- Prescription-drug heists on the rise
(AP)
AP - The $75 million heist at a pharmaceutical warehouse in Connecticut this week was just the most audacious example of a growing phenomenon: Thieves are stealing large quantities of prescription drugs for resale on the black market.
- Teva and Merck agree on generic Temodar launch
(AP)
AP - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. said Wednesday it agreed to hold off on launching a generic version of Merck & Co.'s cancer drug Temodar until a federal appeals court weighs in on the drug's patent.
- Drug heist investigators trying to find suspects
(AP)
AP - Police in a Connecticut town where $75 million in pharmaceuticals were stolen say they are interviewing company workers, checking area hotels and following other leads to identify suspects.
- Beach jogger killed by plane likely never heard it
(AP)
AP - The kit-built single-engine plane was gliding quietly as it came down for an emergency landing on a beach. Pharmaceutical salesman Robert Gary Jones, listening to his iPod while jogging, likely never saw or heard it before the aircraft hit him from behind Monday evening and killed him.
- Brazen Conn. warehouse heist nets $75M in pills
(AP)
AP - In a Hollywood-style heist, thieves cut a hole in the roof of a warehouse, rappelled inside and scored one of the biggest hauls of its kind — not diamonds, gold bullion or Old World art, but about $75 million in antidepressants and other prescription drugs.
- Clarification: Amylin FDA info request story
(AP)
AP - In a story March 15, The Associated Press reported that Bydureon is the proposed trade name of exenatide, a diabetes treatment being developed by Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., Eli Lilly & Co. and Alkermes Inc. The story should have specified that the once-weekly form of the drug, exenatide LAR, would be called Bydureon. A daily version of exenatide already is sold in the U.S. under the brand name Byetta.
- IMS: China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011
(AP)
AP - Sales of prescription drugs in emerging markets will grow rapidly over the next few years, pharmaceutical market research firm IMS Health says, with China becoming the world's third-largest prescription drug market in 2011.
- Los Angeles physician convicted of 13 felonies
(AP)
AP - A Los Angeles physician who investigators call the second "most prolific provider" of prescription drugs in the country has been convicted of 13 felony counts.
- Angiotech said new stent met goals in studies
(AP)
AP - Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday a stent it developed with Boston Scientific Corp. met its goals in a pair of clinical trials.
- OSI board rejects Astellas' $3.5 billion offer
(AP)
AP - OSI Pharmaceuticals rejected a $3.5-billion takeover bid from Astellas Pharma Inc., telling shareholders Monday the offer was too low.
- Amylin shares up on FDA response for diabetes drug
(AP)
AP - Shares of Amylin Pharmaceuticals jumped 13 percent Monday as the Food and Drug Administration asked for more information on its potential diabetes treatment.
- BioSante cancer vaccine gets 'orphan drug' status
(AP)
AP - BioSante Pharmaceuticals has received orphan drug status for its potential pancreatic cancer treatment, the company said Monday.
- Experimental Merck blood-thinner found effective
(AFP)
AFP - An experimental blood thinner developed by Merck and Portola Pharmaceuticals was found to be safe and effective in a mid-stage study presented Monday, with a lower incidence of serious bleeding than current drugs.
- Late Corey Haim linked to prescription drug ring
(AFP)
AFP - Prosecutors in California have said they are looking into a possible link between the death of Canadian actor Corey Haim and an illegal trade in prescription drugs.
- Endo names ex-Nora Therapeutics CEO as COO
(AP)
AP - Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. said Friday it hired former Nora Therapeutics CEO Julie McHugh as its new chief operating officer.
- Medco Health got compensation worth $13.3M in 2009
(AP)
AP - Pharmacy benefits manager Medco Health Solutions Inc. said even though its CEO took a 7 percent pay cut in 2009, he still received $13.3 million in total compensation, according to Associated Press calculation of figures filed with regulators.
- Optimer Pharma reports narrower 4th-quarter loss
(AP)
AP - Optimer Pharmaceuticals Inc. narrowed its loss in the fourth quarter as expenses declined, the company said.
- Ligand, Glaxo drug gets European approval
(AP)
AP - Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Friday that partner GlaxoSmithKline gained European regulatory approval to sell the blood disorder drug Revolade.
- Aveo Pharmaceutical shares drop in trading debut
(AP)
AP - Shares of Aveo Pharmaceuticals are falling in their market debut, after its initial public offering raised $81 million.
- NY cashier, 91, punched trying to fend off thief
(AP)
AP - A 91-year-old New York pharmacy cashier refused medical attention and went back to work after a thief punched her.