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TOP STORIES
GSK has been given a $54.68 million fine by the Competition and Markets Authority over deals it made to pay cash to competitors so that they wouldn’t bring the generic version of Seroxat, called paroxetine, to market between 2002 and 2004. Other companies fined included Generics UK, Merck, Alpharma, Activis UK and Xellia Pharmaceuticals. — BBC
Zenefits is under investigation by California insurance regulators. It joins Washington which is also investigating the company — Reuters
Charlie Sheen wants in on a CytoDyn clinical trial of its monoclonal antibody to block HIV from invading immune cells, he told Dr. Oz on his talk show. Sheen appeared with CytoDy CEO Nader Pourhassan. — Forbes
LIFE SCIENCES
Generic drug producer Lannett plans to sell or close its Philadelphia production sites, move 88 jobs to Indiana, cutting 20 percent of its workforce. It’s part of a restructuring following its $1.2 billion acquisition of Kremers Urban Pharmaceutical Co. last year. — Philadelphia Business Journal
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Despite concerns about a slowdown in biotech, Quintiles had a strong fourth quarter earnings report with a 9 percent increase in revenue to $1.13 billion. It also had net income of $111 million and a backlog of orders to the tune of $12 billion. — The News and Observer
Today in Martin Shkreli news, the former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO apparently owes the IRS $4.6 million in back taxes — Gawker
Kanye and his label are legally required to take my offer letter to their Board of Directors. This should delay the album by a few days.
— Martin Shkreli (@MartinShkreli) February 11, 2016
Not content to incite the ire of Wu-Tang Clan fans, former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli is now turning his attention to Kanye West. He has offered to pay $10 million for his latest album so that he can be the sole owner. — The Washington Post
Ireland wants to create a medtech hub. — Irish Times
PAYERS-PROVIDERS
UC San Diego Health appointed Dr. Christopher Longhurst as its new CIO. He previously worked for Stanford (Calif.) Children’s Health, where he served as CMIO since 2004. Beckers Hospital Review
The Affordable Care Act is impacting profits for the five largest health insurers. — Fierce Health Payer
TECHNOLOGY
Electronic health records can reduce the odds of contracting a hospital acquired infections, according to a study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. — HealthcareIT News
American Telemedicine Association is up in arms over Texas’ telemedicine position. Its state board plan calls for limiting “distance counseling” to Texas providers and require face-to-face visits before a virtual session. — mHealth Intelligence
POLITICS
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders may agree on a lot of things but Medicare for all isn’t one of them. “If it’s Medicare for all, then you no longer have the Affordable Care Act. — Forbes
A bill passed by Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives would shift the penalty for violence against healthcare workers from a misdemeanor to a felony. — Penna Medical Society
A LITTLE BIT EXTRA
A Tampa woman who was stabbed more than 30 times by her then boyfriend found love in the form of one of a firefighter who responded to the incident that nearly took her life. Now they’re engaged. Ain’t love grand? — Fox 13 News
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