> Novartis ($NVS) has appointed Richard Frances, a former Biogen Idec ($BIIB) SVP of U.S. commercial operations, to head its Sandoz generics unit. Release
> Pfizer ($PFE) has promoted Monica Piñuela to lead its communications efforts in Spain. News
> Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) has selected Cohn & Wolfe to support consumer and healthcare communications within the company's Nordic region. More
> Amgen ($AMGN) will take over the marketing of osteoporosis med Prolia from GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) in areas including the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Russia and Mexico by Dec. 31. Story
> Virgo Consumer Health & Wellbeing has hired Matthew Coy as senior account director and Reena Patel as senior account manager. More
> InVentiv Health has named Michael Griffith as its EVP. Release
> ScripsAmerica ($SCRC) partner Global Pharma Hub has struck an agreement with Jestaw Pharmaceuticals for the Canadian marketing and distribution of RapiMed children's pain reliever and fever reducer. More
> Nutra Pharma ($NPHC) is launching a social media and telemarketing campaign for the distribution of OTC painkiller Nyloxin. Release
> Mannkind Pharma ($MNKD) has selected ADK Fortune as its creative agency. More
And Finally... Canada's provincial health ministers have agreed to ask for a face-to-face meeting with Vertex ($VRTX) to discuss a "fair price" for its cystic fibrosis med Kalydeco. More
