BioCryst receives $22.5 million peramivir order AP (November 05, 2009) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Thursday it will receive $22.5 million as part of a new contract with the Department of Health and Human Services over the intravenous flu treatment peramivir.
Smart Rx: Drugs that work and won't break the bank AP (November 04, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Last year pharmaceutical companies spent more than $4 billion urging patients like you to "ask your doctor" about their drugs. But if you want a prescription that won't empty your wallet, while still keeping you well, you might start asking your doctor about drugs you don't see on TV.
Merck, now No. 2 drugmaker, set for future buys AP (November 04, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The new Merck & Co. has become the world's second-biggest drugmaker overnight with a huge acquisition, but it still has a fat wallet and plans more wheeling and dealing.
Merck, now No. 2 drugmaker, set for future buys AP (November 04, 2009) WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) - The new Merck & Co. becomes the world's second-biggest drugmaker overnight, and it's boasting a fat wallet to fund future deals.
Officials: Swine flu confirmed in Iowa cat AP (November 04, 2009) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A 13-year-old Iowa cat has been infected with swine flu, veterinary and federal officials said Wednesday in what is believed to be the first case of the H1N1 virus in a feline in the United States.
Health care dispute: Costs of defensive medicine AP (November 04, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - Dr. James Wang says he tries to tell his patients when extra medical procedures aren't necessary. If they insist, though, he will do it - not so much to protect their health as his own practice.
Medco Health 3Q profit jumps 13.5 percent AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, said Tuesday its profit rose 13.5 percent as the company gained new clients and benefited from price inflation of brand-name drugs.
Merck completes $41B purchase of Schering-Plough AP (November 03, 2009) WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey drugmakers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. have made their longtime partnership permanent.
Novavax seasonal flu vaccine meets study goal AP (November 02, 2009) ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - Biotechnology company Novavax Inc. said Monday its seasonal flu vaccine candidate met key goals in a midstage clinical trial.
Schering-Plough reports data on hepatitis C drug AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Schering-Plough Corp. said its experimental hepatitis C drug boceprevir helped eliminate the virus in about half of patients who did not respond to standard treatments.
Human Genome reports positive data on lupus drug AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Human Genome Sciences and GlaxoSmithKline said Monday their experimental lupus treatment passed another key goal on its path to potentially becoming the first new drug for the disease in decades.
NFL's Goodell to testify on Vikings suspensions AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is returning to Capitol Hill next week, this time to testify about the case of two professional football players whose suspensions for violating the league's anti-doping policy were blocked by the courts.
CDC: Swine flu kids' deaths jump to 114 AP (October 30, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - Swine flu has caused at least 19 more children's deaths - the largest one-week increase since the pandemic started in April, health officials said Friday.
AstraZeneca quarterly earns up 22 percent AP (October 29, 2009) LONDON (AP) - Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca PLC posted a 22 percent rise in third quarter net profit on Thursday, boosted by initial sales of its swine flu vaccine and delayed entry of generic drug competition in the United States.
Doctor wrote about kissing Anna Nicole in diary AP (October 29, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - One of Anna Nicole Smith's doctors worried about his own drug use and his professionalism after he kissed her and prescribed her highly addictive drugs, according to his diary, which was read in court.
SciClone to restructure, cut work force 17 percent AP (October 28, 2009) FOSTER CITY, Calif. (AP) - SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Wednesday said it will cut 17 percent of its work force - which was at 227 people at the end of 2008 - as part of a corporate restructuring.
GlaxoSmithKline third quarter profit up 11 percent AP (October 28, 2009) LONDON (AP) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the world's second largest drug maker by revenue, posted Wednesday an 11 percent rise in third quarter earnings on the back of strong sales of the flu drug Relenza and forecast an even bigger boost from its swine flu vaccines in the final quarter of the year.
Chemotherapy drug sales boost Hospira 3Q profit AP (October 27, 2009) LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) - Hospira Inc. said Tuesday its profit jumped 42 percent in the third quarter due to rising sales of specialty drugs, primarily a generic chemotherapy treatment.
Alarming weight gain seen in kids on psych drugs AP (October 27, 2009) CHICAGO (AP) - Children on widely used psychiatric drugs can quickly gain an alarming amount of weight; many pack on nearly 20 pounds and become obese within just 11 weeks, a study found.
Shire says FDA reaffirms Vyvanse exclusivity AP (October 26, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shire PLC said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reaffirmed a prior decision to give the attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder drug Vyvanse five years of market exclusivity.
'Bioidenticals' not FDA-approved, contain estrogen AP (October 26, 2009) (AP) - EDITOR'S NOTE: Ten years and $2.5 billion in research have found no cures from alternative medicine. Yet these mostly unproven treatments are now mainstream and used by more than a third of all Americans. This is one in an occasional series examining their use and potential risks.
Merck says 3Q net income falls 28 percent AP (October 26, 2009) FRANKFURT (AP) - German drug and chemical maker Merck KGaA reported Monday that net income fell 28 percent to euro144 million ($216 million) in the third quarter as weak demand hurt revenue, but said its chemicals and liquid crystals divisions were recovering.
HHS' Sebelius: Ample flu vaccine will be available AP (October 26, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Monday the swine flu vaccine "is coming out the door as fast as it comes off the production line."
EU approves Merck, Schering-Plough tie-up AP (October 23, 2009) BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union on Friday approved the proposed tie-up of U.S. drug makers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. which would create the second-biggest global producer of prescription medicines.
Merck posts big profit jump, slight rise in sales AP (October 22, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Drugmaker Merck & Co. on Thursday posted a bigger profit in the third quarter due to slightly higher sales and a huge gain from selling a business.
Novartis says 3Q profit up 1 pct, raises outlook AP (October 22, 2009) GENEVA (AP) - Drug maker Novartis AG posted Thursday a 1 percent increase in third-quarter net profit on strong sales of pharmaceuticals, such as its new Afinitor drug against kidney cancer, and raised its full-year outlook after the approval of its swine flu vaccines.
Schering-Plough posts 17 percent drop in 3Q profit AP (October 22, 2009) KENILWORTH, N.J. (AP) - Drugmaker Schering-Plough Corp. on Thursday ported lower revenue and a smaller profit in the third quarter, partly due to slightly higher spending on taxes and research.
Bristol-Myers posts higher 3Q sales, lower profit AP (October 22, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Drugmaker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. on Thursday reported a solid increase in third-quarter revenue, due to strong sales growth for its blockbuster blood thinner Plavix and other key medicines, and boosted its profit forecast.
Eli Lilly posts 3Q profit ahead of forecasts AP (October 21, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Eli Lilly & Co. said Wednesday it turned a profit in the third quarter as sales volume on several drugs climbed, but its newest drug and key source of future revenue started slowly.
Earnings Preview: Merck to report 3Q earnings AP (October 21, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Merck & Co., a Dow component and the world's eighth-biggest drug maker by revenue, reports earnings for the third quarter on Thursday morning. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.
CDC concedes vaccine production behind schedule AP (October 21, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A top-ranking official of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says production of a vaccine for swine flu virus is behind schedule and people should take precautionary steps to prevent its spread.
Biogen 3Q profit beats views on smaller charges AP (October 20, 2009) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Biogen Idec Inc. said Tuesday its profit jumped 34 percent in the third quarter due to lower amortization costs and increased sales of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri.
Pfizer profit jumps 26 percent on cost cutting AP (October 20, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Pfizer Inc. on Tuesday posted a higher third-quarter profit despite the recession, as sharp cost cuts made up for a dip in sales.
FDA letter delays OK for Amgen bone drug Prolia AP (October 19, 2009) THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) - Amgen says the Food and Drug Administration wants more information about its osteoporosis treatment Prolia before granting marketing approval. It delays a drug seen as a potential blockbuster for the company.
FDA approves Glaxo's cervical cancer vaccine AP (October 16, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline said Friday U.S. regulators approved its vaccine Cervarix to prevent the leading cause of cervical cancer in women.
Report: Smoking bans protect nonsmokers' hearts AP (October 15, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - A major report confirms what health officials long have believed: Bans on smoking in restaurants, bars and other gathering spots reduce the risk of heart attacks among nonsmokers.
Humira and nutrition sales lift Abbott 3Q profit AP (October 14, 2009) NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) - Abbott Laboratories reported Wednesday it beat its own expectations in the third quarter as sales of its drug Humira continued to climb, as did sales of medical products and nutritional products for children.
Onyx Pharma will pay up to $851M for Proteolix AP (October 12, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Onyx Pharmaceuticals is buying cancer drug developer Proteolix Inc. in a deal that could be worth as much as $851 million.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Supporters of President Barack Obama's drive to remake health care are pushing back against a dire report from the insurance industry warning of hefty new costs for consumers from the latest legislation.