Content about Pharmacology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. Vivus found itself foiled in its efforts to market a drug for obesity as the Food and Drug Administration turned down its regulatory approval application.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced its $1 million contribution to the National Consumers League's medication adherence awareness campaign.

FRAZER, Pa. The Food and Drug Administration has approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for two sleep disorder drugs made by Cephalon, the drug maker said.

Cephalon announced that the FDA approved the REMS for Nuvigil (armodafinil) and Provigil (modafinil), both used to improve wakefulness in patients with sleep apnea, narcolepsy or shift work disorder.

BETHESDA, Md. The Food and Drug Administration could decide that some generic drugs are not equivalent to their branded counterparts, according to published reports.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for treating insomnia made by Actavis, the generic drug maker said Monday.

Actavis announced the approval of zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets in the 6.25-mg strength. The company has begun shipping the drug.

The drug is a generic version of Sanofi-Aventis’ Ambien CR, which had sales of around $129 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK Mission Skincare on Monday announced a new licensing agreement with Major Leagure Baseball Properties around its external analgesic Mission maximum-strength muscle rub.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT During the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2010 Educational Conference held Oct. 13 to 15, CVS Caremark shared data to further demonstrate ways to curb drug costs. This is important because what these studies, and others like it, continue to illustrate is that there are a variety of ways to reduce prescription drug costs beyond simply cutting prices to levels that could compromise a pharmacy's ability to deliver the high-quality service necessary to achieve better health outcomes.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Watson Pharmaceuticals generic drug for treating high blood pressure, Watson said Friday.

The company announced the FDA approval of amlodipine besylate and benazepril capsules in the 5/20-mg, 10/20-mg, 2.5/10-mg and 5/10-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Lotrel. Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of around $1.05 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.