1. Physicians who receive gifts from pharmaceutical companies are more likely to prescribe or recommend brand-name drugs, according to a new BMJ study. If a drugmaker spends $13 on a doctor, he or she will prescribe, on average, 94 additional days of anticoagulants and 107 days for diabetes diabetes drugs. (U.S. News and World Report)
2. Spending on drugs covered by Medicare Part D increased more than 17% in 2014, compared to 2013. Gilead Sciences’ hepatitis-C treatment Sovaldi topped the list, followed by two AstraZeneca drugs: gastroesophageal reflux disease Nexium and cholesterol-lowering Crestor. (Modern Healthcare)
3. An advocacy group gave low grades to Valeant’s female sexual dysfunction drug Addyi, giving the drugmaker a “D” in provider education, contraindications, and practicality. (Stat)
4. Casebia Therapeutics, a joint venture between Bayer and Crispr Therapeutics, opened its doors in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The venture plans to focus on development of hematology and ophthalmology treatments.
5. Mallinckrodt plans to build a new campus for its specialty business. The drugmaker expects to hire about 400 commercial and science employees in Bedminster, New Jersey. (St. Louis Business Journal)
