Johnson & Johnson pays $1B for Elan stake AP (July 02, 2009) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) - Johnson & Johnson said Thursday it will take an 18.4 percent stake Ireland-based drug developer Elan Corp. with a $1 billion investment. The news sent Elan's shares soaring.
FDA panel to vote on painkiller restrictions AP (June 30, 2009) ADELPHI, Md. (AP) - Government experts are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether Nyquil and other combination cold medications should be pulled from the market to help curb deadly overdoses.
Altria announces departure of UST executive AP (June 26, 2009) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Altria Group Inc. said on Friday that Murray S. Kessler, chief executive of the smokeless tobacco company UST Inc., will leave the company at the end of June after overseeing key elements of UST's integration into Altria.
FDA says Ista eye drug has no serious side effects AP (June 24, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal health scientists said Wednesday an anti-itching drug from eye care company Ista Pharmaceuticals did not show any serious side effects in testing on patients.
Osiris shares fall on Prochymal study data AP (June 24, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Osiris Therapeutics Inc. fell Wednesday following study results showing the stem-cell drug candidate Prochymal met safety goals but failed to improve lung function in pulmonary disease patients.
FTC: end drug patent settlements to save $35B AP (June 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission says eliminating lucrative patent settlements between brand-name and generic drug companies would save consumers $3.5 billion annually.
FTC requests more info from Merck, Schering-Plough AP (June 22, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Drugmakers Merck and Co. and Schering-Plough Corp., which are in the process of a $41.1 billion tie-up, said Monday the Federal Trade Commission has asked for more information about the deal.
Obama to announce agreement with drug companies AP (June 22, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama will make a formal announcement Monday welcoming the weekend agreement by the pharmaceutical industry to help close a gap in prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
Obama to sign anti-smoking bill in Rose Garden AP (June 22, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is set to sign into law an anti-smoking bill that will give the Food and Drug Administration unprecedented authority to regulate tobacco.
Par announces mixed offering for $150 million AP (June 19, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Par Pharmaceutical Cos. said Friday it is selling up to $150 million in a mixed shelf offering and plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes.
Watson Pharma to buy Arrow group for $1.75B AP (June 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Wednesday it will buy smaller generic drug maker Arrow Group for $1.75 billion in cash and stock, getting access to a promising drug candidate pipeline and new markets.
Merck, Schering-Plough set meetings on merger AP (June 16, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Drugmakers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. say they will hold special meetings in August for their stockholders to approve their pending merger.
Main provisions of FDA tobacco legislation AP (June 12, 2009) (AP) - Main provisions of legislation giving the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate the production and marketing of tobacco products:
House set to send FDA tobacco bill to Obama AP (June 12, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - After more than a decade of efforts by smoking opponents, Congress prepared to take a final vote Friday on legislation giving the government far-reaching powers to regulate tobacco and limit tobacco industry marketing and sales practices that lure young people into smoking habits.
WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years AP (June 11, 2009) GENEVA (AP) - The World Health Organization told its member nations it was declaring a swine flu pandemic Thursday - the first global flu epidemic in 41 years - as infections climbed in the United States, Europe, Australia, South America and elsewhere.
FDA panel to vote on psychiatric drugs for kids AP (June 10, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration are scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether three powerful psychiatric drugs should be approved for children, despite side effects that can increase the risk of diabetes.