Prescription Drug News and Research

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Webinar on Prescription Drug Abuse in Workers' Comp

Joseph Paduda, principal of Health Strategy Associates, will present "Prescription Drug Abuse in Workers' Comp," an hour-long webinar on Thursday, Sept. 1, starting 1 p.m. (PDT)/ 4 p.m. EDT.

25 Aug 2011

CVS Caremark board approves new share repurchase program

CVS Caremark Corporation today announced that its board of directors has approved a new share repurchase program for up to $4.0 billion of the company's outstanding common stock.

24 Aug 2011

Mylan subsidiary to exclusively offer EpiPen 2-Pak and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak Auto-Injector

Dey Pharma, L.P., a subsidiary of Mylan Inc., today announced that Dey will exclusively offer the EpiPen 2-Pak and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak (epinephrine) Auto-Injector 0.3/0.15 mg, to encourage physicians and patients to follow recommendations by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

24 Aug 2011

Viewpoints: Rational, not rationing, Medicare cuts; Paul Ryan's future; hospitals' clout

Congress needs to make sure that lobbying -; and every dollar of campaign contributions to the super committee's members -; is fully and immediately disclosed. ... The American Hospital Association has vowed a "full-court press" on the committee, as have defense industries and others.

24 Aug 2011

Prescription drug shortages forcing docs, pharmacists to scramble

Record shortages of prescription drugs in the United States are forcing pharmacists and doctors to scramble to find medications for their patients, suitable alternatives or to delay potentially lifesaving treatments.

23 Aug 2011

CVS Caremark announces results of Consent Solicitation from registered holders

CVS Caremark Corporation announced today the results of its previously announced solicitation of consents from the registered holders as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time on August 8, 2011 of its 6.125% Senior Notes due August 15, 2016 to terminate the replacement capital covenant, which was entered into on May 25, 2007, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes in connection with the issuance of its 6.302% Enhanced Capital Advantaged Preferred Securities due 2062.

23 Aug 2011

FDA accepts Alexza ADASUVE NDA, assigns PDUFA action date

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the ADASUVE New Drug Application (NDA) as a complete, class 2 response to the FDA's action letter, with an indicated Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of February 4, 2012.

20 Aug 2011

Only 15 U.S. pharmaceutical ads adhere to FDA Prescription Drug Advertising Guidelines

A study led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers of 192 pharmaceutical advertisements in biomedical journals found that only 18 percent were compliant with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, and over half failed to quantify serious risks including death.

19 Aug 2011

ASA launches new video that highlights need for responsible use of pain medication

The American Society of Anesthesiologists launched a new video today on its lifelinepatients YouTube channel that highlights the need for responsible use of pain medication and proper disposal of the drugs.

19 Aug 2011

Amgen to present data from several Prolia studies at ASBMR 2011 meeting

Amgen today announced that it will present data from several Prolia (denosumab) studies, including eight year efficacy and safety data from a Phase 2 extension study in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis with low bone mineral density (BMD), at the 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif. from Sept. 16-20, 2011.

19 Aug 2011

Medicare Advantage plans may be counter-productive for the elderly

In health care, more choice may not always lead to better choices, particularly for the elderly. In a new study, researchers from Harvard Medical School's Department of Health Care Policy found that the large variety of managed care plans offered by the Medicare Advantage program may be counter-productive.

18 Aug 2011

Roundup: Rx discounts for Medicaid programs are increasing; deadline extended for Mich. Medigap verifications

Governors have complained repeatedly in recent months that spiraling Medicaid costs are crushing their budgets. But there's good news on at least one line item in the $370 billion program — prescription drug discounts are getting more generous. According to a new report from the Inspector General of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, discounts under the federal-state Medicaid program have been growing since 2006, adding up to a 45 percent rebate for most brand name drugs by 2009.

18 Aug 2011

FDA accepts Protalix taliglucerase alfa NDA resubmission for review

Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc., announced today that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the resubmission of the taliglucerase alfa New Drug Application (NDA) following the Company's receipt of a Complete Response Letter (CRL) in February 2011.

17 Aug 2011

FDA assigns PDUFA action date for review of Affymax peginesatide NDA

Affymax, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of March 27, 2012 for the review of the investigational agent peginesatide New Drug Application.

12 Aug 2011

Kindred subsidiary to acquire Professional HealthCare

Kindred Healthcare, Inc. today announced that its subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the equity of Professional HealthCare, LLC, a portfolio company of Mainsail Partners, for a purchase price of $51 million in cash.

11 Aug 2011

Pacira second quarter total revenues increase to $3.6 million

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, provided an update on the execution of its pre-commercial and launch strategies for EXPAREL, and updated its 2011 financial guidance.

11 Aug 2011

Many low-income seniors go without enhanced Medicare drug coverage

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which says that as many as 2 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries are not enrolled in the Medicare Low-Income Subsidy Program, is stepping up efforts to market the assistance to consumers.

11 Aug 2011

Medicare prescriptions premiums expected to decrease for seniors

According to an Obama administration announcement last Thursday as the health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year. This is expected to offer some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

8 Aug 2011

Sebelius, Berwick tout drop in Medicare Rx costs

Even as health costs continue to rise, Medicare beneficiaries will see the average price of a Part D drug plan decline slightly next year, the Obama administration announced Thursday, offering some relief amid pressure to cut the federal health insurance program for the elderly.

6 Aug 2011

Research roundup: Hospitalists & health costs; treating substance abuse

This study looks at the effects hospitalists -- or physicians who specialize in hospital medicine and health care -- have on patient care, costs and use of medical services.

6 Aug 2011