Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak (both D-MI) wrote the FDA to question its use of a pharma PR firm in developing a website about DTC advertising for consumers.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ-based Par Pharmaceutical Companies announced that it will slash approximately 190 positions -- 30% of them in manufacturing, R&D, and general and administrative -- by the end of 2008, and the remaining positions by the end of the first half of 2009.

J&J flaunted the benefits of its diversified and globalized business portfolio today, reporting respectable third-quarter results despite static worldwide pharmaceutical sales of $6.1 billion.

Identifying physicians who drive the new-to-brand market in a given category — prior to developing a marketing strategy - allows marketers to save time and money by avoiding docs with tin ears.

Online health information provider WebMD is expecting strong numbers for the third quarter, due in part to increased industry foresight and new marketing programs for 2009.

The web site for AstraZeneca's heartburn medication Nexium www.purplepill.com, generated the most site traffic in Q2 2008.

Eli Lilly & Co.'s $62 million settlement with 32 states and the District of Columbia over off-label Zyprexa marketing comes with an agreement requiring, among other things, that the company furnish those state AGs with a list of all healthcare professionals paid more than $100 for promotional speaking and consulting in the US.

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a restructuring of its public affairs and corporate communications team.

FDA will initiate a pilot project to help manufacturers choose safer proprietary drug names.

The FDA slapped Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals with a warning letter on two 60-second TV ads for its YAZ contraceptive.