Pharmaceuticals

A Look At How The Revolving Door Spins From FDA To Industry

5:13pm September 28, 2016

by Sydney Lupkin

About 27 percent of Food and Drug Administration reviewers who approved hematology-oncology drugs from 2001 through 2010 left to work for the industry they previously regulated, an analysis found.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients Jack Willis (center), Nolan Willis (right) and Max LeClaire, attended the opening of Sarepta Therapeutics new headquarters in Cambridge, Mass., in 2014.

Controversy Continues Over Muscular Dystrophy Drug, Despite FDA Approval

8:59am September 24, 2016

by Richard Harris

The Food and Drug Administration approved a muscular dystrophy drug despite deeply flawed evidence. Was the decision a dangerous precedent or flexible pragmatism reflecting patients' values?

How big a deal is the spending on drugs for rare diseases?

How Much Do Drugs For Rare Diseases Add To Health Care Spending?

4:16pm September 07, 2016

by Sarah Jane Tribble

Researchers analyzing recent drug spending in the U.S. say that high-priced drugs for rare diseases aren't having a widespread or significant effect on overall health care spending.

Where are the generic alternatives to EpiPen and other expensive drugs that have lost patent protection?

FDA Fees On Industry Haven't Fixed Delays In Generic Drug Approvals

4:34pm September 01, 2016

by Sydney Lupkin

Four years after user fees were imposed to speed up the review of generic drug applications by the Food and Drug Administration, more than 4,000 generics remain in limbo.

Experimental drugs that clear clumps of proteins from the brains of Alzheimer's patients haven't panned out yet.

Test Of Experimental Alzheimer's Drug Finds Progress Against Brain Plaques

6:31pm August 31, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

Researchers have failed repeatedly in their efforts to slow or halt Alzheimer's disease. But there are hints that an experimental drug can do what previous medicines could not.

Queue Listen Now

Mylan, the maker of EpiPen, says it will sell a generic version for $300 for a two-pack, a price that consumer advocates say is still too high. The device is used to treat severe allergic reactions.

Health & Safety

Maker Of EpiPen To Sell Generic Version For Half The Price

5:21pm August 29, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Mylan's move comes amid pressure from consumers and Congress to lower the allergy drug's price. In less than 10 years, the price has risen from about $100 to more than $600 for an injector two-pack.

Queue Listen Now

Doctors Get Disciplined For Misconduct; Drug Firms Keep Paying Them

1:37pm August 23, 2016

by Jessica Huseman

Hundreds of pharmaceutical and medical device firms have paid doctors for their services even after the doctors were disciplined for serious misconduct by state medical boards, an analysis finds.

In states that made medical marijuana legal, prescriptions for a range of drugs covered by Medicare dropped.

After Medical Marijuana Legalized, Medicare Prescriptions Drop For Many Drugs

5:09pm July 06, 2016

by Shefali Luthra

Researchers found that in states with medical marijuana laws on the books, the number of prescriptions dropped for drugs to treat anxiety, depression, nausea, pain, seizures and sleep disorders.

Health & Safety

Even A Small Meal For A Doctor Can Tip The Balance For A Brand-Name Drug

7:50pm June 21, 2016

by Charles Ornstein

Researchers say the time doctors spend with drug company representatives when they are dropping off meals is probably more important than the food in influencing prescription choices.

A federal judge has agreed to end a trial of FedEx which started Monday in San Francisco. The firm had been accused of shipping packages from illegal online pharmacies. Prosecutors did not specify why they abruptly moved to drop the case.

National

Justice Department Drops Charge That FedEx Shipped For Illegal Pharmacies

9:45pm June 17, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

A federal judge approved prosecutors' motion to end a trial of FedEx in San Francisco, but didn't specify a reason. A grand jury indicted the shipping company in 2014. The trial started Monday.