Prescription Drug News and Research

RSS

Pew Health Group to ensure safety of U.S. drug supply

On Wednesday, September 14, Allan Coukell, a pharmacist and director of medical programs at the Pew Health Group, will testify before the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee about the need for Congressional action to ensure the safety of the U.S. drug supply.

12 Sep 2011

'Super committee' faces big challenges, lots of input from stakeholders

In order to lay out some specific options from which the panel might extract savings, House Ways and Means Democrats have provided a list of Medicare trims.

9 Sep 2011

Seniors, Medicare drug coverage and the doughnut hole

A Kaiser Family Foundation study finds that fewer Medicare drug plan enrollees are hitting the coverage gap. Those who are in it, however, bought fewer drugs.

9 Sep 2011

First Edition: September 8, 2011

In today's headlines, reports from last night's GOP presidential debate, as well as explorations of what the future might hold for the 'Super Committee' and news developments related to physician payment issues.

8 Sep 2011

Capsules: Deficit hawk or dove? Enzi's autism stance

On Kaiser Health News' news blog, Phil Galewitz examines Sen. Mike Enzi's efforts to provide federal funds for autism research, even as the Wyoming Republican calls for major budget cuts.

8 Sep 2011

New Vital Signs report finds decline in cigarette smoking among American adults

Fewer American adults are smoking cigarettes, according to a new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Also, daily smokers are smoking fewer cigarettes each day, it says.

7 Sep 2011

Discovery Labs files Complete Response to FDA for SURFAXIN to treat RDS in premature infants

Discovery Labs, Inc. today announced that, on September 2, 2011, it submitted its Complete Response to the 2009 Complete Response Letter issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SURFAXIN(lucinactant) for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants.

6 Sep 2011

ICS, Quintiles enter agreement with Pacira to support launch of EXPAREL

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an emerging specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into agreements with Quintiles Commercial US, Inc. and Integrated Commercialization Services, Inc. (ICS) to support the anticipated launch of EXPAREL, should it be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later this year.

6 Sep 2011

FTC presses for more competition on generic drugs

Some drug makers are using an indirect method to delay competition from low-cost generic products by promising not to introduce their own generic versions if a potential competitor delays its entry into the market, the Federal Trade Commission said in a report on Wednesday.

2 Sep 2011

FDA may be allowed an extra 2 months to review new drugs

The deadline for approval or rejection of new drugs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could be extended by two months say U.S. regulators and drug industry officials.

2 Sep 2011

FDA accepts Salix and Progenics' sNDA filing for RELISTOR to treat opioid-induced constipation

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for RELISTOR Subcutaneous Injection to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with non-cancer pain.

30 Aug 2011

ONDCP Director announces $12.3M in new DFC grants to 87 communities across the country

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), today announced $12.3 million in new Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grants to 87 communities and 20 new DFC Mentoring grants across the country.

30 Aug 2011

First Dental Health's new discount plan now available nationwide

New Dental Choice, a comprehensive and affordable discount dental plan provided by First Dental Health, is now available nationwide. In addition, the plan now offers its members access to discount vision, hearing and prescription drug programs.

29 Aug 2011

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