Humana calls Mallinckrodts Acthar a billion-dollar golden goose in 700M Dollars fraud lawsuit

FiercePharma | August 12, 2019

Mallinckrodt is getting burned on all sides as federal prosecutors scope out the drugmakers controversial H.P. Acthar Gel marketing and price hikes. Now, one of the largest U.S. insurers is looking to pile on. Humana overpaid for Acthar by 700 million dollars because of Mallinckrodts widespread campaign to stifle competition and pay doctors and patients to choose the pricey med, the insurer said in a new federal lawsuit in California. Humana accused Mallinckrodt of a complex, multipart scheme involving monopoly, bribery, racketeering, fraud, and other deceptive and unfair practices to fuel the drugs skyrocketing price increases and induce physicians to boost prescriptions. Mallinckrodt acquired Acthar in 2014 as part of a $5.6 billion purchase of Questcor, which has landed the U.K. drugmaker in a raft of legal problems since its buyout. Humana did not provide a statement on the lawsuit, citing a "longstanding policy not to comment on pending litigation." A Mallinckrodt spokesman could not be reached for comment by press time.

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The pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving, and with new research, regulations, and products, it's essential to keep employees up-to-date with the latest information and knowledge.

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The pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving, and with new research, regulations, and products, it's essential to keep employees up-to-date with the latest information and knowledge.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET

Harrow Introduces Next-Gen Compounded Atropine Formulations

Harrow | February 16, 2023

On February 15, 2023, Harrow, a renowned pharmaceutical firm specializing in eyecare in the United States, announced the launch of its next-generation, patent-pending compounded Atropine formulations. These formulations are now accessible through ImprimisRx, a mail-order pharmacy subsidiary wholly owned by Harrow. The following are the key features of ImprimisRx's next-generation Atropine formulations Thoroughly validated analytical tests are conducted to ensure potency, consistency, and stability. The formulations are free of preservatives and boric acid. They possess a physiologic pH of 5.5. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 180 days. Eyecare professionals can purchase these compounded Atropine formulations for as less as $39 per 5mL bottle through various channels, such as online via atropine.com or by contacting ImprimisRx Customer Service at 615-437-4690 via call or text. Compounded formulations are recommended for patients with clinical requirements that are not met by FDA-approved medications. It is essential to note that compounded medications are not reviewed by FDA for their safety and effectiveness. ImprimisRx does not manufacture copies of products that are already available in the market. Harrow's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mark L. Baum, commented, "Our mission has always been to help our eyecare professionals address their patients' unmet needs and to make ophthalmic medications both accessible and affordable. The availability of these innovative compounded atropine formulations is in keeping with our mission. We believe ophthalmologists, optometrists, and the millions of Americans who may benefit from topical atropine therapy, will appreciate the tremendous value these patent-pending formulations offer." (Source – Business Wire) About Harrow Founded in 2012, Harrow is a leading ophthalmic pharmaceutical firm in the United States focused on discovering, developing, and introducing accessible, innovative, and affordable prescription therapies. It holds commercial rights for ten FDA-approved eyecare pharmaceutical products. In addition, the company also operates ImprimisRx, a leading U.S. compounding business that specializes in ophthalmic medications and is licensed to ship prescription drugs in all 50 states. The success of its efforts is reflected in its remarkable financial performance, with a 72% compound annual growth rate achieved during our first eight years in operation. This phenomenal growth rate has established Harrow as one of the fastest-growing ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies in the United States.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET

Envision Pharma Group Announces Acquisition of OKRA.ai

Envision Pharma Group | February 10, 2023

Envision Pharma Group (Envision), a leading evidence-based communication services and industry-leading technology solutions provider serving biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies recently announced the acquisition of OKRA.ai, a leading technology company active in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for commercialization, medical, real-world evidence and data analytics, and pricing for the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries. OKRA.ai's AI products and solutions transform enormous scientific, clinical, and commercial data sets into actionable insights for customers in the health sciences industry, empowering decision-making and driving action. Dr. Loubna Bouarfa, the founder of OKRA.ai, will join the Executive Leadership Team of Envision. Loubna recently received the renowned Deloitte Fast 50 Women in Leadership Award as well as the Forbes 50 Top Women in Tech. OKRA.ai has offices in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and employs around 30 people. With the purchase of OKRA.ai, Envision Pharma Group will have over 1,400 employees spread across four continents. Envision Pharma Group's CEO Meg Heim commented, "We are delighted to welcome OKRA.ai into the Envision Pharma Group family." She added, "The acquisition of OKRA.ai marks an exciting milestone in Envision's evolution as we continue to accelerate and deliver a compelling combination of technology-enabled capabilities and solutions to clients. The combination of Envision's leading technology, capabilities, and solutions with OKRA.ai's artificial intelligence solutions and expertise enables us to strengthen our offerings to clients across the product life cycle, but more importantly, support patients in their journey to health and wellness." (Source – Globe Newswire) About Envision Pharma Group Founded in 2001, Envision is a leading evidence-based communication service and industry-leading technology solutions provider serving biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. It works with over 200 pharmaceutical and biotech firms, including 18 of the top 20 pharmaceutical firms. The company began by reinventing how biopharma companies managed their global data communications programs by leveraging smart technology and best-in-class publication planning. It has since grown to become a leading provider of healthcare communications services and medical affairs technology solutions. It assists clients throughout the pharmaceutical product lifecycle, establishing solid partnerships and gaining client trust in purpose-built solutions.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, VIEWS AND ANALYSIS

Rancho BioSciences Welcomes BenevolentAI as Fifth Member of SCDS Consortium

Rancho BioSciences | February 02, 2023

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