Content about New Jersey

PARSIPPANY, N.J. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on Thursday commended the Food and Drug Administration for holding a scientific workshop this week that focused on the risks and benefits associated with the long-term use of nicotine-replacement therapy products.

MADISON, N.J. Multivitamin maker Centrum is encouraging women to pledge an hour toward an activity that is important to them.

PRINCETON, N.J. Novo Nordisk is underscoring the importance of diabetes screenings with a new report, the Novo Nordisk BlueSheet.

The third edition of the drug maker's BlueSheet report examined various ways awareness and education play an integral role in the prevention, detection and treatment of diabetes. It also provides an update on the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance, a coalition that is committed to helping improve diabetes prevention, detection and care by aligning key diabetes stakeholders around diabetes-related policy and legislative efforts.

PRINCETON, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an additional use for a hepatitis drug.

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced Monday the approval of Baraclude (entecavir) as a treatment for chronic hepatitis B in adults with decompensated liver disease. The drug already is approved for adults with evidence of active viral replication.

MADISON, N.J. The Natural Dentist on Monday launched two throat spray products — one formulated for kids and one for adults — that will be available at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

“When we started our product research, we were disheartened at some of the ingredients traditional throat sprays contain, including up to 50% alcohol despite lingering controversies regarding the use of alcohol in oral care products,” stated Kelly Kaplan, president and COO of Revive Personal Products, parent company of The Natural Dentist.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. Actavis has received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its high blood pressure drug.

The drug maker said its losartan potassium tablets, USP, will be available in 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Merck's Cozaar.

Losartan potassium tablets, USP, had sales of approximately $940 million for the 12 months ended June 30, according to IMS Health.

PRINCETON, N.J. Arm & Hammer is helping cat owners fight litter box odors with its new Arm & Hammer Double Duty Clumping litter, designed to eliminate urine and feces odors.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment for cough and upper respiratory symptoms resulting from colds and allergies made by Par Pharmaceutical and Tris Pharma, Par said Tuesday.

The FDA approved hydrocodone polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex extended-release oral suspension. The drug is a generic version of UCB’s Tussionex, which has annual sales of around $226 million, according to IMS Health.

OLD TAPPAN, N.J. A line of tea beverages is arriving at Albertsons stores in California and Nevada.

New Leaf's beverage line, which includes 11 unique tea flavors, four lemonades and two diet iced teas, will be available at 248 Albertsons locations in the two states.

MADISON, N.J. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Monday launched a consumer campaign encouraging Americans to clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of unwanted, expired and recalled products.

Pfizer also is partnering with Suzy Cohen, author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist,” to offer essential tips on medicine cabinet safety. “This campaign encourages people to take a few simple steps to help ensure the safety of everyone in their household,” Cohen said. “We all need to declutter and clean out our medicine cabinets.”