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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Center for Healthcare Supply Chain Research, HDMA’s nonprofit research foundation, and Genentech on Tuesday honored Robert Belknap, executive director of trade sales and operations for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, with the 2013 Nexus Award for Lifetime Achievement.

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted Monday to pass a bill that would establish national standards for the pharmaceutical supply chain.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — A new, higher-dose formulation of a drug used to treat pancreatic disorders is now available, the drug's manufacturer said.

AbbVie announced the launch of the new formulation of Creon (pancrelipase) delayed-release capsules. The drug is used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, removal of the pancreas and other conditions. The new strength is the highest-dose pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy available in the United States, AbbVie said.

There are several important pieces of legislation that will have an impact on the business of supermarket pharmacy if passed, noted Michael Spira, American Pharmacists Association senior lobbyist, during an FMI education session.

The Senate recently passed legislation on drug compounding, for example. A House version of compounding legislation is expected within the next month, Spira said.

NEW YORK — A new law in Missouri allows state regulatory officials to test drugs during inspections.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law the bill, S.B. 306, which allows the Missouri Board of Pharmacy to establish a program for testing drugs, including compounded drugs, with testing paid for by the board. The law previously allowed the board only to inspect businesses selling drugs or chemicals.

A copy of the bill is here.

WASHINGTON — An organization set up to provide pharmacy services in the wake of natural disasters is prepared for what experts predict will be a particularly bad hurricane season.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop has launched a card to help customers save money on prescription drugs, days after sister-chain Giant Food of Landover, Md., did the same.

Stop & Shop, owned by Ahold USA, announced the introduction of the Stop & Shop Prescription Savings Card. The card is available for a one-time enrollment fee of $10 and offers 30-day supplies of certain generic drugs for $3.99 and 90-day supplies for $9.99, as well as additional savings on products and services like diabetes testing supplies and flu shots.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Mylan Specialty is extending a marketing campaign around its line of emergency treatments for severe allergic reactions.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Anglo-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca will buy Omthera Pharmaceuticals for $323 million, the two companies said Tuesday.

Omthera, based in Princeton, N.J., develops drugs for dyslipidemia, conditions that result in abnormal levels of lipids in the blood. Its lead products include Epanova, an experimental drug for patients with high triglycerides that's based on omega-3 fatty acids; Omthera has finished late-stage clinical trials of the drug and plans to file for Food and Drug Administration approval in mid-2013.

LANDOVER, Md. — Giant Food is offering discounts at the pharmacy counter with a new card available for a one-time enrollment fee, the supermarket chain said Tuesday.

Giant, the Ahold USA-operated supermarket banner also known as Giant-Landover due to being based in Landover, Md., and to distinguish it from fellow Ahold chain Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., announced the launch of the Giant Prescription Savings Card, which offers discounts on branded and generic drugs and personalized savings on other health-related products.

NEW YORK — Forest Labs president and CEO Howard Solomon will retire at the end of 2013, the company said.

The drug maker announced that Solomon would still remain as chairman through the 2014 annual meeting, retaining the title of chairman emeritus after a replacement is elected. Solomon has served as CEO since 1977, chairman since 1998 and president since 2010.

An independent committee of the company's board of directors is looking within and outside the company for candidates to replace Solomon and plans to announce a successor before the end of the year.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson expects to file for Food and Drug Administration approval of more than 10 new drugs over the next four years, the drug maker said Thursday.

J&J's Janssen Pharmaceutical Cos. highlighted its more than 11 new product launches since 2009 and said it hoped to file with the FDA for more than two-dozen "significant" extensions to its branded drug lines by 2017.