Lovell Drugs signs supply deal for medicinal cannabis
Canada’s Lovell Drugs has entered into a definitive agreement with Maricann Group Inc. to be the exclusive supplier of medicinal cannabis to its pharmacies.
Pharmacy
Innovation outfits HealthWarehouse with PharmASSIST
Online pharmacy HealthWarehouse.com plans to implement Innovation’s PharmASSIST Quick Start high-volume technology for its online/mail order pharmacy in Florence, Ky. Innovation said Wednesday that HealthWarehouse.
HDA study gauges specialty drug market
In the specialty pharmaceutical arena, products in the autoimmune/immune and ophthalmology categories stand to grow in importance over the next 12 months, followed by oncology, central nervous system and inflammatory drugs, according to the HDA Research Foundation.
Diplomat hires former BioScrip, CVS exec for PBM
Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. has hired former CVS Caremark executive Chris Luthin as executive vice president of finance for pharmacy benefit management and integration.
Teva, Greenstone roll out Viagra generics in U.S.
The first generic versions of Viagra, Pfizer Inc.’s blockbuster drug for erectile dysfunction, were launched this week in the United States by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Greenstone LLC.
Jeff Leger named Shoppers Drug Mart president
Jeff Leger has been named president of Shoppers Drug Mart, succeeding Mike Motz, who has been promoted to chief operating officer of SDM parent Loblaw Cos. Loblaw confirmed Leger’s appointment on Tuesday.
Sanofi cleared to market Admelog mealtime insulin
Sanofi has received Food and Drug Administration approval for Admelog, described as the first follow-on insulin lispro to help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels at mealtime.
Walgreens, NewYork-Presbyterian offer telemedicine services
NEW YORK, N.Y. and DEERFIELD, Ill.
Senators grill HHS nominee Alex Azar on cutting drug costs
Alex Azar, a former pharmaceutical executive named by President Trump to be the next Health and Human Services secretary, told senators at a full committee nomination hearing that making prescription drugs more affordable would be one of his top priorities.
Novo Nordisk set to release Ozempic
Novo Nordisk this week gained Food and Drug Administration approval for Ozempic (semaglutide injection), a medication for type 2 diabetes.
AARP: Retail Rx price growth outpaces inflation
Retail prices for prescription drugs widely used by older Americans have risen more than 50 times faster than the inflation rate, an AARP analysis found. For 768 prescription drugs commonly used by older adults, retail prices surged an average of 6.
WBA becomes stakeholder in PharMerica
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is now a stakeholder in national specialty pharmacy operator PharMerica Corp. PharMerica on Wednesday announced the close of its acquisition by global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR). Under the $1.
AmerisourceBergen action plan targets opioid abuse
AmerisourceBergen has ramped up its efforts to thwart opioid diversion and abuse. The pharmaceutical distributor on Thursday announced ongoing operational commitments to prevent opioid abuse and abuse in line with its initiatives to protect the supply chain.
U.S. health care spending growth slows
Growth in prescription drug expenditures tailed off despite an overall gain in 2016 U.S. health care spending, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Last year, U.S. health care spending totaled $3.3 trillion, up 4.3%, compared with growth of 5.8% in 2015 and 5.
CVS goes live with same-day Rx delivery in Manhattan
CVS Pharmacy this week launched free, same-day delivery for prescription drugs and certain over-the-counter products in Manhattan. CVS said Wednesday that the delivery service is being offered at all locations in Manhattan.
HDA: Drug chains still Rx distributors’ biggest customers
Chain drug stores remain the largest customer segment for U.S. pharmaceutical distributors, according to the HDA Research Foundation. The 88th Edition HDA Factbook (2017‐2018) said chain drug retailers accounted for nearly 30% of all sales to drug distributors last year.