CDC mulls new strategies to improve HCV testing required to link patients to care

New study finds only 51% of patients receive all required testing by BioPharm Insight

Europe regulators not yet on board with adult ADHD due to concerns regarding diagnosis methods

Tide could be turning as companies continue to eye this space and experts point to healthcare cost savings by BioPharm Insight

German drug rebate future at centre of debate as industry versus payer battle intensifies

Industry puts pressure on German government to lower 16% rebates on branded pharmaceuticals by BioPharm Insight

J&J’s Remicade six-month patent extension to stave off Celltrion biosimilar threat in major EU markets

Remicade now protected until 2015 in EU countries where patent is in force, including the top five markets by BioPharm Insight

Celltrion slides to third in race for Roche rituximab biosimilar with planned 2H13 Phase III trial start

Phase III trial was thought to be ongoing since 2011 but never actually started. by BioPharm Insight

UK’s value-based pricing pilot schemes seen as path forward to preserve political promises

Pilot schemes for select indications could allow for gradual VBP implementation. by BioPharm Insight

Teva’s Azilect unlikely to see additional utility in early Parkinson’s based on recent trial results

Global label expansion as add on to dopamine agonists is reasonable. by BioPharm Insight

AstraZeneca’s Brilinta not impacted by reimbursement barriers though US uptake remains tough

US cardiologists still skeptical of clot buster’s benefit on top of aspirin. by BioPharm Insight

UK value-based pricing will struggle to materialise as year-end deadline approaches

Reservations persist for January 2014 consolidation on the VBP overhaul, and a modified pricing scheme may be likely. by BioPharm Insight

Chiltern in talks to get new majority investor; hires Jefferies – sources

Lundbeck and Otsuka’s once-monthly schizophrenia drug advantageous though late market entry could hinder uptake

HIV drugs to be uniquely shielded from generic pricing pressure in public payer scheme

Novartis has fair claim to challenge German drug pricing law though weak case to protect diabetes drugs

Endo’s law suit against Impax for crush-proof Opana unlikely to reach settlement before May FDA ruling

Active Biotech/Ipsen’s prostate cancer drug mechanism clouds opinion of improving overall survival

Lilly/Boehringer remain coy on insulin glargine’s EU, FDA regulatory strategies

Baxter’s Gammagard unlikely to be successful in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s

Merck’s Zetia/atorvastatin combo pill unlikely to gain FDA nod until cardiovascular impact results available

FDA, industry push to tweak accelerated approval pathway likely to have underwhelming results for mid-to-large pharma

Merck, BMS/AZ, Novartis face 2013 German price cuts on DPP-4 diabetes drugs

Shire’s strong Vyvanse data and lack of abuse potential bode well for use in EU paediatrics – psychiatrists

Vertex’ Kalydeco faces UK price pushback though solid cystic fibrosis data warrants funding settlement

Sanofi/Zealand’s antidiabetic lixisenatide triggers mixed feelings on prospects for showing cardiovascular benefit

Theravance’s antibiotic Vibativ gasps for breath in hospital pneumonia

China to release its first biosimilars guidelines, aims to speed up drug registration process

Vertex’s Incivek twice-daily dosing schedule insufficient to entice HCV patients waiting for new drugs

Sarepta likely to face uphill battle if it seeks accelerated approval for eteplirsen in Duchenne’s

Arena’s Belviq to be unfazed by DEA scheduling as weight-loss drug not seen as addictive

Depomed’s clinical trial data for hot flashes drug Serada warrants US approval though FDA analysis gives pause

Vivus’ weight-loss drug Qsymia expected to gain reimbursement from more payers

Biogen entitled to EMA exclusivity protection for BG-12, yet doubts remain on eligibility and new drug status

Celgene likely to prevail in Revlimid litigation against generic drug developers

Merz’s Xeomin and Belotero will impact aesthetics market post Allergan’s injunction

Incyte’s Jakafi can relieve PV-related symptoms but not progression to myelofibrosis or AML

Elan unlikely target for Biogen given latter’s focus on MS drug BG-12

Eli Lilly’s solanezumab faces grim prospects of attaining conditional FDA approval in mild Alzheimer’s

BMS’ melanoma drug Yervoy faces tougher UK reimbursement battle than Roche’s Zelboraf

Proposed EMA guidelines to further steer anti-infectives developers to seek European drug approvals before US - experts

Regeneron’s Zaltrap expected to gain FDA approval in second-line mCRC

Bariatric surgery not ready for prime time as type 2 diabetes treatment, despite benefits in recent study

Merck’s Gardasil, GSK’s Cervarix HPV vaccines see poor adherence, experts question overall response

Horizon’s Rayos/Lodotra approval anticipated in arthritis but not expected to see wide use - physicians

Germany’s new drug reimbursement process picks up industry resistance, potential for minor alleviation by authorities

Novartis’ Gilenya prescriptions slowing, company working on increasing number of monitoring sites

Pfizer’s arthritis drug tofacitinib to receive positive FDA AdCom recommendation in May, safety concerns to be discussed

Roche’s Zelboraf steadily adopted in advanced melanoma

Myriad’s gene patent case may still end up at Supreme Court

Novartis’ Gilenya still deemed safe despite EMA-initiated review of deaths

Pharma majors’ multiple sclerosis drugs safe from EU competition for several years