Specialty Pharmacy

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved Northera capsules (droxidopa) for the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension.

NOH is a rare, chronic drop in blood pressure upon standing that's associated with Parkinson's disease, multiple-system atrophy and pure autonomic failure. Symptoms include dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, fatigue and fainting when a person stands.

“No one gets paid unless patients improve adherence.”

That’s what Aaron McKethan, SVP of strategy and business development for RxAnte, had to say in a Jan. 13 article on Forbes.com, “A digital health acquisition to watch.” The story focused largely on RxAnte’s recent acquisition by Millennium Laboratories in December — which the author described as a “little-known, private equity-backed urine drug testing company” — and the technology it uses to improve patient adherence.

DUBLIN — Actavis and Forest Labs. on Tuesday announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Actavis will acquire Forest for a combination of cash and equity valued at approximately $25 billion, or $89.48 per Forest share ($26.04 in cash and 0.3306 Actavis shares for each share of Forest common stock). The per share consideration represents a premium of approximately 25% per share over Forest’s stock price, and a premium of approximately 31% over Forest’s 10-day volume weighted average stock price, as of the close of trading on Feb.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee on Monday announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Amber Pharmacy, a specialty pharmacy solutions provider based in Omaha, Neb. Hy-Vee and Amber Pharmacy have been partners in Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions since 2010. This acquisition allows Hy-Vee to expand its current specialty pharmacy business, providing customers with increased specialty options, access and affordability.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Monday announced that it is broadening its cancer immunotherapy research program with the acquisition of CoStim Pharmaceuticals, a Cambridge, Mass.-based, privately held biotechnology company focused on harnessing the immune system to eliminate immune-blocking signals from cancer.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy on Monday announced that it has initiated a content partnership with the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

The new partnership will support Diplomat’s recently launched web platform, diplomat.is, and its goal to be a leading resource for specialty pharmacy. Additionally, the partnership will further establish NASP’s position as a leading voice in specialty pharmacy and clinical news.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Vimizim (elosulfase alfa), the first FDA-approved treatment for Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA (Morquio A syndrome), which is a rare disease caused by a deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS).

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With new advances in treatment therapy now available for hepatitis C patients, Walgreens on Monday announced it is expanding access to Walgreens Connected Care hepatitis C program through its more than 100 hepatitis C-specialized pharmacies. Walgreens Connected Care is an education and support plan designed to help patients achieve a sustained virologic response and improved quality of life through medication adherence.