Content about New Drugs & OTCs

 SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat complications related to chemotherapy, the drug maker said.

The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company announced the launch of ondansetron injection, used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with emetogenic cancer chemotherapy and also to prevent nausea and vomiting that follows surgery.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $49 million during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A line of kid-friendly health and allergy alert accessories has expanded to include a new product.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating a rare blood and marrow cancer that affects older adults, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Pfizer's Bosulif (bosutinib) for chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML. According to the FDA, about 5,430 men and women will be diagnosed with CML this year.

The drug is designed for patients with chronic, accelerated or blast-phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML, who can't tolerate other therapies or for whom those therapies don't work.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Astellas Pharma U.S. and Medivation for treating prostate cancer, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Xtandi (enzalutamide) for castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread or recurred despite medical or surgical therapy to minimize testosterone.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a cancer drug made by Novartis for a type of brain tumor in children, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Afinitor Disperz (everolimus) tablets for oral suspension to treat a rare brain tumor called subependymal giant-cell astrocytoma, or SEGA. The agency said Afinitor Disperz, a new dosage form of the drug Afinitor, is the first pediatric-specific dosage form for a pediatric tumor to receive FDA approval.

SALT LAKE CITY — Zarbee's has boosted its portfolio of all-natural cough products to include an extra-strength line.

Designed for those ages 12 years and older, the over-the-counter extra-strength all-natural cough products will supplement the existing line of Zarbee's original cough products, which currently are available for children ages 12 months and older. The new extra-strength products are specially formulated at a higher strength and dose than the original children's product, Zarbee's said.

HORSHAM, Pa. — NextGen Healthcare Information Systems on Wednesday announced a telemedicine agreement with Nipro Diagnostics that would enable users of the company's NextGen Ambulatory EHR instant access to data points captured by patients at home who are using the Nipro TrueResult blood-glucose monitoring system. 

BANNOCKBURN, Ill. — Omron Healthcare has expanded its portfolio with the launch of its latest pedometers.

The Omron HJ-320 pedometer is an easy-to-use motivational tool. The pedometer features Omron Tri-Axis technology, which accurately and quietly counts users' steps; an automatic reset; a weekly log, which stores up to seven days of information in memory and also includes two tracking modes: steps and distance.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda, the agency said Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for high blood pressure made by Wockhardt, the Indian drug maker said.

Wockhardt announced the approval of felodipine extended-release tablets in the 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Plendil, and Wockhardt said it would launch the drug immediately.

Various versions of the drug have a market presence of more than $66 million, according to IMS Health.

PRINCETON, N.J. - Church & Dwight on Monday became the latest large-scale CPG company to field a line of gummy vitamins with its acquisition of Avid Health for $650 million in cash.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Armada Health Care has integrated its ApproveRx prior authorization system with a pharmacy software system made by KeyCentrix, the companies said.

Armada and KeyCentrix announced the integration of ApproveRx with RxKey. ApproveRx is a Web-based platform designed to streamline the prior authorization process for prescribers and pharmacies. Armada is a group-purchasing and channel-management organization for specialty pharmacies.