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WASHINGTON — The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America on Tuesday announced a partnership with the National Institutes of Health that will help spur drug development, the association stated. 

The Accelerating Medicines Partnership — an initiative of NIH, several non-profit disease foundations, 10 biopharmaceutical companies and PhRMA — aims to transform the current model for developing new diagnostics and treatments by joining forces to identify and validate promising biological targets of disease. 

RALEIGH, N.C. — Salix Pharmaceuticals last week announced that the Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing a new drug application for Budesonide 2 mg Rectal Foam for the induction of remission in patients with active mild to moderate distal ulcerative colitis extending up to 40 cm from the anal verge.

The FDA has issued an action date of Sept. 15, 2014 under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the risk of stroke, heart attack and death in men taking FDA-approved testosterone products, the agency announced Friday. 

MUMBAI and PITTSBURGH — Mylan on Monday announced that its subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, has launched the world's first trastuzumab biosimilar in India. The product — which will be marketed by Mylan as Hertraz — is used for the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Hertraz is a biosimilar to Roche's Herceptin and is available in two strengths:  440mg and 150mg.

NEW YORK — Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. on Monday announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of its global diabetes business to AstraZeneca.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In support of American Heart Month, Walgreens is offering free blood-pressure testing at all of its pharmacies and Healthcare Clinics throughout the month of February, the retailer announced Monday.

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — Onset Dermatologics, which makes prescription products for improving skin health, has announced the nationwide availability of Tretin-X (tretinoin, USP) Cream 0.075% for the treatment of acne.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Approximately 1-in-3 chronically-ill National Health Interview Survey participants are unable to afford food, medications or both, according to a study published Jan. 21 in the American Journal of Medicine. WIC and public health insurance participation are associated with less food insecurity and cost-related medication underuse.