What the budget deal means for health care
Health care spending has been beefed up in some areas and reduced in others as a result of the federal budget legislation passed by Congress earlier this month.
Pharmacy
Lupin cleared to market generic Tamiflu suspension
Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. arm of India-based Lupin Ltd., has received Food and Drug Administration approval for oseltamivir phosphate oral suspension 6 mg (base)/ml, a flu medication.
Diplomat works to control specialty drug costs
Biosimilars, generic drugs and affordable branded drugs are top-of-mind at Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. this year as the specialty pharmacy looks to help health plans and patients rein in costs.
WBA, Express Scripts boost group purchasing relationship
Express Scripts Holding Co. and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) are expanding their group purchasing efforts to include the procurement of specialty branded drugs.
Solodyn generics launched by Teva, Impax
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Impax Laboratories Inc. have released minocycline HCl extended-release tablets, an acne medication, in 65 mg and 115 mg dosages.
Teva rolls out QVAR RediHaler in U.S.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has made its QVAR RediHaler Inhalation Aerosol (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) commercially available in 40-mcg and 80-mcg strengths in the United States.
Pharmasave pharmacies in Alberta adopt PrescribeIT
Two Pharmasave stores in Lethbridge are the first pharmacies in Alberta to participate in PrescribeIT, Canada’s recently launched electronic prescription platform.
Sandoz releases Copaxone generic
Following Food and Drug Administration final approval, Sandoz has launched of Glatopa 40 mg/ml (glatiramer acetate injection), a multiple sclerosis medication.
Reports: WBA in talks to buy AmerisourceBergen
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) is in negotiations to acquire drug distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp., according to published reports.
Rite Aid stocks up to help battle the flu
As flu cases mount in one of the most severe U.S. flu seasons in the past decade, Rite Aid Corp. is ensuring that its pharmacies are well-prepared. Rite Aid said Monday that its pharmacies are stocked with flu shots, which are available on a walk-in basis at all locations, as well
Canadian drug chains to take hit from generic price cuts
Pharmacy operators across Canada will be hit hard by lower generic drug prices set to take effect this spring, said Metro Inc. chief executive officer Eric La Fleche.
Trump makes cutting high drug prices a priority
In his first State of the Union speech, President Donald Trump renewed his pledge to reduce prescription drug prices, days after a former big pharma executive was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Rexall makes no-Rx naloxone available chainwide
Rexall has rolled out naloxone kits to all 446 of its drug stores across Canada. The drug chain, part of McKesson Canada, said the opioid overdose antidote is available to patients without a prescription.
Kevin Hourican named interim head of CVS Pharmacy
Kevin Hourican, executive vice president of retail pharmacy and supply chain at CVS Health, will run the company’s retail division on an interim basis following the departure of Helena Foulkes.
NACDS updates point-of-care testing course
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has launched an updated Community Pharmacy-Based Point-of-Care Certificate Program. NACDS said Tuesday that it revised the point-of-care certificate program to offer a richer, more engaging experience for learners and trainers.
Bayer hires ABC News’ Dan Childs for U.S. media relations
ABC News medical journalist Dan Childs has joined Bayer as director of external communications, with responsibility mainly for U.S. media relations. Childs started at Bayer on Feb. 5. Most recently, he served as managing editor of the ABC News medical unit, a post he has held since October 2012.