1. The performance of a generic drug compared to its branded equivalent is not always guaranteed. The increased complexity of new medicines and the growing amount of drugs produced outside the U.S. have spurred complaints for generic versions of certain drugs. (Bloomberg)
2. The FDA approved a new oral blood thinner, Portola Pharmaceutical’s BevyxXa. The drug is expected to compete in the hospital setting with Sanofi’s Lovenox. (Reuters)
3. New FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb maintained his stance that drugmakers that receive complete response letters, or rejections, for new drug applications should make them public. (BioCentury)
4. Merck KGaA’s oral multiple-sclerosis drug, Mavenclad, received a positive opinion from the EU’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use after seven years of rejections. (PharmaPhorum)
5. Jazz Pharmaceutical’s Xyrem, a drug for Narcolepsy, has come under fire over significant price increases. Specifically, Jazz has raised the price by 800% over a seven year period. (ABC)
