Specialty Pharmacy

KINGSTON, R.I. — The National Institutes of Health have awarded a University of Rhode Island pharmacy professor a $1.3 million grant to further study a new class of inorganic nanoparticles that target primary cancer and help control the disease’s spread and recurrence.



DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Infusion Services on Monday announced that it has been selected as the preferred provider of home administration services for Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection), the only FDA-approved medication to help reduce the risk of preterm birth for clinically indicated patients. Makena is a progestin indicated to reduce the risk of preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy who have a history of singleton spontaneous preterm birth.

ROGERS, Ark. — Walmart health-and-wellness president John Agwunobi shared wide-ranging thoughts regarding the state of health care in America and ways in which the evolving marketplace is impacting Walmart customers.
 

BOSTON — Researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Massachusetts General Hospital have demonstrated that aspirin intake correlates with halted growth of vestibular schwannomas, also known as acoustic neuromas, a sometimes lethal intracranial tumor that typically causes hearing loss and tinnitus.

DUBLIN — Perrigo Co. announced that it received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for repaglinide tablets — a generic version of Prandin tablets — in 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The company has started shipment of the drug. Perrigo previously launched the 0.5-mg strength in 2013.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., a specialty pharmaceuticals company, on Thursday announced that it was granted final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% (once-a-day), a generic version of ISTA Pharmaceuticals’ Bromday ophthalmic solution, 0.09%.

The product is used to treat post-op inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have had cataract surgery. The company plans to launch the product immediately.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Armada Health Care on Thursday added featured speaker Myrtle Potter to its card at the 2014 Specialty Pharmacy Summit and Expo to be held in Las Vegas May 5 to 9. The specialty pharmacy group also announced the addition of a pre-conference seminar/workshop to take place on May 5 and 6. 

Potter will join a speaker faculty of more than 50 other industry experts at this conference with a presentation titled, "Healthcare Leaders: How Will You Successfully Navigate the Healthcare Storm?". 

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. — Due in part to the new Walgreens pharmaceutical business, AmerisourceBergen on Thursday reported revenue of $29.2 billion, up 38.5%, for its fiscal year 2014 first quarter ended Dec. 31.

“In our December quarter, we delivered solid results as we onboarded substantial new business,” Steven Collis, AmerisourceBergen president and CEO, said. “We performed well operationally, made meaningful progress through a significant working capital transition, and positioned ourselves well to meet our objectives for the fiscal year.”