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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart and Humana have teamed up again to help Medicare beneficiaries afford their prescriptions. With annual enrollment open until Dec. 7, 2012, for 2013 Medicare plans, the Humana-Walmart Preferred Rx Plan announced that it offers one monthly plan premium of $18.50 a month for beneficiaries in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., regardless of where they live.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a drug made by Roche division Genentech.

The drug maker said Friday that the FDA had approved Actemra (tocilizumab) for adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded adequately to one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. The drug was already approved for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Medical supply company BD has introduced a disposable injection pen that it said was designed for drugs requiring frequent, low-volume injections or variable dosing.

The company's BD Medical division announced the introduction of the Vystra, which it will showcase at the 2012 Parenteral Drug Association meeting in Las Vegas.

The company said the pen is designed for ease of use, comfort and reliability, including design features like multi-dosing, simple dose dialing and correction with audible clicks and large and clear dose markings.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most common reasons that retailers give for pet-medication programs is that pets are part of the family.

As analyst Debbie Wang of investment firm Morningstar told Drug Store News in April 2012, more empty nesters and young couples putting off having children are driving increases in pet ownership, and with that comes a need for pet healthcare.

SUMMIT, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an injected drug for lung cancer made by Celgene, the company said Friday.

Celgene announced the approval of Abraxane (paclitaxel) protein-bound particles for injectable suspension, for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer that has advanced locally or spread to other parts of the body, in combination with carboplatin, for patients who are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation therapy.

 NOVI, Mich. — The Chain Drug Marketing Association on Wednesday announced its 87th Annual Trade Expo will take place Feb. 19 to 22 at the Hilton Atlanta in Atlanta.

A “Lunch and Learn” for buyers is planned with Bruce Kneeland, of Epicor Software Solutions, speaking about “How successful Pharmacy Owners use the Front-End to Build Sales and Improve Their Image."

CDMA is owned by more than 100 regional drug chains, independent pharmacies, regional drug wholesalers, specialty distributors and buying groups.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — A company that manufactures simplified packaging designed to increase medication adherence has launched a new website to promote the product.

Medicine-On-Time announced the launch of a new website that connects patients to pharmacies that offer the packaging. The launch includes 250 pharmacies around the country, a number that the company expects to grow. The packaging system is geared toward patients taking multiple drugs and uses personalized pill cups labeled with the day, date and time to take them.

SAN ANTONIO — Mission Pharmacal has launched what it called an alternative to pill therapy for osteoporosis.

The drug maker announced Thursday the availability of Binosto (alendronate sodium) effervescent tablets for buffered oral solution in pharmacies. The drug is used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and increase bone mass in men with the condition.