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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday encouraged community pharmacists to demonstrate their role as a respected and knowledgeable resource on all aspects of medications, from dispensing to disposal, in preparation for Earth Day, which falls on April 22.

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a patch for treating restless legs syndrome and Parkinson's disease.

UCB announced the FDA approval of Neupro (rotigotine) transdermal system advanced-stage idiopathic Parkinson's and moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — People ages 65 years and older reduced their volume of prescriptions, while those ages 19 to 25 years increased their use of prescription drugs as the healthcare-reform law allowed them to remain on their parents' insurance, according to a new report by IMS Health.

The report, "The Use of Medicines in the United States: Review of 2011," found that per capita spending on U.S. medicines grew by 0.5% as healthcare system spending reached $320 billion and new drug launches opened new treatment options for more than 20 million Americans.

NEW YORK — Forest Labs has bought rights to a drug used for high blood pressure that it had marketed with a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, thus eliminating the need to pay future royalties.

Forest announced Monday that it had bought all U.S. and Canadian intellectual property related to Bystolic (nebivolol) for $357 million from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV on Friday.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson is challenging the patent protection on two eye drugs made by Allergan, the generic drug maker said Tuesday.

Watson announced that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for generic versions of Allergan's Lumigan and Latisse (bimatoprost) ophthalmic solution. The products contain the same active ingredient in the 0.01% and 0.03% strengths, respectively, and are used to reduce pressure within the eye in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — A drug maker and a charity organization are donating $3 million in contraceptives to uninsured women.

Teva Pharmaceuticals and Direct Relief USA announced the donation of 5,000 units of the intrauterine contraceptive ParaGard to clinics and health centers serving low-income people, including the EXCELth Family Health Center in New Orleans.

SAN DIEGO — Drug maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals has filed for regulatory approval of a drug to treat diabetes and elevated triglycerides in the bloodstream in children and adults with a rare disorder.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck has introduced a new program that's designed to provide resources and information to help patients with Type 2 diabetes commit to living a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.