FTC probes Bristol-Myers Squibb over generic Plavix
April 9th 2007The FTC launched a civil investigation requesting that Bristol-Myers Squibb turn over key documents and information surrounding a reverse-payment deal it and Sanofi-Aventis made with generic firm Apotex to delay market entry of generic clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix).
Power to negotiate Medicare drug prices would save $30 billion
April 9th 2007A new report from the Campaign for America's Future argues that Medicare Part D and beneficiaries would save $30 billion in prescription drug costs if the federal government negotiated Medicare drug prices with pharmaceutical companies.
Charleston, W.V., tops market for diabetes meds purchases
April 2nd 2007Charleston, W.V., is the market with the highest incidence of people who purchased medicine for diabetes over the past year, according to Scarborough Research. Of consumers in this market, 15% are diabetes medication purchasers, followed by Knoxville, Tenn. (14%), Memphis (11%), Columbus, Ohio (11%), and Tulsa, Okla. (11%).
FDA commissioner backs a third class of drugs
April 2nd 2007DA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., recently told a group of attendees of the Consumer Healthcare Product Association's annual executive conference in Naples, Fla., that in order to increase consumer access to healthcare products, stakeholders should explore "new ways that might include the opportunity to think through and pursue the process of a third class of drugs regulated by FDA."