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DUBLIN — Alkermes has appointed a new chief commercial officer.

Mark Stejbach, who brings 25 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical marketing, sales, managed care and finance to his new role, will be responsible for Alkermes' commercial activities, including marketing and sales of Vivitrol and developing and executing commercial strategies for Alkermes' late-stage pipeline assets, namely ALKS 9070 (for schizophrenia), ALKS 37 (for opioid-induced constipation) and ALKS 5461 (for treatment-resistant depression).

JERUSALEM — A drug under development by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries appears safe and effective in treating allergies, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

Teva said a 529-patient phase-3 trial of Qnasl (beclomethasone dipropionate) nasal aerosol showed the drug produced a "significant" improvement in patients with seasonal and perennial allergies. Patients received either 320 mcg of Qnasl or a placebo.

NEW YORK — Cardinal Health can continue distributing controlled medications from a distribution center in Florida, according to published reports.

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit put a stay on the Drug Enforcement Administration's order that had blocked Cardinal from shipping controlled substances from the Lakeland, Fla., center. The stay will last until the middle of the month, when Cardinal has to file its emergency motion, and the DEA has to file its response, according to the reports.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An organization representing independent retail pharmacies is criticizing a new ad by a pharmacy benefit manager industry group, calling the ad "irresponsible."

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued its latest update on the influenza season to date, or rather the lack thereof. For the week ended Feb. 25, visits for influenza-like illnesses have yet to crack the national baseline of 2.4% this season.

Over the past two seasons, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, reports of ILI activity reached levels approaching 8% and 5%, respectively, after crossing over that 2.4% threshold — an indicator that the flu season is well under way.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first flu vaccine to prevent four strains of the influenza virus.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — An investigational diabetes therapy made by Takeda helped lower HbA1C levels among patients with Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — Endo's parent company is looking to change its name and will integrate four of its operating units, the drug maker said Thursday.

Endo said the company, currently called Endo Pharmaceutical Holdings, would ask shareholders to approve changing the name to Endo Health Solutions at its annual shareholder meeting in May.