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SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration last month announced that it has approved an amended application submitted by Teva Women's Health to market Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) for use without a prescription by women 15 years of age and older. That approval moved Plan B One-Step from behind the pharmacy counter into the family planning section of the pharmacy.

Out of all retail pharmacy outlets, food stores have slightly increased their prescription sales, generating March year-to-date sales of $5.7 billion, up 0.5%, according to IMS Health data. Including drug, mail and independents, prescription sales totaled $58.3 billion, down 4.7%, reported Doug Long, VP industry relations for IMS Health, at an FMI education breakout.

The year is only halfway done, but 2013 is already proving to be a year of particular importance for generic drugs as the industry awaits two important decisions from the Supreme Court and continues to wait for federal biosimilar regulations while fending off efforts to limit the scope of their use at the state level.

Antitrust attorney and pharmacy benefit management legal expert David Balto on Friday monitored a mini-summit helping supermarket pharmacy better navigate the PBM universe. And Balto updated attendees on the legislative landscape — three current bills pending in Congress; 29 states now regulate PBM activity; and 19 states have PBM legislation pending.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. — A new, higher-dose formulation of a drug used to treat pancreatic disorders is now available, the drug's manufacturer said.

AbbVie announced the launch of the new formulation of Creon (pancrelipase) delayed-release capsules. The drug is used to treat exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, removal of the pancreas and other conditions. The new strength is the highest-dose pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy available in the United States, AbbVie said.

There are several important pieces of legislation that will have an impact on the business of supermarket pharmacy if passed, noted Michael Spira, American Pharmacists Association senior lobbyist, during an FMI education session.

The Senate recently passed legislation on drug compounding, for example. A House version of compounding legislation is expected within the next month, Spira said.

NEW YORK — A new law in Missouri allows state regulatory officials to test drugs during inspections.

Gov. Jay Nixon signed into law the bill, S.B. 306, which allows the Missouri Board of Pharmacy to establish a program for testing drugs, including compounded drugs, with testing paid for by the board. The law previously allowed the board only to inspect businesses selling drugs or chemicals.

A copy of the bill is here.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop has launched a card to help customers save money on prescription drugs, days after sister-chain Giant Food of Landover, Md., did the same.

Stop & Shop, owned by Ahold USA, announced the introduction of the Stop & Shop Prescription Savings Card. The card is available for a one-time enrollment fee of $10 and offers 30-day supplies of certain generic drugs for $3.99 and 90-day supplies for $9.99, as well as additional savings on products and services like diabetes testing supplies and flu shots.