Content about Maryland

April 4, 2012

Nutramax Labs, known for its glucosamine and chondroitin products, on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary, the company announced.

EDGEWOOD, Md. — Nutramax Labs, known for its glucosamine and chondroitin products, on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary, the company announced.

April 3, 2012

FDA releases tobacco regulation draft guidance

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday released draft guidance that ultimately will provide the public with previously unknown information about the chemicals in tobacco products and help prevent misleading marketing about the risks associated with tobacco products, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday released draft guidance that ultimately will provide the public with previously unknown information about the chemicals in tobacco products and help prevent misleading marketing about the risks associated with tobacco products, the agency said.

March 28, 2012

FDA approves Omontys for kidney disease-related anemia

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

The FDA announced the approval of Affymax's Omontys (peginesatide), a drug belonging to the class known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, designed to aid the formation of red blood cells.

March 27, 2012

Calgon expands Sensual Collection for spring

Calgon, a bath and beauty brand managed by Ilex Consumer Products Group, has announced the introduction of Enchanted Embrace, a new fragrance in the brand’s Sensual Collection that launched in 2011.

BALTIMORE — Calgon, a bath and beauty brand managed by Ilex Consumer Products Group, has announced the introduction of Enchanted Embrace, a new fragrance in the brand’s Sensual Collection that launched in 2011.

Enchanted Embrace and a new Sensual Mist sampler gift set will be available at select national retailers beginning in late spring 2012. The Sensual Collection line extension comes on the heels of announcing the relaunch of the Turquoise Seas scent.

March 26, 2012

Sunpeaks Ventures debuts TV spot for blood-thinner-friendly multivitamin

Sunpeaks Ventures last week announced national advertising support behind its Clotamin multivitamin line — a line of supplements formulated for use by patients on warfarin or other blood thinners.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Sunpeaks Ventures last week announced national advertising support behind its Clotamin multivitamin line — a line of supplements formulated for use by patients on warfarin or other blood thinners.

"Until now, Clotamin has never been the focus of any consumer marketing," stated Mackie Barch, Sunpeaks CEO. "The product's popularity has been built solely through positive word of mouth from our customers and through pharmacies that already carry the product."

March 23, 2012

Reports: Congressmen accuse companies of drug price gouging

Lawmakers are going after companies that they say have sought to take advantage of drug shortages by buying drugs in short supply and then reselling them at higher prices, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Lawmakers are going after companies that they say have sought to take advantage of drug shortages by buying drugs in short supply and then reselling them at higher prices, according to published reports.

March 22, 2012

FDA opens dialogue of incorporating technology, pharmacy into switch paradigm

The Food and Drug Administration's director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock, on Thursday identified three tools the agency wanted to use in potentially increasing access to appropriate medicines in her opening remarks at the FDA Rx-to-OTC Switch Hearing.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration's director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock, on Thursday identified three tools the agency wanted to use in potentially increasing access to appropriate medicines in her opening remarks at the FDA Rx-to-OTC Switch Hearing held here.

March 22, 2012

GSK shares real-world example on how to improve switch through technology

GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday morning presented exactly how technology might improve appropriate patient self-selection before a panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to explore expanding the prescripton-to-over-the-counter switch paradigm by incorporating technology and/or pharmacy participation in the application process.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday morning presented exactly how technology might improve appropriate patient self-selection before a panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to explore expanding the prescripton-to-over-the-counter switch paradigm by incorporating technology and/or pharmacy participation in the application process.

March 22, 2012

TheraPearl names new president, VP sales in support of retail expansion

TheraPearl on Wednesday named Daniel Baumwald president and Thomas Keeney VP sales.

JESSUP, Md. — TheraPearl on Wednesday named Daniel Baumwald president and Thomas Keeney VP sales.

Baumwald has been with the company since its inception in 2009, coming from Glaceau Vitaminwater/Coca-Cola where he was national account manager. Baumwald will assume management of the TheraPearl team, along with the company’s overall direction as it continues to expand.

March 21, 2012

Calgon to relaunch Turquoise Seas fragrance

Bath and beauty brand Calgon, which is managed by Ilex Consumer Products Group, has announced the return of its Turquoise Seas fragrance after more than five years off the shelf.

BALTIMORE, Md. — Bath and beauty brand Calgon, which is managed by Ilex Consumer Products Group, has announced the return of its Turquoise Seas fragrance after more than five years off the shelf.

March 20, 2012

M-Edge embraces spring trends in new collection

M-Edge has unveiled its latest collection of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories in time for spring.

ODENTON, Md. — M-Edge has unveiled its latest collection of tablet, smartphone and e-reader accessories in time for spring.

March 19, 2012

FDA approves generic versions of osteoporosis drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a drug for treating and preventing osteoporosis in women after menopause, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a drug for treating and preventing osteoporosis in women after menopause, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of ibandronate tablets in the 150-mg strength made by Apotex, Orchid Healthcare and Mylan Pharmaceuticals. Genentech makes the branded version of the drug.

March 14, 2012

FDA approves generic version of Lexapro

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of an antidepressant made by Forest Labs, the agency said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRINGS, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of an antidepressant made by Forest Labs, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of a generic version of Lexapro (escitalopram) made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the 5-mg, 10-mg and 20-mg strengths. The drug is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder in adults.

March 8, 2012

FDA mulls over making some prescription drugs available over the counter

The Food and Drug Administration is looking at the possibility of selling certain prescription drugs over the counter under specific circumstances, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking at the possibility of selling certain prescription drugs over the counter under specific circumstances, the agency said.

March 6, 2012

St. Joseph Consumer Health expands well-known aspirin brand into cough-cold

Annapolis, Md.-based St. Joseph Consumer Health last week unveiled a new St. Joseph-branded line of cough cold products formulated for patients with high blood pressure at the ECRM Cough & Cold and Allergy EPPS.

LAS VEGAS — Annapolis, Md.-based St. Joseph Consumer Health last week unveiled a new St. Joseph-branded line of cough-cold products formulated for patients with high blood pressure at the ECRM Cough & Cold and Allergy EPPS.

The products all feature "decongestant-free" on the package underneath the St. Joseph brand, long known for its 81-mg daily aspirin regimen. The lineup includes a multi-symptom day/night caplet formulation, two formulations targeting cold and flu symptoms and a cough tablet SKU.

March 1, 2012

FDA approves first flu vaccine to treat four strains of virus

The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first flu vaccine to prevent four strains of the influenza virus.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first flu vaccine to prevent four strains of the influenza virus.

March 1, 2012

FDA approves two new drugs for pancreatic disorders

The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new drugs for pancreatic disorders, the agency said Thursday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved two new drugs for pancreatic disorders, the agency said Thursday.

The FDA announced the approval of Aptalis Pharma's Ultresa and Viokase, both generically known as pancrelipase. Ultresa is a delayed-release capsule for children and adults with cystic fibrosis, which affects the lungs and other organs, while Viokase is meant for use with a proton-pump inhibitor in adults who can't digest food because of pancreatitis or surgical removal of the pancreas.

February 28, 2012

FDA exploring how to expand eligible Rx-to-OTC switches by utilizing pharmacy

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced it will hold a public hearing on March 22 and 23 to discuss how technology can expand which drug products can be switched from prescription to over-the-counter status.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced it will hold a public hearing on March 22 and 23 to discuss how technology can expand which drug products can be switched from prescription to over-the-counter status.

February 28, 2012

Statins could increase blood sugar, cause cognitive problems, FDA says

Drugs widely used to treat cholesterol may cause increases in blood sugar and other symptoms, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Drugs widely used to treat cholesterol may cause increases in blood sugar and other symptoms, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

February 23, 2012

FDA approves Korlym for Cushing's syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a rare disorder that previously had no approved medical therapies, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a rare disorder that previously had no approved medical therapies, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Menlo Park, Calif.-based Corcept Therapeutics' Korlym (mifepristone) for endogenous Cushing's syndrome, a disorder that results from overproduction of cortisol, a steroid hormone that increases blood-sugar levels.

February 21, 2012

FDA moves to address cancer drug shortages

An executive order from the Obama administration has spurred the Food and Drug Administration to address shortages of two cancer drugs and issue draft guidance for the industry to help prevent future shortages, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — An executive order from the Obama administration has spurred the Food and Drug Administration to address shortages of two cancer drugs and issue draft guidance for the industry to help prevent future shortages, the agency said Tuesday.

February 21, 2012

LimbO Products launches new website to support U.S. product launch

LimbO Products on Tuesday announced the launch of its new website, Limboproducts.com.

CHESTERTOWN, Md. — LimbO Products on Tuesday announced the launch of its new website, Limboproducts.com. The site was developed to support the recent introduction of LimbO Waterproof Protectors in the United States.

Manufactured by Thesis Technology Products in the United Kingdom, LimbO Waterproof Protectors enable children and adults to safely take a shower or bath with a cast or a bandage.

February 16, 2012

Giant-Carlisle installs solar panels at two stores

One of the supermarket chains operated by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold has installed rooftop solar panels at two of its stores.

LANCASTER, Pa. — One of the supermarket chains operated by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold has installed rooftop solar panels at two of its stores.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant Food Stores — also known as Giant-Carlisle to distinguish it from Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, also owned by Ahold — said it had installed solar photovoltaic systems at stores in Lancaster and Pottstown, Pa.

February 16, 2012

Marley Coffee expands retail distribution

Marley Coffee has inked a distribution agreement that will expands its line's availability on the East Coast, as well as in Hawaii.

LOS ANGELES — Marley Coffee has inked a distribution agreement that will expands its line's availability on the East Coast, as well as in Hawaii.

February 15, 2012

Counterfeit Avastin circulating in U.S., FDA warns

Fake versions of a cancer drug made by Roche's U.S. unit have entered the United States, the Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Fake versions of a cancer drug made by Roche's U.S. unit have entered the United States, the Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.

The FDA advised healthcare professionals and patients that a counterfeit version of Genentech's Avastin (bevacizumab) had been distributed in the United States. The agency said the counterfeit versions carried Roche's logo instead of Genentech's and displayed batch numbers starting with B6010, B6011 or B86017.