Branded

WASHINGTON — A new analysis from Avalere Health released Monday found that consumers purchasing insurance through exchanges are twice as likely to face utilization management controls on prescription medications compared with people enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance plans. Utilization management controls, including prior authorization and step therapy, are administrative steps that patients and their physicians must complete to demonstrate appropriate use of the drugs.

DURHAM, N.C. — New guidelines for using statins to treat high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease are projected to result in 12.8 million more U.S. adults taking the drugs, according to a research team led by Duke Medicine scientists. Overall, of the 12.8 million additional U.S. adults recommended for statin use under the new guidelines, 10.4 million are people who would be prescribed the drugs for preventive care. Of those preventive users, 8.3 million would be people over the age of 60. 

WASHINGTON — Rx Response earlier this week established a new membership structure that will enable individual companies in the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain to become direct members.

DUBLIN — Actavis earlier this week announced that it has entered into an agreement with Noven Pharmaceuticals to settle all outstanding patent litigation related to Actavis' generic version of Daytrana (methylphenidate transdermal system). Daytrana is a CNS stimulant indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

NEW YORK — Danish pharmaceutical group Alk Abello, in association with Merck, expects to start selling its new dust mite allergy tablet in the United States in 2017, according to a Reuters report published Thursday. 

House dust mite-allergy is associated with allergic asthma and affects more than 30 million Americans.

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca on Wednesday launched Nexium Direct, a program that provides eligible patients the option of having brand-name Nexium delivered directly to their home. Nexium Direct is part of AstraZeneca Direct, a web-based offering that delivers select brand name prescription medications from AstraZeneca. The medications are dispensed by a team of registered pharmacists and certified pharmacy technicians available through a collaboration with Eagle Pharmacy.

DUBLIN — Mallinckrodt, a specialty pharmaceuticals company, announced the completion of its acquisition of Cadence Pharmaceuticals for approximately $1.4 billion.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday named Ernesto Quinteros, recently of Belkin International, as its chief design officer. He will join the company May 5 and report to Sandi Peterson, group worldwide chairman. 

The chief design officer for Johnson & Johnson is a newly created role that expands the responsibility of the company’s Global Strategic Design Office beyond its consumer business origins to encompass the breadth of the company’s portfolio, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer and health and wellness.