Content about Maryland

January 11, 2013
Konsyl Pharmaceuticals names VP sales, marketing

Konsyl Pharmaceuticals named Roger Giannico VP sales and marketing.

EASTON, Md. — Konsyl Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday named Roger Giannico VP sales and marketing. Giannico has more than 25 years of experience in health care product sales and marketing management, most recently at ChaseHealthAdvance Patient Financing, a division of JP Morgan Chase. 

Giannico earned his MBA at Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y., and has been an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University.

January 10, 2013
FDA calls for lower dosage in some insomnia drugs

The Food and Drug Administration is ordering the makers of several sleep drugs to lower the dosage due to the risk that they can impair patients the morning after, the agency said Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is ordering the makers of several sleep drugs to lower the recommended dosage due to the risk that they can impair patients the morning after, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA announced that it was requiring the manufacturers of drugs containing the active ingredient zolpidem to lower the current recommended dosage in light of new data showing that the morning after use, the drug can remain in the blood in sufficient quantities to impair activities that require alertness, such as driving.

January 9, 2013
Small pet market rebounding after recession, report says

For most Americans who own pets, that word refers to the kinds with four legs and a predilection for purring or tail wagging. But more than 100 million Americans also own pets other than cats and dogs, representing a significant share of the market, according to a new report.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — For most Americans who own pets, that word refers to the kinds with four legs and a predilection for purring or tail wagging. But more than 100 million Americans also own pets other than cats and dogs, representing a significant share of the market, according to a new report.

January 9, 2013
WEB FEATURE: FDA guidance aims to encourage abuse-deterrent painkillers

One of the most serious drug abuse problems in the country doesn't involve heroin, methamphetamine or crack, but abuse of legal prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, a problem that the Food and Drug Administration aims to change with draft guidance released Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — One of the most serious drug abuse problems in the country doesn't involve heroin, methamphetamine or crack, but abuse of legal prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers, a problem that the Food and Drug Administration aims to change with draft guidance released Wednesday.

January 8, 2013
FDA advises consumers not to purchase adulterated 'MAXILOSS Weight Advanced'

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday advised consumers not to purchase or use “MAXILOSS Weight Advanced” — a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various web sites, including DreamLifeWeightLoss.com, and in some retail stores.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday advised consumers not to purchase or use “MAXILOSS Weight Advanced” — a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various web sites, including DreamLifeWeightLoss.com, and in some retail stores.

January 4, 2013
Giant-Landover donates to local breast cancer group

Ahold banner Giant Food of Landover, Md., donated $37,305 to the Capital Breast Care Center.

LANDOVER, Md. — Ahold banner Giant Food of Landover, Md., donated $37,305 to the Capital Breast Care Center.

The donation, presented by Giant-Landover public and community relations manager Jamie Miller (center) to Capital Breast Care Center executive director Wanda Lucas (front row, second from right) comes from money collected by the chain during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

January 2, 2013
First anti-diarrheal drug for HIV/AIDS patients receives FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Fulyzaq (crofelemer) to relieve symptoms of diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy, a combination of medicines used to treat HIV infection.

SPRING SPRING, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved Fulyzaq (crofelemer) to relieve symptoms of diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy, a combination of medicines used to treat HIV infection. Diarrhea is experienced by many HIV/AIDS patients and is a common reason why patients discontinue or switch their antiretroviral therapies.

January 2, 2013
Omega 3-rich krill oil and stevia sweeteners among the latest proposed revisions to Food Chemicals Codex

To help ensure the quality of popular food ingredients increasingly being incorporated into products sold in the United States and worldwide, standards for omega 3-rich krill oil and natural, low-calorie stevia sweeteners are among the latest proposed revisions to the Food Chemicals Codex, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention that publishes the codex announced Wednesday.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — To help ensure the quality of popular food ingredients increasingly being incorporated into products sold in the United States and worldwide, standards for omega 3-rich krill oil and natural, low-calorie stevia sweeteners are among the latest proposed revisions to the Food Chemicals Codex, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention that publishes the codex announced Wednesday.  

December 28, 2012
Emergent BioSolutions secures manufacture and sales rights to pandemic influenza vaccine in U.S.

Emergent BioSolutions announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Emergent BioSolutions on Friday announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States. 

December 28, 2012
FDA approves NDA for Teva's topotecan injection

Teva Pharmaceuticals has received approval of their new drug application for topotecan hydrochloride injection, a treatment for small cell lung cancer, according to Food and Drug Administration records.

SILVER SPRINGS, Md. — Teva Pharmaceuticals has received approval of their new drug application for topotecan hydrochloride injection, a treatment for small cell lung cancer, according to Food and Drug Administration records.

December 27, 2012
Survey: DXM abuse among high school students holds steady at just under 5%

The National Institute on Drug Abuse last week released the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, finding that 5.6% of high school seniors, 3% of eighth graders and 4.7% of tenth graders abused over-the-counter cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan, bringing the overall average to under 5%.

BETHESDA, Md. — The National Institute on Drug Abuse last week released the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, finding that 5.6% of high school seniors abused over-the-counter cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan, a rate that has held relatively steady over the past five years. Abuse of DXM products was reported to be 3% among eighth graders and 4.7% among tenth graders, bringing the overall average to under 5%.

December 21, 2012
FDA approves biotech drug for reducing symptoms of severe chickenpox infection

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for reducing the severity of chickenpox symptoms, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for reducing the severity of chickenpox symptoms, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Cangene Corp.'s Varizig (varicella zoster immune globulin [human]) for varicella zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox. The FDA said Varizig was the only FDA-approved immune globulin for the virus after exposure.

December 21, 2012
FDA approves new drug for short bowel syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat a condition that affects people who have had their intestines partially or completely removed, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat a condition that affects people who have had their intestines partially or completely removed, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of NPS Pharmaceuticals' Gattex (teduglutide) for daily injection in adults with short bowel syndrome who need additional nutrition from intravenous feeding. SBS results from partial or complete surgical removal of the small or large intestine, which can lead to poor absorption of fluids and nutrients from food.

December 21, 2012
FDA approves Tamiflu in children younger than 1 year

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a common flu drug for use in children as young as 2 weeks old, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a common flu drug for use in children as young as 2 weeks old, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the new approval for Genentech's Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The agency said that while patients ages 1 year and older can receive the same dosage, those younger than 1 year must be dosed based on their exact weight.

December 19, 2012
Matrixx Initiatives recalls one lot of Zicam gel over contamination concerns

A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

December 18, 2012
FDA approves generic HIV drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic versions of a drug to treat HIV, according to agency records.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic versions of a drug to treat HIV, according to agency records.

The FDA approved abacavir sulfate tablets in the 300-mg strength made by Apotex and Aurobindo.

The drug is a generic version of Viiv Healthcare's Ziagen.

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December 18, 2012
M-Edge brings fashion, function with new iPhone 5 cases

M-Edge — a leading designer of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories — on Tuesday launched an expanded line of cases for iPhone 5.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge — a leading designer of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories — on Tuesday launched an expanded line of cases for iPhone 5. The new cases are now available at MEdgeStore.com, as well as at nationwide retailers, including Best Buy, Target and Staples.

December 14, 2012
FDA approves new leukemia drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new leukemia drug made by Ariad Pharmaceuticals, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new leukemia drug made by Ariad Pharmaceuticals, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Iclusig (ponatinib) to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known respectively as CML and Ph+ ALL.

December 13, 2012
Target to hire approximately 200 new team members with Baltimore store opening

Target announced plans to open a new store in Baltimore by October 2013. The retail giant has said approximately 200 new team members will be hired for the new location, part of the Canton Crossing Shopping Center on Boston Street.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced plans to open a new store in Baltimore by October 2013. The retail giant has said approximately 200 new team members will be hired for the new location, part of the Canton Crossing Shopping Center on Boston Street.

December 11, 2012
Research: Vitamin D levels during pregnancy could impact birth weight

Vitamin D levels in women during pregnancy could impact birth weight, according to research released Tuesday by the Endocrine Society.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Vitamin D levels in women during pregnancy could impact birth weight, according to research released Tuesday by the Endocrine Society.

December 10, 2012
FDA approves new indication for J&J prostate cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a cancer drug made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), made by J&J subsidiary Janssen Biotech, for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, for use prior to receiving chemotherapy. The drug was already approved for castration-resistant prostate cancer in men who had already undergone chemotherapy treatment.

December 10, 2012
Giant-Carlisle participates in GSK inhaler recycling program

Several stores in the Giant Food Stores chain will collect used respiratory inhalers under a program sponsored by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline, the supermarket chain said.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Several stores in the Giant Food Stores chain will collect used respiratory inhalers under a program sponsored by drug maker GlaxoSmithKline, the supermarket chain said.

Giant, an Ahold-owned banner also known as Giant-Carlisle to distinguish it from fellow Ahold banner Giant Food of Landover, Md., said 48 stores in Pennsylvania would participate in GSK's "Complete the Cycle" recycle program for respiratory inhalers used to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies and flu.

November 30, 2012
FDA approves new medullary thyroid cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Exelixis for treating thyroid cancer, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Exelixis for treating thyroid cancer, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Cometriq (cabozatinib) to treat medullary thyroid cancer — a cancer that develops in cells in the thyroid gland that make calcitonin, a hormone that helps maintain a healthy level of calcium in the blood — that has spread to other parts of the body. Another drug to treat medullary thyroid cancer, AstraZeneca's Caprelsa (vandetanib), was approved last year.

November 28, 2012
Giant-Landover donates $25,000 to Toys for Tots

Supermarket chain Giant Food of Landover, Md., donated $25,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to support children in need across the Mid-Atlantic region this week, the Ahold-owned chain said.

LANDOVER, Md. — Supermarket chain Giant Food of Landover, Md., donated $25,000 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to support children in need across the Mid-Atlantic region this week, the Ahold-owned chain said.

Giant, also known as Giant-Landover to distinguish it from Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa. — also owned by Ahold — said it would collect toys at all of its 170 stores during the holiday season.

Giant-Landover operates stores in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

November 27, 2012
Wockhardt receives three FDA approvals

Indian generic drug maker Wockhardt received three new drug approvals from the Food and Drug Administration, agency records show.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Indian generic drug maker Wockhardt received three new drug approvals from the Food and Drug Administration, agency records show.