Why did DCAC meet with AbbVie Inc. at the end of last year and what was that about?
AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV)
AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceutical products worldwide. Their Marinol drug is FDA-approved for the treatment of nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy and is also prescribed to AIDS patients suffering from loss of appetite. The drug is made of a synthetic form of THC and is delivered as an oral capsule.
Although the DEA still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, Marinol is listed as a Schedule III drug, meaning the FDA recognizes the clinical benefits and abuse potentials are believed to be lower.
The company also offers Humira, a biologic therapy administered as a subcutaneous injection to treat autoimmune diseases; Imbruvica an oral therapy for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia; and Viekira Pak, an interferon-free therapy for adults with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis. It also provides Kaletra, an anti-HIV-1 medicine used with other anti-HIV-1 medications as a treatment that maintains viral suppression in HIV-1 patients; Norvir, a protease inhibitor indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents to treat HIV-1; and Synagis to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in high risk infants. In addition, the company offers AndroGel, a testosterone replacement therapy for males diagnosed with symptomatic low testosterone; Creon, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid to treat hypothyroidism; and Lupron, a product for the palliative treatment of prostate cancer, and endometriosis and central precocious puberty, as well as for the treatment of patients with anemia. Further, it provides Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson’s disease; Sevoflurane, an anesthesia product for human use; TriCor, Trilipix, and Niaspan to treat metabolic conditions characterized by high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides; and Zemplar to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism. The company sells its products to wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies, and independent retailers from its distribution centers and public warehouses.
