Provigil use skyrockets, with 89% off-label; Pandemic strain's Tamiflu resistance may be increasing;

@FiercePharma: Have generics reached a saturation point? With 84% utilization, maybe. And specialty prices are soaring. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: 600,000 bottles of Glenmark's generic Singulair recalled for fishy smell. Recalls for odors not a rarity. Article | Follow @EricPFierce

> The narcolepsy drug Provigil racked up a half-million patients between 2002 and 2009, and 89% of those scripts were written for off-label uses, including depression. Report

> Viral resistance to the Roche ($RHHBY) influenza drug Tamiflu may be increasing in the pandemic H1N1 strain, WHO officials said. Report

> Walgreen and Alliance Boots inked a 10-year deal with drug distributor Amerisource Bergen, allowing them to take up to a 23% stake in the company; the deal squeezes out rival distributor Cardinal Health. Report

> Strides Arcolab unit Agila Biotech agreed to set up a $34.4 million biotech facility in Malaysia. Report

> Ukrainian officials say they want drugmakers to declare their prices during the approvals process. Report

Medical Device News

 @FierceMedDev: FDA sticks Class I tag on Symbios' pump recall. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: China's Dehaier Medical Systems will be one to watch in 2013 as it pursues govt. healthcare contracts at home. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Third Rock Ventures-backed DC Devices hauled in another $10+ million for its heart failure device. More | Follow @DamianFierce

> NuVasive hit with FDA warning letter over spine device. More

> Johns Hopkins team takes step toward creating migraine blood Dx. Story

Biotech News

 @FierceBiotech: FDA staff review raises big questions about fate of Titan's Probuphine. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Biopharma's Top R&D Spenders - 2012. Special Report | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Fierce's top 5 feats in life sciences 'gamification'. Special Report | Follow @RyanMFierce

> FDA staff review raises big questions about fate of Titan's Probuphine. More

> One foot in biotech graveyard, NeuroSearch is calling it quits. Article

> NPS Pharma goes global with $80M deal to buy back Gattex rights. Story

Biotech Research News

@EmilyMFierce: Not to alarm anyone, but new research suggests that the black plague may still be a threat today. Post | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Protein points to hormone therapy-resistant prostate cancer. Report

> Stem cell treatment could accelerate diabetic wound healing. Story

> Mount Sinai gets $5M from NIH to study neurological voice condition. Item

> Scripps, Takeda renew pact to find CNS treatments. More

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Claris a buyout candidate as shortages remake injectables biz. Item

> AmerisourceBergen gets Walgreen, Boots biz. Story

> FDA now inspecting 'high risk' compounders. News

> Lilly warehouse thieves followed risk-assessment 'road map.' Report

And Finally... Widespread HIV testing and treatment could boost drug resistance in the virus, experts said. Report