Specialty Pharmacy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved changes to the labeling of a cancer drug made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

Takeda and Millennium, the Japanese drug maker's cancer-drug subsidiary, announced Tuesday that the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application for the injectable multiple myeloma drug Velcade (bortezomib) that updates its label to include additional data from a clinical study showing that the drug extended patients' survival time.

LONDON — Pfizer soon may lose its distinction of having the highest global sales of any drug company, according to life sciences industry analysis firm EvaluatePharma.

The next contender for the title is France's Sanofi, which EvaluatePharma said was expected to take the top spot next year and stay there through 2016.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama issued an executive order Monday to address the growing problem of drug shortages.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals and a partnering company are barred from launching a generic version of a blood-thinning drug under a federal court decision issued Friday.

COVINGTON, Ky. — The VP distribution operations for Omnicare's RxCrossroads business has stepped into a new role, Omnicare announced Tuesday.

Dan Thomas was appointed to the role of SVP and general manager for RxCrossroads, an Omnicare division that provides specialized solutions specifically tailored to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Thomas, who has worked in the unit for 27 years, will have full operational responsibility in his new role and report to Nitin Sahney, EVP and president of Omnicare’s Specialty Care Group.

MELVILLE, N.Y. — In line with its new position as a stand-alone corporation, the former U.S. subsidiary of a Swiss drug maker has appointed a new leader.

Nycomed US announced that Brian Markison, former chairman and CEO of King Pharmaceuticals, will lead the company as president, CEO and a member of the board. The company also appointed Jeff Bailey as COO and John Golubieski as CFO. Both Bailey and Golubieski also held executive roles at King.

WASHINGTON — The ink has barely dried on the acquisition agreement between pharmacy benefit management giants Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions, but several groups already are seeing smudges — most recently, a trade organization representing independent specialty pharmacy providers.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec has expanded its online resource for patients living with multiple sclerosis to include new resources and support programs.

MS ActiveSource features have expanded to include additional information and support on a range of issues, including financial assistance and nursing services. Additionally, the website also features a new online patient-to-patient community called ActiveVoices.