Spotlight On ... FDA announces changes to Merck drug packaging following fatal confusion between two oral formulations; and more...

Following 11 reports of the wrong oral formulation being prescribed, including one death, the FDA announced changes to the packaging and labeling of Merck's ($MRK) antifungal agent, Noxafil. Apparently, some doctors were unaware that the oral suspension and delayed-release tablet need to be dosed differently. The med is also available as an intravenous solution for injection. In August Allergan filed for approval of a generic version of the drug, in hopes of being the first to file and receiving 180 days of marketing exclusivity upon approval. Noxafil earns Merck about $140 million per year, according to IMS health. Release

> Immune Pharmaceuticals announced that following the review of new efficacy data, it has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing and development agreement with Israeli nanotechnology drug delivery company BioNanoSim to work on a novel topical nanocapsule formulation of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine. More