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RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals for treating addiction to opioid drugs, the drug maker said.

Reckitt Benckiser announced the approval of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film in the 4 mg and 12 mg strengths, used for the maintenance treatment of dependence on prescription opioid painkillers and heroin. Addiction to opioid drugs is a growing epidemic in the United States, the company said.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi's vaccine's division has launched a new treatment for head lice, the company said Monday.

Sanofi Pasteur announced the availability of Sklice (ivermectin) lotion in the 0.5% strength. The drug is approved for patients ages 6 months and older.

The company said head lice cases have increased rapidly in the United States, affecting between 6 million and 12 million children ages 3 to 11 years each year.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Prasco Labs is distributing an authorized generic version of a respiratory drug under an agreement with the branded drug's manufacturer.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Ranbaxy Labs has launched an authorized generic version of a diabetes drug made by Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ranbaxy said Friday.

Ranbaxy announced the launch, through subsidiary Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals and under an agreement with Takeda, of pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets, an authorized generic version of Takeda's Actos. An authorized generic is a branded drug marketed at a reduced price under its generic name, typically by a third-party company operating under contract with the original branded drug's manufacturer.

The U.S. healthcare system presents a paradox: It’s the most expensive system in the world, and yet it produces among the worst results among developed countries. According to the most recent report from the National Health Expenditure Accounts, spending on health care reached $2.6 trillion in 2010, or more than $8,400 per person and around 18% of the country’s gross domestic product.


They say hindsight is 20/20. With the Supreme Court’s ruling on healthcare reform, the luxury of looking back shows that the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and allies took the right course to battle the pharmacy Medicaid cuts of the Deficit Reduction Act. What we learned should inspire pharmacy to remain tenacious in its continued advocacy on this issue and in confronting all other challenges.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced the launch of an authorized generic of a Type 2 diabetes drug.

The company launched pioglitazone hydrochloride tablets in the 15-mg, 30-mg and 45-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Takeda Pharmaceuticals' Actos.

Annual sales of Actos in the United States were approximately $2.7 billion for the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS sales data.

NEW YORK — Global sales of nicotine replacement products are expected to reach $6.2 billion in 2018, following compound annual growth rates of 4.5% between now and then, GBI Research reported Wednesday.