Archive for the ‘product news’ Category

IndustryWeek Reports on Fleming’s
Increased Supply of Nuclear Safeguard

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

IndustryWeek reports on Fleming’s efforts to increase supply of ThyroShield®, a potassium iodide oral solution:

Fleming Pharmaceuticals, maker of ThyroShield®– the only FDA approved liquid potassium iodide product indicated for thyroid protection in radiation emergencies — announced on April 21 that it has is now able to ramp up production to meet increased domestic and international demand.ThyroShield® is an over-the-counter iodide solution which, when taken orally, saturates the thyroid gland so radioactive iodine cannot be absorbed.

“ThyroShield® was developed under the Orphan Drug Act -– a federal law designed to encourage the development of pharmaceuticals that have limited commercial potential,” explains Phill Dritsas, president of Fleming Pharmaceuticals.”It has always been made-to-order, rather than produced in mass quantities like other, more common over-the-counter medications. With the production changes we’ve implemented over the past six weeks, we are confident that we can now fulfill increase in demand for the product.”

Be sure to read the full article at IndustryWeek. Remember that you can find out more about ThyroShield, including how to purchase it, on our website.

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Fleming producing more of radiation drug

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

The Saint Louis Business Journal reports on Fleming’s continued production of ThyroShield:

Fleming Pharmaceuticals, which has seen a spike in demand for its potassium iodide product since the nuclear incidents in Japan last month, said Thursday that it is ready to further increase production to meet that demand. Fenton-based Fleming makes ThyroShield, an over-the-counter thyroid-blocking liquid medicine for “radiation emergencies.” Taken orally, the drug saturates the thyroid gland so radioactive iodine cannot be absorbed.

The company said it has worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to qualify a new supplier for the raw materials to make ThyroShield and struck new deals with packaging and other vendors to shorten lead times to complete orders.

Be sure to read the full article at the St. Louis Business Journal. Remember that you can find out more about ThyroShield, including how to purchase it, on our website.

 

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IndustryWeek: Fleming Pharmaceuticals’
Production of Nuclear Antidote

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

From IndustryWeek:

Fleming Pharmaceuticals, maker of ThyroShield – one of two FDA-approved potassium iodide medicines used in nuclear emergencies to block the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine to avoid thyroid cancer – announced on March 15 that it is stepping up production to help provide domestic and global relief.

ThyroShield is an iodide solution which, when taken orally, saturates the thyroid gland so radioactive iodine cannot be absorbed.

“ThyroShield is not routinely stocked in large quantities but we are putting a plan in place that expedites production and delivery,” states Phill Dritsas, president of  St. Louis, Mo.-based Fleming Pharmaceuticals. “However, in the case of Japan, we simply don’t have enough inventory to even begin to fill a need that great and immediate.”

Under a 2002 federal law, states and local governments are required to provide potassium iodide medicine for citizens living within 20 miles of any of the 104 U.S. nuclear power plants. To that end, the federal government has stockpiled millions of doses of potassium iodide in liquid and pill form for states and local governments to distribute.

Be sure to read the full article at IndustryWeek.

Remember that consumers may purchase ThyroShield® by asking their local pharmacist to order it for them. ThyroShield® is available online at NukePills.com.

ThyroShield® is available to wholesalers, retailers and government agencies by contacting Fleming Pharmaceuticals’ customer service.

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Potassium Iodide Runs Low as Americans Seek It Out

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

From the Wall Street Journal:

Supplies of potassium iodide, a preventive against radiation poisoning of the thyroid gland, are running low at some manufacturers, as Americans seek protection amid fears that radiation from Japan could head to the U.S., according to the companies.

One leading supplier, Anbex Inc., quickly sold out of its supply of more than 10,000 14-tablet packages on Saturday, said Alan Morris, president of the Williamsburg, Va., company.

He said the closely held firm was getting about three orders a minute for $10 packages of its Iosat pills, up from as few as three a week normally.

“Those who don’t get it are crying. They’re terrified,” said Mr. Morris. The company tells callers that the likelihood of dangerous levels of radiation reaching the U.S. is low, but some callers, particularly on the West Coast, remain afraid, Mr. Morris said.

Interest is also high at Fleming Pharmaceuticals, a St. Louis County company that makes potassium iodide in liquid form. “It actually has been insanity here,” said Deborah Fleming Wurdack, a co-owner.

The company hasn’t accounted for all the recent orders, but Ms. Wurdack estimates the firm is getting dozens of calls an hour, along with emails, requesting the 45-milliliter ThyroShield bottles, which sell for $13.25 each.

Fleming Pharmaceuticals still has supply, but it expects to run out this week, Ms. Wurdack said. It is already planning to make a new round of the bottles, and to order the eyedroppers needed to dispense the solution.

Be sure to read the full article at the Wall Street Journal.

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U.S. radiation drug manufacturers
swamped with calls from Japan

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

From CNN:

“On Friday, a massive earthquake and tsunami triggered what is being called Japan’s worst nuclear emergency since World War II. Since, Morris said his Williamsburg, Virginia-based company has received hundreds, if not thousands, of calls from potential buyers in Asia as well as repeat U.S. customers suddenly seeking to replenish their stockpiles of the drug.

So, too, has Fleming Pharmaceuticals in Missouri, which, according to the FDA, is the only U.S. manufacturer of the anti-radiation medication in liquid form. Anbex is the only company in the United States that manufactures the tablet form of potassium iodide, according to the FDA.

Fleming’s owner, Debbie Fleming-Wurdak, said her is currently getting inundated by more calls than her 85 employees can handle. She and company President Phill Dritsas said they are looking to add temporary employees to help handle the flood of calls.

They also said they’ve added a second shift and are considering staying open around the clock until the current crisis is over.

Officials for both companies said the deluge of requests stemming from Japan’s nuclear crisis comes as state and local governments, hospitals, schools and other institutions in the United States have expressed renewed interest in replenishing their supplies. That’s partly because the threat of nuclear fallout in Japan appears to have heightened demand in this country, they said.”

Be sure to read the rest of the article on CNN, which includes several additional pieces of information from the FDA and manufacturers including Debbie Fleming-Wurdak of Fleming Pharmaceuticals.

Remember that consumers may purchase ThyroShield® by asking their local pharmacist to order it for them. ThyroShield® is available online at NukePills.com.

ThyroShield® is available to wholesalers, retailers and government agencies by contacting Fleming Pharmaceuticals’ customer service.

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