Generics

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Medicines Co. and generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries have reached a settlement that will allow Teva to start selling a generic version of one of MDCO's drugs by the end of the decade.

The drug makers announced the settlement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, whereby Teva can launch a generic version of the injectable anticoagulant drug Angiomax (bivalirudin) in June 2019.

WASHINGTON — Though his term as Generic Pharmaceutical Association president and CEO began four weeks ago, Ralph Neas made his big debut Tuesday as he delivered his remarks at the GPhA-Food and Drug Administration Fall Technical Conference.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Women who smoke have heart attacks at younger ages and are more likely than men to suffer complications months after a cardiac event, according to a new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study released Tuesday.

Although fewer women than men smoke in the United States, the gender gap is decreasing and the U-M findings suggested the toll of smoking is greater on women’s health.

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — Taro Pharmaceutical Industries recently appointed a new member to its board, following the resignation of Hasmukh Shah.

Shah, who cited personal reasons for leaving the drug maker's board, was replaced by Dov Pekelman, who currently serves as chairman of both Atera Networks and Gilon Investments. Pekelman also served as senior consultant for Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from 1985 to 2008.

Pekelman will serve until Taro's next annual general meeting of shareholders.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Growing numbers of Americans with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are driving innovation among drug makers, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association is recommending several ways for reducing Medicare Part D fraud, waste and abuse to the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs subcommittee, the group said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — People taking oral steroids are twice as likely as the general population to have severe vitamin D deficiency, according to a study of more than 31,000 children and adults by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University released last week.

Their findings, published in the Sept. 28 online edition of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, suggested that physicians should more diligently monitor vitamin D levels in patients being treated with oral steroids.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana will offer Medicare Part D beneficiaries a prescription drug plan co-branded with Wal-Mart Stores, the two companies said Monday.

The plan, originally launched in 2010, will be launched again for 2012 and will include savings on monthly plan premiums, prescription drug copayments and cost-shares for beneficiaries.