DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Pfizer RSV vaccine lags GSK’s as head-to-head competition underway
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] View of Pfizer's new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Abrysvo during its manufacture in this undated handout picture. "800 POUND GORILLAS"CVS, which has more than 9,000 U.S. locations, declined to comment on why it was only carrying GSK's vaccine. It was not immediately clear how many RSV shots were being administered in pharmacies versus doctors' offices. GSK declined to discuss its RSV vaccine contracts, but said customer relationships gives it a competitive advantage. Two independent pharmacists said they are being charged a lower price by wholesalers for the GSK vaccine, which comes in boxes of 10.

Persons: Price, Ben Link, Link, Pfizer's, Dovato, Morningstar, Damien Conover, We’ve, Alison Hunt, Michelle Vargas, Michael Erman, Caroline Humer, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Pfizer, Handout, REUTERS, GSK, Reuters, CVS Health, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Aid, Thomson Locations: United States, British, U.S, South Carolina

☆ Some pharmacy staff from Walgreens, other chains are walking out again — here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The company's ongoing efforts are focused on how it can recruit, retain and reward pharmacy staff, the spokesperson said. CVS pharmacists make $61.44 an hour on average, while Walgreens pharmacists make $53.85 per hour on average, according to employment website Indeed. However, some Walgreens pharmacy staff told CNBC that the company continues to push their stores to hit performance goals for tasks like verifying prescriptions. IAM Healthcare did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while UFCW has expressed its support for the recent walkouts staged by Walgreens and CVS pharmacy staff. People make their way near a Walgreens pharmacy in New York City, March 9, 2023.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Shane Jerominski, walkouts, Stephanie Keith, I've, Irfan Khan, aren't, Jerominski, UFCW, Leonardo Munoz Organizations: Walgreens, Reuters, CNBC, CVS, Rite Aid, Kansas City, Bloomberg, Getty, Food and Drug Administration, Pfizer, CVS Pharmacy, Los Angeles Times, Kroger, IAM Healthcare, United Food, Commercial Workers International Union, Corbis Locations: Somerville , Massachusetts, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S, Massachusetts , Pennsylvania, California , Texas , Michigan , Missouri, Indiana, New York, Eagle Rock , CA, Canada, New York City

Such forecasts have prompted a sell-off in a wide range of companies from makers of bariatric surgery devices to companies whose products address the health issues created by excess weight, from diabetes to sleep apnea. "The market is in a shoot-first, ask-questions-later mood when it comes to weight-loss drugs," said Nicholas Anderson, manager of the Thornburg International Growth Fund, which holds shares of Novo Nordisk. By contrast, the iShares U.S. Medical Devices exchange-traded fund has lost more than 22% in the last three months. Injectable weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are considered highly effective but are also expensive, costing more than $1,300 per month. "Overall, we'll see an increased interest in bariatric surgery, but that will get delayed in the short term."

Persons: Doctor Thomas Horbach, Wegovy, Nicholas Anderson, Eli Lilly, Kenneth Stein, Margaret Kaczor Andrew, William Blair, Michael Farrell, Jeff Jonas, Johnson, Myriam Curet, Ann Hynes, Hynes, David Gaffen, Manas, Michael Erman, Caroline Humer, Sonali Paul Organizations: Novo Nordisk, Healthcare, Growth Fund, Medical Devices, Boston, Gabelli Funds, Johnson, Reuters, Mizuho Securities, Manas Mishra, Thomson Locations: Germany, Munich, Danish, U.S, Boston, GLP, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Pharmacy staff from Walgreens, CVS say they’re at a breaking point — here’s what their days look like
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Those investments include enabling teams to schedule additional support as needed, enhancing pharmacist and technician recruitment and hiring and strengthening pharmacy technician training, according to the spokesperson. The pharmacist typically begins the shift by completing several paperwork tasks, which take about five to 10 minutes. The pharmacist and a pharmacy technician then juggle administering shots with several other tasks. The technician typically handles the first part of that task, which involves processing new prescription orders from doctors. One CVS pharmacy technician said they typically come to their store location at 7:50 a.m., 10 minutes before their eight-hour shift starts.

Persons: Mandel Ngan, weren't, Brian Snyder, —, Spencer Platt Organizations: AFP, Getty, Walgreens, CVS, CNBC, Reuters Locations: Washington ,, Somerville , Massachusetts, Brooklyn, New York City

☆ Georgia will be first US state where pharmacies sell medical cannabis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —For the past year and a half, medical cannabis company CEO Gary Long has spent a lot of his time reassuring Georgia’s small-town mayors about what will soon be coming to their local pharmacy: medical marijuana. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy is currently processing applications from pharmacies around the state that want to sell low-dose THC products. National chains such as CVS and Walmart won’t be selling THC products in Georgia, but Long said 130 local pharmacies have already agreed to sell his product exclusively. Making medical cannabis so accessible in such a traditionally conservative Deep South state like Georgia caught some by surprise. Californians have been able to buy medical cannabis since 1996 and adults there got the right to use it recreationally in 2016.

Persons: Gary Long, that’s, ”, Long, Coke, Andrew Turnage, Jimmy Kimmel, “ I’ve, ” Long, Jonathan Marquess, ” Marquess, it’s, Jay Wexler, “, Brian Kemp, Marquess ’, Marquess, there’s, ” Turnage, Aaron Smith, ” Smith, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Turnage, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Botanical Sciences, Georgia, of Pharmacy, CVS, Walmart, Medical Cannabis Commission, Georgia General Assembly, US Drug Enforcement, Boston University School of Law, Justice, Gov, Pharmacy, Georgia Pharmacy Association’s Academy of Independent Pharmacy, National Cannabis Industry Association, Get CNN, CNN Health Locations: Georgia, United States, Connecticut, Massachusetts

“They tend to close in these neighborhoods regardless of whether or not there is another pharmacy nearby,” Qato said. Closings can create so-called “pharmacy deserts,” or neighborhoods without easy access to a drugstore. “It’ll kind of worsen the problem of pharmacy deserts and disparities in pharmacy access,” Qato said. She noted that patients who lose drugstore access are less likely to stay on their regular prescriptions, and that can affect their health. Jonas said drugstores do want to help with pharmacy access, but the economics still need to work for these companies.

Persons: Dima Qato, ” Qato, Jeff Jonas, Jonas, drugstores, ”, Ted Shaffrey Organizations: East, Street, University of Southern, Gabelli Funds, Rite Aid, Associated Press, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: West, University of Southern California, Philadelphia, Virginia

☆ Pharmacy staff from Walgreens, other chains could stage nationwide walkout and rallies in coming weeks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The Walgreens organizer said they have been in talks with pharmacy staff from other retail chains about participating in the group walkout. The person sees nationwide walkouts across several retail pharmacy chains as the "next step" in the fight against current working conditions. A Walgreens spokesperson redirected CNBC to the company's earlier statement in response to the walkouts pharmacy staff held this week. Pharmacy staff participating in the nationwide effort would also hold demonstrations outside the stores that workers walk out of, according to the people who spoke to CNBC. UFCW directed CNBC to a statement released Thursday in support of the recent walkouts staged by Walgreens and CVS pharmacy staff.

Persons: Shane Jerominski, Prem Shah, walkouts, Jerominksi, UFCW Organizations: Walgreens, CNBC, U.S, Pharmacists, CVS, Pharmacy, Kroger, Jerominski, IAM Healthcare, United Food, Commercial Workers International Union Locations: Kansas City, U.S, walkouts, Canada

☆ Why Walgreens pharmacy workers are walking off the job
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Retail pharmacists and technicians around the country say they’re overworked, underpaid and fed up. Pharmacy staff at Walgreens locations across the country called out of work on Monday to protest harsh working conditions, leaving some stores closed or critically understaffed. Organizers told CNN that hundreds of workers participated in the organized action, which is expected to last through Wednesday. The walkouts come just two weeks after dozens of pharmacy employees at CVS, America’s largest retail pharmacy chain, walked off the job in Kansas City. Walgreens on Monday said it understands “the immense pressures felt across the US in retail pharmacy right now,” according to Fraser Engerman, senior director of external relations at Walgreens.

Persons: ”, Michael Hogue, Shane Jerominski, Amy Thibault, Fraser Engerman, “ There’s, Dr, Peter Bonis, “ I’m, Hogue, Amanda Applegate, don’t, “, Jerry Seinfeld, that’s, CVS walkouts, “ I’ve, they’ve, we’ve Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens, CNN, CVS, Employees, American Pharmacists Association, Community Pharmacists Association, Pharmacists, Walmart, Amazon, Kluwer’s, Wolters Kluwer Health, Pharmacy, Kansas Pharmacists Association, American, National Alliance of State Pharmacy Locations: New York, Kansas City, United States, “, Kansas

☆ Why America’s strike wave is barely registering on Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

A version of this story first appeared in CNN Business’ Before the Bell newsletter. Give in, and companies will be less profitable and at a competitive disadvantage, big business has said. Streaming and entertainment companies (Disney, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Comcast, Paramount and CNN parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery) saw 2.5% growth in new investors on Public during the writers strike, which began in May and ended in early October. Nothing to sweat for buy-and-hold investors: Even investors who buy index funds and are concerned about the effects of the strike probably can take a deep breath.

Persons: It’s, haven’t, Ford, Ginger Graham, Walgreens, ”, Matt Egan, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, Dimon, ” Dimon, Goldman Sachs, ” Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, “ Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN — Corporate, Cornell University’s Labor, Public, Ford, GM, Apple, Netflix, Comcast, Paramount, CNN, Warner Bros, Hollywood, Entertainment, Morningstar, General Motors, Walgreens, Pharmacy, JPMorgan, of Commerce, Israel - America Chamber of Commerce Locations: New York, Arizona , Washington , Massachusetts, Oregon, West Coast, Israel, United States

☆ Walgreens walkout: 5 things you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Organizers told CNN they had heard from well over 500 interested stores (out of approximately 9,000) across the country. Another organizer told CNN that Walgreens had asked regional leaders to mobilize and staff the pharmacies on Monday. It’s an incredibly rewarding job, but it’s hard,” said Amanda Applegate, the interim executive director of the Kansas Pharmacists Association. CVS pharmacists also walked off the jobCVS recently had a walkout and talks are not over. Another meeting with Shah is planned for late this week, but no time or location has been set, a CVS walkout organizer told CNN.

Persons: they’ve, “, ”, Amanda Applegate, Peter Bonis, Michael Hogue, Prem Shah, Shah, Amy Thibault, Fraser Engerman Organizations: New, New York CNN — Pharmacy, CNN, WGA, United Auto Worker, Facebook, Walgreens, American Pharmacists Association, National Alliance of State Pharmacy, CVS, Kansas Pharmacists Association, Wolters Kluwer Health, CVS Pharmacy, Kansas City, ” Locations: New York, Kansas City, United States, Kansas

☆ A woman who was accidentally given abortion pills by a pharmacy when she was undergoing IVF said her plans to have a big family were shattered
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tamika Thomas was mistakenly given the abortion pill misoprostol by CVS Pharmacy employees. Thomas was undergoing IVF treatment and had her pregnancy abruptly ended after taking the pill. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Las Vegas woman who was undergoing IVF treatment had her pregnancy abruptly ended after she was accidentally given abortion pills by CVS Pharmacy employees, local TV station 8 News Now reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementBut a mix-up at the CVS counter meant she received the abortion pill misoprostol instead. Earlier this year, CVS and Walgreens said they planned to offer the abortion pill mifepristone over the counter in states where it's legal.

Persons: Tamika Thomas, Thomas, that'll, Roe, Wade Organizations: CVS Pharmacy, Morning, National Health Service, CVS, Nevada State, of Pharmacy, Walgreens, US

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia soon will become the first state in the nation to offer medical marijuana products at independent pharmacies, state officials said. It will likely take a few weeks before medical marijuana is available in pharmacies. Medical marijuana is only available to Georgians with approval from a physician to treat severe illnesses including seizures, terminal cancers, Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Low THC oil can contain no more than 5% THC, the compound that gives users a high. The Georgia Department of Public Health recently disclosed it had miscounted and inflated the number of registered medical marijuana patients.

Persons: ”, Gary Long, they’ve, Mindy Leech, Lee, Brian Kemp, “ We’re, Jonathan Marquess, Marquess, Andrew Turnage Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Georgia, of Pharmacy, Botanical Sciences, The Atlanta, “, Pharmacy, Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Pharmacy Association, CVS, Walgreens, Medical Cannabis Commission Locations: — Georgia, Newnan, Georgia, Atlanta

☆ Walgreens walkout: Your pharmacy might be closed next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Employees at more than 500 of America’s approximately 9,000 Walgreens stores across the United States have expressed interest and solidarity, a Walgreens pharmacy employee and walkout organizer said, though fewer will likely end up participating. The planned action comes after pharmacy employees walked off the job at multiple CVS stores in the Kansas City area last week. “We have a widespread problem in the US of inadequate staffing in community-based pharmacies.”A CVS Pharmacy in Washington, DC. CVS and Walgreens pharmacists are not currently represented by a union and these efforts have been coordinated by individual workers. However, multiple sources told CNN that employees at CVS and Walgreens have recently been in touch with union groups.

Persons: they’ve, they’re, ”, I’m, I’ve, “, he’s, “ We’re, Fraser Engerman, “ pharmageddon, Michael Hogue, Brendan Smialowski, Prem Shah, Shah, Amy Thibault, Amanda Applegate, Kansas City “, Applegate Organizations: New, New York CNN, Employees, CNN, Walgreens, Monday, CVS Pharmacy, CVS, American Pharmacists Association, Getty, Kansas Pharmacists Association, Pharmacists, Kaiser Permanente, Kansas City Locations: New York, United States, Kansas City, Rhode, Washington , DC, AFP

☆ Cough syrup deaths overseas prompt US crackdown on toxic testing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Patrick Wingrove | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Defendants and lawyers attend a court hearing in the case of child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrups, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan August 16, 2023. Cough syrups made in India and Indonesia have been linked to deaths of more than 300 children globally. The medicines were found to contain high levels of DEG and EG, leading to acute kidney injury and death. IMPORT ALERTSThe FDA warning letters give manufacturers an opportunity to fix quality control problems or face penalties. In addition, 13 U.S. makers of consumer products like earwax removers, nasal spray, hand soap and shampoo, including Lex, were threatened with possible seizures and injunctions by the FDA.

Persons: Stringer, Paul Hastings, Peter Lindsay, syrups, Lex, Charlene Paz, Greg Landry, Patrick Wingrove, Rishika, Joyce Lee, Michele Gershberg, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, FDA, Drug Administration, EG, Reuters, South, South Korea's LCC, LCC, Daxal Therapeutics, Herbals, South Korea’s KM Pharmaceutical, Sangleaf Pharma, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Thomson Locations: Tashkent, Uzbekistan, U.S, India, South Korea, Switzerland, Canada, Egypt, Washington ,, Indonesia, United States, Florida, South Korea's, South, New York, Rishika Sadam, Hyderabad, Seoul

☆ A Decongestant in Many Cold Medicines Is Ineffective
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Dani Blum | More About Dani Blum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Pseudoephedrine, which is found in behind-the-counter products like Sudafed, is effective at clearing congestion, Dr. Dykewicz said; just keep in mind that it can come with side effects. After that, you run the risk of rebound congestion: when the mucosal surfaces in your nose swell, making you feel even more clogged up than before. There are some sprays that you can use for longer stretches, without the rebound risk, namely steroid sprays that contain ingredients like fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone (Nasacort), which are available over-the-counter. Can I treat congestion without medication? In many cases, you can treat a stuffed-up nose by standing in a steamy shower or using a humidifier to help clear your nasal passages, Dr.

Persons: ”, Jennifer Le, Dykewicz, Allegra, Mark Aronica, Le, Andrew Lane, Johns Organizations: Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Cleveland Clinic, Sinus Locations: San Diego

☆ How Ben Sasse Became a Combatant in Florida’s Education Wars
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Michael Sokolove | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Sasse’s words sometimes tumble out in a kind of techno-futurist patois that can be hard to follow. In response to a question about his perceived invisibility on campus, he veered off into something about the future of pedagogy. Later, he added, “What will today’s generic term ‘professor’ mean when you disaggregate syllabus designer, sage-on-the-stage lecturer, seminar leader, instructional technologist, grader, assessor, etc. ?”Sasse is not the first politician to lead a big public university. Oliver Grundmann, a professor in the College of Pharmacy, told me that members of the campus community were worried because of the positions Sasse took in the past.

Persons: unbundle, ”, David Boren, Mitch Daniels, Judith Wilde, Sasse, Bob Graham, Oliver Grundmann, ” Grundmann, “ Organizations: University of Oklahoma, Purdue University, Midland University, Midland Lutheran College, Shar, Policy, Government, George Mason University, ”, Graduate Student Council, Pride, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, College of Pharmacy Locations: Indiana, Virginia, Florida, U.F

☆ Walgreens CEO steps down
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Walgreens Boots Alliance on Friday said that CEO Rosalind Brewer has stepped down less than three years after taking the helm at the pharmacy chain. Walgreens’ board named Ginger Graham, a member of the board, as interim CEO as the company launches a search for a permanent CEO. Walgreens slashed its full-year profit guidance in June, warning of softening consumer spending and a pullback in demand for Covid vaccines. Under Brewer, Walgreens had implemented cost-saving measures in an effort to boost profitability in its healthcare segment. Walgreens says it’s a digital-first experimental store to benefit customers and not designed to deter theft, Walgreens says.

Persons: Rosalind Brewer, Brewer, Ginger Graham Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Fortune, Walgreens, Roosevelt, Dick’s Sporting Goods Locations: New York, United States, United Kingdom, Chicago

☆ Exclusive: Walmart cuts pharmacist pay, hours while workload piles up
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Siddharth Cavale | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Walmart also has agreed to pay $3.1 billion as its share of an opioid-related legal settlement, which is adding to its legal costs this year. For example, a pharmacist could go from an 80-hour, two-week pay period to one lasting 64 or 72 hours, said the source, who attended the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. On average, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail chain pays its pharmacists more than $140,000 a year, excluding bonuses and incentives, according to Walmart. Earlier this year, Walmart scaled back the operating hours of its pharmacies by two hours at more than 4,500 U.S. stores, amid a shortage of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that began during the pandemic. SHORTAGE OF PHARMACY TECHNICIANSThe underlying reason that chain drug stores like Walmart are scaling back pharmacists' hours is a shortage of pharmacy technicians, Hogue said.

Persons: haven't, Davey Lavergne, Marilee McInnis, Michael Hogue, Hogue, Siddharth Cavale, Jonathan Oatis, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Walmart, Reuters, Dow Jones Industrial, Health, Wellness, American Pharmacists Association, Pharmacy Workforce Center, Pharmacy, Thomson Locations: Arkansas , Tennessee , Missouri , Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Bentonville , Arkansas, Washington, New York

☆ The ADHD drug market is already stretched thin. Now it's facing a back-to-school supply strain
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Ten milligram tablets of the hyperactivity drug, Adderall, made by Shire Plc. Adderall and alternative ADHD medications apart from other drugs are Schedule 2 controlled substances. Production limitationsEnding the shortages of Adderall and other ADHD medications is no easy task. That means increasing the production of one drug could potentially require reducing production — and potentially impacting supply — of another drug, according to Ergun. That includes Aytu BioPharma, which makes an ADHD drug that used to be in shortage.

Persons: Jb Reed, It's, Erin Fox, they've, David Margraf, Margraf, drugmakers, Ozlem Ergun, Ergun, Novartis's, Michael Ganio, ASHP's Ganio, RJ Sangosti, Josh Disbrow, Fox Organizations: Shire Plc, Jb, Bloomberg, Getty, and Drug Administration, CNBC, University of Utah, American Society of Health, System Pharmacists, Centers for Disease Control, University of Minnesota's, Infectious Disease, Northeastern University, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, Purdue Pharma, Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, Drug, Fox, Pharmacists, Drug Enforcement Administration, MediaNews, Denver, FDA, DEA Locations: U.S, Commerce City , Colorado

☆ CVS pushes into making cheaper versions of complex drugs with new discount Humira
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Bertha Coombs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

CVS Health is partnering with drugmaker Sandoz to produce a near identical version of the blockbuster arthritis treatment Humira that will sell for 80% below the price of the brand-named drug. The move is part of the company's new venture focused on securing, and in some cases co-producing, biosimilar drugs, which are the equivalent of generic versions of complex gene or protein-based therapies known as biologics. CVS is already one of the leading players when it comes to sourcing generic drugs through Red Oak, its joint venture with Cardinal Health . Abbvie reported more than $4 billion in Humira sales in its most recent quarter, which was slightly better than expected. Correction: CVS Health subsidiary Cordavis will partner with Sandoz on biosimilar drugs.

Persons: drugmaker Sandoz, We've, it'll, Prem Shah, drugmaker, Amgen's Amjevita, Murdo Gordon, Abbvie, Cuban's, John Ransom, Raymond James, Ransom, Sandoz Organizations: CVS Health, CVS, Cardinal Health, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, Novartis, FDA, Blue, Drug Company, Amazon Pharmacy Locations: U.S, Red, California

☆ Pfizer says supply of some drugs may be disrupted after NC tornado
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, July 24 (Reuters) - Drugmaker Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) said over 30 drugs, including injections of painkiller fentanyl and anesthetic lidocaine, may see supply disruption after a tornado destroyed a warehouse at its Rocky Mount, North Carolina, plant last week. The company sent a letter late last week to its hospital customers saying it had identified around 64 different formulations or dosages of those more than 30 drugs produced at the plant that may experience continued or new supply disruptions. The company has placed limits on how much supply of those drugs its customers can buy. It said the list was "based on Pfizer market share and inventory levels of less than 3 months across our Pfizer distribution centers and the wholesale chain." The Rocky Mount plant is one of the largest factories for sterile injectable medicines in the world.

Persons: Albert Bourla, Michael Ganio, Michael Erman, Aurora Ellis Organizations: YORK, Drugmaker Pfizer Inc, Pfizer, American Society of Health, System, Thomson Locations: North Carolina

☆ Drug shortages’ effects on cancer research may be felt for years to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But these shortages aren’t just bad for current patients, experts say; their effects on cancer research may be felt for years to come. The National Cancer Institute, the federal government’s main agency for cancer research and training, told CNN that at least 174 of its own trials may be affected by the shortages. Cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs are prescribed for 10% to 20% of all cancer patients, according to the National Cancer Institute. Crucial work on hold“With drug shortages, trials have become almost like an impossible task. “These drug shortages come and go, and there’s no real rhyme or reason, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason in terms of which institutions have shortages.

Persons: Joe Biden, it’s, ’ ”, Shadia Jalal, Indiana University Melvin, Jalal, She’s, they’ve, ” Jalal, “, ”, haven’t, “ We’ve, Mark Fleury, Fleury, you’re, ” Fleury, Dmitry Walker, Merck, We’ve, ” Walker, there’s, Biden, Lawrence Feldman, ” Feldman, Feldman, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, ‘ Organizations: CNN, National Cancer Institute, American Society of Health, Cancer, Indiana University, Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hematology, Oncology, IU School of Medicine, Hoosier Cancer Research Network, Veterans Administration, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Cancer Society, WVU Medicine, US Food, Pharmacists, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, University of Illinois Medical Center, CNN Health Locations: United States, China, Chicago

☆ Tornado Tears Through Pfizer’s N.C. Site, Threatening Crucial Drug Supplies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Christina Jewett | More About Christina Jewett | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

It was also unclear how deeply the destruction would exacerbate existing national drug shortages, which have reached a 10-year high in recent months. Hospitals are on high alert because low-cost generic products manufactured at the site, such as the sedative propofol, are already among the most shortage-prone on the market. The tornado ripped through a 16-mile strip of the Rocky Mount area, about 50 miles east of Raleigh, at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. She said Pfizer and the Food and Drug Administration had teams on-site to assess the damage. It also makes vancomycin, an antibiotic administered to fight severe infections, and muscle blockers including succinylcholine, also used in surgery.

Persons: I’m, ”, Michael Ganio, Mittal Sutaria, Sutaria, Vizient Organizations: American Society of Health, Pharmacists, National Weather Service, Pfizer, Food and Drug Administration Locations: Rocky, Raleigh, Vizient

☆ AI-Targeted Internet Advertisements Fueling Looming Addiction Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Albert Fox Cahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

A new breed of direct-to-consumer services is aggressively using targeted ads to sell habit-forming medications. In short, AI and surveillance capitalism, which empower today's targeted ads, have joined forces with the deadly OxyContin playbook. As the Journal reported, after ADHD medications grew to 20% of the VC-funded company's business, driving a $4.8 billion valuation, things came crashing to earth. We as a society may have come to accept being stalked by targeted ads, but consequences are much graver when the product itself is a danger. But above all, we need rules that ban targeted ads for drugs that can get patients hooked.

Persons: Taylor Swift, they're, haven't, Van Zee, OxyContin, prescribers, Dr, David Sack, Anthony Yeung, recreationally, Yann Poncin, shih, Ryan Haight, Ryan Haight Act's, Albert Fox Cahn Organizations: Circle, Purdue, American, of Public Health, Sackler family's pharma, Physicians, Yale School of Medicine, Bloomberg, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Health, Human Services, Ryan, Twitter, FDA Locations: Canadian, California, United States, New Zealand, New York

☆ Walgreens profit tumbles, slashes guidance amid significant drop in Covid vaccine demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Walgreens Boots Alliance on Tuesday reported earnings that tumbled from the same time a year ago amid softening consumer spending and a pullback in demand for Covid vaccines. Its pharmacy sales increased 6.3% in the period versus a year ago, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 9.8%, boosted by higher prices of branded medication. But the volume of Covid vaccines administered in the quarter plummeted to 0.8 million, compared to 4.7 million a year ago. Outside of pharmacy products, Walgreens reported retail sales fell 1% and comparable sales decreased 0.2% in the quarter. Excluding tobacco, comparable retail sales increased 0.2%, led by purchases of grocery, household and beauty items.

Persons: Rosalind Brewer, Neil Saunders, ”, Saunders Organizations: New, New York CNN, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Walgreens, U.S . Healthcare, Roosevelt, Global Locations: New York, Chicago

Search resuls for: "of Pharmacy"

25 mentions found