PharmaSmart hails updated hypertension guidelines
PharmaSmart International Inc. welcomed new guidelines updating the definition of hypertension and stressing the use of validated devices for measuring blood pressure.
Pharmacy
Kaleo to launch Auvi-Q auto-injector for young children
Next year, Kaleo plans to release Auvi-Q 0.1 mg, a version of its epinephrine auto-injector for infants and small children. Kaleo said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Auvi-Q 0.
Merck gets FDA Approval for GONAL-f prefilled pen
Merck has received approval for a new version of GONAL-f (follitropin alfa injection) prefilled pen from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Known as GONAL-f RFF Redi-ject prefilled pen in the U.S.
AstraZeneca cleared to market Fasenra biologic for asthma
AstraZeneca plans to release Fasenra, its newly approved biologic drug for severe asthma, to U.S. pharmacies in the coming weeks.
Cardinal Health zeroes in on opioid abuse
Building on its efforts to fight the opioid abuse epidemic, Cardinal Health Inc. has launched an initiative targeting one of the nation’s hardest-hit areas.
Diplomat Pharmacy buys LDI for $595 million
Diplomat Pharmacy Inc. plans to acquire St. Louis-based pharmacy benefit manager LDI Integrated Pharmacy Services for in a $595 million cash and stock deal. The move marks the second PBM acquisition this month by Diplomat, the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy. On Nov.
PQA appoints new board members
The Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) has named new members to its board of directors and approved its 2018 executive committee. Mary Ann Kliethermes, vice chair of ambulatory care and professor at the Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, will serve as PQA’s chairman for 2018.
Higi backs redefined levels for high blood pressure
Health screening kiosk maker higi SH LLC welcomed reduced standards for high blood pressure (BP) released this week by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
Upsher-Smith parent sells stake in U.S. generics unit
Upsher-Smith Laboratories LLC said its Japan-based parent, Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., has agreed to sell a 20% stake in its Sawai America Inc. subsidiary to Sumitomo Corp. of Americas (SCOA). Under the deal, SCOA — part of global conglomerate Sumitomo Corp.
Lovell Drugs enlists Maricann to supply medicinal cannabis
Ontario pharmacy chain Lovell Drugs has signed a letter of intent with Maricann Group Inc. to be its exclusive supplier of medicinal cannabis.
Hy-Vee acquires pair of telepharmacies in Iowa
Hy-Vee Inc. has acquired two telepharmacy locations in Iowa and rebannered them as Hy-Vee Pharmacy. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. The food and drug retailer said Tuesday that the telepharmacies, formerly operated by TelePharm LLC, now part of Cardinal Health Inc.
Pfizer appoints Albert Bourla to new COO post
In a fine-tuning of its executive leadership, Pfizer Inc. has named Albert Bourla as chief operating officer, a newly created position. Pfizer said Bourla, 56, currently group president of the Pfizer Innovative Health business unit, is slated to start in the COO role on Jan. 1.
CVS Health to hire 5,000 apprentices by 2022
In its continued commitment to workforce development, CVS Health announced today it has set a goal of hiring 5,000 new apprentices by 2022. This newly established goal, which coincides with the U.S.
Former Lilly exec Alex Azar tabbed to head HHS
Biopharmaceutical industry executive Alex Azar has been nominated as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fill the post vacated by Tom Price.
Golinkin departs RediClinic, Health Dialog to lead FastMed
Web Golinkin, chief executive officer of Rite Aid Corp. subsidiaries RediClinic and Health Dialog, has left the companies to become CEO of FastMed Urgent Care. FastMed said Golinkin will oversee its more than 100 walk-in urgent care clinics in Arizona, Texas and North Carolina.
NACDS sees pharmacy as opioid crisis solution
Pharmacy can be key to thwarting opioid abuse, National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson told a government summit on the crisis.