Category: Medicine

Pharmacies, most agree, are no longer simply just a place to pick up a filled prescription. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacy services had begun to expand. The public health crisis, however, would thrust community pharmacies in the US into the spotlight, and they responded. Their offerings—and the reliance on them—exploded. Seemingly overnight, retail and […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Albert Thigpen, co-founder, Talentwise Consulting, discussed how the panel on “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” underscored the complexities of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), predicting significant challenges for stakeholders like retail pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers. They highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences […]

The following conversation with Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding’s Scott Brunner and Tenille Davis discussed challenges faced by patients and healthcare providers due to drug shortages, particularly for semaglutide, and highlighted the role of compounding pharmacies in addressing these shortages and the importance of distinguishing legitimate compounding pharmacies from illicit actors. Given the increasing complexity of […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Albert Thigpen, co-founder, Talentwise Consulting, discussed how the panel on “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” underscored the complexities of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), predicting significant challenges for stakeholders like retail pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers. They highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/HDP-Studio.com A trend in the United States has been the rise in national health expenditures—in 2022, they experienced a 4.1% uptick to $4.5 trillion, represented by 9.6% growth in Medicaid, 5.9% growth in Medicare, and 5.9% growth in private insurer spending.1 In fact, analysis indicates that over the course of the […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Albert Thigpen, co-founder, Talentwise Consulting, discussed how the panel on “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” underscored the complexities of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), predicting significant challenges for stakeholders like retail pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers. They highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Timon.com Rentschler Biopharma SE, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, is building a new state-of-the-art buffer media station at its company headquarters in Laupheim, Germany.1 According to the company, the new plant is expected to boost production efficiency, while adding a modern feel to the facility, which will […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Albert Thigpen, co-founder, Talentwise Consulting, discussed how the panel on “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” underscored the complexities of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), predicting significant challenges for stakeholders like retail pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers. They highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences […]

PC: Coincidentally, you also moderated a panel on “The State of Retail Pharmacy.” What main concerns and challenges did you dig into? Roth: I think what was more interesting to me were the conversations I had while we were preparing for the panel. The panel really had a negative attitude on needing help. They’re between […]

Pharma Marketing Trends to Expect in 2025 In this part of her video interview, Amanda Powers-Han, Chief Marketing Officer, Greater Than One and Pharmaceutical Executive Advisory Board Member identifies marketing trends you expect to be big right away in 2025. Controlling Cholesterol: Stroke Prevention and Updated ASA Guidelines New recommendations from the American Stroke Association […]

Semaglutide Supply Chain & Access Challenges Scott Brunner, CEO, and Tenille Davis, Chief Advocacy Officer, of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding discuss specific challenges that have arisen in the supply chain for semaglutide and how to ensure that patients continue to have access to essential medications, particularly during shortages. Challenges in Adopting Novel Therapies Panelists […]

Advantages & Disadvantages of Using Compounded Medications Scott Brunner, CEO, and Tenille Davis, Chief Advocacy Officer, of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding discuss how compounded medications differ from commercially available drugs in terms of their manufacturing process, quality standards, and more. Move Over, Dr. Google. ChatGPT, M.D., Has Better Answers | AAO 2024 ChatGPT bested […]

In this exclusive PC Podcast interview, Rob Sobie, chief product officer of Intelliguard, a provider of hospital medication management and data intelligence solutions, discusses: The key challenges that hospitals are currently facing Why he believes that the drug supply chain is failing Successes surrounding the implementation of RFID technology A high-level overview of the Drug […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Albert Thigpen, co-founder, Talentwise Consulting, discussed how the panel on “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” underscored the complexities of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), predicting significant challenges for stakeholders like retail pharmacies, payers, and pharmacy benefit managers. They highlighted concerns about the unintended consequences […]

Emerging biotech companies launching niche therapies (e.g., CAR-T, radiotherapies) operate without a commercial blueprint. Each disease state is unique. Each account has its own mix of stakeholders. Companies can’t rely on syndicated data to help them uncover all essential account-level insights. As a result, these innovative companies are all pioneers at launch, creating their own […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Jeffrey Bernstein, director of cybersecurity and data privacy for Kaufman Rossin’s risk advisory services, outlined the top mistakes healthcare organizations make in software development and maintenance from a security standpoint, including a lack of incident response plan; inadequate data encryption; absence of multi-factor authentication; neglecting security development lifecycle (SDL) […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/WSStudio1985.com Perhaps it may come as no surprise, but history has shown that diseases have had an influence on human migration. The risk of infection when it comes to outbreaks—most recently including Ebola—has resulted in people relocating for a multitude of reasons, including improved access to healthcare. There appears to be […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, Jeffrey Bernstein, director of cybersecurity and data privacy for Kaufman Rossin’s risk advisory services, outlined the top mistakes healthcare organizations make in software development and maintenance from a security standpoint, including a lack of incident response plan; inadequate data encryption; absence of multi-factor authentication; neglecting security development lifecycle (SDL) […]

In this video interview with Pharma Commerce Editor Nicholas Saraceno, Jeffrey Bernstein, director of cybersecurity and data privacy for Kaufman Rossin’s risk advisory services, explains the top mistakes healthcare organizations make when building and maintaining their software.

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/tututailuan.com Sensitech, a supply chain visibility company and part of Carrier Global Corporation, and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a telecommunications company, will be partnering up in an effort to design technology that will help grow real-time monitoring services for the cold chain sector specifically with help of analytics and real-time visibility.1 “Groundbreaking […]

Balancing Personalized Marketing and Maintaining Data Privacy In this part of her video interview, Amanda Powers-Han, Chief Marketing Officer, Greater Than One and Pharmaceutical Executive Advisory Board Member discusses how pharmaceutical companies can effectively balance personalized marketing efforts with maintaining data privacy and ensuring patient trust. Is PBM Reform Nearing the Finish Line? For the […]

Access Insight’s “Drug Pricing and Reimbursement Data in the New Era of CMS Price Transparency Mandates” session Many Access Insights attendees may remember the presentation1 that Turquoise Health’s Chris O’Dell, SVP of market solutions, made at least year’s conference. It had been centered on “Strategies for Using the New Federally Mandated Price Transparency Data in […]

Seeking Sustainable Solutions: Can Passion and Profit Coexist in Pharma ESG Efforts? Pharmaceutical Executive convened an executive roundtable discussion during The Vanguard Network’s Life Sciences CEO Forum on May 21, 2024, in Boston. Participants included Amber Edwards, the new CEO of Sinclair Pharma and former chief commercial officer at Alastin Skincare (she officially assumed the […]

Navigating Social Media Regulatory and Ethical Standards In this part of her video interview, Amanda Powers-Han, Chief Marketing Officer, Greater Than One and Pharmaceutical Executive Advisory Board Member explains how pharmaceutical companies can effectively navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and ensure that their marketing activities comply with ethical standards and industry best practices. Unmasking Health […]

Access Insight’s “Playing the Chess Endgame–Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization” session One could make the argument that the Access Insights Conference is right where it’s supposed to be, being that it took place in our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Stephen Morales, senior principal with Blue Fin Group, moderated a panel that was centered around “Playing […]

The emergence of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs such as liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) has transformed the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity. These drugs are primarily administered via pre-filled injectable pens, offering patients convenience. However, the growing use of these pens introduces significant challenges concerning their disposal. Classified as […]

Access Insight’s “Healthcare Policy Interpretation: Mapping Out the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Moves on the Chessboard” session The Access Insights Conference carried on, and in his session on “Healthcare Policy Interpretation: Mapping Out the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Moves on the Chessboard,” Jeff Baab, partner, advisory services, IntegriChain, aimed to describe how the latest healthcare […]

PC: What were some of the main talking points of your “Financial Headwinds and Tailwinds to Commercialization” keynote speech? Roth: I wanted to conclude something I started last year, which was the move my prescription presentation. Around two and a half years ago, we started getting calls from general medicine manufacturers, and they were hearing […]

In this special post-show episode, we sit down with Ryan Portela, Head of Production for LogiPharma, to reflect on the highlights and key takeaways from this year’s event. From attendee feedback to the most impactful sessions, Ryan shares insider insights and discusses how the momentum from 2024 will continue to shape the future of pharma […]

PC: What other sessions at the conference have you found to be the most interesting? Sarraille: Well, I’ve been very impressed, and it certainly has fed my inherent pessimism, with the discussion about retail pharmacy, particularly as a sort of uniquely challenged aspect of the supply chain. Bill Roth had an absolutely fantastic presentation to […]

Access Insight’s “Financial Headwinds and Tailwinds to Commercialization” session Co-hosted by IntegriChain, Blue Fin Group, and Federal Compliance Solutions, the goal of the Access Insights conference is to share the latest trends, strategies, insights, and tactics for data-driven access and commercialization. Bill Roth, general manager and managing partner of IntegriChain’s consulting business, which includes Blue […]

PC: You were recently on a panel entitled “Playing the Chess Endgame: Healthcare Policies Targeting Drug Commercialization.” What are the main points that the audience should take away from that presentation? Sarraille: I think unfortunately, the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act is going to be a bumpy thing, are going to be a lot […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Sorapop.com Many non-elderly individuals in the United States find themselves on employer-sponsored insurance—154 million to be precise1—making it quite prevalent. As a result, KFF conducts a yearly survey featuring both private and non-federal public employers (three or more workers) in order to deliver the latest in the sector employer-sponsored health benefits, […]

At this year’s LogiPharma USA conference in Boston, a panel titled “Conveying Key Goals and Strategies Across the Value Chain,” discussed how collaborating with distributors and other logistical partners takes consistent and clear communication across the vast systems and networks that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. In an interview with Pharma Commerce, Lucy Alexander, capabilities […]

Ensuring That Product Labels Are Easily Understood Laura Johnson, senior director, sales, life sciences, Loftware, discusses ways to ensure that product labels are easily understood universally. Medicare Part D Smoothing Program: Impact on Access and Adherence The discussion explores how Medicare’s Part D smoothing program in 2025 might impact chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients’ access to […]

Challenges of Unclear Product Labeling on Patient Outcomes Drug labeling has become a key issue in the pharmaceutical industry. Mislabeling has frequently led to providers prescribing the wrong medications to their patients. In an interview with Pharm Exec, Laura Johnson, senior director, sales, life sciences, Loftware, discussed key challenges of drug labeling, ensuring that labels […]

Plan Ahead: Mastering Your AI Budget for 2025 Success Generative AI is just one part of the artificial intelligence and machine learning that is being used by life science organizations, emerging as a major area of interest and an area in which costs and ROI are still largely unknown. Pharmacists Serve as a “Golden Ticket” […]

Leverage AI to Lower Cost, Barriers to Cell Therapies Off-the-shelf cell therapies hold immense promise for revolutionizing precision medicine by offering accessible and affordable treatments. However, overcoming the immune system’s rejection and navigating the FDA’s approval process are crucial challenges. Could Semaglutide Offer An Alternative Solution to Opioid Use Disorder? Semaglutide, a GLP1-RA, shows promise […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Nuchylee.com While the warnings about inabilities to comply with the 2013 Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) rose as the Nov. 27 deadline for full compliance approached, FDA stuck to its guns, insisting that compliance would be mandatory (with exceptions) by that date. Now, however, prodded by supply chain participants and […]

At this year’s LogiPharma USA conference in Boston, a panel titled “Conveying Key Goals and Strategies Across the Value Chain,” discussed how collaborating with distributors and other logistical partners takes consistent and clear communication across the vast systems and networks that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. In an interview with Pharma Commerce, Lucy Alexander, capabilities […]

At this year’s LogiPharma USA conference in Boston, a panel titled “Conveying Key Goals and Strategies Across the Value Chain,” discussed how collaborating with distributors and other logistical partners takes consistent and clear communication across the vast systems and networks that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. In an interview with Pharma Commerce, Lucy Alexander, capabilities […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Sanchai.com Proper dementia care involves the recognition of cognitive impairment at an early stage, while being able to diagnose Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) in a timely fashion. Having the ability to identify this cognitive impairment early on allows for clinicians to evaluate patients for treatable factors that are sometimes […]

Navigating today’s healthcare system is increasingly complex for patients, especially those requiring chronic care or advanced treatments like cell and gene therapies. Patients often face barriers like coverage limits, prior authorizations, and high out-of-pocket costs, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about accessing and affording necessary therapies. So, how can we make sure patients are […]

At this year’s LogiPharma USA conference in Boston, a panel titled “Conveying Key Goals and Strategies Across the Value Chain,” discussed how collaborating with distributors and other logistical partners takes consistent and clear communication across the vast systems and networks that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. In an interview with Pharma Commerce, Lucy Alexander, capabilities […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, John Stefankiewicz, VP of Analytics, Cencora, explained that pharmacy deserts are increasingly prevalent due to the ongoing closure of pharmacies, which affects community access to essential healthcare services. In urban areas, the nearest pharmacy may be difficult to reach due to barriers like highways and inadequate public transport. […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Cake78.com BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a medical technology company, and ten23 health, a Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), are teaming up to design a new way to track prefillable syringes (PFS) with the help of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.1 The objective of the partnership is to test out an […]

Image Credit: Tower Cold Chain In an effort to meet pharmaceutical cold chain requirements while limiting waste simultaneously, Tower Cold Chain has officially launched a sustainability hub for its customers.1 The new landing page serves as one-stop-shop to access four areas: a sustainability toolkit, a knowledge hub, information on Tower’s performance, and ethics and compliance […]

In the full video interview with Pharma Commerce, Jenni Zilka, SVP, community & specialty pharmacy and president, Good Neighbor Pharmacy, noted that pharmacy deserts are communities without access to pharmacies, hindering residents’ ability to fill prescriptions and access healthcare services. These areas are often also healthcare deserts. Definitions vary by location: urban areas lack pharmacies within […]

What Does the ‘Third Age’ Look Like for BioPharma Employees as They Plan for Longer Life Spans? Ken Dychtwald, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Age Wave, an acclaimed think tank and consultancy focused on the social and business implications and opportunities of global aging and rising longevity. His client list has included over […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/AleksandraGigowska.com Gilead Sciences, Inc. has officially signed non-exclusive, royalty-free voluntary licensing agreements with six pharmaceutical manufacturers in order to assist with the production and sale of generic lenacapavir.1 Although they are all still subject to the mandatory regulatory approvals, the agreements would provide 120 nations—mainly those that are low or lower-income, and resource-limited—with […]

In a video interview with Pharma Commerce, John Stefankiewicz, VP of Analytics, Cencora, explained that pharmacy deserts are increasingly prevalent due to the ongoing closure of pharmacies, which affects community access to essential healthcare services. In urban areas, the nearest pharmacy may be difficult to reach due to barriers like highways and inadequate public transport. […]

Aaron Rodgers—the star NFL quarterback who was playing for the Green Bay Packers at the time—made headlines in 2014 when he told fans to “r-e-l-a-x” following the team’s slow 1-2 start that season. It’s clear that the power of acronyms truly resonated with me, being that I’m sharing this blast from the past a decade […]

Mike Hennessy Jr., President and CEO, MJH Life Sciences It is hard to believe that Pharma Commerce’s October issue marks the second to last one of 2024. To help keep the momentum going through the end of the year, it’s only fitting that this edition is headlined by a cold chain topic, one of the […]

Pharmaceutical Commerce – October 2024 Issue (PDF) Conference Connect: The Twists and Turns in Pharma Traceability Tapping the Value of Conscientious Stewardship Specialty Pharmacy: The Trends Shaping Best Practices Three Key Pharmaceutical Logistics Challenges to Monitor Keeping Do-Not-Freeze Injectable Drugs Safe Through the Last Mile Key Elements for Success in Pharma M&A Integration The Latest […]

Sustainability has become a real necessity and the pursuit of organizations across the globe, as many now throw down the scientific gauntlet. It is important for companies, including those in the life sciences industry, to proactively set targets and focus on long-term initiatives that will provide value realization and business transformation toward creating a more […]

In August, supply chain leaders within the industry gathered at Washington, DC’s Marriott Marquis for the Healthcare Distribution Alliance’s (HDA) 2024 Traceability Seminar, perhaps with a greater sense of urgency than years past. The goal of the conference was to “learn more about upcoming Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) implementation milestones as well as […]

Ongoing innovation in drug development is allowing patients managing one or more comorbidities to live longer and have an improved quality of life. Pacing much of that innovation are specialty medications, which are high-cost, complex therapies approved to treat a growing array of chronic conditions, rare diseases, and life-threatening illnesses. This includes cancer; HIV/AIDS; hepatitis […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/PNG CityImage Credit: Adobe Stock Images/PNG City Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have both announced major investments in advanced drug manufacturing to drive innovation and bolster their production capacities for clinical trials and novel therapies.1,2 This morning, Lilly revealed that its $4.5 billion investment will be used to create […]

Precision and reliability are paramount in the pharmaceutical industry. Every production aspect must be meticulously controlled to ensure the efficacy and safety of medications and vaccines. This level of control extends to distribution, where cold chain logistics are crucial to maintaining product integrity. Do-not-freeze injectable drugs, including biologics (such as insulin) and GLP-1 class drugs, […]

In some industries, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are relatively infrequent, single events. Not so in the pharmaceutical world, however. The relationship between Big Pharma and the smaller companies that populate the pharma ecosystem is synergistic. With the pace of technological development increasing and the need for new products a constant driver of investment, M&A in […]

To lower out-of-pocket (OOP) costs of prescription medications for people enrolled in Medicare and to reduce drug spending by the federal government, several key changes to the Medicare Part D benefit were made possible with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. Two of the IRA’s most important provisions will go into […]

In this exclusive PC Podcast interview, Steve Silvestro, president of OptimizeRx, a digital communications platform, details: The benefits to integrating direct-to-consumer (DTC) and healthcare provider (HCP) marketing strategies with technology, especially for patients and providers The application of artificial intelligence (AI) toward the pharma marketing stage of commercialization Ways that pharma marketers can navigate the rapidly […]

On the second day of this year’s LogiPharma USA in Boston, a panel titled “Conveying Key Goals and Strategies Across the Value Chain,” discussed how collaborating with distributors and other logistical partners takes consistent and clear communication across the vast systems and networks that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. Headlining the discussion were Lucy Alexander, […]

DPHARM 2024: Developing AI/ML Models for Clinical Trials In an interview with Nico Saraceno at DPHARM 2024, Munther Baara, VP strategy and innovation, EDETEK touches on the features an effective AI/ML model can provide and how they benefit data management in trials. Studies Suggest Spravato Would Benefit Younger People With Treatment-Resistant Depression Spravato is a […]

LogiPharma USA’s “From Clinical to Commercial: Improving Cold Chain Insights Across the Value Chain” session The cold chain logistics process—and pharmaceutical logistics in general—often leaves stakeholders with questions surrounding improving both the data visibility and data sharing processes. Moderated by Tony Fonk, president and CEO of SpotSee, a discussion on “From Clinical to Commercial: Improving […]

Attracting Top Talent to Mega Campuses In this part of his Pharmaceutical Executive video interview,Jonathan Scheinberg, of the Northeast Science and Technology Center, talks about strategies companies can adopt to attract and retain top talent in these competitive mega campus locations. Pfizer Withdraws Voxelotor From Approved Markets, Will Discontinue Trials The discontinuation comes after a […]

LogiPharma USA’s “The Evolving Threat Landscape—The US Government’s Lessons Learned for Mitigating Risk Across the Pharma Supply Chain” session In order to accomplish the industry’s ultimate priority—patient safety—a certain level of collaboration and communication is required among partners and stakeholders. To further illustrate this concept, Brendan Ryan, counterintelligence risk chief, supply chain and cyber directorate […]

PC: What are the main challenges faced by shippers in the pharma industry? Jain: The pharmaceutical industry is something which is actually very complex. It’s not like other industries, and the reason is that pharmaceuticals are hazardous and non-hazardous. They are perishable and time sensitive. Many of them require temperature control. On top of that, we […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Murrstock.com Last spring, Veeva, a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) for pharma sales teams, announced an AI partner program and also one of its first partnerships, with the AI firm Odaia.1 Now, the two are introducing Odaia Engagement Intelligence, currently integrated with Veeva CRM, and soon to be linked […]

Selecting & Developing a Mega Campus In this part of his Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Jonathan Scheinberg, of the Northeast Science and Technology Center, identifies key factors that pharmaceutical and biotech companies should consider when selecting and developing mega campuses. Glass in Vial Leads to Recall of One Lot of Veklury Gilead Sciences is issuing […]

LogiPharma USA’s “How Pharma Can Better Understand Its Carbon Footprint and Reach Sustainability Goals” session One topic of major focus at this year’s LogiPharma USA is sustainability. Of course, some could make the argument that it has been a buzzword for quite some time now, as noted by various stakeholders’ pledges to achieve net zero […]

PC: Can you discuss the main points of the “How IoT Can Help Us Shape A More Sustainable Supply Chain” panel? Lopes: I like the interactions, especially when we bring IoT and sustainability together, really to see where people stand on those topics. Even by definition, sometimes people may think it means one thing and […]

Steve Gransden, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Solutions at Knipper Health Trade Services The landscape of retail pharmacy is under extraordinary pressure, particularly in managing branded medications. One significant concern is the sharp increase in National Drug Code (NDC) blocks, which have surged from 30 in 2018 to approximately 650 by 2023. This marks […]

PC: Can you discuss the NABP’s PULSE platform? Karhoff: They’ve been working on it for a few years now. Three or four years ago, there was a pilot that I helped run at NABP where we work with entities across the whole supply chain Even the FDA was an observer. We were focused mainly on […]

PC: You were just on a keynote panel discussion about insuring the DSCSA compliance deadline. What were the main highlights of the presentation? Karhoff: So basically, it was to talk about the DSCSA, where we’re at as an industry, what challenges are left, and also to educate people that maybe aren’t as quite familiar with […]

Credit: Tada Images | stock.adobe.com The FDA has approved Bimzelx (bimekizumab-bkzx) to treat adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The regulatory action marks the first approval of a medication for these three conditions that selectively inhibits interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, both of which are key cytokines that […]

Don’t miss out! Tune in to a special webcast, “Speed to Compliance – Key Considerations for Onboarding and Implementing DSCSA Services With your 3PL Partner,” featuring insightful discussions with industry leaders from McKesson Third Party Logistics℠. Register Free: https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/pc_w/speed-to-compliance Event Overview: Tune into an insightful discussion with industry leaders from McKesson Third Party Logistics℠. With […]

Telehealth & Its Role in Providing Access to Weight Loss Drugs In this part of their Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, UpScriptHealth’s Peter Ax, Founder and CEO, and George Jones, Chief Operations Officer, share their predictions for the future of telehealth and its role in providing access to essential medications like weight loss drugs. Survey: One-Third […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/KTSDesign.com Arvato Systems, an IT specialist and multi-cloud service provider that supplies serialization solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, and advanco, a pharma track-and-trace solutions provider, are joining forces.1 The collaboration utilizes advanco’s ARC platform and Arvato Systems’ CSDB serialization platform, one that is used pharma companies worldwide to meet serialization requirements. This combination […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/MonkeyBusiness.com Over the past decade, this concept of physicians working directly with hospitals and health systems has become more commonplace. In fact, between 2012 and 2022, the number of physicians working in private practice decreased from 60% to 47%; meanwhile, the proportion of physicians that were directly employed by or contracted […]

PC: According to the latest “Hospital Pharmacy Operations Report” (HPOR) by Bluesight, 71% of hospital pharmacy participants noted that streamlining pharmacy purchasing and procurement was a priority for them this year. Why is mitigating the effect of rising costs a priority for the healthcare/pharma industry right now, and what other topics are on the docket? MacDonald: The hospital […]

A Better Response to Inflammation Dr. Ira Spector discusses his company’s goal of fighting inflammation without hurting the immune system. Enhancing Patient Outcomes: The Role of Integrated Health System Specialty Pharmacies These pharmacies address cost, understanding, and safety concerns through high-touch support and coordination. California Passes Election ‘Deepfake’ Laws, Forcing Social Media Companies to Take […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Bowling Data from the Phase III CENTERSTONE trial found that a single dose of Roche’s Xofluza significantly reduces the transmission of influenza within households. Additionally, Roche stated that this is the first time that an antiviral used in the treatment of a respiratory viral illness has demonstrated a transmission reduction benefit […]

GSK Launches Brooke Shields’ Led Campaign Promoting Shingles Vaccine GSK launched a new campaign focused on educating people on the importance of asking their doctors and pharmacists about shingles.1 The campaign focuses on the age-related issues related to the disease, and is aimed at people 50-years or older. For the face of the campaign, GSK […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/ADD PHOTO A recent report from the Healthcare Affordability Index revealed that nearly half of the US population can no longer afford proper medical care or prescription refills. According to an article recently published in Newsweek, affordability is down to a record low of 55%, falling six points since 2022. While […]

Image credit: Carl | stock.adobe.com The FDA has approved Accord BioPharma’s 420 mg strength Hercessi (trastuzumab-strf), a biosimilar to Herceptin, for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing breast and gastric cancers.1 The regulatory action follows the April 2024 FDA approval of 150 mg strength Hercessi for the same indication.2 The biosimilar […]

Image credit: crevis | stock.adobe.com The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to Sun Pharma and Moebius Medical’s MM-II treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain, with Phase III clinical trials planned to expedite a potential approval. The non-opioid product uses proprietary suspension of liposomes to provide relief for joint pain in the treatment of osteoarthritis […]

Philipp Hofmann, MD, Director of Pharmacovigilance and Global QPPV, Navitas Life Sciences. In the winter of 2022/2023, many pediatricians complained about a shortage of antipyretics. Unfortunately, it is not better this year, as a lack of availability for fever medications and certain antibiotics left many parents upset. Many authorities, including the German Federal Institute for […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Bankrx.com In a climate where an estimated two out of three babies get respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease,1 Sanofi has started shipping Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip) 50 mg and 100 mg injection doses in the United States to private healthcare providers and to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its Vaccines […]

For pharmaceutical companies, reaching the post-approval phase of a drug’s life cycle is a significant achievement. This journey begins with research and development, progressing through clinical trials, and undergoing evaluation and authorization before entering the post-approval stage. However, the journey of a drug does not end there. In this last phase, companies may consider broader […]

UPS will be acquiring Frigo-Trans, along with its sister company BPL, healthcare logistics providers based in Germany.1 With an expected close date of Q1 2025, the deal is expected to bolster UPS’s end-to-end services throughout Europe for UPS Healthcare customers in need of temperature-sensitive products. Frigo-Trans’ network consists of temperature-controlled warehousing spanning six temperature zones, […]

The AI Paradigm Shift: How Cutting-Edge Tech is Fast-Tracking the Future of Medicine AI is a tool to make drug discovery cheaper, faster, and better — not a replacement for human ingenuity. It’s the Business Model, Stupid. Blaming community pharmacies and community pharmacists for a lack of expedited practice evolution is naive at best, and […]

Report: Obesity Drug Market Estimated to be Worth $200 Billion by 2031 In the current obesity drug market, GLP-1 agonists manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have garnered the majority of the attention. Currently, the two companies hold a combined 68% of sales from weight-loss drugs, however, new entrants are set to challenge their […]

Making the Leap from Pharmaceuticals to Private Equity, Venture Capital A Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association Q&A with Jeremy Goldberg of Arsenal Capital Partners. Black Patients Have Greater Risk of Dying From GVHD Than White Patients The retrospective analysis found Black patients were more likely to develop severe graft versus host disease (GVHD) and […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Interstid.com Statistics show that 116 million adults in the United States have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. There are various modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease— smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition to name a few—but hypertension is considered the top one.1,2 Also, hypertension in […]

PC: Pertaining to the implementation of digital solutions in the marketplace, what kinds of successes have you seen? Mullooly: We’ve seen some great success with implementing these solutions in the marketplace. One example I can share is a manufacturer who decided up front to build a really robust roadmap. They decided to map out exactly […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/ArtiOm.com In the United States alone, kidney failure affects more than 800,000 individuals, most notably those who are considered low-income and minorities.1-4 Depending on the situation, treatment can require in-center dialysis sessions three times a week, at-home dialysis, or even kidney transplants. Those with kidney failure can qualify for Medicare coverage […]

PC: Could you describe what the Waiver, Exception or Exemption (WEE) request process entails? Gallenagh: So essentially, under the statute, there are different conditions that a member of the supply chain can claim. For instance, if some requirement causes them undue economic hardship—that’s just on example—they can apply for a waiver, exception, or exemption. There […]

Image Credit: Tower Cold Chain Tower Cold Chain and CRYOPDP are partnering up to boost their product offerings to the greater pharma supply chain.1 The agreement among the parties is expected to offer an array of solutions—mainly pertaining to clinical research—in order to address patient needs. The companies are envisioning it as a “one-stop-shop” where customers can a […]

PC: You recently spoke on a panel regarding “Filing Waivers, Exemptions, Exceptions: Lessons Learned – and other HDA Perspectives on DSCSA Implementation and Readiness.” What was discussed during the session, and what questions did the audience raise? Gallenagh: I did the panel—it was myself and also two of my colleagues, Tish Paul from OFW Law […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/New Africa Results from a pooled analysis of the Phase III SWIFT-1 and SWIFT-2 trials demonstrated that GSK’s depemokimab, a biologic targeting severe asthma with type 2 inflammation, significantly reduces exacerbations of the condition. GSK stated that the treatment is the first ultra-long-acting biologic for asthma to be evaluated in Phase […]

Counterfeit Weight Loss Drugs & Potential Health Risks In this part of their Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, UpScriptHealth’s Peter Ax, Founder and CEO, and George Jones, Chief Operations Officer, discuss the issue of counterfeit weight loss drugs, and the potential health risks associated with them. The Affordable Care Act: A Strong Card for Harris and […]

Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services Ltd (Symbiosis), a contract manufacturing organization (CMO), has obtained a new plant in in Stirling, Scotland, UK, doubling the company’s current footprint to 43,500 square feet.1 The CMO notes that the acquisition serves as a boost to manufacturing capacity and bolsters its commercial manufacturing service offering, while accelerating the sterile injectable drug product […]

PC: What advice could you offer pharma manufacturers for implementing these digital solutions within their patient support programs? Mullooly: There are a lot of ways to successfully implement these solutions within your patient support program, but there are three that I think are really crucial, with the first being to know your customer. Know who […]

September 6th 2024 Article Discover a powerful, cost-effective, and robust CRM platform that maximizes your budget. Seamlessly integrate data from any source, streamline marketing efforts, and optimize HCP promotion, key account management, and digital marketing campaigns. Reduce CRM costs and reallocate funds to enhance data analytics, market research, and human capital, boosting overall commercial operations […]

September 6th 2024 Article Discover a powerful, cost-effective, and robust CRM platform that maximizes your budget. Seamlessly integrate data from any source, streamline marketing efforts, and optimize HCP promotion, key account management, and digital marketing campaigns. Reduce CRM costs and reallocate funds to enhance data analytics, market research, and human capital, boosting overall commercial operations […]

September 6th 2024 Article Discover a powerful, cost-effective, and robust CRM platform that maximizes your budget. Seamlessly integrate data from any source, streamline marketing efforts, and optimize HCP promotion, key account management, and digital marketing campaigns. Reduce CRM costs and reallocate funds to enhance data analytics, market research, and human capital, boosting overall commercial operations […]

Validating COAs: Key Steps for Accurate and Reliable Clinical Trial Data With the increasing adoption of COAs, the importance of standardization across training, collection, and implementation to ensure high quality and consistent data collection has become apparent in recent decades. Simplified HIV Treatments Can Lead to Lower Healthcare Costs HIV treatments using a single pill […]

Image Credit: Rentschler Biopharma SE Rentschler Biopharma SE, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, is introducing a new expanded service offering at its dedicated advanced therapies site in Stevenage, UK.1 The enhancement introduces a new lentiviral vector manufacturing (LVV) toolbox, as a supplement to the CDMO’s current adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector services. […]

PC: Following FDA’s ‘s implementation of the stabilization period last year, what is the pharma supply chain’s overall preparedness in adhering to DSCSA’s’ Nov. 27, 2024 compliance deadline? Bernstein: We’re in a good place. It’s not ready 100%, but FDA is implementing this one-year stabilization period, which allowed the supply chain to mature, and the […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/SagittariusPro.com IntegriChain, a data and business process platform for the pharmaceutical industry, has revealed the lineup of pharma industry subject matter experts that are slated to speak at its annual Access Insights Conference, co-hosted with Blue Fin Group and Federal Compliance Solutions.1 The event will be held Oct. 14-16, 2024, at The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph […]

PC: As the end of the stabilization period approaches, what best practices should compliance teams consider? Bernstein: It depends on whose shoes you’re standing in. If you’re a dispenser, you should know where your data is being held, because sometimes the wholesaler is holding the data. Sometimes you may have a solution provider, so that […]

Understanding the Current State of M&A After a post-pandemic slow down, the pharma industry saw a return of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) late last year and early this year. Cheryl Reicin, international chair of life sciences at Mintz, spoke with Pharmaceutical Executive about the current trends in the industry. Cell and Gene Therapy: Becoming More […]

Image Credit: Renaissance Lakewood, LLC Renaissance Lakewood, LLC, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that specializes in the development and commercialization of nasal products, has unveiled its new, 67,000 square-foot warehouse at their headquarters in Lakewood, NJ, which is its 1215 Paco Way location.1 This multi-million-dollar expansion—consisting of a facility upgrade—increases the CDMO’s total […]

PC: You have an upcoming panel on “Legal Perspectives for DSCSA Compliance Teams.” What hard-hitting points will be discussed during the session? Bernstein: It’s a panel of four lawyers in a room full of supply chain experts. We’ve identified a couple of different issues and really want to get at it at a very high […]

The unprecedented success of glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1s) has created a surge in public demand, leading to widespread shortages across the globe. The popularity is certain to increase as researchers are discovering a multitude of health benefits beyond its original prescription for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D), intensifying pressure on supply chains. While plans are […]

Addressing Challenges to Access, Advancement of Myeloma Therapies In an interview with Pharm Exec Associate Editor Don Tracy, Joseph Mikhael, MD, chief medical officer, IMF, discusses challenges of access and advancement of myeloma therapies. PCPs and Quality: Too Much of a Measured Thing Research published today in JAMA Health Forum Shows primary care physicians faced […]

Image Credit: Cardinal Health Cardinal Health recently unveiled its new 8,000 square-foot Advanced Therapy Innovation Center.1 Located in a 172,000 square-foot Cardinal Health distribution center in La Vergne, TN, the new plant’s infrastructure and capacity’ provide it with the preparation that’s needed to battle logistical obstacles surrounding cell and gene therapies (CGTs). “The opening of […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Media Srock Eli Lilly has expanded the availability of Zepbound (tirzepatide) by introducing single-dose vials in 2.5 mg and 5 mg doses. According to the company, these vials are now available via self-pay for patients with an on-label prescription, expanding the supply of the obesity treatment, which has been in high […]

A Case for Payer Engagement and Participation in Clinical Research Collaboration can make commercialization processes efficient and effective. Oral Iron Supplementation Remains Gold Standard in Anemia Care Inflammatory conditions such as celiac disease can require care consideration and monitoring to manage iron deficiency. AI Regulation Is Coming. Fortune 500 Companies Are Bracing for Impact. Some […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Ирина Батюк Bayer and NextRNA Therapeutics have agreed to terms to co-develop small molecule therapeutics that target long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in oncology, with a focus on addressing diseases driven by these RNAs. According to the companies, the partnership will focus on disrupting pathological lncRNA interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) using […]

Image Credit: MD Logistics MD Logistics, a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has added electric vehicle (EV) trucks to their cold chain transportation services available in Garner, NC, right within the state’s Research Triangle Park region.1 Adding these trucks to the fleet allows the 3PL provider to offer a sustainable, local transportation option for pharmaceutical clients […]

Image Credit: PCI Pharma Services PCI Pharma Services (PCI), a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has completed the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) inspection of its Bedford, NH campus.1 According to PCI, this accomplishment makes it the first drug product CDMO to complete the multi-agency inspection process, which is a component of […]

Has Machine Learning Finally Provided Practical Value for the Healthcare Ecosystem? A Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association Q&A with Dr. Hersh Sagreiya at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Express Scripts to Remove Humira from Commercial Formularies Beginning in 2025, Express Scripts will favor biosimilars of Humira, including its own private-label version. Medication […]

The Traceability Seminar’s “Legal Perspectives for DSCSA Compliance Legal Teams” session The final day of HDA’s Traceability Seminar built off the established momentum of day one, with a panel that was centered around “Legal Perspectives for DSCSA Compliance Legal Teams,” with Ilisa B.G. Bernstein, president ofBernstein Rx Solutions, LLC as moderator. She was joined by […]

Digital Medicines Information Rich Cooper, CEO of Datapharm, speaks with Pharmaceutical Executive about advancements in the ways that information medicine products is delivered and how the shift to digital has impacted this aspect of the industry. Is Medicare Advantage A Good Deal for Enrollees? Perceptions of affordability don’t show an advantage to Medicare Advantage, say […]

PC: You recently hosted a session on “What to Expect When They’re Inspecting: FDA Inspections on DSCSA Compliance.” What points did you dive into during your presentation? Hunter: We talked about a lot of in general, what the FDA is inspecting. My key for this was trying to go for people that had never seen […]

The Traceability Seminar’s “Filing WEEs: Lessons Learned HDA Perspectives on DSCSA Implementation and Readiness” session The first day of HDA’s Traceability Seminar was certainly not lacking educational sessions. Another fascinating one that I attended revolved around “Filing WEEs: Lessons Learned HDA Perspectives on DSCSA Implementation and Readiness,” featuring Elizabeth A. Gallenagh, general counsel and SVP, […]

The Traceability Seminar’s “State of Implementation: FDA’s Perspective” session Day 1 of this year’s Healthcare Distribution Alliance’s (HDA) Traceability Seminar started off with arguably one of the more anticipated sessions of the conference, being that it featured the FDA, who authored the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Titled “State of Implementation: FDA’s Perspective,” the […]

Targeted Pre-Launch Scientific Outreach Dan Rizzo, global head of business consulting at Veeva, spoke with Pharmaceutical Executive about his company’s latest findings about how life sciences companies are utilizing targeted pre-launch scientific outreach to improve uptake of novel treatments. Virtual Care’s Role in Behavioral Health — Opportunities and Risks Highlighted Based on Recent Data Virtual […]

KeySource, a wholesale supplier of generic prescription medications, has unveiled that Ryan Sevek—the company’s CFO—will become its president.1 A graduate of the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Sevek has expressed interest in how the generic pharma industry contributes to United States’ healthcare landscape, and is a contributor to various industry groups. […]

Chris Williams expands on the services that a third-party logistics (3PL) partner should offer, while sharing ways to alleviate standard supply chain issues.

Choosing the Best Clinical Technology for Your Study In part three of this video interview, Melissa Easy, VP commercial, digital products & solutions, IQVIA touches on how the right technology for your study should alleviate site burden and improve data quality. Walmart Launches Autoimmune-Focused Specialty Pharmacies of the Community In an interview with Pharmacy Times, […]

How to Navigate Global Regulatory Hurdles to Successfully Launch a Medical Device Manufacturers must navigate complex regulatory landscapes, understand diverse cultural nuances, and prioritize patient access in each region. Study Finds Ketogenic Diets May Increase “Bad” Cholesterol Pharmacists are key resource points to navigate the nuances of keto diets and chronic health management. AstraZeneca Is […]

Overcoming Hidden Obstacles in the Script-to-Therapy Journey By integrating support directly into existing workflows and focusing on solutions that eliminate “shoulder time,” manufacturers can significantly reduce delays and improve patient outcomes. Pharmacists Can Educate Patients on Sexually Transmitted Infections Recognizing early signs and seeking medical care is essential for effective treatment and preventing long-term health […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/JeromeCronenberger The FDA has approved and authorized updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-2025 season that target the Omicron KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2. Applying to Moderna’s Spikevax and Pfizer’s Comirnaty, the vaccines focus on a single strain for more effective immunity, according to the FDA. Emergency Use Authorizations will cover both […]

In the not-so-distant future, healthcare will no longer be a one-size-fits-all endeavor. The industry is undergoing a seismic shift toward patient-centric care, where treatments and care are tailored to the individual, considering their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and unique needs. Picture a cancer patient treated with a hyper-personalized chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy,1 which reengineers […]

PC: When it comes to providing patient services, what types of digital solutions exist today? Mullooly: What we’re seeing is that there are a wide variety of digital solutions that are becoming available, and some solutions available today that weren’t even just a couple of years ago. I think it’s best to categorize them into […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Grispb.com Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biologics, viral vaccines, and viral vectors, has officially welcomed its microbial fermentation manufacturing facility in Billingham, UK.1 Powered by a $131 million investment, the new plant triples its current microbial production efforts, due to its new production line. Specifically, […]

PC: How can data, privacy, and security risks in the pharma sector be mitigated? Hawkins: From a security and privacy perspective, AI has obviously brought a lot of focus into that area, and it’s brought a lot of challenges—both from a communication perspective—to businesses and individuals on how their data is being used. And I […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Kitsawet.com Touchlight, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that specializes in enzymatic DNA production, will be providing its branded dbDNA (doggybone DNA) to the University of Nottingham for research and development of a DNA vaccine that combats the Zika virus.1 The material used in the clinical study abides by good manufacturing […]

PC: What capabilities are needed from a digital pharmacy in order to provide patients with the various services that they may need? Hawkins: From a digital pharmacy perspective, in a broader sense, stepping back from AI, a digital pharmacy needs to be agile and have the capability to be able to tailor a service either […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/GiovanniCancemi.com As many may be aware, opioid overdose is an extremely serious health concern in the United States—from December 2021 to December 2022, there were nearly 83,000 deaths due to drug overdoses.1 In order to reverse these overdoses and get the individual breathing again, naloxone is often used. As of March […]

In this part of his Pharma Commerce video interview, Matt Hawkins, CaryHealth’s Chief Technology Officer, explains the value of AI in the pharmacy environment.

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Dudlajzov.com In an effort to tackle raw material demand for medications that address chronic diseases, Novo Nordisk’s Pharmatech division has decided to construct a new factory in Køge, Denmark, which is expected to be production-ready by 2027.1 The project dates back to March 2023 when Novo Nordisk Pharmatech announced the purchase […]

PC: How can AI accurately diagnose patients and provide reliable medical advice? Hawkins: I think the benefit of AI—especially in 2024 as we’ve seen the proliferation of generative AI over the last three to four years—is its capability to be able to look at a huge amount of data. I would look at that data […]

PC: Back at Asembia, you participated in a panel evolving around how to succeed in specialty lite. What exactly is a specialty lite product, and what was discussed during the session? Marsh: These medications typically have a WAC [wholesale acquisition cost] price between $500 and $1500, so they’re more expensive than a traditional retail product, […]

A Look into Promising AstraZeneca Oncology Agents In an interview with Pharm Exec Associate Editor Don Tracy, Carlos Doti, VP, Head of Medical Affairs, US Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, discusses a number of oncology targets in the works at AstraZeneca. Improving Pain Self-Management Among Rural, Older Cancer Patients The management of pain in older adults […]

Big Bets, Bold Steps Ken Keller, CEO of Daiichi Sankyo’s US business, reflects on the trials, triumphs, and lessons learned in steering the transformation of a legacy cardiovascular company into a global leader in oncology—advancing a vision for a reimagined future in cancer treatment. From Hesitation to Vaccination: Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy Patient fears can be […]

The Future of Launch Excellence is Generative AI How drugmakers can reap value from using generative AI in their market-entry strategies and decision-making, including mitigating launch challenges and enhancing the customer conversation. Questions Remain about Whether Negotiated Drug Prices will Save Money The Medicare program is expected to see some aggregate savings from the negotiated […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/сергейназаров.com The Inflation Reduction Act provides Medicare with the right to directly negotiate with drug companies as a way to improve access to various brand name Part B and D drugs. Never before has the federal government been able to bargain with drugmakers over the costs of the drugs they produce. […]

PC: What else should be done to limit “bad actors” from attempting to bypass the FDA by sneaking counterfeit drugs into the supply chain? Rowe: The DSCSA is not the one and only way to keep counterfeit product out from the supply chain. I think the FDA even hit on this. Having trusted trading partners […]

Image Credit: Intelliguard Intelliguard, a provider of medication management and data-intelligence solutions, is collaborating with Cencora, a drug wholesaler, in an effort to boost compatibility between radio frequency identification (RFID)-tagged medication and RFID-based medication management systems.1 Mira Prep and Mira Care workstations—designed by Intelliguard—have the capability to read and decode Cencora medication enabled with RFID to […]

PC: Do you believe there is any chance of the FDA extending the stabilization period beyond Nov. 27, 2024? Rowe: If history repeats itself, there’s been some sort of delay in enforcement pretty much for every major deadline up until now. Now, I will say that you are correct. The FDA has recognized that small […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/LunaMarina.com Eli Lilly and Company has opened a new 346,000 square-foot Lilly Seaport Innovation Center (LSC), a research and development plant located in the Boston Seaport that is expected to help further the company’s pipeline in both the RNA and DNA-based therapy space.1 The facility will also focus on new drug […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/TheLittleHut.com LSPedia, a provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) traceability solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has formed a strategic partnership with Pharma Logistics, a company that specializes in pharmaceutical reverse distribution.1 The goal of this newly established relationship is to provide data visibility, compliance, and supply chain efficiency. Pharma Logistics’ business model also […]

How Should Biotechs Strategize for 2025 As the biotech industry looks toward 2025, companies must navigate a complex landscape marked by regulatory challenges, evolving funding trends, and technological advancements. Their strategies will drive innovation, ensure sustainability, and maintain competitiveness. Study Finds Increased Risk of Mental Health Disorders Following Cardiovascular Hospitalization A study published in the […]

Pharmaceutical Commerce – August 2024 Issue (PDF) Pharmacy Deserts are Becoming a National Problem An Examination of Big Pharma Inventories The IRA’s Impact on Patient Hub, Access, and Affordability Programs Enhancing Patient Access and Support Through Technology: A Comprehensive Assessment US Drug Wholesaling 2024: Staying the Course Who Moved My Prescription? Part V: The Many […]

Balancing Profitability and Mission In this part of his Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Brian Hillberdink, EVP, LEO Pharma and President of LEO Pharma’s US affiliate, talks about how they balance the need for profitability with the mission of providing treatments for rare diseases. Minority Groups Remain Underrepresented in Vitiligo Trials, Study Finds Many vitiligo studies […]

Balancing innovation focus with optimized decision-making.

Image credit: NicoElNino | stock.adobe.com As the leader of an R&D scientific software company, it has become increasingly apparent to me that the following trends emerging in the field are impacting R&D for life sciences: A growing emphasis on integrating data science with traditional bench science. The importance of demonstrating how software solutions contribute to […]

PC: What are the main challenges when it comes to medication adherence? Marsh: When you look at the specialty medications that are out there, the complexity of the treatment plan that these patients have to go through, economic barriers, and the psychosocial factors are the three big ones that I always look at in terms […]

On the surface, the US pharmaceutical supply chain is fairly quiet. Every day, some 10 million prescriptions are delivered to patients via clinics or pharmacies, usually through the efforts of the wholesaler sector. Wholesalers’ trade association, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), says that its 39 members (up several from a couple years ago) are responsible […]

Specialty pharmacies and other patient service providers that pioneered the specialty pharmaceutical product market initially focused on extraordinary service and patient support, curating capabilities for specialty drug therapies. This included supporting the unique requirements of specialty drug therapies and the needs of their patients—prescription delivery has provided express services, such as for cold chain, and […]

LEO Pharma’s Patient-Centric Approach In this part of his Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Brian Hillberdink, EVP, LEO Pharma and President of LEO Pharma’s US affiliate, discusses how is LEO Pharma positioning itself to capitalize on the unmet needs, patient centric initiatives, and more. Vitamin and Mineral Rich Diets Could Aid Younger Biological Age Following a […]

On June 27, 2024, Walgreens announced that it was reviewing 2,100 of its 8,600 pharmacies in the US for performance and likely closing of 700 to 800 pharmacies. CVS—which reported that it had 9,939 stores in 2021—has closed almost 700 since then. The company now has 9,273 stores, and plans to close another 300 in […]

Addressing Maternal Health Disparities and Driving Change In this part of her Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Charlotte Owens, MD, FACOG, Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research at Organon, identifies Organon’s efforts to invest in research, education, and its pipeline to focus on critical areas of need in maternal health. Study Finds Abacavir Increases Cardiovascular […]

PC: Could you provide a brief overview of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)? Rowe: The DSCSA, which stands for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, is a federal law that was passed by Congress in November of 2013 and within the law, there were a series of milestones that established a federal universal […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Iryna.com BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., a biotech company, has decided to adjust its ROCTAVIAN business by focusing on commercial operations in three markets: the United States, Italy, and Germany.1 The medicine is approved and reimbursed in these nations as a treatment for severe hemophilia A. BioMarin will be altering these ROCTAVIAN efforts […]

PC: There are some cell and gene therapies that require “needle-to-needle logistics.” Could you describe what this process consists of, along with its benefits? The whole concept of cell and gene—and some of this innovation—is that cells are extracted from a patient’s body. They’re literally re-engineered and put back into a patient’s body to more […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/ChickyKai.com DKSH, a provider of market expansion services for pharmaceutical companies and distributor of healthcare products, is joining forces with Kyowa Kirin, a specialty pharma company, following Kyowa Kirin’s plan to grow its business in the Asia-Pacific.1 The partnership is headlined by a promotion and distribution agreement that provides DKSH with commercial […]

In this exclusive PC Podcast interview, Peter Ax, founder and CEO of UpScriptHealth, a direct-to-consumer telehealth company, describes: Why he believes ongoing and active drug shortages are the highest they’ve been since ASHP began tracking this in 2001 The current landscape of shortages in general How drug shortages directly affect patients What is needed to alleviate these […]

PC: Given your plethora of healthcare supply chain experience, could you describe the evolution of frozen/cold biologics in the logistics space? Gagnon: When we started, logistics companies and transportation companies were just moving things. And as it pertains to healthcare, there was not a lot of guidance, specifically regulatory guidance. There was a lot of […]

PC: What challenges surround the preservation of biologics, and what role have transparency & visibility played in this effort? Gagnon: A lot has changed. A while back, we didn’t even what was in a box, or what was on a pallet, or whether it had temperature requirements. There was complete ignorance to what was being […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/PeterSchreiber.media.com Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has agreed to acquire Jnana Therapeutics Inc., a clinical stage biotech company that mainly operates in the rare and autoimmune disease space.1 Once the deal becomes official—it’s anticipated to close this quarter—Otsuka will pay $800 million to the shareholders of Jnana, with the possibility of an […]

Personalizing Pharma: Overcoming Challenges to Drive Digital Customer Engagement As HCPs continue to face time constraints and information overload, delivering relevant and personalized content becomes increasingly critical. Five Ways Cancer Care Teams Can Best Utilize the Expertise of Pharmacists Pharmacists’ roles in community-based cancer centers are expanding, with a more significant role in managing complex […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Catalin.com MilliporeSigma, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that functions as the United States and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, has officially sealed the deal surrounding the $600 million Mirus Bio acquisition, following pending regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions.1 The company purchased Mirus Bio from Gamma Biosciences, a […]

How AI is Revamping the Product Launch New technology is allowing teams to analyze data at faster rates and make decisions much sooner than they previously could. Depression in Women with Breast Cancer Lowers Survival New research expands on previous knowledge that breast cancer survivors are more at risk for depression than people without breast […]

June 2024 data gathered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is now available, revealing that annual growth in demand is continuing to climb.1 And overall, when analyzing the first half of the year, volume has surpassed last year, 2022, and 2021 levels. Total demand, which is measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), increased by 14.1% […]

Image Credit: Inizio Engage Inizio Engage, a strategic, commercial, and creative engagement partner that specializes in healthcare,and Nye Health, a data platform, are forming a strategic partnership centered around improving the patient support experience.1 It is expected to pull from Inizio Engage’s patient solutions services—combined with the advanced analytics and data integration utilized in Nye Health’s […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/NuttapongPunna.com Every year, Gallagher, an insurance brokerage, releases a Physical & Emotional Wellbeing report as part of its Workforce Trends Report Series. Via insights from 3,552 organizations, the report is intended to compare one’s company’s absence, medical, and pharmacy benefits—along with wellbeing initiatives—with that of colleagues, and confirm that strategies line […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Weyo.com Chronic medical syndromes can take place following various acute infections, such as post–Epstein Barr virus syndrome and postpolio syndrome.1,2 Known as postacute infection syndromes (PAISs), they present similar symptoms, such as cognitive issues, an intolerance to exertion, and functional impairment related to fatigue. One condition—Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)—is quite […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Rufous.com GSK and Flagship Pioneering, a bioplatform innovation company, are teaming up to discover and develop various medicines and vaccines, beginning with the respiratory and immunology sector.1 The objective of the partnership is to combine GSK’s knowledge in disease areas expertise and development services with Flagship’s bioplatform network, including novel modalities […]

Talent Management Strategies for Post-Milestone Growth Insights from Takeda, Jazz, Nestlé Health Sciences, Humana, and other healthcare executives. Dispensing Medication for Muslims: A Guide for Pharmacists Despite Muslim patients’ need for halal medication, more than 80% of pharmacists were found to lack knowledge about where to look to find alternative medications that are halal. AI […]

Image credit: NicoElNino | stock.adobe.com Today’s research and development (R&D) pipelines are increasingly diverse, encompassing a broad range of modalities, including antibodies, proteins and peptides, cell and gene therapies, oligonucleotide therapeutics, small molecules, and antibody-drug conjugates. Many companies have shifted from single modes of therapeutics to multimodal approaches. Scientists are now addressing targets through the […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/MohamadFaizal.com Almac Pharma Services, part of the Almac Group that serves as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has successfully completed its first FDA inspection of its commercial manufacturing facility in Charnwood, England.1 The successful FDA inspection is the latest Almac Pharma Services’ site to receive this aforementioned FDA approval, […]

Image Credit: SynaptixBio SynaptixBio, a company that commercializes rare disease treatments, is extending its deal with Evotec, a life science company, which involves finding candidate drugs to treat H-ABC, the most severe form of TUBB4A leukodystrophy.1 Their partnership dates back to April 2022. Per a sponsored research agreement, drug research was conducted by the Children’s Hospital of […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Riffat.com Ardian, a private investment house, has purchased a majority stake in Masco Group, a provider of engineered solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.1 The company acquired the stake from RSBG SE, which is the holding subsidiary of RAG-Stiftung. The Borella family and Masco Group’s management team—along with Ardian, while […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/F11Photo.com Scorpius Holdings, Inc., a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), is planning on launching its first current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) mammalian manufacturing campaign at its San Antonio, TX facility in Q3 2024.1 The news represents growth of the company’s biomanufacturing services, specifically when it comes to mammalian cell culture […]

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies constitute a significant and growing segment within the cell therapy space. Specifically, CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically modifying T-cells to express chimeric antigen receptors, which target tumor antigens. This personalized approach to cancer treatment has shown noteworthy effectiveness, particularly in treating relapsed or refractory liquid tumors like acute lymphoblastic […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/Eddows.com Grünenthal has purchased Valinor Pharma, LLC—including its product Movantik (naloxegol)—for a value of $250 million.1 The company is expected to finance the transaction using available liquidity. Movantik is currently indicated for the oral treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients who have chronic non-cancer pain. The deal grows Grünenthal’s medicine portfolio. Last […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/AD.com In a transaction expected to close by the end of this year, Agilent Technologies Inc., a life sciences organization that produces analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, has acquired Biovectra—a specialized contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that supports early-stage clinical development to large-scale commercial manufacturing—for $925 million.1  The company works […]

Ray Forslund, PhD, MBA, Senior VP of Pharmaceutical Development at Syner-G BioPharma Group. Drug development is a multifaceted journey requiring substantial investments of time, resources, and expertise. Biotech’s and large pharma entities are integral to ushering novel therapies from conception to commercialization. However, their approaches diverge significantly due to varying organizational structures, financial capacities, and […]

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/chompoo A number of studies have raised concerns with the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care provided to seniors in the United States, noting relatively few changes over the past three decades. It is suggested that this is a result of differences in coverage between Medicare Advantage (MA) and traditional Medicare (TM), […]

Beyond GLP-1s: Q&A with Sandeep Makkar The global president of endomechanical and energy for Johnson & Johnson MedTech discusses the need for multidisciplinary care when treating obesity. The AI Revolution Comes to Pharmacy Artificial intelligence has been everywhere for the past several years, and its impact is finally being seen in pharmacy. By carefully selecting […]

How Cellarity’s AI/ML Approach Differs In this part of his Pharmaceutical Executive video interview, Fabrice Chouraqui, CEO of Cellarity, discusses how their AI/ML approach differs and the advantages it offers in terms of uncovering novel treatment opportunities. Increased Use of GLP-1 Drugs Adds to Navitus’ Drug Spend for 2023 The switch to biosimilars helped Navitus […]

Congress, Have a More Thoughtful, Bipartisan Pandemic Post-Mortem Congress and our nation’s public health officials should take the current moment to self-reflect and resolve challenges with public confidence in our public and scientific institutions. Expert: Stigma, Price Point Major Obstacles for Widespread OTC Naloxone Use In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Allison Burns, president and […]

4 Essential Approaches for Effective Brand Narratives By embracing technology and integrating it seamlessly into your brand narrative, you can create a more engaging, personalized, and effective experience for HCPs. Notable Comorbidities and Unmet Needs in Pediatric Asthma The authors emphasize that clinical research should focus on real-world difficulties, and pediatric asthma control should be […]

PC: How can the efficiencies presented by at-home diagnostic tests help strengthen the pharma/healthcare supply chain as a whole? Walsh: I think it comes down to preventative care. If patients are being proactive, they’re actually doing the tests that they need to do to get diagnosed. I think there’s a stat that says that 70% […]