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INDIANAPOLIS — A drug made by Eli Lilly & Co. produced "significant" improvements in patients with erectile dysfunction who also had benign prostatic hyperplasia, according to results of a new study.

The phase-3 study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that Cialis (tadalafil) improved erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with both conditions. BPH is a condition in which the prostate enlarges, causing urinary symptoms.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday released results from a survey of more than 800 independent community pharmacists about the negative consequences for their patients and their businesses if diabetes testing supplies under Medicare Part B are subjected to competitive bidding prices.

“The message from our survey is clear: applying competitive bidding prices for diabetes testing supplies to independent community pharmacies is financially unsustainable for these pharmacies,” stated NCPA EVP and CEO Douglas Hoey.

WASHINGTON — Drug makers have 901 biotech drugs under development for more than 100 diseases ranging from cancers and infectious diseases to autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular diseases, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said.


FRANKFORT, Ky. — The debate on the prescription status of pseudoephedrine in the state of Kentucky heated up last week as the deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Benjamin Tucker on Wednesday told Kentucky lawmakers that they should mandate PSE to Rx-only status, according to reports.

Tucker last week was the keynote speaker at the Kentucky Drug Summit, part of the Kentucky League of Cities annual convention, and headlined a panel of federal, state and local experts to examine pill mills, meth labs and prescription drug abuse.

A group representing independent pharmacies is urging Congress to cut the deficit by reducing healthcare expenditures, but “without compromising patients’ access to their pharmacy of choice or harming local jobs.” In a letter sent last month to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, the National Community Pharmacists Association suggested increasing use of generic drugs, encouraging such services as medication therapy management, collecting manufacturer rebates, and allowing patients to choose their pharmacies and avoid requirements to use mail-order services.

INDIANAPOLIS — Two senior leaders at Eli Lilly are retiring, the company said Tuesday.

The Indianapolis-based drug maker announced the Dec. 31 retirements of Lilly SVP and Bio-Medicines president Bryce Carmine, and president of manufacturing operations Frank Deane. Carmine and Deane have worked at Lilly for 36 years and 33 years, respectively. Lilly USA president Dave Ricks will replace Carmine, while SVP global drug product manufacturing Maria Crowe will replace Deane.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new strength for a psychiatric drug made by Edgemont Pharmaceuticals, Edgemont said Tuesday.

The drug maker announced the approval of a 60 mg dose of fluoxetine tablets, a treatment for major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa and panic disorder. The drug was originally marketed under the brand name Prozac.

NEW YORK — Indian generic drug maker Lupin has launched an authorized generic version of a birth control pill made by Warner Chilcott, according to published reports.

Dow Jones reported that Lupin launched an authorized generic of Femcon (norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ferrous fumarate tablets).

An authorized generic is a branded drug sold under its generic name at a reduced price, usually through a third-party company.