Content about Maryland

August 9, 2012
FDA approves new leukemia drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a rare type of leukemia, the agency said Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a rare type of leukemia, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA approved South San Francisco, Calif.-based Talon Therapeutics' Marqibo (vincristine sulfate liposome), an injectable drug for Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblasic leukemia, or Ph-negative ALL.

August 8, 2012
M-Edge introduces new BTS items

M-Edge is gearing up for back to school with its latest items.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge is gearing up for back to school with its latest items.

The company said its SuperStylus, which retails for $19.99, is a wide-grip stylus features an ergonomic grip and precise touch to make using a touchscreen device easy for students of any age, the company said. Also new is the SuperShell series of cases that are made with ultra-protective closed-cell foam and high-impact corners and are compatible with such devices as iPhone 4/4S, iPad 2 and 3, and Kindle Fire. The series carries a suggested retail price range from $29.99 to $34.99.

August 8, 2012
Musician P!nk to be newest face of CoverGirl

Procter & Gamble’s CoverGirl has partnered with musician P!nk, who recently wrapped her first print advertising campaign with the brand, which will debut in the fall.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Procter & Gamble’s CoverGirl has partnered with musician P!nk, who recently wrapped her first print advertising campaign with the brand, which will debut in the fall.

August 6, 2012
FDA approves generic versions of asthma, allergy drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of a drug used to treat asthma and allergies, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved several generic versions of a drug used to treat asthma and allergies, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of montelukast sodium, a drug indicated for controlling asthma symptoms and relieving indoor and outdoor allergies.

The drug is a generic version of Merck's Singulair, which had sales of $4.6 billion in 2011, according to IMS Health.

August 6, 2012
FDA approves Sanofi drug for colorectal cancer

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the agency said Friday.

August 3, 2012
Harris Teeter announces store growth plans

Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

August 3, 2012
MedImmune ships flu vaccine

AstraZeneca's biologics division has begun shipping doses of influenza vaccine to distributors for the 2012-2013 flu season, the company said.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — AstraZeneca's biologics division has begun shipping doses of influenza vaccine to distributors for the 2012-2013 flu season, the company said.

August 3, 2012
Old Bay partners with Blippar

Old Bay has partnered with a smartphone and tablet application Blippar to offer consumers a new way to experience the brand.

SPARKS, Md. — Old Bay has partnered with a smartphone and tablet application Blippar to offer consumers a new way to experience the brand.

Old Bay said when consumers download Blippar and "blip" Old Bay logos and packaging, it gives consumers access to 3-D interactive games, including Whack-A-Crab and Duckpin Bowling, as well as Old Bay recipes, such as snack mix, crispy wings, shrimp scampi and more. The brand's launch of Blippar marks the first use of this technology in the U.S. consumer products sector.

July 27, 2012
FDA panel recommends new approval for Genentech eye drug

A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts is recommending the approval of a drug made by Genentech for diabetic macular edema, the company said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A panel of Food and Drug Administration experts is recommending the approval of a drug made by Genentech for diabetic macular edema, the company said.

July 27, 2012
Save-A-Lot launches road trip marketing campaign

Save-A-Lot, a hard-discount, limited-assortment grocery chain and a wholly owned subsidiary of Supervalu, kicked off its 2012 Fuel Your Family Road Trip in Orlando to raise awareness of Save-A-Lot stores as the go-to destination for affordable food.

ST. LOUIS — Save-A-Lot, a hard-discount, limited-assortment grocery chain and a wholly owned subsidiary of Supervalu, kicked off its 2012 Fuel Your Family Road Trip in Orlando to raise awareness of Save-A-Lot stores as the go-to destination for affordable food.

July 24, 2012
FDA approves new COPD drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Forest Labs for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Forest Labs for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide) for the long-term maintenance of COPD-related narrowing of the airways in the lung, also known as bronchospasm. The drug is an inhaled dry powder used twice per day.

July 23, 2012
FDA approves blood cancer drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating multiple myeloma, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating multiple myeloma, the agency said Friday.

July 18, 2012
FDA approves weight-loss drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new weight-loss drug made by Vivus, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new weight-loss drug made by Vivus, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) extended-release, designed for use by overweight and obese adults alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management. The drug's original brand name was Qnexa.

July 16, 2012
Gilead's Truvada approved for PrEP

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug used to treat HIV for reducing the risk of HIV infection, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug used to treat HIV for reducing the risk of HIV infection, the agency said Monday.

July 13, 2012
FDA appoints new generic drugs office head

The main office of the Food and Drug Administration in charge of regulating generic drugs has appointed a new director, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The main office of the Food and Drug Administration in charge of regulating generic drugs has appointed a new director, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the appointment of Gregory Geba as director of the Office of Generic Drugs, replacing acting director Keith Webber, effective Sunday.

Geba has served in various senior-level clinical and managerial positions in the drug industry for the past 15 years, most recently as deputy chief medical officer for Sanofi US, a subsidiary of French drug maker Sanofi.

July 6, 2012
Report: 'Salonistas' contribute to robust growth in DIY nail care market

Several intertwined factors are fueling the mass nail care market, and according to a new report by Packaged Facts, the growth of do-it-yourself nail products is expected to continue despite an uptick in professional nail services.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Several intertwined factors are fueling the mass nail care market, and according to a new report by Packaged Facts, the growth of do-it-yourself nail products is expected to continue despite an uptick in professional nail services.

SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, reported that sales of nail care products grew 26% for the 52 weeks ended April 15 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart). Nail polish sales, in particular, grew about 43% during that time.

July 5, 2012
FDA orders unapproved oxycodone drugs off market

The Food and Drug Administration is asking companies to stop manufacturing and distributing unapproved drugs containing the painkiller oxycodone, the agency said Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is asking companies to stop manufacturing and distributing unapproved drugs containing the painkiller oxycodone, the agency said Thursday.

July 3, 2012
FDA approves OTC HIV test

The Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter sales of a test for the virus that causes AIDS, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter sales of a test for the virus that causes AIDS, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, calling it the first OTC, self-administered HIV test kit that detects the presence of antibodies to HIV, including the HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains.

June 28, 2012
FDA approves overactive bladder drug made by Astellas

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating overactive bladder made by Astellas Pharma, the agency said Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating overactive bladder made by Astellas Pharma, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA announced the approval of Myrbetriq (mirabegron), which works by relaxing the bladder muscle while the organ is filling. In patients with overactive bladder, the muscle can't be controlled, squeezes too often or squeezes without warning. Symptoms of overactive bladder include the need to urinate too often, the need to urinate immediately and incontinence. The condition affects about 33 million Americans.

June 27, 2012
FDA approves new obesity drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for obesity in adults, the agency said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for obesity in adults, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Arena Pharmaceuticals' Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride), designed for use alongside reduced-calorie diets and exercise, for chronic weight management. Eisai will distribute the drug.

June 26, 2012
Supernus gets preliminary nod for epilepsy drug

The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to Supernus Pharmaceuticals for a drug to treat epilepsy, the company said Tuesday.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to Supernus Pharmaceuticals for a drug to treat epilepsy, the company said Tuesday.

Supernus announced the tentative approval was given to Trokendi XR (topiramate), a once-daily treatment for the seizure disorder. The company said final approval was conditioned on resolution of market exclusivity issues concerning certain pediatric populations.

June 19, 2012
Study: Ethnic HBC market remains robust despite economic hard times

The market for health and beauty care products targeted to minorities continues to advance at a healthy pace, and marketers should be ramping up in new products and marketing campaigns sooner rather than later, according to a new report released from Packaged Facts.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The market for health and beauty care products targeted to minorities continues to advance at a healthy pace, and marketers should be ramping up in new products and marketing campaigns sooner rather than later, according to a new report released from Packaged Facts.

According to the "Ethnic Hair, Skin and Cosmetic Products in the U.S." report, the market posted growth of nearly 13% during 2010, and the market continued to advance at a healthy pace in 2011 to approach $3 billion.

June 19, 2012
Weis Markets raises $191,000 for Paws for Pets

Weis Markets on Tuesday reported its Paws for Pets program generated $191,000 in donations and pet supplies for 94 local animal shelters and rescue organizations in its five-state market area, nearly double the total raised in 2011.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Tuesday reported its Paws for Pets program generated $191,000 in donations and pet supplies for 94 local animal shelters and rescue organizations in its five-state market area, nearly double the total raised in 2011.

The four-week program ran through Memorial Day weekend in the company's stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. During this time, 64 stores also hosted pet adopt-a-thon events with local pet organizations.

June 15, 2012
Endocrine Society study: Vitamin D with calcium improves mortality in elder women

A study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that vitamin D — when taken with calcium — can reduce the rate of mortality in seniors, thereby providing a possible means of increasing life expectancy, the society reported Friday.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — A study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that vitamin D — when taken with calcium — can reduce the rate of mortality in seniors, thereby providing a possible means of increasing life expectancy, the society reported Friday.

June 13, 2012
AHRQ releases tool set to enable e-prescribing among independent pharmacies

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in May released a tool set designed to assist pharmacies in adopting electronic prescribing.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in May released a tool set designed to assist pharmacies in adopting electronic prescribing.

"E-prescribing will allow your pharmacy to receive electronic prescriptions directly into your pharmacy software system and will allow refill requests to be sent electronically from your pharmacy to the prescribers' software," the agency stated.