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PHILADELPHIA — Patients once considered "aspirin resistant" may not be resistant to aspirin after all, according to a study published online by Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association. Rather, the protective coating around the aspirin to prevent stomach issues may be delaying the absorption of aspirin, leading clinicians to believe that patients are aspirin resistant. 

PHILADELPHIA &,dash; GlaxoSmithKline on Friday donated $250,000 to the American National Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. The company also is contributing $80,000 through the British Red Cross for relief efforts in the wider Caribbean region — specifically Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic — where Sandy initially made landfall.

PHILADELPHIA – Recent research from the Rothman Institute at Jefferson has shown aspirin to be just as effective in preventing clots — specifically pulmonary emboli, life-threatening blood clots that can develop in the arteries of the lungs following joint replacement surgery — Thomas Jefferson University announced Wednesday. 

A two-part study by the Temple University School of Pharmacy and market research firm WilsonRx found the availability of custom flavoring for children’s medications boosted customer satisfaction and loyalty. The study, consisting of an intercept survey of 200 mothers at Philadelphia and 
New Jersey drug stores and a review of a WilsonRx mail survey of 34,454 customers, found that 50% of parents were very or extremely likely to recommend a pharmacy that actively informed them about flavoring services, while 7% were not. 


PHILADELPHIA — Independence Blue Cross announced that it has expanded members' access to care by adding coverage for treatment at urgent care centers and retail clinics, and also has developed a new Web tool to help members locate these facilities.

The new Web tool is designed to make it easier for members to find urgent care centers and retail clinics for care for nonemergency conditions when their personal physicians are not available, like evenings and weekends.

PHILADELPHIA — The pharmaceuticals business will begin picking up in 2014, AmerisourceBergen president and CEO Steve Collis said last week at the wholesaler's ThinkLive Manufacturer's Summit held here. "Next year is a slower brand-to-generic [trend] and in 2014 we’re going to see a resumption in that top-line growth rate [across the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S.] to a modest 4% growth," Collis said. "That’s not too bad," he added, especially when you compare that growth up against what's happening worldwide.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory approval for a generic drug to treat tension headaches.

Lannett announced the approval of butalbital, acetaminophen and caffeine tablets in the 50-mg/325-mg/40-mg strength. the drug is a generic version of Watson Pharmaceuticals' Fioricet.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $30 million during the 12-month period ended in July, including $15 million for branded Fioricet. Lannett plans to start shipping its version next month, the company said.

PHILADELPHIA — Drug maker Shire is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new usage for a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Wednesday.

Shire announced that the FDA had accepted its regulatory approval application for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules for maintenance treatment of ADHD in patients ages 6 to 17 years. There currently are no stimulants approved for maintenance treatment of the condition in that age group, Shire said, and the FDA said it would complete its review by April 2013.

The Philadelphia chocolate-and-peanut bar that started as a World War I ration is back — even though it didn't really go anywhere. Candy company Just Born announced that it has overhauled its Peanut Chews' brand image to better reflect its roots.

PHILADELPHIA — Following regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, GlaxoSmithKline confirmed it has begun shipping the first lots of its 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccines to healthcare providers and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distribution centers.

PHILADELPHIA — The men’s grooming market is poised for further growth as more than 9-out-of-10 men are using some sort of grooming product today, according to a recent report by the NPD Group. Looking to further tap into the growing segment, Macy’s in downtown Philadelphia has opened a “men’s grooming zone” on its beauty selling floor.