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SAN DIEGO — Women who take low-dose oral contraceptives may be at increased risk of chronic pelvic-pain symptoms and pain during sexual climax, according to a new study.

The study, scheduled for presentation to reporters at the American Urological Association's annual scientific meeting in San Diego on Tuesday, was conducted by researchers at New York University and the Waitemata District Health Board in Auckland, New Zealand, compared CPPS in young women who used oral contraceptives with the condition in those who didn't.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration is granting an expedited application process to a company that has developed a treatment for a condition related to Parkinson's disease, meaning that it can cancel a planned late-stage clinical trial, the company said.

SAN DIEGO — Bumble Bee Foods has introduced three new additions to its gourmet-style Prime Fillet line.

The new Prime Fillet gourmet flavors are available in three varieties: chipotle and olive oil, sundried tomatoes and olive oil, and jalapenos and olive oil. Each of the gourmet flavors contains albacore tuna in olive oil with chopped chipotles, sundried tomatoes or jalapenos and carefully paired seasonings.

TAMPA, Fla. — The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy has named James Smeeding its first executive director, the group said Tuesday. The announcement was made during its first Specialty Pharmacy Conference in San Diego, which drew more than 500 participants.

Smeeding is the founder of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy's Center for Pharmacoeconomic studies and has worked for a variety of companies and organizations, including the TPG National Payor Roundtable, the Jestarx Group, Digital Health Dialog and others.

SAN DIEGO — Improving adherence to generic statin drugs for high cholesterol can reduce the costs of health care in a way that adherence to branded statins historically couldn't, according to a new study.

SAN DIEGO — Specialty drugs are expected to account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, according to two new studies.

By contrast, specialty drugs accounted for 20% of all drug costs in 2009, but increased to 28.7% by 2012. Pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota conducted the studies, and Prime is presenting them Tuesday at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 25th annual meeting and expo in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO — Bumble Bee Foods has introduced a quarterly e-book on health and wellness, the company said Wednesday.

"BeeWell for Live — A Living Guide" offers wellness advice, tips and recipes created in collaboration with Bumble Bee registered dietitians Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh, as well as fitness coach Jennifer Grayeb and celebrity chef Scott Leibfried.

SAN DIEGO — Early detection of a deadly brain infection that sometimes arises due to treatment of autoimmune disorders with immune-suppressing biotech drugs may improve survival, according to a new study.

The study, released Sunday and scheduled for presentation at the 65th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in San Diego, which starts next Saturday, found that early detection of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML, may improve survival and disability levels.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an ulcerative colitis drug made by Santarus, the drug maker said.

Santarus announced the approval of Uceris (budesonide) extended-release tablets for mild to active UC. The company plans to launch the drug in March.

SAN DIEGO — Regional life sciences association Biocom has introduced a new eco-friendly alternative to sanitary napkins and tampons. Enter FemmyCycle, a product from member FemCap.

The FemmyCycle was granted clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 16. FemmyCycle creator Alfred Shihata is familiar with developing feminine products. His FDA-approved FemCap is one of the few hormone-free, woman-controlled contraceptive methods available.

SAN DIEGO — Health warning labels on cigarette packages that use pictures to show the health consequences of smoking are effective in reaching adult smokers, according to the results of a new study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 

 SAN DIEGO — The number of independents still is down from 2000, and margins of 2.9% represent the lowest in five years. However community pharmacists have proven resilient and helped reduce healthcare costs by dispensing a record high number of lower-cost generic drugs in 2011 and reported more frequent interaction with physicians to promote the appropriate use of generics, according to the 2012 NCPA Digest, sponsored by Cardinal Health.