Avella named distribution source for oral-liquid breast cancer drug

PHOENIX — A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for an oral-liquid drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Avella Specialty Pharmacy announced Monday a deal with Dara BioSciences that would make a distribution source for Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate) oral solution in the United States. The drug is the only available oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, previously available in pill form only.

"Making access easier for patients helps them stay on their therapy, which leads to better health outcomes," Avella president Keith Cook said. "Since our inception, we've taken great pride in the fact that all of our team members do what it takes to regularly provide the highest level of fully integrated pharmacy services to our patients and their providers."

A woman has a 1-in-8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her life, and a woman is diagnosed with the disease every three minutes, according to the American Cancer Society.

"A significant number of breast cancer patients may have difficulty swallowing pills," Dara CEO David Drutz said. "This may lead some patients to miss doses or discontinue therapy altogether."

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