Specialty Pharmacy

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Genentech’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) for the treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy. Tecentriq was previously approved for people with locally advanced or mUC who have disease progression during or following any platinum-containing chemotherapy, or within 12 months of receiving chemotherapy before surgery (neoadjuvant) or after surgery (adjuvant).

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Mayo Clinic have proposed a new way to determine if clinical trials are effective. The research was published in the Journal of American Medicine.

Giant supermarket operator Kroger views health and wellness as an area for long-term investment, a point underscored by its purchase last year of specialty pharmacy ModernHEALTH. Even as it faces headwinds related to food deflation, Kroger is keeping an eye on growth opportunities in its expansive market area, which includes 35 states and the District of Columbia.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy is moving one of its executives to help support its Envoy Health Management business. Jennifer Cretu — most recently VP marketing and public relations — has been named SVP pharma services and marketing.

In the new role, Cretu will manage pharma services for EnvoyHealth, which offers comprehensive program solutions for manufacturers to help bring their medications to market. She will continue overseeing Diplomat’s corporate communications, marketing and public relations.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy on Tuesday named Atul Kavthekar as its CFO and treasurer, effective May 1. Kavthekar will head up Diplomat’s financial operations and investor relations, as well as managing the company’s liquidity, balance sheet risk and capital market transactions, reporting directly to CEO and chairman Phil Hagerman.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy has added a former Surgeon General to its board of directors. Dr. Regina Benjamin, who served as Surgeon General from 2009-2013 under Pres. Barack Obama, has been appointed to the board effective immediately and will stand for election at the company’s 2017 annual meeting.

MEMPHIS, TENN. — Fred’s Pharmacy recorded a net loss of approximately $22.5 million or $0.60 per share for its 2016 fiscal fourth quarter ended Jan.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health’s Advanced Care Scripts on Tuesday received accreditation in specialty pharmacy from URAC, an independent firm that promotes healthcare quality through accreditation, certification and measurement. According to CVS, by achieving this status, ACS has demonstrated a comprehensive commitment to quality care, improved processes and better patient outcomes.