Specialty Pharmacy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new means of administering a cancer drug made by Takeda, the drug maker said.

The FDA approved injection under the skin of Velcade (bortezomib) for multiple myeloma and mantle-cell lymphoma, also known as subcutaneous injection.

Takeda said the approval was based on results of a phase-3 trial conducted on 222 patients who had not received the drug before that showed subcutaneous injection worked as well as intravenous injection.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new manufacturing plant that will be operated by drug maker Genzyme.

Genzyme said the plant, located in Framingham, Mass., will help the company continue the production of Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta), a Fabry disease treatment, so that patients can be return to the full dosing levels (1 mg/kg).

PALATINE, Ill. — A pain medication that utilizes Acura Pharmaceuticals' Aversion technology now is commercially available.

Acura said it was informed by Pfizer that Oxecta has hit the market in 5-mg and 7.5-mg strengths, which will be sold in 100-count bottles. Oxecta is indicated for the management of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain where the use of an opioid analgesic is appropriate.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Fertility clinic network Vivere Health has inked a deal with Metro Medical Supply to launch a specialty pharmacy company, Vivere said Monday.

Avanti Specialty Pharmacy Management will provide fertility pharmacy and related management services, Vivere said.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb has donated $6.9 million to a nonprofit group that helps people pay for medical treatments, the company said.

Bristol made the donation to the HealthWell Foundation, which provides financial assistance to eligible people for covering co-insurance, co-payments, healthcare premiums and deductibles for certain treatments. The drug maker's donation is targeted toward underinsured cancer patients.

According to the American Diabetes Association’s latest figures, 79 million Americans have prediabetes, but only 1-out-of-10 knows it. That suggests a terrific upside in the market of diabetes-testing supplies and diabetes-supportive products as more of those Americans become aware of their condition. 


Record-breaking attendance and four panel discussions on such topics as specialty pharmacy and diabetes set the stage for the 13th annual Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit held on Nov. 29 in New York City. This year’s event attracted more than 30 retailers and 200 industry suppliers. 


CVS Caremark is reinventing pharmacy and unlocking the full potential of its distinctive model. The company is doing this by capitalizing on what Larry Merlo, president and CEO, has referred to as “integration sweet spots,” which are capabilities unique to CVS Caremark’s integrated model. In this issue of DSN, we explore what we believe are 10 keys to driving growth across CVS' network and transforming the retail health landscape.