American drug deaths skyrocketed in 2016, new report shows
The rate of deaths increased slightly in every quarter of 2016, indicating an accelerating epidemic. That crisis has been driven by opioid abuse.
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Pharmacist in deadly meningitis outbreak cleared of murder
A pharmacist at a facility whose tainted drugs sparked a nationwide meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people, including five people in Indiana, was cleared Wednesday of murder but was convicted of other crimes.
Lilly plans $72M upgrade for Indianapolis insulin operation
The Indianapolis drugmaker said it will use the money to replace an existing line that fills vials for Humalog and Humulin and to prepare for new insulin products.
Anthem breaks with Express Scripts, to start own drug plan with CVS
Indianapolis-based insurer Anthem Inc. said it will set up its own pharmacy benefits management unit, signaling a final break with Express Scripts Holding Co. after the health insurer accused Express of overcharging it by billions of dollars.
Trump considers former Lilly exec for HHS post
Before joining Eli Lilly and Co., Alex Azar served as the general counsel and deputy secretary of Health and Human Services Administration under President George Bush.
Express Scripts to buy medical test gatekeeper for $3.6B
The deal comes as Express Scripts faces challenges on a number of fronts, including the possible loss of its largest customer, Indianapolis-based health-insurance giant Anthem Inc.
Legal fight looms over California’s new drug pricing law
California has passed a law requiring pharmaceutical companies to explain their price increases, escalating the state-by-state battle between lawmakers trying to bring more transparency to the industry’s practices and drugmakers that oppose the efforts.
Zionsville pharmacist who put himself in feds’ sights admits to felonies
Harry Zhang pleaded guilty to two felonies this month after charged with illegally obtaining prescriptions from Canada and Germany and reselling them in China.
FDA approving drugs at accelerated pace
Thirty-four new drugs—treating everything from cancer to rare genetic diseases—have been approved so far this year. That’s on pace to nearly double last year’s approvals.
UPDATE: Indianapolis preparing to sue opioid makers, distributors
The city of Indianapolis plans to file a “robust lawsuit” against several drug companies, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Thursday morning.
FDA acts to encourage generic competition for complex drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is opening a new front in its efforts to reduce high drug prices by encouraging development of generic versions of hard-to-make medicines.
Struggling Endocyte spending millions for rights to prostate-cancer drug
After struggling for more than 20 years to develop cancer drugs without success, West Lafayette-based Endocyte Inc. is pausing it own R&D efforts to concentrate on a potential blockbuster drug from a German chemical company.
Lilly names new CFO, head of R&D
The appointments mark the latest changes in the Indianapolis-based drugmaker’s executive suite since David Ricks took over as CEO in January.
FDA approves Lilly drug for common advanced breast cancer
U.S. regulators have approved a new medicine for treating a common type of breast cancer after it has spread to other parts of the body.
FDA’s consumer protection warnings falling under Trump
From January to July, the agency sent 265 warning letters to companies, notifying them of what it alleged to be serious violations of federal rules. That’s the lowest tally for the first seven months of any year since 2008.
Indiana’s chief judge to serve on opioid panel
The panel will help promote collaboration among treatment providers, criminal justice systems and child welfare agencies.
Animal-health biz Elanco under the weather; Lilly won’t rule out spinoff
The Greenfield-based unit, which makes a vast array of vaccines, antibiotics, feed additives and other health products for livestock and pets, is in a slump, after more than a decade of growth.
Lilly eliminating 3,500 jobs as part of cost-cutting plan
Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. said the 3,500 jobs represent 8.3 percent of its global workforce. Lilly hopes the cuts will save it $500 million a year.
Lilly competitor reaches $46.5M settlement with U.S. over safety info
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk says it has reached a settlement over allegations that it hadn’t properly communicated safety information when marketing a medicine to treat type 2 diabetes.
Lilly shares rise on surprising news from FDA on arthritis drug
The Indianapolis drugmaker said it will not be required to conduct another expensive, time-consuming clinical trial for the potential blockbuster.