Content about Collaborative Care

NEW YORK — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday wrote the Wall Street Journal regarding the paper's endorsement last week of the Express Scripts-Medco merger approval.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts has recommended approval for a drug made by Astellas Pharma for overactive bladder.

The drug maker announced that the FDA Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee voted 7-4 with one abstention that its assessment of the risks and benefits of the drug YM178 (mirabegron) supported the drug's approval.

The FDA is not required to follow the recommendations of advisory committees, but usually does. The agency is expected to decide whether or not to approve the drug by June 29.

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs earlier this year teamed with mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka to launch 365 Days of Lip Service, a collection of artwork created on the lids of 366 Carmex lip balm jars.

“We were thrilled to learn about the project and Lisa’s long-held preference for using the Carmex jar in her artistic creations,” stated Paul Woelbing, president of Carma Labs. “Carmex fans know that, in addition to being a great lip balm, we are dedicated to fun and inspiration. This is a great way to help us celebrate Carmex’s 75th anniversary.”

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering free screenings for brain health at all of its stores that operate pharmacies this month, the retailer said Friday.

The company, which has performed more than 1 million health and wellness screenings at it stores since 2011, said it would offer the screenings on April 14 for members and the public, including a memory test and educational materials on Alzheimer's and dementia provided by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, as well as body mass index, blood pressure and glucose tests.

WASHINGTON — More than two-thirds of Americans (71%) reported the economy has not affected their household’s purchasing habits of dietary supplements, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

INDIANAPOLIS — Lilly Diabetes has donated funds to the Diabetes Scholars Foundation, the drug maker announced Wednesday.

Lilly Diabetes said the $100,000 contribution will be donated to the foundation's scholarship fund, which supports the organization's mission to empower young people with Type 1 diabetes. The donation will be used to fund college scholarships for students with Type 1 diabetes, as well as conference scholarships for families to attend the 2012 Children with Diabetes Friends for Life conference in Orlando, Fla.

FULLERTON, Calif. — Supervalu announced that its Albertsons/Sav-On banner is offering inoculations for whooping cough at 54 of its pharmacies in Washington.

The pertussis “Tdap” vaccine booster is recommended for those ages 11 years and older. Albertsons/Sav-On pharmacists are available to administer the vaccination to patients ages 12 years and older, the company said.

The vaccine is available without a prescription or appointment at $54.99 per immunization and a majority of prescription insurances are accepted.

JERUSALEM — Teva is the first company to file for a generic version of a drug used to treat sleep disorders, the Food and Drug Administration has determined, though Mylan is contesting the FDA decision.

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a patch for treating restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease.

UCB announced the FDA approval of Neupro (rotigotine) transdermal system advanced-stage idiopathic Parkinson's and moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — A court has ruled that patents covering a drug designed to treat an overactive bladder are invalid, a company looking to launch a generic version of the drug said.

Watson Pharmaceuticals said the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled that five patents covering Allergan's Sanctura XR (trospium chloride) extended-release capsules were invalid. Watson's application with the Food and Drug Administration for a generic version are pending, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — People ages 65 years and older reduced their volume of prescriptions, while those ages 19 to 25 years increased their use of prescription drugs as the healthcare-reform law allowed them to remain on their parents' insurance, according to a new report by IMS Health.

The report, "The Use of Medicines in the United States: Review of 2011," found that per capita spending on U.S. medicines grew by 0.5% as healthcare system spending reached $320 billion and new drug launches opened new treatment options for more than 20 million Americans.