Content about Chemistry

November 8, 2012
Walmart to sell hypertension drugs for 1 cent

Members of a prescription-drug program offered by Humana to Medicare beneficiaries will soon be able to obtain hypertension drugs from Walmart for a penny.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Members of a prescription drug program offered by Humana to Medicare beneficiaries will soon be able to obtain hypertension drugs from Walmart for a penny.

That's right: $0.01.

October 31, 2012
Watson sells Rugby OTC business to Harvard Drug Group for $117 million

Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday announced the sale of its Rugby over-the-counter business to the Harvard Drug Group — a distributor and provider of private-label OTCs and generic prescription products under the Major Pharmaceuticals brand — for approximately $117 million.  

"I am confident that Major, with its leadership position as a marketer of OTC products, will be more strategically positioned to maximize the value of the long-known and respected Rugby name," stated Paul Bisaro, president and CEO of Watson.

October 29, 2012
Par acquires rights to generic version of Seroquel XR

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. – Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has bought rights to a generic version of a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

October 26, 2012
Chemotherapy drug shows "significant" improvement in melanoma patients in late-stage trial

A Swiss subsidiary of drug maker Celgene Corp. said its chemotherapy drug produced "significant" improvement in progression-free survival in patients with a deadly skin cancer that had spread elsewhere in the body.

BOUDRY, Switzerland — A Swiss subsidiary of drug maker Celgene Corp. said its chemotherapy drug produced "significant" improvement in progression-free survival in patients with a deadly skin cancer that had spread elsewhere in the body.

October 26, 2012
FDA approves Teva's Synribo for blood and bone marrow cancer

The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the second new drug in two months for a form of leukemia, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the second new drug in two months for a form of leukemia, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) for chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, a disease that the National Institutes of Health expects will be diagnosed in more than 5,400 people this year. The drug is intended for patients whose disease has progressed after treatment with at least two drugs of a class used to treat the disease.

October 26, 2012
Study: Parents confident in administering correct acetaminophen dose with AccuDial dosing label

As many as 97% of parents are confident they administered the correct dose of acetaminophen to their sick child when using AccuDial Pharmaceutical's weight-based dosing label, according to research published earlier this year.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — As many as 97% of parents are confident they administered the correct dose of acetaminophen when using AccuDial Pharmaceutical's weight-based dosing label, according to research published earlier this year.

October 24, 2012
SensatioNail launches limited-edition holiday shades of Glitter Gel Polish

Pacific World’s at-home gel polish brand SensatioNail is gearing up for the holiday season with the launch of a limited edition 2012 holiday collection, SensatioNail Glitter Gel Polish Duos.

LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Pacific World’s at-home gel polish brand SensatioNail is gearing up for the holiday season with the launch of a limited-edition 2012 holiday collection, SensatioNail Glitter Gel Polish Duos.

October 23, 2012
Federal court orders FDA to allow Watson diabetes drug launch

A federal court has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to approve a generic diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A federal court has ordered the Food and Drug Administration to approve a generic diabetes drug made by Watson Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

Watson said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgment in favor of Watson, ruling that the FDA would have to approve its generic version of Takeda's Actos (pioglitazone hydrochloride) tablets in the 15-mg, 30-mg and 45-mg strengths.

October 22, 2012
Avella named distribution source for oral-liquid breast cancer drug

A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for a new liquid chemotherapy drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

PHOENIX — A deal that would make a specialty pharmacy a distribution source for an oral-liquid drug may benefit breast cancer patients who have trouble swallowing pills.

Avella Specialty Pharmacy announced Monday a deal with Dara BioSciences that would make a distribution source for Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate) oral solution in the United States. The drug is the only available oral liquid formulation of tamoxifen, previously available in pill form only.

October 22, 2012
Watson, Actavis divest more drugs as condition for FTC merger approval

Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

NEW YORK – Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis will have to divest rights to almost two dozen drugs as a condition for U.S. regulatory approval of their $5.6 billion merger announced earlier this year, according to regulatory documents.

October 19, 2012
FDA gives tentative approval to Cipla combo pill for HIV

The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a new drug for HIV made by an Indian company.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a new drug for HIV made by an Indian company.

FDA records show that the agency gave tentative approval tablets and oral suspension that combine lamivudine, nevirapine and zidovudine in the 30-mg/50-mg/60-mg strength.

October 18, 2012
CDC study finds drops in cholesterol levels since 1988

An uptick in the use of cholesterol drugs since the late 1980s and changes in Americans' diets may account for a fall in cholesterol levels, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — An uptick in the use of cholesterol drugs since the late 1980s and changes in Americans' diets may account for a fall in cholesterol levels, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

October 18, 2012
FDA approves generic Lupin contraceptive

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive made by Indian drug maker Lupin, the company said Thursday.

MUMBAI, India — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive made by Indian drug maker Lupin, the company said Thursday.

Lupin announced the approval of Kurvelo (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) tablets in the 0.15 mg/0.03 mg strength.

The drug is a generic version of Teva's branded Nordette. Nordette had sales of about $59 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

October 18, 2012
Nature's Gate celebrates 40th anniversary, partners with WaterAid

Natural personal care manufacturer Nature’s Gate has partnered with international nonprofit organization WaterAid, a charity dedicated to improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

CHATSWORTH, Caif. — Natural personal care manufacturer Nature’s Gate has partnered with international nonprofit organization WaterAid, a charity dedicated to improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

As part of this partnership, Nature’s Gate will complete eight new rainwater-harvesting systems and deliver sustainable supplies of safe, clean water to at least 4,000 people by the end of 2012, the company stated.

October 17, 2012
Busy Breathers gains online distribution for portable oxygen backpacks

Busy Breathers on Tuesday announced the availability of its portable oxygen backpacks on e-commerce sites Drugstore.com and Walgreens.com and in 75 Walgreens locations throughout Colorado.

DENVER — Busy Breathers on Tuesday announced the availability of its portable oxygen backpacks on e-commerce sites Drugstore.com and Walgreens.com and in 75 Walgreens locations throughout Colorado.  

October 16, 2012
Par to acquire 14 generics

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Par Pharmaceutical Cos. has entered into agreements with Watson Pharmaceuticals and Actavis to purchase five generic products currently marketed in the United States by Watson or Actavis, eight abbreviated new drug applications currently awaiting regulatory approval, and a generic product in late-stage development.

October 16, 2012
Perrigo wins tentative approval for generic Zegerid OTC

Perrigo has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug application to market over-the-counter omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsules in the 20-mg/1,100-mg strength, the store-brand equivalent to Merck's Zegerid OTC.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug application to market over-the-counter omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsules in the 20-mg/1,100-mg strength, the store-brand equivalent to Merck's Zegerid OTC.

Zegerid OTC (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsules 20 mg/1,100 mg), a proton-pump inhibitor indicated to relieve frequent heartburn, had sales of approximately $42 million through food, drug and mass merchandisers for the lastest 12 months.

October 15, 2012
Watson gains two generic approvals

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, has received Food and Drug Administration approval on its abbreviated new drug application for irbesartan tablets — the generic equivalent to Sanofi's Avapro — in the 75-mg, 150-mg and 300-mg strengths.

October 12, 2012
FDA approves Celgene lung-cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injected drug for lung cancer made by Celgene, the company said Friday.

SUMMIT, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injected drug for lung cancer made by Celgene, the company said Friday.

Celgene announced the approval of Abraxane (paclitaxel) protein-bound particles for injectable suspension, for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer that has advanced locally or spread to other parts of the body, in combination with carboplatin, for patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.

October 11, 2012
Walgreens sues DEA over Florida DC controlled substance ban

Walgreens on Thursday filed a suit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration over the agency's ban on Walgreens' distribution of controlled substances from a Florida facility, according to a report published by Bloomberg late Thursday evening.

 WASHINGTON — Walgreens on Thursday filed a suit against the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration over the agency's ban on Walgreens' distribution of controlled substances from a Florida facility, according to a report published by Bloomberg late Thursday evening. 

Walgreens charged that the DEA relied "on 'outdated data' involving oxycodone to justify suspending distribution of the drugs from its Jupiter, Florida, facility. [Walgreens] asked the court to lift the suspension order," the report read. 

October 10, 2012
AccuDial launches line of Go-Green children's cough and cold products

AccuDial Pharmaceutical recently launched four products as part of its Go-Green pediatric liquid cough-cold lineup that features dosing information on a rotating label, a larger 6-point font and a dosing cup that's shrink-wrapped to the top of the container.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — AccuDial Pharmaceutical recently launched four products as part of its Go-Green pediatric liquid cough-cold lineup that features dosing information on a rotating label, a larger 6-point font and a dosing cup that's shrink-wrapped to the top of the container.

October 10, 2012
FDA approves generic cardiovascular drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for treating blood pressure and chest pain.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for treating blood pressure and chest pain.

Actavis announced Wednesday the approval of diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules.

The drug is a generic version of Valeant's Tiazac. The branded drug and its generic equivalents had sales of about $76.3 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

October 10, 2012
Perrigo launches store-brand nicotine mini lozenges

Perrigo on Wednesday announced that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug applications to market over-the-counter nicotine polacrilex mini lozenge USP in both 2-mg and 4-mg strengths.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Wednesday announced that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug applications to market over-the-counter nicotine polacrilex mini lozenge USP in both 2-mg and 4-mg strengths. 

The mint-flavored mini lozenge is comparable with GlaxoSmithKline's Nicorette Mini Lozenge and is indicated to reduce withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking.

October 10, 2012
Petroleum jelly alternative Waxelene expands distribution to Bed Bath & Beyond

Waxelene, a petroleum jelly alternative, now is being sold in Bed Bath & Beyond retail stores, the company has announced.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Waxelene, a petroleum jelly alternative, now is being sold in Bed Bath & Beyond retail stores, the company has announced. This brings the total count of retail outlets carrying Waxelene to more than 800 across all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
 

October 9, 2012
NewsBytes — Chain Pharmacy, 10/15/12

Drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Labs has launched a generic antibiotic drug, the company said. The India-based company announced the launch of amoxicillin tablets, capsules and oral suspension.

Dr. Reddy's launches antibiotics