The following drug companies made headlines this past week.
1. Talc powder shortage complicates lung disease treatment at hospitals
Lymol Medical Corp. — the only talc supplier in the U.S. — faces dwindling supplies after the company's contract manufacturer suspended production due to an issue with one of the product components.
2. FDA shuts down production at Alabama drug compounder over unsanitary conditions
Foley, Ala.-based drug compounding company Medistat RX must cease all manufacturing and distribution operations following a complaint filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Food and Drug Administration.
3. Vertex Pharma makes 1st price hike on cystic fibrosis drug
Vertex Pharmaceutical increased the price of its cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi for the first time since the drug's 2015 approval.
4. Novo Nordisk recalls insulin pen cartridge holders
Novo Nordisk voluntarily recalled five batches of insulin cartridge holders used in some of its NovoPen Echo devices over quality issues.
5. FDA halts Merck blood cancer clinical trials after patient deaths
The Food and Drug Administration on July 5 placed a clinical hold on three of Merck's multiple myeloma clinical trials following numerous reports of patient deaths.
More articles on supply chain:
Edwards' Lifesciences earns FDA approval for heart valve: 3 things to know
Novo Nordisk recalls insulin pen cartridge holders
Supply chain tip of the day: Avoid the hidden cost of prepackaged supplies