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LAVAL, Quebec — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International announced that its subsidiary, Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its new drug application for Jublia (efinaconazole 10% topical solution). The drug is the first topical triazole approved for the treatment of onychomycosis of the toenails, the company said.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — QS/1, a complete healthcare automation solutions provider, on Tuesday announced it is partnering with VUCA Health to offer on-demand prescription-specific videos, as well as other services to engage patients and strengthen customer relationships.

QS/1 pharmacies will be able to print QR codes on prescription labels that link to thousands of videos in the MedsOnCue library. The videos help patients review how to take their medications safely with easy to understand information on potential side effects and how to limit any avoidable reactions.

ATLANTA - More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, up from the previous estimate of 26 million in 2010, according to a report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One-in-four people with diabetes doesn’t know he or she has it.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Strativa Pharmaceutical, a division of Par Pharmaceutical Cos., announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved Nascobal, a prescription B-12 supplement administered once a week as one spray.

NEW YORK — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week announced an agreement between New York State and GW Pharmaceuticals to develop clinical trials using an active ingredient derived from the marijuana plant to help treat children diagnosed with epilepsy who suffer from seizures and other medical complications. New York will be the second state in the nation to initiate trials for the extract, known as cannabidiol, for children whose medical conditions have not been successfully treated by other methods.

SAN DIEGO — As many as 40% of U.S. narcotic prescriptions in 2011-2012 were written by only 5% of opioid prescribers, according to a study Express Scripts presented Monday at AcademyHealth's annual research meeting.

The study identifies prescribers who prescribe opioids at a much higher rate than peers who are in the same specialty, treat patients of similar age and practice in the same geographic region. Express Scripts' multivariate approach to identifying high prescribers is the first of its kind, the company noted.

ATLANTA — A report published Friday in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report characterized the 2013-2014 influenza season as the first season since 2009 that H1N1 generated fewer levels of outpatient illness and mortality as compared with seasons when influenza A (H3N2) is predominant. 

However, there were higher rates of hospitalization among adults ages 50 years to 64 years as compared to recent years, the report added. 

RALEIGH, N.C. — BioDelivery Sciences International on Monday announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved its new drug application for Bunavail (buprenorphine and naloxone) buccal film (CIII). The drug is used as a maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. The company noted that it also should be used as part of a complete treatment plan to include counseling and psychosocial support.

Bunavail is the first and only formulation of buprenorphine and naloxone for buccal (inside of the cheek) administration, BDSI said.