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WASHINGTON — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and its members from across the country once again are flocking to Capitol Hill for RxImpact Day, a groundbreaking, two-day event that enables pharmacists to meet with members of Congress to discuss the vital role of retail pharmacy within the U.S. healthcare system and its ability to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

NEW YORK — It shouldn’t surprise people too much, but pills to treat male impotence tend to see big increases in prescriptions around Valentine’s Day, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that prescriptions of such drugs as Pfizer’s Viagra (sildenafil) and Eli Lilly’s Cialis (tadalafil) are at their highest in the days leading up to the holiday.

PHILADELPHIA — GlaxoSmithKline has changed prescribing information on the labeling for one of its Type 2 diabetes drugs to reflect new restrictions on the drug’s use, the drug maker said.

GSK said it revised the labeling for Avandia (rosiglitazone) to take into account the risks of heart attacks and heart failure in patients taking the drug.

The FDA moved to restrict access to Avandia last year and required GSK to create a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for the drug.

INDIANAPOLIS — Following the exit of its oncology unit leader, drug maker Eli Lilly announced two executive changes.

Sue Mahony, currently SVP human resources and diversity, has been named SVP and president of Lilly Oncology, effective immediately. Mahony will remain a member of Lilly's executive committee. She succeeds John Johnson, who resigned from his post at Lilly last month to become CEO of Savient Pharmaceuticals.

NEW YORK — An investigational drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb works better than aspirin in reducing the risk of complications in certain patients with heart rhythm problems, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Bristol said results of the phase-3 study comparing apixaban with aspirin showed that in patients with atrial fibrillation who were not suited to take the drug warfarin, apixaban was more effective than aspirin in reducing stroke and systemic embolism.

DUBLIN — Irish biotech company Elan and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim will collaborate to develop and manufacture antibody-based medicines.

The two companies said BI would perform technical development, clinical manufacturing and regulatory filing support, while Elan would lead discovery, preclinical testing, clinical development and commercialization of the drugs. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for preventing preterm births.

The agency announced Friday the approval of Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions’ Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injection, for reducing the risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy in pregnant women with a history of at least one spontaneous preterm birth.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Women with ovarian cancer who received a drug made by Genentech lived longer without their disease becoming worse, according to a late-stage clinical trial.

Genentech, part of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced results from its phase-3 “OCEANS” study, in which women with recurring ovarian cancer received Avastin (bevacizumab) with gemcitabine and carboplatin, both chemotherapy drugs, followed by use of Avastin alone.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Valeant Pharmaceuticals subsidiary Biovail Labs International has licensed Canadian rights to a treatment for acne from Allergan, Valeant said Tuesday.

Under the terms of the agreement concerning the drug Aczone (dapsone) gel in the 5% strength, Biovail will pay Allergan about $500,000 Canadian dollars (about $504,693) upfront, as well as payments based on net sales.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Upsher-Smith has amplified its Nexa prenatal vitamin line with the launch of Nexa Select Rx.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — GlaxoSmithKline company Stiefel has made its popular acne wash formulations available for over-the-counter use.

Stiefel will market two products that are indicated for the treatment of acne over the counter under the PanOxyl brand: PanOxyl acne creamy wash will be available in 4% BPO and 8% BPO.

A marketing campaign directed toward pharmacists and dermatologists will communicate details of the new PanOxyl 4% and 8% BPO acne creamy washes. The products will be available for shipment in May.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Hi-Tech Pharmacal subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug for treating insomnia.

ECR announced Friday the launch of Zolpimist (zolpidem tartrate) oral spray. The drug comes in units that provide 60 metered sprays, administering 5-mg or 10-mg doses of the active ingredient. As a hypnotic agent, the drug is classified as a CIV controlled substance by the federal government.