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PRINCETON, N.J. and NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Pfizer announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved a supplemental new drug application for Eliquis (apixaban). The drug is a preventive treatment for deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to pulmonary embolism for patients who have had hip or knee replacement surgery.  

ITASCA, Ill. — In observance of National Poison Prevention Week, which is March 16 to 22, the National Safety Council has released a list of facts many people do not — but need to — know about prescription painkiller use. Did you know? 1. Forty-five people die every day from opioid prescription painkillers — more deaths than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined; 2. In 2010, enough prescription painkillers were provided to medicate every American around the clock for an entire month;

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Upsher-Smith has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for Qudexy XR (topiramate) extended-release capsules, a once-daily, broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug specifically engineered to deliver a smooth pharmacokinetic profile.

Qudexy XR will be available to patients in second quarter 2014.

CHICAGO and ORLANDO, Fla. — Prescription and over-the-counter products are often the first remedy consumers turn to when seeking relief from such conditions as allergies and heartburn, according to IRI. In its latest report, "Best Practices for Rx-to-OTC Product Launches," the company offers some tactics to help drive success for companies looking to execute the category switch.

NEW YORK — The majority of pediatric bacterial infections that cause severe diarrhea and are potentially life-threatening occur among children who recently took antibiotics prescribed by doctors for other conditions, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published this week in Pediatrics.

Two Rx-to-OTC switches in the past year may serve as a harbinger of what the Food and Drug Administration will consider “switch” worthy. They both address chronic care needs, and they both represent first of their kind medicines to the nonprescription aisle.

WASHINGTON — A Maryland bill that is intended to help pharmacies in managing inventories and avoid potential drug shortages could create hardships for distributors, according to an FDA law blog.

SOLNA, Sweden — Aerocrine AB, a medical products company focused on improved management and care of patients with such inflammatory airway diseases as asthma, has announced that a new randomized clinical trial shows lower incidence of asthma exacerbations and increased asthma control with Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided anti-inflammatory treatment.  

The study has been published on theweb site of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.