Fw: | 07.27.11 | DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco; Valeant reportedly eyes Medadeal

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DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy StatonComment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn AstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: FiercePharma <editors@...>Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:48:42 -0400 (EDT)<nandtbearden@...>Reply editors@...Subject: | 07.27.11 | DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco; Valeant reportedly eyes MedadealIf you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.July 27, 2011Subscribe | Website | Jobs | MobileRefer FiercePharma to a ColleagueThis week's sponsor:Drexel UniversitySermo SurveysINC ResearchToday's Top Stories:1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four meds2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buy3. Part D saved Medicare money, study finds4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interaction5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionSpotlight:Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallAlso Noted:Biogen, Elan post Tysabri-fueled sales hikes; KKR wins European nod for Capsugel deal; Much more...News From The Fierce Network:1. Survey: Clinical trial costs spike2. FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for falsification3. Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensorsThis week's sponsor is Drexel University Online.Events> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for Executives> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PA> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeJobs> Regional BD Director> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech JobsKey Factors that Influence MDs to Prescribe Brands vs. Generic Alternatives Sermo Study Shows that Efficacy is the Top Influencer for MDs to Prescribe a GenericOutside of cost, what are the key factors that influence MDs to prescribe brand-name vs. generic drugs? Find out what they had to say.Physicians were shown recent rulings from the Supreme Court case Pilva v. Mensing and asked what key factors, including this case and excluding cost, influence whether they prescribe a brand-name or generic product.See the Complete Report[Physicians: 90 respondents]This week's sponsor is INC Research.Today's Top Stories1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInAstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersRelated Articles:Pharma tops off DoJ settlement rankingWill pharma fight the Express-Medco deal?AZ mulls next steps on Nexium patentFDA lifts fracture warning on OTC stomach medsRead more about: AstraZeneca, Medco Health Solutions, Nexium, Justice Departmentback to top2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buyBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInValeant Pharmaceuticals is on the hunt again. The Canadian drugmaker has approached Swedish specialty pharma Meda about a deal, sources close to the companies are saying. With a current market value of about $3.4 billion, Meda could fetch up to $4.4 billion with a typical premium of 30%, the Wall Street Journal figures.If it goes at all, that is. Media reports stress that the approach could amount to nothing. In fact, Meda took the trouble to issue a statement denying a bid. "Meda's board of directors has not received an approach of the kind that is described," the company said. And Meda Chairman Bert Ake sson, who's the top executive at the company's biggest shareholder, Stena, told Reuters that Valeant hadn't approached him or Stena about a deal.The last time a potential multibillion-dollar Valeant bid hit the news, it was Cephalon in the company's sights, and that merger ended up going to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for $6.8 billion, some $1 billion more than Valeant had offered. Two weeks ago, Valeant had more success: It struck a $345 million deal for Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Ortho Dermatologics business. The Canadian company aims to grow by acquisition, rather than by developing its own new drugs in-house.It's unclear at this point whether the talks between Valeant and Meda have progressed much. But the two companies have a pre-existing relationship. Meda bought Valeant's European operations in 2008, before Valeant merged with Canada's Biovail, and Valeant licensed two dermatology products from Meda just within the last month, in a deal worth up to $130 million over the next 18 months.- find the statement from Meda- see the New York Times story- get more from the Wall Street Journal - check out the Bloomberg piece- read the Reuters pieceRelated Articles:Valeant aims for top of dermatology, CEO saysN. American pharma buys drive up M&A pricesValeant moves on to new M&A targetsInvestors boost Cephalon past Valeant's $5.7B offerALSO: Valeant's recent deal for Lithuania's Sanitas brought with it the Polish manufacturer Jelfa, which is now subject to a warning letter from FDA about quality control shortfalls. Report Read more about: Meda, Mergers and Acquisitions, Valeantback to top3. Part D saved Medicare money, study findsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInSpending more money on drug therapies actually can be thrifty, at least for Medicare patients. That's the conclusion of a new study by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. As the Boston Business Journal reports, the researchers found that Medicare Part D, which subsidized drug purchases, led to lower costs for non-drug care.Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study compared medical spending on non-drug treatment both before and after Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006. Researchers used data from 2004 to 2007 on Medicare recipients who had limited drug coverage before Part D and on those who already had drug coverage when the new program came into force.The researchers found that Part D cut other healthcare spending by about 10% per patient, or $1,200, for the group who had little drug coverage before the program. Costly inpatient care appeared to be reduced the most, while more cost-effective outpatient care wasn't affected as much. That's how drug treatment is supposed to work, of course, but this study offers dollar signs as hard evidence.The Part D data ought to inspire Medicare to look at better integration of care, the researchers said. "These reductions in non-drug spending suggest Part D has not cost Medicare as much as initially expected," study author J. Mc, a Harvard Medical School professor, said in a statement (as quoted by the BBJ). "This study exemplifies how spending on one type of service can affect spending on other types of care, which suggests that greater coordination and integration could lead to...higher value healthcare for elderly Americans."- get the BBJ storyRelated Articles:U.S. drug spending grows at anemic 2.3% in 2010Bill would require Medicare to pay for off-label medsFilling Medicare doughnut hole could cost Pharma $32BRead more about: Medicare Part D, drug costs, Medicareback to top4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInDrugmakers may soon be able to communicate more freely with European patients. The European Commission plans to review its policies restricting direct interaction with patients--and to draft new rules that will standardize those restrictions in all 27 EU countries, Bloomberg reports. Proposed rules will be released in September or October, a Commission spokesman said. As the news service points out, it's unlikely that European regulators would allow the sort of direct-to-consumer TV advertising that's sanctioned in the U.S. Nor would ads in mass-market, general-interest magazines or newspapers be likely to win approval.A previous draft of the rules, however, would have allowed ads in health publications. Of course, that draft failed to win approval from member governments, so there's no telling whether the idea would be part of a new proposal.Consistent rules would be helpful to the industry, Bergstrom, director general of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, told Bloomberg. Particularly if those rules would allow companies to communicate with patients directly, of course. "Today it is a patchwork," Bergstrom said. "If you are in the U.K. or Sweden you can usually get high-quality information [about drugs] rather than relying on your doctor, whereas in southern Europe there is nothing."- read the Bloomberg storyRelated Articles:Pharma faces bigger hurdles in EuropeWitty: Europe needs to overhaul drugs approachAre EU drugmakers less fussed by healthcare reform?Read more about: European Union, European Commission, pharma-patient interactionback to top5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInHere's another round of safety warnings from the FDA. The agency advised doctors not to use the imaging drug CardioGen-82 because of radiation risks, saying that Italian drugmaker Bracco had agreed to recall the product. Pfizer's Zyvox antibiotic, meanwhile, was flagged for potentially fatal interactions with common antidepressants.FDA announced a review of CardioGen-82 earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying that patients given the radioactive drug for PET imaging scans were found with detectable radiation months later. In fact, the radiation levels were strong enough to trigger radiation detectors at the U.S. border, which is how the FDA found out.The agency said strontium isotopes used to make CardioGen-82's active ingredient, rubidium, apparently made their way into the injectable drug. Neither the agency nor Bracco have yet identified the source of the "strontium breakthrough," but FDA said that the company's manufacturing procedures aren't stringent enough to ensure that the rubidium generator works reliably.Pfizer's high-powered antibiotic Zyvox also raised an FDA red flag. The drug can trigger a release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, making it dangerous for patients who use antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of the chemical. Excess levels of the transmitter can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction. The FDA issued the drug safety announcement after deaths were reported to the adverse-event database, Reuters reports.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and related drugs are commonly used to treat depression, and they include some of the best-selling drug brands, such as Eli Lilly's Cymbalta. Other drugs that Zyvox patients may need to avoid include GlaxoKline's Paxil and Wellbutrin, Lilly's Prozac, and Pfizer's Pristiq and Zoloft, as well as generic forms of these meds. In all, 29 meds are affected by the warning.- see the WSJ article- get more from ReutersRelated Article:FDA slaps imaging drugs with new warningRead more about: FDA, Pfizer, FDA warning, imaging drugsback to topAlso NotedTODAY'S SPOTLIGHT... Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallThe good news from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Last year's acquisition of Ratiopharm hiked European sales for the second quarter. The not-so-good: A lack of new product introductions and erosion in sales of key products offset that rise, leaving sales flat. Report @FiercePharma: Cal/OSHA fines Baxter for plant safety violations. News | Follow @FiercePharma> Biogen Idec's second-quarter sales beat analyst expectations, fueled by fast growth in new prescriptions of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. Story> Private equity firm KKR won European approval for its $2.38 billion deal to buy Pfizer's Capsugel unit. Article> Elan's Q2 profits grew $59.7 million, beating analyst estimates, on strong sales of Tysabri; the company raised its full-year profits target. Piece> Gilead Sciences posted a rise in second-quarter profits to $746.2 million, fueled by street-beating sales of its leading HIV products. Article> Takeda Pharmaceutical said it would borrow ¥600 billion ($7.66 billion) to finance its ¥1.1 trillion buyout of the Swiss drugmaker Nycomed. News> Hospira posted a 10% hike in second-quarter sales to $1.06 billion, aided in part by strong U.S. revenues from its prostate cancer drug oncolytic docetaxel. Report> New products helped boost Mylan's generic-drug sales in the U.S., but European sales suffered from pricing pressures. Report> U.S antitrust regulators approved Perrigo's purchase of Paddock Labs, on the condition that it sell off 6 generic drugs and agree to provisions that would ensure competition in the market for testosterone gel products. Story> Hexal, a unit of the Novartis generic operation Sandoz, said it withdrew from FDA an application to market its version of the Roche cancer drug Bondronat. More> Shire said investment banker Kilsby, most recently a senior advisor at Credit Suisse, has joined its board. ReportBiotech News @FierceBiotech: GSK relying on Ph3 strategy in R&D comeback bid. Piece | Follow @FierceBiotech @CFierce: Worked with Cetero? FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification News | Follow @CFierce @MFierce: If you were meeting with Biogen CEO Scangos today, what would you ask him? Soliciting comments ahead of my trip to $BIIB in Weston. | Follow @MFierce @MaureenFierce: Ford, Toyota jump into medical device business with ECG-sensing cars. Story | Follow @MaureenFierce> FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification. Report> Cancer drug upstart adds $18M in venture cash to state grant. News> Bayer partners on Trius' Ph3 antibiotic in $94M pact. More> Amylin heading back to the FDA with Bydureon app. Article> Survey: Clinical trial costs spike on bigger staffs, recruiting costs. ItemDrug Delivery News> SPANosomes deliver siRNA more effectively. More> Zcube, Caltech get together for nanotube-needle drug delivery. Article> Nanowires are actually swimmers for drug delivery bots. Story> E-cigarrettes blasted as dangerous drug delivery devices in NEJM. ArticleMedical Devices News> CareFusion to sell ResMed ventilators in U.S. Report> Medtronic beats Boston Scientific in drug-eluting stent studies. More> Sunshine Heart raises $5M, readies for C-pulse trials. Article> IOM report on changes in medical devices approvals expected on Friday. News> Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensors. Story> Report: In-home medical devices must be easier to use. ReportAnd Finally... Is it possible to predict whether someone is likely to survive or die suddenly from a heart attack? ReportEvents> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!Boston offers exciting summer options for visitors of all ages. You could see a movie in the local park, listen to a concert on City Hall Plaza, or learn to paint on the waterfront. So why not explore Boston in August and build your professional skills at the same time?> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for ExecutivesSaint ph's University offers an expanded portfolio of globally accessible AACSB-accredited programs ideal for working professionals in the pharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics and healthcare sectors. Apply now; our September Cohort begins 9/8. Visit sju.edu/epharma or call 800-SJU-EMBA.> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, ILMedicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit is where manufacturers meet with all the government officials including CMS, VA, 340B, DoD, USDOJ and OIG for compliance and operations answers to healthcare reform questions. Register with a 25% off the standard rate by clicking here: www.medicaiddrugrebates.com> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PALed by Pfizer and Novartis, this groundbreaking conference delivers only case studies that demonstrate either a disruptive or an innovative approach to advancing clinical trials. Mobile Clinical Trials, Virtual Trials, Open Source Clinical Development are just a few examples of case studies featured. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click here> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAKeynoted by Dr Langer of MIT, this is a strategic level event for pharma and biotech BD&L executives to meet a wide range of drug delivery companies with the latest technologies. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click hereMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeThis FierceMedicalDevices eBook examines the background situation, current position and the future of the CDRH’s revision of the 510(k) premarket notification process. Click here to download today.Jobs> Regional BD DirectorWe are considering candidates for a Regional Business Development (BD) Director to join our BD team! 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DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy StatonComment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn AstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: FiercePharma <editors@...>Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:48:42 -0400 (EDT)<nandtbearden@...>Reply editors@...Subject: | 07.27.11 | DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco; Valeant reportedly eyes MedadealIf you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.July 27, 2011Subscribe | Website | Jobs | MobileRefer FiercePharma to a ColleagueThis week's sponsor:Drexel UniversitySermo SurveysINC ResearchToday's Top Stories:1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four meds2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buy3. Part D saved Medicare money, study finds4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interaction5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionSpotlight:Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallAlso Noted:Biogen, Elan post Tysabri-fueled sales hikes; KKR wins European nod for Capsugel deal; Much more...News From The Fierce Network:1. Survey: Clinical trial costs spike2. FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for falsification3. Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensorsThis week's sponsor is Drexel University Online.Events> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for Executives> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PA> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeJobs> Regional BD Director> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech JobsKey Factors that Influence MDs to Prescribe Brands vs. Generic Alternatives Sermo Study Shows that Efficacy is the Top Influencer for MDs to Prescribe a GenericOutside of cost, what are the key factors that influence MDs to prescribe brand-name vs. generic drugs? Find out what they had to say.Physicians were shown recent rulings from the Supreme Court case Pilva v. Mensing and asked what key factors, including this case and excluding cost, influence whether they prescribe a brand-name or generic product.See the Complete Report[Physicians: 90 respondents]This week's sponsor is INC Research.Today's Top Stories1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInAstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersRelated Articles:Pharma tops off DoJ settlement rankingWill pharma fight the Express-Medco deal?AZ mulls next steps on Nexium patentFDA lifts fracture warning on OTC stomach medsRead more about: AstraZeneca, Medco Health Solutions, Nexium, Justice Departmentback to top2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buyBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInValeant Pharmaceuticals is on the hunt again. The Canadian drugmaker has approached Swedish specialty pharma Meda about a deal, sources close to the companies are saying. With a current market value of about $3.4 billion, Meda could fetch up to $4.4 billion with a typical premium of 30%, the Wall Street Journal figures.If it goes at all, that is. Media reports stress that the approach could amount to nothing. In fact, Meda took the trouble to issue a statement denying a bid. "Meda's board of directors has not received an approach of the kind that is described," the company said. And Meda Chairman Bert Ake sson, who's the top executive at the company's biggest shareholder, Stena, told Reuters that Valeant hadn't approached him or Stena about a deal.The last time a potential multibillion-dollar Valeant bid hit the news, it was Cephalon in the company's sights, and that merger ended up going to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for $6.8 billion, some $1 billion more than Valeant had offered. Two weeks ago, Valeant had more success: It struck a $345 million deal for Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Ortho Dermatologics business. The Canadian company aims to grow by acquisition, rather than by developing its own new drugs in-house.It's unclear at this point whether the talks between Valeant and Meda have progressed much. But the two companies have a pre-existing relationship. Meda bought Valeant's European operations in 2008, before Valeant merged with Canada's Biovail, and Valeant licensed two dermatology products from Meda just within the last month, in a deal worth up to $130 million over the next 18 months.- find the statement from Meda- see the New York Times story- get more from the Wall Street Journal - check out the Bloomberg piece- read the Reuters pieceRelated Articles:Valeant aims for top of dermatology, CEO saysN. American pharma buys drive up M&A pricesValeant moves on to new M&A targetsInvestors boost Cephalon past Valeant's $5.7B offerALSO: Valeant's recent deal for Lithuania's Sanitas brought with it the Polish manufacturer Jelfa, which is now subject to a warning letter from FDA about quality control shortfalls. Report Read more about: Meda, Mergers and Acquisitions, Valeantback to top3. Part D saved Medicare money, study findsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInSpending more money on drug therapies actually can be thrifty, at least for Medicare patients. That's the conclusion of a new study by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. As the Boston Business Journal reports, the researchers found that Medicare Part D, which subsidized drug purchases, led to lower costs for non-drug care.Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study compared medical spending on non-drug treatment both before and after Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006. Researchers used data from 2004 to 2007 on Medicare recipients who had limited drug coverage before Part D and on those who already had drug coverage when the new program came into force.The researchers found that Part D cut other healthcare spending by about 10% per patient, or $1,200, for the group who had little drug coverage before the program. Costly inpatient care appeared to be reduced the most, while more cost-effective outpatient care wasn't affected as much. That's how drug treatment is supposed to work, of course, but this study offers dollar signs as hard evidence.The Part D data ought to inspire Medicare to look at better integration of care, the researchers said. "These reductions in non-drug spending suggest Part D has not cost Medicare as much as initially expected," study author J. Mc, a Harvard Medical School professor, said in a statement (as quoted by the BBJ). "This study exemplifies how spending on one type of service can affect spending on other types of care, which suggests that greater coordination and integration could lead to...higher value healthcare for elderly Americans."- get the BBJ storyRelated Articles:U.S. drug spending grows at anemic 2.3% in 2010Bill would require Medicare to pay for off-label medsFilling Medicare doughnut hole could cost Pharma $32BRead more about: Medicare Part D, drug costs, Medicareback to top4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInDrugmakers may soon be able to communicate more freely with European patients. The European Commission plans to review its policies restricting direct interaction with patients--and to draft new rules that will standardize those restrictions in all 27 EU countries, Bloomberg reports. Proposed rules will be released in September or October, a Commission spokesman said. As the news service points out, it's unlikely that European regulators would allow the sort of direct-to-consumer TV advertising that's sanctioned in the U.S. Nor would ads in mass-market, general-interest magazines or newspapers be likely to win approval.A previous draft of the rules, however, would have allowed ads in health publications. Of course, that draft failed to win approval from member governments, so there's no telling whether the idea would be part of a new proposal.Consistent rules would be helpful to the industry, Bergstrom, director general of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, told Bloomberg. Particularly if those rules would allow companies to communicate with patients directly, of course. "Today it is a patchwork," Bergstrom said. "If you are in the U.K. or Sweden you can usually get high-quality information [about drugs] rather than relying on your doctor, whereas in southern Europe there is nothing."- read the Bloomberg storyRelated Articles:Pharma faces bigger hurdles in EuropeWitty: Europe needs to overhaul drugs approachAre EU drugmakers less fussed by healthcare reform?Read more about: European Union, European Commission, pharma-patient interactionback to top5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInHere's another round of safety warnings from the FDA. The agency advised doctors not to use the imaging drug CardioGen-82 because of radiation risks, saying that Italian drugmaker Bracco had agreed to recall the product. Pfizer's Zyvox antibiotic, meanwhile, was flagged for potentially fatal interactions with common antidepressants.FDA announced a review of CardioGen-82 earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying that patients given the radioactive drug for PET imaging scans were found with detectable radiation months later. In fact, the radiation levels were strong enough to trigger radiation detectors at the U.S. border, which is how the FDA found out.The agency said strontium isotopes used to make CardioGen-82's active ingredient, rubidium, apparently made their way into the injectable drug. Neither the agency nor Bracco have yet identified the source of the "strontium breakthrough," but FDA said that the company's manufacturing procedures aren't stringent enough to ensure that the rubidium generator works reliably.Pfizer's high-powered antibiotic Zyvox also raised an FDA red flag. The drug can trigger a release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, making it dangerous for patients who use antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of the chemical. Excess levels of the transmitter can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction. The FDA issued the drug safety announcement after deaths were reported to the adverse-event database, Reuters reports.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and related drugs are commonly used to treat depression, and they include some of the best-selling drug brands, such as Eli Lilly's Cymbalta. Other drugs that Zyvox patients may need to avoid include GlaxoKline's Paxil and Wellbutrin, Lilly's Prozac, and Pfizer's Pristiq and Zoloft, as well as generic forms of these meds. In all, 29 meds are affected by the warning.- see the WSJ article- get more from ReutersRelated Article:FDA slaps imaging drugs with new warningRead more about: FDA, Pfizer, FDA warning, imaging drugsback to topAlso NotedTODAY'S SPOTLIGHT... Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallThe good news from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Last year's acquisition of Ratiopharm hiked European sales for the second quarter. The not-so-good: A lack of new product introductions and erosion in sales of key products offset that rise, leaving sales flat. Report @FiercePharma: Cal/OSHA fines Baxter for plant safety violations. News | Follow @FiercePharma> Biogen Idec's second-quarter sales beat analyst expectations, fueled by fast growth in new prescriptions of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. Story> Private equity firm KKR won European approval for its $2.38 billion deal to buy Pfizer's Capsugel unit. Article> Elan's Q2 profits grew $59.7 million, beating analyst estimates, on strong sales of Tysabri; the company raised its full-year profits target. Piece> Gilead Sciences posted a rise in second-quarter profits to $746.2 million, fueled by street-beating sales of its leading HIV products. Article> Takeda Pharmaceutical said it would borrow ¥600 billion ($7.66 billion) to finance its ¥1.1 trillion buyout of the Swiss drugmaker Nycomed. News> Hospira posted a 10% hike in second-quarter sales to $1.06 billion, aided in part by strong U.S. revenues from its prostate cancer drug oncolytic docetaxel. Report> New products helped boost Mylan's generic-drug sales in the U.S., but European sales suffered from pricing pressures. Report> U.S antitrust regulators approved Perrigo's purchase of Paddock Labs, on the condition that it sell off 6 generic drugs and agree to provisions that would ensure competition in the market for testosterone gel products. Story> Hexal, a unit of the Novartis generic operation Sandoz, said it withdrew from FDA an application to market its version of the Roche cancer drug Bondronat. More> Shire said investment banker Kilsby, most recently a senior advisor at Credit Suisse, has joined its board. ReportBiotech News @FierceBiotech: GSK relying on Ph3 strategy in R&D comeback bid. Piece | Follow @FierceBiotech @CFierce: Worked with Cetero? FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification News | Follow @CFierce @MFierce: If you were meeting with Biogen CEO Scangos today, what would you ask him? Soliciting comments ahead of my trip to $BIIB in Weston. | Follow @MFierce @MaureenFierce: Ford, Toyota jump into medical device business with ECG-sensing cars. Story | Follow @MaureenFierce> FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification. Report> Cancer drug upstart adds $18M in venture cash to state grant. News> Bayer partners on Trius' Ph3 antibiotic in $94M pact. More> Amylin heading back to the FDA with Bydureon app. Article> Survey: Clinical trial costs spike on bigger staffs, recruiting costs. ItemDrug Delivery News> SPANosomes deliver siRNA more effectively. More> Zcube, Caltech get together for nanotube-needle drug delivery. Article> Nanowires are actually swimmers for drug delivery bots. Story> E-cigarrettes blasted as dangerous drug delivery devices in NEJM. ArticleMedical Devices News> CareFusion to sell ResMed ventilators in U.S. Report> Medtronic beats Boston Scientific in drug-eluting stent studies. More> Sunshine Heart raises $5M, readies for C-pulse trials. Article> IOM report on changes in medical devices approvals expected on Friday. News> Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensors. Story> Report: In-home medical devices must be easier to use. ReportAnd Finally... Is it possible to predict whether someone is likely to survive or die suddenly from a heart attack? ReportEvents> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!Boston offers exciting summer options for visitors of all ages. You could see a movie in the local park, listen to a concert on City Hall Plaza, or learn to paint on the waterfront. So why not explore Boston in August and build your professional skills at the same time?> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for ExecutivesSaint ph's University offers an expanded portfolio of globally accessible AACSB-accredited programs ideal for working professionals in the pharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics and healthcare sectors. Apply now; our September Cohort begins 9/8. Visit sju.edu/epharma or call 800-SJU-EMBA.> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, ILMedicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit is where manufacturers meet with all the government officials including CMS, VA, 340B, DoD, USDOJ and OIG for compliance and operations answers to healthcare reform questions. Register with a 25% off the standard rate by clicking here: www.medicaiddrugrebates.com> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PALed by Pfizer and Novartis, this groundbreaking conference delivers only case studies that demonstrate either a disruptive or an innovative approach to advancing clinical trials. Mobile Clinical Trials, Virtual Trials, Open Source Clinical Development are just a few examples of case studies featured. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click here> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAKeynoted by Dr Langer of MIT, this is a strategic level event for pharma and biotech BD&L executives to meet a wide range of drug delivery companies with the latest technologies. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click hereMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeThis FierceMedicalDevices eBook examines the background situation, current position and the future of the CDRH’s revision of the 510(k) premarket notification process. Click here to download today.Jobs> Regional BD DirectorWe are considering candidates for a Regional Business Development (BD) Director to join our BD team! The ideal candidate should have specific experience calling on and selling into the R&D and clinical development/operations and study start up side of the industry, including but not limited to Phase I-IIIB as well as Phase IV post marketing surveillance, outcomes research and patient registry programs. Learn more.> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech Jobs50+ new jobs just posted. Employers now post to the web site free. Find the perfect job or post your openings at FiercePharma Jobs.©2011 FierceMarkets This email was sent to nandtbearden@... as part of the FiercePharma email list which is administered by FierceMarkets, 1900 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 628-8778. Refer FiercePharma to a ColleagueContact UsExecutive Editor: McBride. Managing Editor: Maureen o. Publisher: Arsalan Arif. VP, Sales: Willumson.AdvertiseAdvertising/Lead-Generation: Willumson. Request a media kit.Email ManagementManage your subscriptionChange your email addressUnsubscribe from FiercePharmaExplore Our NetworkYou may enjoy these publications from FierceMarkets:FierceBiotechFierceBiotechITFierceBiotech ResearchFierceCIOFierceCIO:TechWatchFierceContentManagementFierceDeveloperFierceEMRFierceFinanceFierceFinanceITFierceDrugDeliveryFierceGovernmentFierceGovernmentITFierceHealthcareFierceHealthFinanceFierceHealthITFierceIPTVFierceMobileContentFierceMobileHealthcareFierceMobileITFierceOnlineVideoFiercePharmaFierceMedicalDevicesFiercePharma ManufacturingFierceComplianceITFierceTelecomFierceVaccinesFierceEnterpriseCommunicationsFierceBroadbandWirelessFierceWirelessFierceWireless:EuropeHospital ImpactFierceHealthPayerFiercePracticeManagementFierceEnergyFierceSmartGrid

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DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy StatonComment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn AstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: FiercePharma <editors@...>Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:48:42 -0400 (EDT)<nandtbearden@...>Reply editors@...Subject: | 07.27.11 | DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco; Valeant reportedly eyes MedadealIf you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.July 27, 2011Subscribe | Website | Jobs | MobileRefer FiercePharma to a ColleagueThis week's sponsor:Drexel UniversitySermo SurveysINC ResearchToday's Top Stories:1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four meds2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buy3. Part D saved Medicare money, study finds4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interaction5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionSpotlight:Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallAlso Noted:Biogen, Elan post Tysabri-fueled sales hikes; KKR wins European nod for Capsugel deal; Much more...News From The Fierce Network:1. Survey: Clinical trial costs spike2. FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for falsification3. Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensorsThis week's sponsor is Drexel University Online.Events> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for Executives> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PA> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeJobs> Regional BD Director> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech JobsKey Factors that Influence MDs to Prescribe Brands vs. Generic Alternatives Sermo Study Shows that Efficacy is the Top Influencer for MDs to Prescribe a GenericOutside of cost, what are the key factors that influence MDs to prescribe brand-name vs. generic drugs? Find out what they had to say.Physicians were shown recent rulings from the Supreme Court case Pilva v. Mensing and asked what key factors, including this case and excluding cost, influence whether they prescribe a brand-name or generic product.See the Complete Report[Physicians: 90 respondents]This week's sponsor is INC Research.Today's Top Stories1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInAstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersRelated Articles:Pharma tops off DoJ settlement rankingWill pharma fight the Express-Medco deal?AZ mulls next steps on Nexium patentFDA lifts fracture warning on OTC stomach medsRead more about: AstraZeneca, Medco Health Solutions, Nexium, Justice Departmentback to top2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buyBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInValeant Pharmaceuticals is on the hunt again. The Canadian drugmaker has approached Swedish specialty pharma Meda about a deal, sources close to the companies are saying. With a current market value of about $3.4 billion, Meda could fetch up to $4.4 billion with a typical premium of 30%, the Wall Street Journal figures.If it goes at all, that is. Media reports stress that the approach could amount to nothing. In fact, Meda took the trouble to issue a statement denying a bid. "Meda's board of directors has not received an approach of the kind that is described," the company said. And Meda Chairman Bert Ake sson, who's the top executive at the company's biggest shareholder, Stena, told Reuters that Valeant hadn't approached him or Stena about a deal.The last time a potential multibillion-dollar Valeant bid hit the news, it was Cephalon in the company's sights, and that merger ended up going to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for $6.8 billion, some $1 billion more than Valeant had offered. Two weeks ago, Valeant had more success: It struck a $345 million deal for Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Ortho Dermatologics business. The Canadian company aims to grow by acquisition, rather than by developing its own new drugs in-house.It's unclear at this point whether the talks between Valeant and Meda have progressed much. But the two companies have a pre-existing relationship. Meda bought Valeant's European operations in 2008, before Valeant merged with Canada's Biovail, and Valeant licensed two dermatology products from Meda just within the last month, in a deal worth up to $130 million over the next 18 months.- find the statement from Meda- see the New York Times story- get more from the Wall Street Journal - check out the Bloomberg piece- read the Reuters pieceRelated Articles:Valeant aims for top of dermatology, CEO saysN. American pharma buys drive up M&A pricesValeant moves on to new M&A targetsInvestors boost Cephalon past Valeant's $5.7B offerALSO: Valeant's recent deal for Lithuania's Sanitas brought with it the Polish manufacturer Jelfa, which is now subject to a warning letter from FDA about quality control shortfalls. Report Read more about: Meda, Mergers and Acquisitions, Valeantback to top3. Part D saved Medicare money, study findsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInSpending more money on drug therapies actually can be thrifty, at least for Medicare patients. That's the conclusion of a new study by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. As the Boston Business Journal reports, the researchers found that Medicare Part D, which subsidized drug purchases, led to lower costs for non-drug care.Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study compared medical spending on non-drug treatment both before and after Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006. Researchers used data from 2004 to 2007 on Medicare recipients who had limited drug coverage before Part D and on those who already had drug coverage when the new program came into force.The researchers found that Part D cut other healthcare spending by about 10% per patient, or $1,200, for the group who had little drug coverage before the program. Costly inpatient care appeared to be reduced the most, while more cost-effective outpatient care wasn't affected as much. That's how drug treatment is supposed to work, of course, but this study offers dollar signs as hard evidence.The Part D data ought to inspire Medicare to look at better integration of care, the researchers said. "These reductions in non-drug spending suggest Part D has not cost Medicare as much as initially expected," study author J. Mc, a Harvard Medical School professor, said in a statement (as quoted by the BBJ). "This study exemplifies how spending on one type of service can affect spending on other types of care, which suggests that greater coordination and integration could lead to...higher value healthcare for elderly Americans."- get the BBJ storyRelated Articles:U.S. drug spending grows at anemic 2.3% in 2010Bill would require Medicare to pay for off-label medsFilling Medicare doughnut hole could cost Pharma $32BRead more about: Medicare Part D, drug costs, Medicareback to top4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInDrugmakers may soon be able to communicate more freely with European patients. The European Commission plans to review its policies restricting direct interaction with patients--and to draft new rules that will standardize those restrictions in all 27 EU countries, Bloomberg reports. Proposed rules will be released in September or October, a Commission spokesman said. As the news service points out, it's unlikely that European regulators would allow the sort of direct-to-consumer TV advertising that's sanctioned in the U.S. Nor would ads in mass-market, general-interest magazines or newspapers be likely to win approval.A previous draft of the rules, however, would have allowed ads in health publications. Of course, that draft failed to win approval from member governments, so there's no telling whether the idea would be part of a new proposal.Consistent rules would be helpful to the industry, Bergstrom, director general of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, told Bloomberg. Particularly if those rules would allow companies to communicate with patients directly, of course. "Today it is a patchwork," Bergstrom said. "If you are in the U.K. or Sweden you can usually get high-quality information [about drugs] rather than relying on your doctor, whereas in southern Europe there is nothing."- read the Bloomberg storyRelated Articles:Pharma faces bigger hurdles in EuropeWitty: Europe needs to overhaul drugs approachAre EU drugmakers less fussed by healthcare reform?Read more about: European Union, European Commission, pharma-patient interactionback to top5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInHere's another round of safety warnings from the FDA. The agency advised doctors not to use the imaging drug CardioGen-82 because of radiation risks, saying that Italian drugmaker Bracco had agreed to recall the product. Pfizer's Zyvox antibiotic, meanwhile, was flagged for potentially fatal interactions with common antidepressants.FDA announced a review of CardioGen-82 earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying that patients given the radioactive drug for PET imaging scans were found with detectable radiation months later. In fact, the radiation levels were strong enough to trigger radiation detectors at the U.S. border, which is how the FDA found out.The agency said strontium isotopes used to make CardioGen-82's active ingredient, rubidium, apparently made their way into the injectable drug. Neither the agency nor Bracco have yet identified the source of the "strontium breakthrough," but FDA said that the company's manufacturing procedures aren't stringent enough to ensure that the rubidium generator works reliably.Pfizer's high-powered antibiotic Zyvox also raised an FDA red flag. The drug can trigger a release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, making it dangerous for patients who use antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of the chemical. Excess levels of the transmitter can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction. The FDA issued the drug safety announcement after deaths were reported to the adverse-event database, Reuters reports.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and related drugs are commonly used to treat depression, and they include some of the best-selling drug brands, such as Eli Lilly's Cymbalta. Other drugs that Zyvox patients may need to avoid include GlaxoKline's Paxil and Wellbutrin, Lilly's Prozac, and Pfizer's Pristiq and Zoloft, as well as generic forms of these meds. In all, 29 meds are affected by the warning.- see the WSJ article- get more from ReutersRelated Article:FDA slaps imaging drugs with new warningRead more about: FDA, Pfizer, FDA warning, imaging drugsback to topAlso NotedTODAY'S SPOTLIGHT... Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallThe good news from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Last year's acquisition of Ratiopharm hiked European sales for the second quarter. The not-so-good: A lack of new product introductions and erosion in sales of key products offset that rise, leaving sales flat. Report @FiercePharma: Cal/OSHA fines Baxter for plant safety violations. News | Follow @FiercePharma> Biogen Idec's second-quarter sales beat analyst expectations, fueled by fast growth in new prescriptions of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. Story> Private equity firm KKR won European approval for its $2.38 billion deal to buy Pfizer's Capsugel unit. Article> Elan's Q2 profits grew $59.7 million, beating analyst estimates, on strong sales of Tysabri; the company raised its full-year profits target. Piece> Gilead Sciences posted a rise in second-quarter profits to $746.2 million, fueled by street-beating sales of its leading HIV products. Article> Takeda Pharmaceutical said it would borrow ¥600 billion ($7.66 billion) to finance its ¥1.1 trillion buyout of the Swiss drugmaker Nycomed. News> Hospira posted a 10% hike in second-quarter sales to $1.06 billion, aided in part by strong U.S. revenues from its prostate cancer drug oncolytic docetaxel. Report> New products helped boost Mylan's generic-drug sales in the U.S., but European sales suffered from pricing pressures. Report> U.S antitrust regulators approved Perrigo's purchase of Paddock Labs, on the condition that it sell off 6 generic drugs and agree to provisions that would ensure competition in the market for testosterone gel products. Story> Hexal, a unit of the Novartis generic operation Sandoz, said it withdrew from FDA an application to market its version of the Roche cancer drug Bondronat. More> Shire said investment banker Kilsby, most recently a senior advisor at Credit Suisse, has joined its board. ReportBiotech News @FierceBiotech: GSK relying on Ph3 strategy in R&D comeback bid. Piece | Follow @FierceBiotech @CFierce: Worked with Cetero? FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification News | Follow @CFierce @MFierce: If you were meeting with Biogen CEO Scangos today, what would you ask him? Soliciting comments ahead of my trip to $BIIB in Weston. | Follow @MFierce @MaureenFierce: Ford, Toyota jump into medical device business with ECG-sensing cars. Story | Follow @MaureenFierce> FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification. Report> Cancer drug upstart adds $18M in venture cash to state grant. News> Bayer partners on Trius' Ph3 antibiotic in $94M pact. More> Amylin heading back to the FDA with Bydureon app. Article> Survey: Clinical trial costs spike on bigger staffs, recruiting costs. ItemDrug Delivery News> SPANosomes deliver siRNA more effectively. More> Zcube, Caltech get together for nanotube-needle drug delivery. Article> Nanowires are actually swimmers for drug delivery bots. Story> E-cigarrettes blasted as dangerous drug delivery devices in NEJM. ArticleMedical Devices News> CareFusion to sell ResMed ventilators in U.S. Report> Medtronic beats Boston Scientific in drug-eluting stent studies. More> Sunshine Heart raises $5M, readies for C-pulse trials. Article> IOM report on changes in medical devices approvals expected on Friday. News> Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensors. Story> Report: In-home medical devices must be easier to use. ReportAnd Finally... Is it possible to predict whether someone is likely to survive or die suddenly from a heart attack? ReportEvents> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!Boston offers exciting summer options for visitors of all ages. You could see a movie in the local park, listen to a concert on City Hall Plaza, or learn to paint on the waterfront. So why not explore Boston in August and build your professional skills at the same time?> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for ExecutivesSaint ph's University offers an expanded portfolio of globally accessible AACSB-accredited programs ideal for working professionals in the pharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics and healthcare sectors. Apply now; our September Cohort begins 9/8. Visit sju.edu/epharma or call 800-SJU-EMBA.> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, ILMedicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit is where manufacturers meet with all the government officials including CMS, VA, 340B, DoD, USDOJ and OIG for compliance and operations answers to healthcare reform questions. Register with a 25% off the standard rate by clicking here: www.medicaiddrugrebates.com> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PALed by Pfizer and Novartis, this groundbreaking conference delivers only case studies that demonstrate either a disruptive or an innovative approach to advancing clinical trials. Mobile Clinical Trials, Virtual Trials, Open Source Clinical Development are just a few examples of case studies featured. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click here> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAKeynoted by Dr Langer of MIT, this is a strategic level event for pharma and biotech BD&L executives to meet a wide range of drug delivery companies with the latest technologies. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click hereMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeThis FierceMedicalDevices eBook examines the background situation, current position and the future of the CDRH’s revision of the 510(k) premarket notification process. Click here to download today.Jobs> Regional BD DirectorWe are considering candidates for a Regional Business Development (BD) Director to join our BD team! The ideal candidate should have specific experience calling on and selling into the R&D and clinical development/operations and study start up side of the industry, including but not limited to Phase I-IIIB as well as Phase IV post marketing surveillance, outcomes research and patient registry programs. Learn more.> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech Jobs50+ new jobs just posted. Employers now post to the web site free. Find the perfect job or post your openings at FiercePharma Jobs.©2011 FierceMarkets This email was sent to nandtbearden@... as part of the FiercePharma email list which is administered by FierceMarkets, 1900 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 628-8778. Refer FiercePharma to a ColleagueContact UsExecutive Editor: McBride. Managing Editor: Maureen o. Publisher: Arsalan Arif. VP, Sales: Willumson.AdvertiseAdvertising/Lead-Generation: Willumson. Request a media kit.Email ManagementManage your subscriptionChange your email addressUnsubscribe from FiercePharmaExplore Our NetworkYou may enjoy these publications from FierceMarkets:FierceBiotechFierceBiotechITFierceBiotech ResearchFierceCIOFierceCIO:TechWatchFierceContentManagementFierceDeveloperFierceEMRFierceFinanceFierceFinanceITFierceDrugDeliveryFierceGovernmentFierceGovernmentITFierceHealthcareFierceHealthFinanceFierceHealthITFierceIPTVFierceMobileContentFierceMobileHealthcareFierceMobileITFierceOnlineVideoFiercePharmaFierceMedicalDevicesFiercePharma ManufacturingFierceComplianceITFierceTelecomFierceVaccinesFierceEnterpriseCommunicationsFierceBroadbandWirelessFierceWirelessFierceWireless:EuropeHospital ImpactFierceHealthPayerFiercePracticeManagementFierceEnergyFierceSmartGrid

[Guest guest]

DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy StatonComment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn AstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: FiercePharma <editors@...>Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:48:42 -0400 (EDT)<nandtbearden@...>Reply editors@...Subject: | 07.27.11 | DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco; Valeant reportedly eyes MedadealIf you are unable to see the message below, click here to view.July 27, 2011Subscribe | Website | Jobs | MobileRefer FiercePharma to a ColleagueThis week's sponsor:Drexel UniversitySermo SurveysINC ResearchToday's Top Stories:1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four meds2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buy3. Part D saved Medicare money, study finds4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interaction5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionSpotlight:Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallAlso Noted:Biogen, Elan post Tysabri-fueled sales hikes; KKR wins European nod for Capsugel deal; Much more...News From The Fierce Network:1. Survey: Clinical trial costs spike2. FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for falsification3. Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensorsThis week's sponsor is Drexel University Online.Events> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for Executives> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, IL> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PA> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeJobs> Regional BD Director> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech JobsKey Factors that Influence MDs to Prescribe Brands vs. Generic Alternatives Sermo Study Shows that Efficacy is the Top Influencer for MDs to Prescribe a GenericOutside of cost, what are the key factors that influence MDs to prescribe brand-name vs. generic drugs? Find out what they had to say.Physicians were shown recent rulings from the Supreme Court case Pilva v. Mensing and asked what key factors, including this case and excluding cost, influence whether they prescribe a brand-name or generic product.See the Complete Report[Physicians: 90 respondents]This week's sponsor is INC Research.Today's Top Stories1. DoJ subpoenas AZ, Medco about four medsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInAstraZeneca and Medco Health Solutions are under the Department of Justice's microscope. Prosecutors have subpoenaed the drugmaker and pharmacy benefits manager about their relationship, asking specifically about four AstraZeneca drugs.Medco disclosed the Justice Department investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying the subpoena arrived this month from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware, where AZ maintains its headquarters. The company said it received a similar subpoena from that office.The probe involves AstraZeneca's acid reflux blockbusters Nexium and Prilosec, as well as the hypertension meds Plendil and Toprol XL. Tony Jewell, an AZ spokesman, told the WSJ that the company is in the process of responding to the subpoena. There's no way of knowing whether AstraZeneca faces any liability from the investigation, Jewell said.As awkward as the investigation may prove to be for the drugmaker, it's particularly troublesome for Medco right now, Reuters points out. The PBM just agreed to be acquired by competitor Express Scripts in a $29 billion-plus deal. The merger is expected to attract close scrutiny from regulators worried about antitrust issues. Plus, Medco is already under investigation by the SEC, which has been looking into the PBM's relationship with California Public Employees' Retirement System. - see the WSJ story- get more from ReutersRelated Articles:Pharma tops off DoJ settlement rankingWill pharma fight the Express-Medco deal?AZ mulls next steps on Nexium patentFDA lifts fracture warning on OTC stomach medsRead more about: AstraZeneca, Medco Health Solutions, Nexium, Justice Departmentback to top2. Sources: Valeant eyes $4.4B Meda buyBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInValeant Pharmaceuticals is on the hunt again. The Canadian drugmaker has approached Swedish specialty pharma Meda about a deal, sources close to the companies are saying. With a current market value of about $3.4 billion, Meda could fetch up to $4.4 billion with a typical premium of 30%, the Wall Street Journal figures.If it goes at all, that is. Media reports stress that the approach could amount to nothing. In fact, Meda took the trouble to issue a statement denying a bid. "Meda's board of directors has not received an approach of the kind that is described," the company said. And Meda Chairman Bert Ake sson, who's the top executive at the company's biggest shareholder, Stena, told Reuters that Valeant hadn't approached him or Stena about a deal.The last time a potential multibillion-dollar Valeant bid hit the news, it was Cephalon in the company's sights, and that merger ended up going to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for $6.8 billion, some $1 billion more than Valeant had offered. Two weeks ago, Valeant had more success: It struck a $345 million deal for Janssen Pharmaceuticals' Ortho Dermatologics business. The Canadian company aims to grow by acquisition, rather than by developing its own new drugs in-house.It's unclear at this point whether the talks between Valeant and Meda have progressed much. But the two companies have a pre-existing relationship. Meda bought Valeant's European operations in 2008, before Valeant merged with Canada's Biovail, and Valeant licensed two dermatology products from Meda just within the last month, in a deal worth up to $130 million over the next 18 months.- find the statement from Meda- see the New York Times story- get more from the Wall Street Journal - check out the Bloomberg piece- read the Reuters pieceRelated Articles:Valeant aims for top of dermatology, CEO saysN. American pharma buys drive up M&A pricesValeant moves on to new M&A targetsInvestors boost Cephalon past Valeant's $5.7B offerALSO: Valeant's recent deal for Lithuania's Sanitas brought with it the Polish manufacturer Jelfa, which is now subject to a warning letter from FDA about quality control shortfalls. Report Read more about: Meda, Mergers and Acquisitions, Valeantback to top3. Part D saved Medicare money, study findsBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInSpending more money on drug therapies actually can be thrifty, at least for Medicare patients. That's the conclusion of a new study by Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. As the Boston Business Journal reports, the researchers found that Medicare Part D, which subsidized drug purchases, led to lower costs for non-drug care.Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study compared medical spending on non-drug treatment both before and after Medicare Part D was implemented in 2006. Researchers used data from 2004 to 2007 on Medicare recipients who had limited drug coverage before Part D and on those who already had drug coverage when the new program came into force.The researchers found that Part D cut other healthcare spending by about 10% per patient, or $1,200, for the group who had little drug coverage before the program. Costly inpatient care appeared to be reduced the most, while more cost-effective outpatient care wasn't affected as much. That's how drug treatment is supposed to work, of course, but this study offers dollar signs as hard evidence.The Part D data ought to inspire Medicare to look at better integration of care, the researchers said. "These reductions in non-drug spending suggest Part D has not cost Medicare as much as initially expected," study author J. Mc, a Harvard Medical School professor, said in a statement (as quoted by the BBJ). "This study exemplifies how spending on one type of service can affect spending on other types of care, which suggests that greater coordination and integration could lead to...higher value healthcare for elderly Americans."- get the BBJ storyRelated Articles:U.S. drug spending grows at anemic 2.3% in 2010Bill would require Medicare to pay for off-label medsFilling Medicare doughnut hole could cost Pharma $32BRead more about: Medicare Part D, drug costs, Medicareback to top4. Europe reviews pharma-patient interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInDrugmakers may soon be able to communicate more freely with European patients. The European Commission plans to review its policies restricting direct interaction with patients--and to draft new rules that will standardize those restrictions in all 27 EU countries, Bloomberg reports. Proposed rules will be released in September or October, a Commission spokesman said. As the news service points out, it's unlikely that European regulators would allow the sort of direct-to-consumer TV advertising that's sanctioned in the U.S. Nor would ads in mass-market, general-interest magazines or newspapers be likely to win approval.A previous draft of the rules, however, would have allowed ads in health publications. Of course, that draft failed to win approval from member governments, so there's no telling whether the idea would be part of a new proposal.Consistent rules would be helpful to the industry, Bergstrom, director general of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, told Bloomberg. Particularly if those rules would allow companies to communicate with patients directly, of course. "Today it is a patchwork," Bergstrom said. "If you are in the U.K. or Sweden you can usually get high-quality information [about drugs] rather than relying on your doctor, whereas in southern Europe there is nothing."- read the Bloomberg storyRelated Articles:Pharma faces bigger hurdles in EuropeWitty: Europe needs to overhaul drugs approachAre EU drugmakers less fussed by healthcare reform?Read more about: European Union, European Commission, pharma-patient interactionback to top5. FDA warns against imaging med interactionBy Staton Comment | Forward | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInHere's another round of safety warnings from the FDA. The agency advised doctors not to use the imaging drug CardioGen-82 because of radiation risks, saying that Italian drugmaker Bracco had agreed to recall the product. Pfizer's Zyvox antibiotic, meanwhile, was flagged for potentially fatal interactions with common antidepressants.FDA announced a review of CardioGen-82 earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reports, saying that patients given the radioactive drug for PET imaging scans were found with detectable radiation months later. In fact, the radiation levels were strong enough to trigger radiation detectors at the U.S. border, which is how the FDA found out.The agency said strontium isotopes used to make CardioGen-82's active ingredient, rubidium, apparently made their way into the injectable drug. Neither the agency nor Bracco have yet identified the source of the "strontium breakthrough," but FDA said that the company's manufacturing procedures aren't stringent enough to ensure that the rubidium generator works reliably.Pfizer's high-powered antibiotic Zyvox also raised an FDA red flag. The drug can trigger a release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, making it dangerous for patients who use antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of the chemical. Excess levels of the transmitter can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction. The FDA issued the drug safety announcement after deaths were reported to the adverse-event database, Reuters reports.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, and related drugs are commonly used to treat depression, and they include some of the best-selling drug brands, such as Eli Lilly's Cymbalta. Other drugs that Zyvox patients may need to avoid include GlaxoKline's Paxil and Wellbutrin, Lilly's Prozac, and Pfizer's Pristiq and Zoloft, as well as generic forms of these meds. In all, 29 meds are affected by the warning.- see the WSJ article- get more from ReutersRelated Article:FDA slaps imaging drugs with new warningRead more about: FDA, Pfizer, FDA warning, imaging drugsback to topAlso NotedTODAY'S SPOTLIGHT... Teva's Q2 revenues flat on European rise, U.S. fallThe good news from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries: Last year's acquisition of Ratiopharm hiked European sales for the second quarter. The not-so-good: A lack of new product introductions and erosion in sales of key products offset that rise, leaving sales flat. Report @FiercePharma: Cal/OSHA fines Baxter for plant safety violations. News | Follow @FiercePharma> Biogen Idec's second-quarter sales beat analyst expectations, fueled by fast growth in new prescriptions of its multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. Story> Private equity firm KKR won European approval for its $2.38 billion deal to buy Pfizer's Capsugel unit. Article> Elan's Q2 profits grew $59.7 million, beating analyst estimates, on strong sales of Tysabri; the company raised its full-year profits target. Piece> Gilead Sciences posted a rise in second-quarter profits to $746.2 million, fueled by street-beating sales of its leading HIV products. Article> Takeda Pharmaceutical said it would borrow ¥600 billion ($7.66 billion) to finance its ¥1.1 trillion buyout of the Swiss drugmaker Nycomed. News> Hospira posted a 10% hike in second-quarter sales to $1.06 billion, aided in part by strong U.S. revenues from its prostate cancer drug oncolytic docetaxel. Report> New products helped boost Mylan's generic-drug sales in the U.S., but European sales suffered from pricing pressures. Report> U.S antitrust regulators approved Perrigo's purchase of Paddock Labs, on the condition that it sell off 6 generic drugs and agree to provisions that would ensure competition in the market for testosterone gel products. Story> Hexal, a unit of the Novartis generic operation Sandoz, said it withdrew from FDA an application to market its version of the Roche cancer drug Bondronat. More> Shire said investment banker Kilsby, most recently a senior advisor at Credit Suisse, has joined its board. ReportBiotech News @FierceBiotech: GSK relying on Ph3 strategy in R&D comeback bid. Piece | Follow @FierceBiotech @CFierce: Worked with Cetero? FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification News | Follow @CFierce @MFierce: If you were meeting with Biogen CEO Scangos today, what would you ask him? Soliciting comments ahead of my trip to $BIIB in Weston. | Follow @MFierce @MaureenFierce: Ford, Toyota jump into medical device business with ECG-sensing cars. Story | Follow @MaureenFierce> FDA cites "corrupt" CRO for widespread falsification. Report> Cancer drug upstart adds $18M in venture cash to state grant. News> Bayer partners on Trius' Ph3 antibiotic in $94M pact. More> Amylin heading back to the FDA with Bydureon app. Article> Survey: Clinical trial costs spike on bigger staffs, recruiting costs. ItemDrug Delivery News> SPANosomes deliver siRNA more effectively. More> Zcube, Caltech get together for nanotube-needle drug delivery. Article> Nanowires are actually swimmers for drug delivery bots. Story> E-cigarrettes blasted as dangerous drug delivery devices in NEJM. ArticleMedical Devices News> CareFusion to sell ResMed ventilators in U.S. Report> Medtronic beats Boston Scientific in drug-eluting stent studies. More> Sunshine Heart raises $5M, readies for C-pulse trials. Article> IOM report on changes in medical devices approvals expected on Friday. News> Toyota unveils steering-wheel ECG sensors. Story> Report: In-home medical devices must be easier to use. ReportAnd Finally... Is it possible to predict whether someone is likely to survive or die suddenly from a heart attack? ReportEvents> Skill-building and Summer Fun in Boston!Boston offers exciting summer options for visitors of all ages. You could see a movie in the local park, listen to a concert on City Hall Plaza, or learn to paint on the waterfront. So why not explore Boston in August and build your professional skills at the same time?> Online Pharmaceutical Healthcare Marketing MBA for ExecutivesSaint ph's University offers an expanded portfolio of globally accessible AACSB-accredited programs ideal for working professionals in the pharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics and healthcare sectors. Apply now; our September Cohort begins 9/8. Visit sju.edu/epharma or call 800-SJU-EMBA.> 16th MDRP Summit - Sept. 14-16, 2011 - Marriott Downtown, Chicago, ILMedicaid Drug Rebate Program Summit is where manufacturers meet with all the government officials including CMS, VA, 340B, DoD, USDOJ and OIG for compliance and operations answers to healthcare reform questions. Register with a 25% off the standard rate by clicking here: www.medicaiddrugrebates.com> Disruptive Innovations in Clinical Trials - September 15-16, 2011 - Philadelphia, PALed by Pfizer and Novartis, this groundbreaking conference delivers only case studies that demonstrate either a disruptive or an innovative approach to advancing clinical trials. Mobile Clinical Trials, Virtual Trials, Open Source Clinical Development are just a few examples of case studies featured. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click here> Partnership Opportunities in Drug Delivery - October 5-6, 2011 - Boston, MAKeynoted by Dr Langer of MIT, this is a strategic level event for pharma and biotech BD&L executives to meet a wide range of drug delivery companies with the latest technologies. Fierce readers receive 15% off with code FBEL. Register or learn more: click hereMarketplace> New Fierce eBook: Between an Industry Rock and a Political Hard Place: The FDA's 510(k) InitiativeThis FierceMedicalDevices eBook examines the background situation, current position and the future of the CDRH’s revision of the 510(k) premarket notification process. Click here to download today.Jobs> Regional BD DirectorWe are considering candidates for a Regional Business Development (BD) Director to join our BD team! The ideal candidate should have specific experience calling on and selling into the R&D and clinical development/operations and study start up side of the industry, including but not limited to Phase I-IIIB as well as Phase IV post marketing surveillance, outcomes research and patient registry programs. Learn more.> Need a job? Need to hire? Visit FiercePharma and Biotech Jobs50+ new jobs just posted. Employers now post to the web site free. Find the perfect job or post your openings at FiercePharma Jobs.©2011 FierceMarkets This email was sent to nandtbearden@... as part of the FiercePharma email list which is administered by FierceMarkets, 1900 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 628-8778. Refer FiercePharma to a ColleagueContact UsExecutive Editor: McBride. Managing Editor: Maureen o. Publisher: Arsalan Arif. VP, Sales: Willumson.AdvertiseAdvertising/Lead-Generation: Willumson. 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