Specialty Pharmacy

NEW YORK — Leaders in specialty pharmacy gathered in New York on Tuesday at the New York Athletic Club to attend the second annual Specialty Pharmacy Roundtable discussion presented by Drug Store News and Armada Health Care.

David Galardi, co-founder of Apogenics Inc., moderated the robust panel, which was comprised of Nick Calla of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, John Musil of The Apothecary Shops, Tim Kaplan of Amber Pharmacy, Jeanne Ann Stasny of Walmart Specialty Pharmacy and Albert Thigpen of CVS Caremark, among others.

ROCKLAND, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has extended its review period for a multiple sclerosis drug made by EMD Serono, the drug maker said Friday.

EMD Serono — the U.S. subsidiary of German drug maker Merck KGaA, which uses the name to avoid confusion with U.S.-based Merck — said the FDA had extended the review time for cladribine tablets to Feb. 28. The drug is a disease-modifying drug for relapsing MS.

INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly and Australian drug maker Acrux have received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a testosterone replacement therapy for men, the two companies announced Tuesday.

The FDA approved Axiron (testosterone) topical solution as a treatment for men with various conditions that lead to deficiency of the hormone. The drug, a controlled substance, is designed for application under the arm.

NEW YORK A daily dose of an anti-retroviral pill appears to prevent HIV infection, according to results of a study conducted by University of California at San Francisco researchers, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Tuesday.

LAKE MARY, Fla. Specialty pharmacy provider Axium Healthcare Pharmacy has received recognition from the National Hemophilia Foundation for its treatment programs, Axium said.

The NHF said Axium “meets or exceeds” the standards of the organization’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, meaning that it has staff knowledgeable about and provides a full range of treatments, has 24-hour access to pharmacy staff and has good record-keeping, billing and product recall processes.

FLINT, Mich. Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Steven Miesowicz to VP human resources, planning and government relations, the company said Monday.

 

Miesowicz previously served as the company’s senior director for human resources and as a business management consultant. He had a large role in securing the Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit that the company received in connection with the relocation to its new Flint, Mich., headquarters.

 

 

DEERFIELD, Ill. An intensive cancer patient management program by Walgreens’ specialty pharmacy professionals could save health plan payers $2,000 to $4,000 per patient each month, the company announced.

NEW YORK Pfizer has extended the deadline of its $3.6 billion offer to buy King Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer said Monday.

 

Pfizer said it had extended its tender offer to Dec. 17 because certain conditions had not been met, but the two companies plan to have it finished by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

 

 

King, based in Bristol, Tenn., specializes in branded opioid prescription painkillers.