Specialty Pharmacy

FDA to recommend rescheduling of opioid painkiller hydrocodone from CIII to CII
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration plans to recommend stronger regulations for a commonly used opioid painkiller.
NASP launches medical marijuana task force
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy has launched a task force to investigate pharmacological management of medical marijuana, the group said.

Currently, according to NASP, there are no national standards of practice for the management of medical marijuana, though according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical purposes. Two of those states, Washington and Colorado, have legalized recreational use as well.

Clinical trial results support experimental Gilead drug for hepatitis C as safe, effective, FDA records show

NEW YORK — An experimental drug under development by Gilead Sciences for hepatitis C is safe and effective when combined with other treatments, according to a review posted on the Food and Drug Administration's website ahead of an expert panel meeting to take place Friday.
ACHC renews accreditation for Axium Healthcare Pharmacy

LAKE MARY, Fla. — A group that accredits healthcare organizations has renewed its certification for the Kroger Co.'s specialty pharmacy division.

Axium Healthcare Pharmacy said Wednesday that it received a renewal of its accreditation status from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care for its specialty pharmacy services.
FDA designates Merck hepatitis C drug as breakthrough therapy

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to an experimental drug made by Merck for hepatitis C, the drug maker said.
FDA approves subcutaneous Actemra for rheumatoid arthritis

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a drug made by Genentech for rheumatoid arthritis that can be injected into the skin.

Genentech announced the approval of a subcutaneous formulation of Actemra (tocilizumab) in adults for adults with moderate RA who have not found sufficient relief by taking such disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs as methotrexate. Like the intravenous formulation of Actemra, the new version can be used alone or with drugs like methotrexate.
BioRx launches hemophilia smartphone app

CINCINNATI — A mobile app described as the specialty pharmacy industry's first for patients with hemophilia has become available.
MedImpact Healthcare Systems names BioPlus a 'ChoiceSpecialty' provider

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A privately owned pharmacy benefit manager has named BioPlus Specialty Pharmacy as one of its top providers, BioPlus said Wednesday.

The specialty pharmacy said MedImpact Healthcare Systems had named it a ChoiceSpecialty provider and one of the preferred pharmacy providers of hepatitis C medications to MedImpact members.
Biosimilars should take same generic names as branded counterparts, Hospira's Ramachandra says

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — A top executive of generic drug maker Hospira spoke in favor of giving biosimilar drugs the same generic names as the branded biologics they're based on.
Amgen acquires rights to Neupogen, Neulasta in 100 markets from Roche

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Biotech drug maker Amgen has acquired from Roche the rights to drugs used to boost the immune systems of cancer patients on chemotherapy in 100 markets.

FDA to recommend rescheduling of opioid painkiller hydrocodone from CIII to CII

NASP launches medical marijuana task force

Clinical trial results support experimental Gilead drug for hepatitis C as safe, effective, FDA records show

ACHC renews accreditation for Axium Healthcare Pharmacy

FDA designates Merck hepatitis C drug as breakthrough therapy

FDA approves subcutaneous Actemra for rheumatoid arthritis

BioRx launches hemophilia smartphone app

MedImpact Healthcare Systems names BioPlus a 'ChoiceSpecialty' provider

Biosimilars should take same generic names as branded counterparts, Hospira's Ramachandra says

Amgen acquires rights to Neupogen, Neulasta in 100 markets from Roche