Rx Savings with Generic vs Branded Medications
March 28, 2011
Buying Brand-Name Drugs Over Generics Raises Medicaid Costs | www.bloomberg.com
With dollar shortfalls for Rx benefits, controlling drug costs is imperative. By utilizing a strict formulary of covered products, along with clear, real time messaging to the pharmacies, the generic fill rate (GFR) will rise. With a higher GFR, savings is attained.
CVS vs. Walgreen's and the latest....
June 12, 2010
As a consultant and clinical pharmacist with over 30 years experience, I am glad someone.... and in this case... Walgreen's finally woke up to fees that are insulting low and a losing proposition. It has been well established the the "average expense to dispense a prescription" (the pharmacy's actual costs including rent, payroll, overhead, etc) is in the $10 range per prescription. Why would any pharmacy sign a contract with a fee of $1.50 per prescription?
Lupin's opportunity to drop the Lotrel margin!
February 15, 2010
Lupin gets US FDA approval for hypertension capsules | www.pharmabiz.com
The approval of Lupin's generic Lotrel line will create one more player in a field that is currently not very crowded. Yet, don't expect the other players to not react! Generic Lotrel is currently priced relatively high compared to other multi-source hypertensive products.
Cetirizine OTC liquid. A day late and a dollar short.
February 8, 2010
Aurobindo Pharma receives final approval for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Solution (OTC) | www.pipelinereview.com
Why the delay? Teva, Taro, and Perrigo all have strong footholds in this market. Rx and OTC competition remains strong, thus what would allow a new player to grow quickly outside of eroding the price market?
Particle Beam Technology - Costly and a limited utility
October 26, 2009
Particle Beam Radiation Therapy published by AHRQ | effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov
Over the last several years, there has been an increased interest in the US in particle beam therapy as the costs have come down and large manufacturers have become more efficient in installing these centers. In addition, private companies have made a business model of building proton centers - mostly by treating prostate cancer.Protons are incredibly useful in specific diseases - ie ocular melanoma, pediatric cancers, but are too costly without proven benefit for our health care system.
Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs
September 29, 2009
Starpharma gets US patent for use of VivaGel for protection against STIs | www.pharmabiz.com
Starpharma's lead product, is a vaginal microbicide gel under development for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including genital herpes and HIV infection. The VivaGel® product concept is designed to offer a safe, convenient and affordable means for women to protect themselves from infection with genital herpes and HIV during sex. Surveys show that there is substantial demand in North America and Europe for such a product with an estimated billion dollar market for STI prevention products in the developed world.
Stelara new Option for Psoriasis
September 26, 2009
Stelara Approved to Treat Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Adults | www.webmd.com
The FDA approved Stelara based on three studies of 2,266 patients who either got shots of Stelara or a placebo. Patients who got Stelara were more likely to achieve the studies' benchmark for reduction in psoriasis.In a news release, the FDA notes that because Stelara reduces the immune system's ability to fight infections, the product poses a risk of infection. "Serious infections have been reported in patients receiving the product and some of them have led to hospitalization. These infections were caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. There may also be an increased risk of developing cancer," the FDA states.
Roche adds to anti-MRSA arsenal in Europe
April 8, 2009
Roche introduces new LightCycler MRSA advanced test in EU | www.roche.com
European healthcare organizations have always been more aggressive in identifying MRSA infections. Europe popularized the "search and destroy" protocol of MRSA containment. This new method by Roche is a valuable addition in this arsenal. I expect the LightCycler MRSA Test by Roche to be popular and very lucrative for Roche.
Tamper Proof Narcotic Pain pill? YES
November 13, 2008
FDA Asks if Pain Pill Is Tamper-Proof | online.wsj.com
This drug will allow patients in severe pain to get the necessary pain relief and not have to worry about the other patients that abuse the drug.
Boomers numbers and demands point to increased demand for medical real estate
July 1, 2008
Aging Baby Boomers Will Drive Demand for Healthcare Properties Over Next Decade, Grubb & Ellis Report Reveals | www.bio-medicine.org
Baby boomers are rapidly aging. According to Census Bureau by 2010 there will be 77 million people aged 55 and older; a number which will grow to a whopping 98 million by 2020. This aging population, living longer with chronic illnesses and more demanding of cafeteria-type service will drive the demand for medical services and more medical real estate into the forseeable future.
February 7, 2012
What do the cloud, collaboration and virtualization have in common?
January 27, 2012
Clinical diagnostic acquisitions dominate 2011 top ten list
January 12, 2012
Gene therapy success threatens drugs for hemophilia and rare diseases
December 13, 2011
Medtech M&A activity accelerates in 2011
November 30, 2011