Pharmaceutical Commerce - March 2009

Evaluating medicine and healthcare by their outcomes is now an NIH priority

Sweden is to be the site of the high-profile project

Container maintains an effervescent analgesic while providing patient convenience

Better use of available data can add rigor to analyzing managed-markets contracts, thereby allocating rebates / discounts more effectively

While FDA guidance on appropriate medical communication has evolved, US Dept. of Justice attention the practice is intensifying

Catalent celebrates anniversary of its pioneering technology for oral solids

Drugmakers recalibrate anti-counterfeiting and serialization efforts

Among sales-force automation tools, closed-loop marketing is getting attention as a better way to sell

Rising globalization of biopharma puts a spotlight on shipping processes and regulatory clearances

BIOPHARMA MANUFACTURING

Lilly’s insurers win $10-million settlement, but the case is on appeal

Distance-learning modules lead to a “Certificate of Professional Competency”

Second annual survey solidifies understanding of consumer segments

Agenda includes healthcare marketing, communications and education

Could proposed legislation undercut the promise of targeted therapies?

Claims of the death of the pharma sales rep occupation have been greatly exaggerated

PDA meeting showcases widening range of resources

New unit will ship from La Vergne, TN specialty-care products warehouse

Specialty GPO is doubling attendance year-over-year

US total reaches $291.5 billion; dispensed prescriptions up 0.9%

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates $18 billion for HIT

Relsys’ ‘structured signal management’ analyzes patient data for trends

DDN goes with Axway’s Trade Activity Manager; repackager Apace Packaging chooses Supplyscape’s Nexus platform

Drugmakers face difficulty justifying expenses amid restrictions

While track-and-trace initiatives stumble along, more technology firms provide authentication solutions

Rx-360 seeks to bring manufacturers and suppliers together to advance operating standards; meanwhile, Congress gets busy writing bills

Referencing in pharmaceutical compendia and peer-reviewed literature are a guide

Dispensed prescription volume grew 0.9%

Program appears to improve medication adherence and decrease therapeutic duplications