Therapeutics News

Akorn Inc. announced in a press release that it has entered into an agreement to acquire VPI Holdings Corp., the parent company of VersaPharm Inc., for $440 million cash.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Unmodified contact lenses have been shown to release ciprofloxacin in about an hour; however, the use of a molecular imprinting strategy extends that to 24 hours, according to a researcher who presented his poster here at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Eleven Biotherapeutics released new data on two novel protein therapeutics at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting.

In a recent Optometry and Vision Science study designed to evaluate melimine-coated contact lenses, researchers found that the lenses retained high antibacterial activity after wear.

In 2012, community pharmacists dispensed generic drugs 77% of the time, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association’s yearly report.

It is a scenario with which we are all too familiar. In the midst of a hectic day, a staff member catches you between patients, stating “Mrs. Jones’ pharmacy is on the phone, and the glaucoma medication you prescribed is tier 3 on her insurance formulary. They want to substitute a generic.” Ugh. On one hand we always want to do what is best for our patients, including prescribing affordable medications. On the other hand, Mrs. Jones’ glaucoma has been recalcitrant, and the branded medication you prescribed seems to be the best option. Unfortunately, the reality of today’s fast-paced health care world rarely affords us the time to “conference” with the patient, pharmacist and insurer to resolve this dilemma. So, we simply acquiesce and agree to the generic.

Paragon Biotek Inc. announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its phenylephrine HCl ophthalmic solution, 2.5% and 10%, for pupil dilation.

In my last blog post on this topic, we discussed the astronomically rising cost of generic drugs in the U.S. and why this is happening. Certainly it’s a frustrating problem for patients and doctors alike. Here are some tips that may be helpful in navigating the system:

Most of us have noticed the dramatic increase in generic drug costs at the pharmacy, or we’ve heard feedback about it from our patients. But why has this happened, and what can we do about it?

Ocular Therapeutix Inc. announced commencement of its phase 3 clinical trial to investigate sustained-release dexamethasone, a corticosteroid to treat postoperative inflammation and pain following cataract surgery.