015, the company said Thursday in relation to a meeting between J&J’s executive committee and investors.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to file for regulatory approval for 11 new drugs between 2011 and 2015, the company said Thursday in relation to a meeting between J&J’s executive committee and investors.

April 26, 2011

Hospira had net sales of $1 billion during first quarter 2011, the generic drug maker said Tuesday.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Hospira had net sales of $1 billion during first quarter 2011, the generic drug maker said Tuesday.

Sales for the quarter, which ended March 31, declined by 0.5%, compared with first quarter 2010, while profits were $149.9 million, a 5.8% increase over last year.

April 25, 2011

The way chief executive R. David Yost sees it, AmerisourceBergen Corp.’s Good Neighbor Pharmacy program is a bulwark for independent pharmacists against the pressures of a brutally competitive pharmacy market and an unforgiving economy.


April 18, 2011

A U.S. drug maker and its Japanese partner have started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels in the body, the two announced Monday.

NEW YORK — A U.S. drug maker and its Japanese partner have started a late-stage clinical trial of a drug for treating elevated phosphate levels in the body, the two announced Monday.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals and Torii Pharmaceutical, the pharmaceuticals subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, started a phase-3 trial of Zerenex (ferric citrate) in Japan for patients with hyperphosphatemia. The drug also is in phase-3 trials in the United States as a treatment for hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage kidney disease on dialysis.

April 14, 2011

Despite a difficult economy and rising health costs, the benefits of an integrated pharmacy service were evident as CVS Caremark helped its pharmacy benefit manager clients — employers, health plans and third-party administrators — manage pharmacy costs, according to the company's annual "Insights Report."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Despite a difficult economy and rising health costs, the benefits of an integrated pharmacy service were evident as CVS Caremark helped its pharmacy benefit manager clients — employers, health plans and third-party administrators — manage pharmacy costs, according to the company's annual "Insights Report."