Content about New Jersey

March 9, 2011
Merck seeks FDA approval for Saflutan

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

Merck is seeking approval for Saflutan (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution, an investigational drug for relieving eye pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

March 9, 2011
Tris seeks FDA OK for allergy treatment for kids

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

Tris said that if approved, its carbinoxamine extended-release oral suspension would provide an alternative to currently available immediate-release formulations.

March 9, 2011
Watson promotes two SVPs

Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has promoted two executives to EVP, the company said Wednesday.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals has promoted two executives to EVP, the company said Wednesday.

The company gave the promotions to SVP, general counsel and secretary David Buchen and SVP and CFO R. Todd Joyce. Both will continue to report to CEO Paul Bisaro.

March 8, 2011
New diabetes drug accepted for review by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a Type 2 diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, the two drug makers said Tuesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a Type 2 diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, the two drug makers said Tuesday.

The FDA accepted the application for dapagliflozin, an investigational drug for adults with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1-in-11 U.S. adults has diabetes, with 90% to 95% of them having Type 2 diabetes.

The agency expects to take action on the application in late October.

March 7, 2011
Actavis names OTC director

Actavis last week named Lisa Buono to lead its over-the-counter drug division as part of the company’s strategic expansion of the division.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Actavis last week named Lisa Buono to lead its over-the-counter drug division as part of the company’s strategic expansion of the division.

As director of OTC, Buono will oversee the division’s day-to-day operations and will focus on identifying and capitalizing on new product opportunities. Actavis manufactures and distributes numerous nonprescription liquids, creams and ointments sold under the Actavis label and its customers’ own brands, as well as FeverAll brand acetaminophen suppositories.

March 7, 2011
Frank's RedHot spices up offerings with heat-and-serve line

Frank's RedHot is cooking up something spicy in the frozen food aisle.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Frank's RedHot is cooking up something spicy in the frozen food aisle.

Through a collaboration with Completely Fresh Foods, the hot sauce brand announced it was introducing fully cooked chicken wings, shrimp and appetizers that will be sold in grocery, mass and club stores nationwide. Frank's RedHot heat-and-serve offerings will include buffalo wings, buffalo shrimp, chicken fries and chicken poppers.

March 4, 2011
Eisai's Banzel OKed as epilepsy treatment

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Eisai to treat a rare form of epilepsy, the drug maker said Friday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Eisai to treat a rare form of epilepsy, the drug maker said Friday.

The FDA approved Banzel (rufinamide) oral suspension for the treatment of seizures in children and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The condition, also called LGS, affects 1% to 4% of children with epilepsy.

“This new formulation provides an option for patients who may prefer a liquid or find it difficult to take the medication in tablet form,” Eisai president and CEO Lonnel Coats said.

March 3, 2011
Amneal receives FDA approval for generic Indocin

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for pain and inflammatory diseases made by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Amneal said Thursday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for pain and inflammatory diseases made by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Amneal said Thursday.

The FDA approved indomethacin extended-release capsules in the 75-mg strength. The drug is used to treat pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis and tendonitis.

March 1, 2011
Puristics Totally Ageless line arriving at select Walgreens

Consumer products company Scerene Healthcare is bringing its Puristics Totally Ageless skin care line to Walgreens on a regional basis in April.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Consumer products company Scerene Healthcare is bringing its Puristics Totally Ageless skin care line to Walgreens on a regional basis in April.

The collection is available in select markets at select retail locations, including Rite Aid, King Soopers and Harris Teeter. Beginning in April, the line also will be available in Walgreens in the Milwaukee, Madison, Wis., and Denver regions.

March 1, 2011
Report: RAD’s loss-prevention specialists work with authorities to catch fencer

A New Jersey merchant was arrested on charges related to selling goods stolen from a local Rite Aid store, particularly cigarettes, according to published reports.

TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey merchant was arrested on charges related to selling goods stolen from a local Rite Aid store, particularly cigarettes, according to published reports.

The Trenton, N.J., Trentonian reported Tuesday that police arrested Ladislao Martinez and charged him with fencing stolen goods, organized retail theft and receiving stolen property, seizing cigarettes, paperwork and cash from his store, the MR Supermarket.

February 25, 2011
PCMA applauds Cuomo's Medicaid proposal

In his 2011-2012 budget, New York governor Andrew Cuomo included a proposal to update New York’s Medicaid program. The announcement comes at the heels of New Jersey governor Chris Christie's motion to modernize the state's Medicaid plan.

WASHINGTON — In his 2011-2012 budget, New York governor Andrew Cuomo included a proposal to update New York’s Medicaid program. The announcement comes at the heels of New Jersey governor Chris Christie's motion to modernize the state's Medicaid plan.

Similarly to New Jersey's plan, Cuomo said New York's “Proposal to Redesign Medicaid” could save state taxpayers $350 million though 2015 by managing prescription drug benefits similarly to those in Medicare and private-sector programs.

February 25, 2011
Savient's Krystexxa launches in the United States

Savient said its newest drug is the first and only therapy available to treat chronic gout in adult patients refractory to conventional therapy.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Savient said its newest drug is the first and only therapy available to treat chronic gout in adult patients refractory to conventional therapy.

The drug maker announced the U.S. commercial launch of Krystexxa (pegloticase).

February 24, 2011
Novo Nordisk develops treatment for rarest bleeding disorder, seeks FDA approval

Novo Nordisk has filed for approval of a treatment for a rare genetic bleeding disorder, the Danish drug maker said Wednesday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Novo Nordisk has filed for approval of a treatment for a rare genetic bleeding disorder, the Danish drug maker said Wednesday.

The company submitted to the Food and Drug Administration its application for recombinant factor XIII compound, for congenital factor XIII deficiency. Current treatments for FXIII deficiency use products derived from human blood plasma, which carries the risk of contamination.

February 24, 2011
Par sees sales gains across all sectors

Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. had sales of $227 million during fourth quarter 2010 and $1 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings statement Thursday.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. had sales of $227 million during fourth quarter 2010 and $1 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings statement Thursday.

Profits were $17.5 million for the quarter and $92.7 million for the year, compared with $10.7 million in fourth quarter 2009 and $76.9 million for 2009 as a whole.

February 23, 2011
N.J. governor: Changing Medicaid Rx will help save $41 million

A group representing the nation's pharmacy benefit managers is responding to a proposal made by New Jersey governor Chris Christie that seeks to modernize the state's Medicaid program.

WASHINGTON — A group representing the nation's pharmacy benefit managers is responding to a proposal made by New Jersey governor Chris Christie that seeks to modernize the state's Medicaid program.

Christie said the proposed overhaul, which includes managing prescription drug benefits similarly to those in Medicare and private-sector programs, would save the state $41 million, “while still providing vital services,” the governor said.

February 23, 2011
Onglyza gets label update

The makers behind a popular Type 2 diabetes treatment have included data from two clinical studies in an update to the drug's prescribing information.

PRINCETON, N.J., and WILMINGTON, Del. — The makers behind a popular Type 2 diabetes treatment have included data from two clinical studies in an update to the drug's prescribing information.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca said the Food and Drug Administration approved the labeling update for Onglyza (saxagliptin), which now includes efficacy and safety information about the drug's effects on patients with renal impairment or end-stage renal disease.

February 22, 2011
Mars unveils 2011 holiday lineup

As the holiday season comes to a close, Mars Chocolate North America already is unveiling its winter holiday offerings for 2011.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — As the holiday season comes to a close, Mars Chocolate North America already is unveiling its winter holiday offerings for 2011.

Mars said it is expanding its M&M's and Dove brands with seasonal candies that capture the holiday spirit, including new gifting displays for retailers.

New products include such items as M&M's stocking tin ornaments, which are filled with M&M’s milk chocolate candies, and Dove silky and smooth truffles, available in milk and dark chocolate.

February 22, 2011
Medco's Q4, fiscal-year sales rise

Sales at Medco Health Solutions increased to $16.9 billion during fourth quarter 2010 and to $66 billion for the fiscal year as a whole, representing respective 11.1% and 10.3% increases over the same periods the year before, the pharmacy benefit manager said Tuesday.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Sales at Medco Health Solutions increased to $16.9 billion during fourth quarter 2010 and to $66 billion for the fiscal year as a whole, representing respective 11.1% and 10.3% increases over the same periods the year before, the pharmacy benefit manager said Tuesday.

Profits for the quarter were $378.5 million, a 10.8% increase over fourth quarter 2009, while profits for the year were $1.4 billion, an 11.5% increase over fiscal year 2009.

February 18, 2011
J&J OTC products remain MIA until Q4

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — McNeil Consumer’s absence from cough-cold and analgesic aisles, including several pediatric formulations, will extend into the fourth quarter, Johnson and Johnson executives told analysts in January. 


February 18, 2011
Taking it ‘Easy’

WAYNE, N.J. — IdeaVillage’s new EasyFeet is the latest introduction in the active foot care As Seen On TV category. The flip-flop-like product — called a car wash for the feet — has 10,000 soft-scrubbing bristles and a built-in pumice stone to clean feet and rub away dead, dry skin on the heels. Suction cups hold EasyFeet in place, so consumers can safely use the product on tub and shower surfaces.


EasyFeet ships in March and will retail for $9.99. Idea­Village EVP Ronald Boger called EasyFeet a “monster hit for 2011.”

February 18, 2011
THE CLINICS: Helping ‘Take Care’ of primary care shortage

With pharmaceutical and healthcare expenditures on the rise, a primary care shortage at hand and an expected upswing in patients diagnosed with chronic diseases, there’s no denying that the marketplace is in the midst of an evolution. Despite the challenges, Walgreens’ health-and-wellness division has positioned itself for such changes and, according to headquarter executives, has a winning strategy in place — broadening and deepening its payer relationships.


February 17, 2011
A&P boosts merchandising, marketing team

Bankrupt grocer A&P, which just revealed plans to shutter 32 stores in six states, has bolstered its merchandising and marketing team with the appointment of six new executives.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bankrupt grocer A&P, which just revealed plans to shutter 32 stores in six states, has bolstered its merchandising and marketing team with the appointment of six new executives.

A&P filed for bankruptcy in December 2010 and is in the midst of a turnaround aimed at reducing structural operating costs and enhancing value for shoppers. On Feb. 15, the company announced it is seeking court approval to close 32 stores by the end of the company's fiscal first quarter.

The new executives are:

February 17, 2011
FDA OKs Abilify as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

The FDA approved Abilify (aripiprazole), made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, as an adjunct to lithium or valproate for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.

February 17, 2011
Oreo is well-'liked' on Facebook

It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.

February 17, 2011
Savient announces executive appointments

Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

The drug maker appointed Louis Ferrari as its SVP corporate development, Christine Mikail as SVP and Stephen Davies as chief information officer and group VP.