Content about Analgesics

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association last week called for the rejection of a proposal made by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Mark Kirk, R.-Ill., to reschedule Vicodin and other hydrocodone-containing products from Schedule III to Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act.

With private label across analgesics up an estimated 11.3% to $1.7 billion, retailers are going to need to make some tough decisions as two internal analgesic powerhouses — McNeil's Tylenol and Novartis' Excedrin — make their way back onto market after respective recalls. Within internal analgesic tablets, sales of store brand equivalents were up 15% off of a 2011 base of around $1.2 billion. The branded competition also were benefactors — both Pfizer's Advil and Bayer's Aleve generated more than $50 million in incremental sales on top of 2011 sales.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A standards-development organization for the pharmacy services industry has updated a white paper on protecting consumers and patients from accidental overdoses of the painkiller acetaminophen.

The NCPDP announced the updated white paper, "NCPDP Recommendations for Improved Prescription Container Labels for Medicines Containing Acetaminophen Version 1.1."

NEW YORK — CVS/pharmacy has decided to stock Tylenol pain reliever in only half of its stores, according to a Reuters report published Monday. 

According to the report, CVS will stock Tylenol in each market, but not in each store as CVS seeks to plug any out-of-stock holes left behind by the initial recall of Tylenol three years ago and the brand's slow trek back to shelf. 

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — There’s a new option for chronic pain sufferers that ought to spark some growth across external analgesics, including heat and ice packs: Omron’s recently approved ElectroTherapy Pain Relief unit. There are as many as 60 million chronic pain sufferers, according to the American Chronic Pain Association. And of those in search of pain relief solutions, 80% seek more than one type, according to research conducted on behalf of Thermionics. So Omron’s $69.99 transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit should be an adjunctive sale.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Labs recalled two lots of a prescription painkiller due to the potential for oversized and overly potent tablets, the company said.

The drug maker announced the recall of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets in the 10 mg/500 mg strengths based on a customer complaint of tablets that were thicker and darker-colored than the others.

NEW YORK — Procter & Gamble this week will begin shipping a wildberry-flavored Prilosec OTC.

The proton-pump inhibitor will not come in a chewable form, however, and will feature the message "Swallow — Do Not Chew" prominently on its packaging.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

Lannett announced the approval of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine tablets in the 50-mg/325-mg/40-mg strength. the drug is a generic version of Watson Pharmaceuticals' Fioricet.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $30 million during the 12-month period ended in July, including $15 million for branded Fioricet. Lannett plans to start shipping its version next month, the company said.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare's Consumer Care Division on Tuesday introduced Bayer Migraine Formula, an over-the-counter medication designed to relieve migraine pain and accompanying symptoms like nausea, phonophobia (sound sensitivity) and photophobia (light sensitivity) through a formulation of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine.

RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals for treating addiction to opioid drugs, the drug maker said.

Reckitt Benckiser announced the approval of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film in the 4 mg and 12 mg strengths, used for the maintenance treatment of dependence on prescription opioid painkillers and heroin. Addiction to opioid drugs is a growing epidemic in the United States, the company said.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an oral painkiller made by Perrigo, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Perrigo announced the approval of morphine sulfate oral solution in the 100-mL/5% strength. The drug is a Schedule II controlled substance and is used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. Sales of the drug are about $26 million per year, according to Wolters Kluwer Health. Perrigo said it would ship the drug immediately.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory application for an opioid painkiller made by Zogenix, the company said Monday.

The drug maker announced the FDA's acceptance of its application for Zohydro (hydrocodone bitartrate) extended-release capsules, designed for moderate to severe chronic pain. The company expects the FDA to decide whether or not to approve the drug by March 1, 2013.