Content about Chemistry

March 21, 2013

Alcon has launched a mobile website designed to facilitate dialogue between patients and pharmacists about eye and ear treatments, the company said.

NEW YORK — Alcon has launched a mobile website designed to facilitate dialogue between patients and pharmacists about eye and ear treatments, the company said Thursday.

Alcon announced the launch of Drops101 Web Tools, which offers access to information about two of its products: Ciprodex Otic (ciprofloxacin and dexamethasone), for acute otitis externa and acute otitis media in children with tymponostomy tubes; and Moxeza ophthalmic solution (moxifloxacin hydrochloride) for bacterial conjunctivitis.

March 21, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients. 

March 20, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved and launched two generic contraceptives made by Sandoz, the drug maker said.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved and launched two generic contraceptives made by Sandoz, the drug maker said.

Sandoz, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of Estarylla (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets) and Tri-Estarylla (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets), generic versions of Johnson & Johnson's Ortho Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen, respectively. Sandoz said the launches brought the total number of oral contraceptives it has launched since the beginning of 2011 to six.

March 18, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for bronchospasm made by Mylan, the drug maker said Monday.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for bronchospasm made by Mylan, the drug maker said Monday.

Mylan announced the approval of levalbuterol inhalation solution in the 0.31 mg/3 mL, 0.63 mg/3 mL and 1.25 mg/3 mL strengths. The company has begun shipping the product.

The drug is a generic version of Sunovion's Xopenex inhalation solution, which is used to treat bronchospasm in patients ages 6 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

March 18, 2013

Galena Biopharma has purchased rights to a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain from a Swedish drug maker, Galena said Monday.

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. — Galena Biopharma has purchased rights to a treatment for breakthrough cancer pain from a Swedish drug maker, Galena said Monday.

Galena, which specializes in cancer-related drugs, said it acquired Abstral (fentanyl) sublingual tablets for sale and distribution in the United States from Orexo AB. Breakthrough cancer pain, or BTcP, affects between 40% to 80% of cancer patients, with reported episodes of four per day and a median duration of 30 minutes, according to Galena.

March 18, 2013

Perrigo announced that it has begun shipments of guaifenesin 600-mg extended-release tablets. It's the first product that is generically equivalent to Reckitt Benckiser's Mucinex 600-mg extended-release tablets.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Monday announced that it has begun shipments of guaifenesin 600-mg extended-release tablets. It's the first product that is generically equivalent to Reckitt Benckiser's Mucinex 600-mg extended-release tablets. 

March 14, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for obsessive compulsive disorder made by Par Pharmaceutical Cos., the drug maker said Thursday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for obsessive compulsive disorder made by Par Pharmaceutical Cos., the drug maker said Thursday.

Par announced the approval and shipment of fluvoxamine maleate extended-release capsules in the 100-mg and 150-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Jazz Pharmaceuticals' Luvox CR.

March 14, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration will decide in late August whether to approve an experimental opioid painkiller made by QRxPharma, the drug maker said Thursday.

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration will decide in late August whether to approve an experimental opioid painkiller made by QRxPharma, the drug maker said Thursday.

Australia-based QRxPharma is seeking approval for Moxduo (morphine and oxycodone), and the FDA plans to decide whether to approve the drug on Aug. 26.

March 14, 2013

Wegmans will be offering the popular cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin free of charge through the end of the year, according to a report published by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

PHILADELPHIA — Wegmans will be offering the popular cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin free of charge through the end of the year, according to a report published by the Philadelphia Inquirer Wednesday. 

March 14, 2013

Black Diamond Stoneworks’ cleaning products will soon be seen on the shelves of Walmart across the country.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Black Diamond Stoneworks’ cleaning products will soon be seen on the shelves of Walmart across the country.

March 13, 2013

Target is expanding its retail clinic presence in the Chicago area, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Target is expanding its retail clinic presence in the Chicago area, according to published reports.

The Chicago Tribune reported Wednesday that the mass merchandise retailer would open three clinics — two in the suburbs and one in the city. Construction is scheduled to start on May 28, and grand openings are planned for Aug. 18. The Target on Division Street, scheduled to open in October, will also have a clinic.

March 12, 2013

The attorneys general of 46 states and two territories are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to make prescription painkillers harder to abuse.

NEW YORK — The attorneys general of 46 states and two territories are calling on the Food and Drug Administration to make prescription painkillers harder to abuse.

March 7, 2013

Morton Salt on Thursday introduced a new line of Natural Epsom salt products, marking its first foray into the health and beauty category.

CHICAGO — Morton Salt on Thursday introduced a new line of Natural Epsom salt products, marking its first foray into the health and beauty category.

"The Epsom salt category has seen sustained growth over the past few years, presenting an opportunity for Morton Salt to begin leveraging its ubiquitous brand equity with the health and beauty shopper," stated Carol Panozzo, VP consumer products sales and marketing at Morton Salt.

Morton's new Epsom salt line includes four core products, which are unique in that they are made with natural magnesium sulfate.

March 6, 2013

The Nutritional Magnesium Association noted magnesium is an essential nutrient that helps absorb necessary nutritional supplements like vitamin D or calcium in response to a recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force report that suggested supplementing with these ingredients may not help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women, while also increasing the risk of kidney stones.

LOS ANGELES — The Nutritional Magnesium Association on Wednesday noted magnesium is an essential nutrient that helps absorb necessary nutritional supplements like vitamin D or calcium in response to a recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force report that suggested supplementing with these ingredients may not help prevent bone fractures in postmenopausal women, while also increasing the risk of kidney stones. 

March 5, 2013

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has started shipping a drug used to treat opioid dependence, the company said Tuesday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Amneal Pharmaceuticals has started shipping a drug used to treat opioid dependence, the company said Tuesday.

The generic drug maker announced the shipment of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride dihydrate sublingual tablets in the 2-mg/0.5-mg and 8-mg/2-mg strengths. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in February.

The drug includes a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, a program required by the FDA to ensure that its benefits outweigh its risks.

March 5, 2013

Ranbaxy Labs will market a drug for depression under an agreement with another company, the drug maker said Tuesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Ranbaxy Labs will market a drug for depression under an agreement with another company, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Ranbaxy said it had entered an in-licensing agreement with Alembic Pharmaceuticals to market desvenlafaxine base extended-release tablets. Alembic is the sponsor of a new drug application filed with the Food and Drug Administration for the drug, which is bioequivalent to Pfizer's Pristiq. Pristiq had sales of $590 million during the 12-month period that ended in January.

March 4, 2013

Beiersdorf has introduced its new Nivea Lip Butter line, which includes shea butter and almond oil, the beauty product company said.

WILTON, Conn. — Beiersdorf has introduced its new Nivea Lip Butter line, which includes shea butter and almond oil, the beauty product company said.

Nivea Lip Butter, which retails for $3.99, is available in four flavors: Raspberry Rose Kiss, Caramel Cream Kiss, Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss and Smooth Kiss. Beiersdorf said the shea butter was designed to increase the skin's suppleness and elasticity, while the almond oil was to help soften and smooth the skin.

March 1, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a once-monthly treatment for schizophrenia.

TOKYO — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a once-monthly treatment for schizophrenia.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical and H. Lundbeck announced the FDA approval of Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) for extended-release injectable suspension, an intramuscular depot formulation indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The companies described Abilify Maintena as the first dopamine D2 partial agonist approved as a once-monthly injection, contributing to a new treatment option to address the ongoing need for relapse prevention in patients with schizophrenia.

March 1, 2013

A growing beauty brand led by a former executive from Starbucks has secured more than $10 million in financing from a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

SEATTLE — A growing beauty brand led by a former executive from Starbucks has secured more than $10 million in financing from a Silicon Valley venture capital firm.

Julep Beauty, founded by Jane Park, said it received $10.3 million in Series B financing from Andreessen Horowitz, led by former Netscape co-founder Marc Andreessen. Maveron — the venture capital firm co-founded by investor Dan Levitan and Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz — participated in the funding.

February 27, 2013

Oxy is introducing two new lines of products — Oxy Maximum Action and Oxy Daily Defense — that include new packaging to clearly spell out product benefits, active ingredients and recommended usage to consumers.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Oxy is introducing two new lines of products — Oxy Maximum Action and Oxy Daily Defense — that include new packaging to clearly spell out product benefits, active ingredients and recommended usage to consumers.

February 27, 2013

Sun Products, makers of such laundry brands as Wisk and Snuggle, has launched a new All detergent: All Fresh and Sensitive.

WILTON, Conn. — Sun Products, makers of such laundry brands as Wisk and Snuggle, has launched a new All detergent: All Fresh and Sensitive.

February 26, 2013

Greenstone has launched an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat cholesterol.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone has launched an authorized generic version of a drug used to treat cholesterol.

Greenstone, the generics arm of Pfizer, announced the launch of authorized generic atorvastatin calcium tablets in the 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg strengths, in bottle sizes ranging from 90 to 1,000. The drug is a version of the parent company's cholesterol drug Lipitor.

An authorized generic is a brand marketed under its generic name at a reduced price.

February 26, 2013

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium. Specifically, the Task Force determined that the current evidence was insufficient to support vitamin D and calcium supplementation for the primary prevention of fractures in premenopausal women, in men or in postmenopausal women and recommended against daily supplementation of vitamin D or calcium toward that end. 

February 25, 2013

Trojan is about to enter the personal lubricant business, Jim Craigie, chairman and CEO for Church & Dwight, told analysts last week at the 2013 Consumer Analyst Group of New York Conference.

NEW YORK — Trojan is about to enter the personal lubricant business, Jim Craigie, chairman and CEO for Church & Dwight, told analysts last week at the 2013 Consumer Analyst Group of New York Conference. 

"Trojan, finally, is entering the sexual lubricant category with a brand called Crazy Sexy Feel, under the Trojan brand name," Craigie said. "We hope to do this category, what the AXE brand did to the deodorant category."

February 25, 2013

In View, the Discovery Channel program of which Larry King is host, will include a feature about DivaCup, a reusable menstrual cup.

NEW YORK — In View, the Discovery Channel program of which Larry King is host, will include a feature about DivaCup, a reusable menstrual cup.

The show will air on March 7 at 7 a.m., examining the product and its role in feminine hygiene and featuring the mother and daughter who created it, Francine and Carinne Chambers. The product is made from healthcare-grade silicone and is designed to reduce the amount of disposable feminine hygiene waste created each year.