CDC issues new guidelines for prescribing opioids

The guidelines aim to reduce over-prescribing of opioid painkillers as rates of abuse and overdose deaths have steadily increased in the U.S. 

By Nicole Gray • March 16, 2016

Survey: Pharma advertising works—especially with millennials

Millennials proved more likely than other generations to visit a pharmaceutical company’s website after seeing pharma-related advertising. 

By Nicole Gray • March 16, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Commercialization

New drugs for obesity and Alzheimer’s look set to become blockbusters, reshaping pharma marketing strategies just as many current top-sellers near looming patent cliffs.

By BioPharma Dive staff

Express Scripts: Growth in overall U.S. drug spending slowed in 2015

But prices for branded prescription drugs have doubled since 2011, increasing 16.2% in 2015 alone. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 15, 2016

Sanders proposes cash prize for development of lower-priced AIDS drugs

Rather than give companies patent exclusivity, Sander's plan would open the door to generic competition immediately. The original developer would be rewarded annually through a $3 billion cash prize program. 

By Nicole Gray • March 15, 2016

Indian Health Ministry bans nearly 350 combo drugs

Fixed dose combinations have proliferated in India, making up nearly half of all drugs on the market in 2014 despite many being unapproved nationwide. 

By Nicole Gray • March 14, 2016

Boehringer turns to 'red fish' for Pradaxa boost

The FDA recently approved an "antidote" drug specifically for use with Pradaxa to counteract bleeding episodes—an aspect Boehringer is highlighting in its new marketing campaign. 

By Nicole Gray • March 14, 2016

Doctors Without Borders moves to block Pfizer patent in India

Pfizer filed in India to patent its Prevnar vaccine for pneumonia, which pulled in over $6 billion in global sales last year. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 11, 2016

Sanofi's sarilumab bests blockbuster Humira in Phase 3 study

The IL-6 antibody is slated for a regulatory decision from the FDA by Q4 2016. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 11, 2016

First generic version of Viagra in the U.S. approved by FDA

The generic pill is made by the US division of Teva, which just won approval from the European Commission for its acquisition of Allergan's generics portfolio.

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 10, 2016

VA broadens Hep C coverage to all veterans, not just the sickest

The Department of Veterans Affairs cited lower costs for hep C drugs as well as increased funding from Congress as factors in its decision. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 10, 2016

Black box warning order clouds future for Bayer's Essure

The permanent birth control device has had a troubled history, including lawsuits and patient complaints to the FDA.

By Nicole Gray • March 9, 2016

Colombia health ministry recommends compulsory license for Novartis' Gleevec

Compulsory licensing has been a point of controversy between pharmaceutical companies and governments, most recently in India. 

By Nicole Gray • March 9, 2016

US prescription drug spending increases to an estimated $457 billion in 2015

After a slowdown between 2008 and 2012, growth in drug spending accelerated sharply in 2014 and is projected to have remained high in 2015. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 9, 2016

Kentucky Senate overwhelmingly passes biosimilar prescription bill

The legislation would allow pharmacists to dispense an interchangeable biosimilar in place of a branded biologic. However, somewhat controversially, the bill also requires pharmacists to notify doctors of the switch. 

By Nicole Gray • March 9, 2016

India will reportedly refrain from issuing compulsory drug licenses

The licenses enable local companies to override the patents of large pharmaceutical companies and manufacture cheap copies to boost patient access.

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 8, 2016

Senate HELP Committee to mark up 21st Century Cures legislation

The committee will consider seven bills in a morning session Wednesday as members seek to bridge a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans on a way forward. 

By Nicole Gray • March 8, 2016

Industry groups, doctors ask CMS to withdraw proposed Part B experiment

Accidentally posted online earlier this year, the proposal would test changes to Part B drug reimbursement rates to doctors. 

By Nicole Gray • March 8, 2016

EMA debuts new program to speed up review of innovative drugs

Called "PRIME," the program reinforces the existing accelerated assessment pathway and will increase regulatory support early in the development process of priority drugs. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 7, 2016

Moody's downgrades pharma industry outlook, cites lower pricing

The credit-rating agency highlighted the slow uptake for some new products as another factor reducing growth expectations. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 4, 2016

Alaska Permanent Fund betting big on biotech startups

The Fund has invested over $280 million into Juno Therapeutics, Codiak BioSciences, and Denali Therapeutics. 

By Nicole Gray • March 4, 2016

Much-anticipated trial shows Novo's Victoza reduces CV risk

The results could help keep Victoza competitive with Eli Lilly/Boehringer Ingelheim's Jardiance, which became the first diabetes drug to demonstrate a cardiovascular benefit. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 4, 2016

Endo to pay $200K penalty, overhaul marketing of opioid painkiller

An investigation by the New York Attorney General found Endo had improperly marketed Opana ER, creating a "false sense of security" for health care providers. 

By Nicole Gray • March 4, 2016

BMJ study: Single dose vials cost nearly $2B a year in wasted cancer drugs

Although packaged in single-dose vials, the drugs are typically administered based on patient body weight, leading to leftover medicine which is often discarded. 

By Nicole Gray • March 3, 2016

Express Scripts unimpressed by insulin data on Novo's Tresiba

Results from a switching study comparing Novo Nordisk's Tresiba to Sanofi's Lantus showed patients treated with Tresiba had a lower rate of hypoglycemic events. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 3, 2016

Amgen going after Novartis for Enbrel patent infringement

Amgen seeks an injunction against Novartis' Sandoz unit to block sales of its biosimilar version of Enbrel if it gains approval from the FDA. 

By Nicole Gray • March 3, 2016