Prescription Drug News and Research

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P&G's global pharmaceuticals business sold to Warner Chilcott for $3.1 billion

The Procter & Gamble Company and Warner Chilcott plc today announced an agreement for the sale of P&G's global pharmaceuticals business to Warner Chilcott for an up-front cash payment of $3.1 billion.

24 Aug 2009

Cell Therapeutics' NDA for Pixantrone accepted by the FDA

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) (Nasdaq and MTA: CTIC) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted and has filed for review the Company's New Drug Application (NDA) for pixantrone as treatment for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date will be established by the FDA regarding the review of the pixantrone NDA by September 4th 2009.

24 Aug 2009

Physicians lack knowledge of off-label drug use and FDA approval status

In a recent national survey, a substantial minority of physicians erroneously believed that certain off-label uses of prescription drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This mistaken belief could encourage them to prescribe these drugs, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such use.

21 Aug 2009

Shareholders of Medarex get more time to accept cash tender offer from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) announced today that it has extended its previously announced cash tender offer, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Puma Acquisition Corporation, to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Medarex (NASDAQ: MEDX) (“Medarex”) until 12:00 midnight (New York City time) on August 26, 2009, unless further extended.

21 Aug 2009

Newspapers examine debate over affordable drugs in developing countries

The Los Angeles Times examines how "activists in Washington, and Thailand and other developing countries are accusing the Obama administration of endangering access to affordable drugs to fight AIDS and other epidemic diseases."

21 Aug 2009

Consumer groups urge transparency in health care reform for pharmacy benefit managers

Three top consumer groups are urging Congress to include in health care reform legislation transparency requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) participating in any new federally sponsored health plans in a public health care exchange. The Consumer Federation of America (CFA), U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), and the National Legislative Association on Prescription Drug Prices (NLARx) have sent a joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) supporting the provision, authored by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and included in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200).

20 Aug 2009

State round-up: New Jersey hospitals, Utah's Medicaid troubles, and more

Wednesday's state news includes a hospital demonstration in New Jersey, Medicaid fraud in Utah, an abortion ruling in Oklahoma, and a White House decision to maintain Wisconsin's unique drug program for seniors.

20 Aug 2009

Wellcare discloses to Florida Elections Commission questionable campaign contributions

WellCare Health Plans, Inc. announced that it voluntarily disclosed to the Florida Elections Commission questionable campaign contributions by certain subsidiaries from 2003 through 2007.

20 Aug 2009

Medication safety program on safe prescribing procedures for narcotic drugs launched

Warnings by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and increasing misuse and overdoses are telling reminders of the dangers pain medications can present. A recent study reveals that one in 10 high school students have tried opioid drugs and the prevalence of young adults using narcotics for non-medical use is the highest in 15 years.

20 Aug 2009

Extend Health announces plans to recruit more employees at its Utah location

Extend Health, a leading provider of defined contribution health care solutions to Fortune 500 corporations, today announced that the company is looking to expand its Utah location workforce by 200+ employees over the next four to eight weeks. As of August 5, two hundred positions have been filled during the third quarter bringing the company’s Utah based employee headcount to over 400.

20 Aug 2009

Dey's Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution lots stolen in Texas

Dey L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc., today issued an advisory regarding two lots of its Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution, 0.083%, unit-dose vials. The lots were on a tractor-trailer that was stolen in McKinney, Texas.

20 Aug 2009

Phrma brushes off Republican leader's attacks

"The prescription drug industry's lobbying arm is defending its deal with President Barack Obama in the wake of criticism from House Minority Leader John Boehner, who charged it with 'appeasing' the Obama administration," The Hill reports.

19 Aug 2009

Battle over proposal to disclose drug price deals

"Some Democratic lawmakers looking for ways to overhaul the nation's health-care system are targeting the companies that handle drug benefits for more than 210 million Americans, setting off a lobbying battle over how much pricing information the companies should disclose," The Wall Street Journal reports.

19 Aug 2009

Medicare Part D premiums to rise slightly

Medicare Part D drug premiums are expected to increase slightly while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services details which states have the highest rates of prescription drug use.

19 Aug 2009

Boehner blasts PhRMA on deal with White House

KHN reports that Minority Leader John Boehner is taking issue with "the drug industry's decision to agree to $80 billion in concessions to the White House."

19 Aug 2009

Gloucester Pharma announces FDA Advisory Committee Meeting to discuss Romidepsin NDA

Gloucester Pharmaceuticals will discuss the New Drug Application for romidepsin to treat patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) at the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting on September 2, 2009.

18 Aug 2009

Boehner blasts Phrma on deal with White House

The drug industry’s decision to agree to $80 billion in concessions to the White House was short-sighted, will hurt drug manufacturers and their customers, and "has all the markings of a deal gone sour," House Minority Leader John Boehner wrote Monday to his former colleague, Billy Tauzin, who now heads the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

17 Aug 2009

Summary of key health care provisions

With so much turmoil surrounding the federal government's health care initiatives, the Federation of American Consumers and Travelers (FACT) is attempting to create a summary of key provisions. The goal is to condense incredibly lengthy and convoluted language into something which all consumers can digest so that they can then decide which way they want their legislators to proceed.

17 Aug 2009

Doctors overiding end of life counseling see benefit in current controversy

The paragraphs, buried deep in the 1,000-page House health reform bill, appear innocuous, but they have ignited a firestorm among critics predicting government-sponsored euthanasia.

14 Aug 2009

CVS Caremark announces results of 2009 Health IQ study

CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) announced today the results of its 2009 Health IQ study which examined consumer attitudes and behaviors around health care and prescription usage. Among its findings, the study underscores the need for expanded health care coverage along with cost savings realized by improving health care delivery.

13 Aug 2009