Specialty Pharmacy

FLINT, Mich. — A clinical technology manager at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has received an award from a state pharmacy association.

Diplomat said Monday that Michael Crowe had received the Fellow of Michigan Pharmacists Association award, announced over the weekend at the MPA's annual convention and exposition in Detroit. According to the MPA, the award "recognizes achievements and dedication to the practice of pharmacy, the community and MPA. The distinction signifies the recipient's actions well beyond the regular practice toward the advancement of pharmacy."

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for late-stage breast cancer, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Genentech's Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) for HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. HER2 is a protein involved in the growth of normal cells but found in increased amounts in some kinds of cancer cells, which contributes to cancer cell growth and survival. Genentech is the U.S. subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche.

NEW YORK — One of the Food and Drug Administration's chief duties is ensuring the quality of food and drug products, and that was the focus of a keynote address delivered Friday morning by FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg at the Generic Pharmaceutical Association's annual meeting.

In the address, viewed via webcast, Hamburg addressed issues ranging from quality to drug shortages to follow-on biologics, praising the generics industry's role in contributing more than $1 trillion in savings to the healthcare system over the past decade.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new vial size for a drug made by CSL Behring to treat a bleeding disorder and an immune disorder, the company said Thursday.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Less than one-quarter of American adults have ever had a skin check by a dermatologist despite rising rates of skin cancer, according to a new survey.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Valeant Pharmaceuticals has bought rights to a drug used to treat skin cancer from Eisai, the companies said Thursday.

Valeant has bought the rights to Targretin (bexarotene) capsules and gel from Eisai for $65 million upfront, plus additional payments based on certain milestones. Under the deal, Eisai has transferred its regulatory approval application to Valeant, which will assume responsibilities for all regulatory obligations associated with the product in the United States. Eisai will retain rights to the drug outside the United States.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a former information technology executive as its director of marketing.

The company announced Wednesday the appointment of James Kosmerick as director of marketing. Kosmerick was previously creative and marketing director for Bay City, Mich.-based TransIT Solutions. He also worked as an art director and designer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Lobbying groups for the retail pharmacy industry have a few suggestions for the Drug Enforcement Administration for drug take-back programs.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores expressed support for a rule the DEA proposed in December to govern the secure disposal of controlled substances by DEA registrants - including pharmacies - and patients, as well as people acting on their behalf.