Branded

PHILADELPHIA — Following regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, GlaxoSmithKline confirmed it has begun shipping the first lots of its 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccines to healthcare providers and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distribution centers.

NORTHVALE, N.J. — Abon Pharmaceuticals is challenging the patent protection on an injected drug used to treat leukemia in children and adolescents, the company said Tuesday.

Abon said it filed with the Food and Drug Administration for regulatory approval of clofarabine in the 1 mg-per-mL strength. The drug is a generic version of Genzyme's Clolar, used to treat relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in patients ages one to 21 years, who already have undergone at least two regimens.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Surescripts on Tuesday announced that Minnesota achieved the highest rate of e-prescribing use in the nation during 2011 to capture the No. 1 ranking in its seventh annual Safe-Rx Awards. The rankings are determined by an analysis of data that measures electronic prescribing use by physicians, pharmacies and payers in each state.

PRINCETON, N.J. — A drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca improved several measures of blood-sugar control in Type 2 diabetes patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

WASHINGTON — As many as 47 million women will be gaining greater control over their health care and access to eight new prevention-related healthcare services without paying more out of their own pocket beginning Aug. 1, Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Tuesday.

“This law puts women and their doctors, not insurance companies or the government, in charge of healthcare decisions," Sebelius stated, citing regulations going into effect under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

LONDON — Stiefel, a GlaxoSmithKline company, announced the availability of Sorilux foam by prescription.

The product is a topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in patients ages 18 years or older. Sorilux foam utilizes VersaFoam technology. VersaFoam-AEF (aqueous-based emulsion formulation) is free of ethanol, preservatives, parabens and fragrance, Stiefel said. The company also noted the foam is the only vitamin D3 analog treatment in a topical foam formulation.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutical has resubmitted regulatory approval applications for two drugs designed to treat diabetes, the company said.

Takeda announced the resubmission to the Food and Drug Administration of applications for alogliptin and a drug that combines alogliptin with pioglitazone, the active ingredient in the Takeda drug Actos.

SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Next Choice One Dose (levonorgestrel) tablets in the 1.5-mg strength. The drug is an emergency contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is a generic version of Teva Women’s Health’s Plan B One-Step, which had sales of about $88 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.