Lexicon Pharma says its irritable bowel syndrome drug LX1031 met study goal; shares jump

Lexicon says IBS drug met mid-stage study goal

FDA finds steel, rubber, other substances in Genzyme biotech drugs, dangerous for patients

FDA finds bits of steel, rubber in Genzyme drugs

Myriad Pharma reports lower research and development costs in 1st quarter after spinoff

US Agriculture secretary announces funds for rural health services in 34 states and Iowa

Funds announced for rural Iowa health services

Abbott Labs says it will pay $170M upfront for experimental chronic pain drug from PanGenetics

Analysis finds reports on Pfizer epilepsy drug studies misleading; drugmaker disputes review

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Pfizer closing some research plants, consolidating others and cutting staff after buying Wyeth

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Enzon Pharma sells specialty drug division to sigma-tau for as much as $327M plus royalties

XenoPort and Glaxo says FDA review of neuropathic pain drug extended 3 months, to Feb. 2010

FDA extends review of XenoPort-Glaxo pain drug

Saudi Arabia won’t bar those at high-risk for swine flu from performing hajj pilgrimage

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Saudi health minister says swine flu shots recommended but not mandatory for pilgrims

Donald Baim, Harvard professor and Boston Scientific executive, dies at 60

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Recalls: Anesthetic medications

Recalls: Anesthetic medications

The following recall has been announced:

Harvard poll finds a third of adults who sought vaccine were able to get it; supplies rising

Fla. cops: Wife, lover faked abduction to scam hubby _ and the sex and lies are on audiotape

Fla. cops: Wife faked own abduction to scam hubby

Goldman Sachs, Citigroup among NYC employers that got hard-to-find swine flu vaccine

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Goldman Sachs, Citigroup got swine flu vaccine

IMS Health to be acquired by investment funds TPG Capital, CPP Investment for $4 billion

IMS Health to be bought for $4 billion by TPG, CPP

Swine flu vaccine going to Goldman Sachs, Columbia U., and other big NYC employers

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IMS Health to be bought by investment funds TPG Capital, CPP Investment for $4 billion

IMS Health to be bought for $4 billion by TPG, CPP

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals receives $22.5 million from US government for peramivir order

Medicis reports profit as sales pick up and charges decrease; company raises 2009 forecasts

Acne, wrinkle treatments help Medicis post profit

BioCryst Pharma gets $7M payment after Japanese partner Shionogi files for marketing approval

Merck, now the world’s No. 2 drugmaker with Schering-Plough purchase, set for future deals

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Drug dispensing service Omnicare will pay $98M to settle federal investigation into kickbacks

Omnicare will settle kickback cases for $98M

Medco Health Solutions’ 3rd-quarter profit jumps 13.5 percent on new clients, pricing

Medco Health 3Q profit jumps 13.5 percent

NEW YORK — Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, said Tuesday its profit rose 13.5 percent as the company gained new clients and benefited from price inflation of brand-name drugs.

New vaccine offers chance for children in Africa, where 1 million die of malaria each year

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Merck: FDA won’t accept its application for combo cholesterol pill including Pfizer’s Lipitor

FDA won’t accept Merck’s application for new drug

Wall Street expects Medco to benefit from demand for health care savings, generic drug sales

Earnings Preview: Medco Health Solutions

NEW YORK — Medco Health Solutions Inc., the largest U.S. pharmacy benefits manager, is scheduled to report its third-quarter results Tuesday morning. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst commentary for the period.

Boston Scientific begins marketing next-generation stent in European Union

New Boston Scientific stent approved in Europe

Amylin Pharmaceuticals signs weight-loss drug deal with Takeda potentially worth over $1B

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Human Genome Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline report positive results in 2nd lupus drug study

Human Genome reports positive data on lupus drug

Amylin Pharmaceuticals signs obesity drug deal with Takeda potentially worth over $1 billion

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Schering posts boceprevir trial data, including results for patients not helped by other drugs

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FDA sends warning to P&G over ‘illegal marketing’ of Vicks products containing vitamin C

FDA warns P&G over Vicks products with vitamin C

Human Genome Sciences reports smaller 3Q loss after completing tests of lupus drug Benlysta

Aetna’s 3rd-quarter profit grows, insurer says it has a better handle on rising costs

Pilgrims to receive face masks, hand gel as Mecca girds for hajj amid swine flu outbreak

BioCryst takes bigger 3Q loss after starting late-stage tests of IV flu treatment peramivir

AstraZeneca posts 22 percent rise in third quarter profits amid demand for swine flu vaccine

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FDA panel recommends approval of novel heat-based treatment for treating asthma

FDA panel backs first non-drug asthma treatment

Vertex says telaprevir created immune response in most patients with hepatitis C

SciClone will cut 7 jobs in restructuring after canceling cancer drug trial

Vertex says most patients who took hepatitis C drug had undetectable virus levels in trial

SciClone will cut about 40 jobs in restructuring after canceling cancer drug trial

GlaxoSmithKline third quarter profit up 11 percent; expects more gains in final quarter

FDA experts request more data on benefit of Human Genome Sciences’ anthrax drug

FDA panel wants more data on anthrax drug

WASHINGTON — Federal advisers said Tuesday that more data is needed to judge the effectiveness of Human Genome Sciences’ anthrax treatment compared with existing anti-bacterial drugs.

Correction: FDA drug label story

NY Attorney general: $100M settlement from health insurers will fund independent cost database

NY AG: Consumers can soon access health cost info

Hospira profit climbs on sales of generic chemotherapy treatment and other specialty drugs

Vertex Pharma books larger 3rd-quarter loss as collaboration revenue falls, costs increase

Arena Pharma reports new results on obesity drug candidate at conference, and shares advance

German drug maker Merck 3rd quarter net income falls 28 percent to $216 million

GAO finds FDA unwilling to pull drugs off the market, even when their benefits are unclear

Raging hormones: Unproven ‘bioidenticals’ for menopause contain estrogen too, experts say

EU approves proposed Merck, Schering-Plough tie-up, no competition worries in Europe

EU approves Merck, Schering-Plough tie-up

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Friday approved the proposed tie-up of U.S. drug makers Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. which would create the second-biggest global producer of prescription medicines.

Swine flu swindles: Internet scams offer shampoo, germ-zapping spray, fake Tamiflu

FDA warns: Swine flu scams lurk on the Internet

Air “sterilizers.” A photon machine. Supplement pills to boost the immune system. Protective shampoos and face masks. Even fake Tamiflu.

Amgen shares fall as company discloses additional FDA Prolia request, Arenesp data

Amgen shares fall after new Prolia request

NEW YORK — Amgen Inc. shares fell Thursday over the likelihood that the biotechnology company’s next potential blockbuster will take longer than expected to reach its full sales potential in the market.