BioCryst Pharma gets $7M payment after Japanese partner Shionogi files for marketing approvalNovember 4th, 2009 more images
more imagesBioCryst partner seeks peramivir approval in JapanBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Drug dispensing service Omnicare will pay $98M to settle federal investigation into kickbacksNovember 3rd, 2009 Omnicare will settle kickback cases for $98MNEW YORK — Omnicare Inc., which dispenses drugs to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, will pay $98 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to nursing homes to gain business and also received kickbacks for buying and recommending drugs. The U.S. Department of Justice says Omnicare paid a $50 million kickback to two Atlanta nursing home chains, who were among its largest customers, to keep their business.
Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs like Lipitor, Zocor, may improve flu survival, study findsOctober 29th, 2009 more images
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Study: Cholesterol drugs may improve flu survival
A new treatment for swine flu may already be on pharmacy shelves — cholesterol-lowering statin drugs like Lipitor and Zocor. A large study found that people who were taking these drugs when they caught seasonal flu and had to be hospitalized were twice as likely to survive than those who were not on such medicines.
Novartis seeks to calm fears over swine flu vaccine delivery to USOctober 29th, 2009 more images
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Novartis says on track to deliver US vaccine order
BASEL, Switzerland — Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG said Thursday it is on track to meet its U.S. government order for swine flu vaccine, seeking to calm fears in recent weeks that shipments and vaccination programs may be delayed.
BioCryst takes bigger 3Q loss after starting late-stage tests of IV flu treatment peramivirOctober 29th, 2009 more images
more imagesBioCryst 3Q loss grows as peramivir tests continueBIRMINGHAM, Ala. — BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Novartis posts 1 percent increase in 3Q net profit; says charges prevented better resultOctober 22nd, 2009 Novartis says 3Q profit up 1 pct, raises outlookGENEVA — 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. The profit of $2.1 billion was up from $2 billion in the same period of 2008.
Aromatherapy, yoga, head massages for foreign criminals awaiting deportation in UKOctober 22nd, 2009 LONDON - Foreign criminals awaiting deportation in UK, including rapists and murderers, recently had an implausible experience when they were treated to aromatherapy, yoga and head massages, all paid for by the taxpayer. It was part of the "Well Being Day" held at the Government-funded Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in Berkshire, which regularly holds theme days for more than 300 detainees.
Government: 50 million doses of swine flu vaccine set for November, 150 million in DecemberOctober 21st, 2009 Swine flu vaccine goal 50 million doses next monthWASHINGTON — The government now hopes to have about 50 million doses of swine flu vaccine out by mid-November and 150 million in December. Doses have been arriving more slowly than had been hoped, but Dr.
Lupin buys anti-cholesterol drug rights for $39 mnSeptember 28th, 2009 MUMBAI - Indian pharmaceuticals major Lupin Tuesday said it had acquired the rights for Antara, a drug to treat high blood cholesterol and high triglycerides, for $38.61 million from the US-based Oscient Pharmaceuticals. The rights for the drug, along with related assets and inventories, have been acquired under the procedures of the US Bankruptcy Court, the company said in a regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
At least 6 million swine flu vaccine doses arrive first week of October; far more coming soonSeptember 24th, 2009 HHS: Swine flu vaccine starts arriving in 2 weeksWASHINGTON — More swine flu vaccine will arrive the first week of October than officials previously thought — between 6 million and 7 million doses. That's roughly double earlier predictions, and most will be the nasal spray version called FluMist, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday.
Sanofi-Aventis CEO says US deliveries of swine flu vaccine to begin in OctoberSeptember 21st, 2009 Sanofi to deliver swine flu vaccine in OctoberPARIS — Sanofi-Aventis SA will begin delivering the first doses of its new swine flu vaccine in the United States by mid-October, the head of France's largest pharmaceutical company said Monday. In an interview with French daily Le Figaro, Chris Viehbacher said Sanofi-Aventis will be able to produce at least 800 million doses of the vaccine per year.
NJ pharmaceuticals firm Biovail to pay nearly $25M after guilty plea in doctor kickbacks caseSeptember 14th, 2009 NJ drug firm to pay nearly $25M in kickbacks caseBOSTON — A New Jersey pharmaceuticals firm will pay nearly $25 million in criminal and civil fines after pleading guilty to federal charges that it made illegal payments to encourage doctors to prescribe a blood pressure drug. The U.S. attorney's office in Boston announced Monday that Bridgewater-based Biovail Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Novel flu drug proves effective; Tamiflu saves lives, not just shortens illness, studies showSeptember 13th, 2009 Study: New drug fights flu as well as Tamiflu doesSAN FRANCISCO — A new flu medicine may be on the way. Researchers say the experimental drug peramivir (purr-AM-uh-veer) works as well as Tamiflu for clearing up flu symptoms.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals shares plunge as Parkinson's disease drug fails late-stage studySeptember 1st, 2009 Acadia shares fall on failed Parkinson's studyNEW YORK — Shares of Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. plunged Tuesday after the company said its drug candidate pimavanserin failed to meet key treatment goals in a late-stage study focusing on patients with Parkinson's disease psychosis.
Watson Pharmaceuticals gets FDA approval for over-the-counter emergency contraceptiveAugust 28th, 2009 Watson gets approval for emergency contraceptiveCORONA, Calif. — Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.
