Photo credit: Jason Howie/Creative Commons
1. Facebook is warming up to pharma. The social behemoth is creating community pages to bring together people with certain conditions and allowing drugmakers to block comments on pages used to promote specific drugs. (STAT)
2. Pfizer has ended development of its PCSK9 inhibitor, PCSK9i, announcing that the drug had higher rates of injection-site problems than other agents already on the market. The two PCSK9 inhibitors currently on the market, Amgen’s Repatha and Sanofi and Regeneron’s Praluent, have struggled with sluggish sales.
3. Drug distributor Cardinal Health has cut its profit guidance, owing to a slowing of branded drug price increases. CEO George Barrett said the company faces a “very challenging” environment as drugmakers react to price criticism. (WSJ)
4. The FDA gave Novartis’ first-line advanced breast cancer drug, ribociclib, a Priority Review. The experimental drug is seen as a possible competitor to Pfizer’s Ibrance.
5. The fate of the 21st Century Cures Act hangs in the balance as Democrats push for changes that will address high drug prices. A spokesperson for Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a statement that the legislation must include policies that will address high prices. (The Hill)
