Pharma Roundup: Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, Forest, and More

(MoneyWatch)  An unhappy wind blows through Johnson & Johnson -- Patent expirations are taking their toll on the drug giant, which has seen profits slip and year-over-year sales drop 11 percent. Analysts predict an acquisition. [Source: Forbes, via Corey Nahman]

Abbott's diversification brings financial health -- The yin to J&J's financially-troubled yang seems to be Abbott, which has followed a similar path of growth into a full-service health care business -- but has done it profitably. [Source: WSJ Health Blog]

Forest defends pipeline -- . . . even in the wake of dropping profits. CEO Howard Solomon pointed to a robust stable of Phase III drugs (and soon-to-be Phase III drugs) to defend his company's performance. [Source: PharmaTimes]
Pfizer's fibromyalgia website examined -- "FibroCenter" ask patients to share stories, but warns them their words may be edited for commercial viability. This is not shocking, of course, but in the fine print, John Mack sees the reasoning behind Big Pharma's tendency to avoid e-marketing. [Source: Pharma Marketing Blog]