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The U.K. cost watchdogs at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have kept a stiff upper lip when it comes to Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) prostate cancer drug Zytiga, saying that it couldn't fund the med for pre-chemo treatment because it was too expensive. Now J&J has stepped forward with a new payment deal, so NICE is changing its tune. The cost gatekeeper agreed to cover Zytiga after a reduction in the drug's list price, and as long as J&J covers the med at full cost after patients' first 10 months of treatment. The decision comes as a win for Zytiga, which is facing some stiff competition from Astellas' rival med Xtandi. Story
> The FDA has turned down Eagle Pharmaceuticals' ($EGRX) Kangio, a med meant to prevent blood clots in certain patients undergoing heart surgery. More
> Roche ($RHHBY) is integrating its diabetes app, Accu-Chek Connect, with Apple Health, meaning it'll now allow patients to share the blood glucose and carbohydrate data they collect with the iPhone system. Report
> There are lucrative opportunities for new players to invigorate a "stagnant" bipolar drug market, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. More (sub. req.)
> The government of Wales has overruled a decision by the U.K.'s cost watchdogs not to recommend Celgene's ($CELG) pancreatic cancer drug, Abraxane, for routine use by the NHS. Report
And Finally... Chinese authorities have vowed to crack down on the black market sale of vaccines. More