Specialty Pharmacy

WASHINGTON — Several senators have requested that the Government Accountability Office look for ways to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement and public health agencies at various levels and nonprofit organizations to address prescription drug abuse.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A system for connecting doctors with patients via smartphone is being presented at a healthcare information technology conference this month.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, the foundation of the Healthcare Distribution Management Association, on Friday announced the appointment of three directors to its board: including Gregory Drew, president of Value Drug Company; Peyton Howell, president of global sourcing and manufacturer relations at AmerisourceBergen; and, Kirk Kaminsky, SVP operations of McKesson Specialty Health.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory application for a new painkiller from Iroko Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Monday.

Iroko is seeking approval for a lower-dose, submicron diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for treating mild to moderate acute pain in adults.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration will inspect about 30 compounding pharmacies that it has deemed "high risk," according to published reports.

Businessweek reported that the FDA started visits to the pharmacies started last month and would continue for the next two months. So far, unsanitary conditions were found at pharmacies in Chicago, Florida, Arkansas and Mississippi.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has bought a manufacturer of generic injectables for $1.6 billion, the company said.

Mylan announced the acquisition of Bangalore, India-based Agila from Strides Arcolab, which Mylan said would allow it to strengthen its injectables business and enter new markets around the world.

GREAT NECK, N.Y. — MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System (North Shore-LIJ), one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

NEW YORK — A privately owned drug maker in New York is offering $6.5 billion for Irish drug maker Elan, but hasn't heard back from it, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that Royalty Pharma's $11-per-share offer for Elan represented a 4% premium over its closing price Friday. Royalty buys royalty interests in drug products that are in late-stage development or have already entered the market, but doesn't develop or market drugs of its own, the AP reported.