Licensing

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for treating pain.

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals announced Monday the approval of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate oral solution in the 120-mg/12-mg-per-5-mL strength.

Sales for acetaminophen and codeine phosphate oral solution for $4.3 million during the 12-month period ended in September, according to IMS Health.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has appointed a new chief of staff for commissioner Margaret Hamburg, according to a letter sent to agency employees Monday.

In the letter, Hamburg announced the appointment of Lisa Barclay. Barclay, currently a partner at the Washington law firm Zuckerman Spaeder, will replace Molly Muldoon, who was previously chief of staff and more recently the agency's acting COO.

CHICAGO — The Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing has recognized Penny Strong, nurse practitioner at Walgreens' Take Care Clinic in River Forest, Ill., with its Marie Lindsey Spirit of Advanced Practice Nursing award during the Illinois Nurses Association biennial convention.

The convention was held in East Peoria, Ill., from Oct. 20 to 22. The award is named after Marie Lindsey, PhD, APN, CNP, who was the first president of ISAPN and a driving force in the pursuit of legislation to recognize APNs in Illinois. 
 


PISCATAWAY, N.J. — A company focused on developing niche generic and specialty pharmaceutical products has received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its version of a psychiatric drug.

Innopharma said its abbreviated new drug application for olanzapine injection, a generic equivalent of Zyprexa injection. With this approval, Innopharma announced that it has entered an agreement with Sandoz, who will sell, market and distribute Innopharma's generic in the United States.

HYDERABAD, India — Dr. Reddy's Labs reported sales of $462 million for second quarter 2012 and $866 million for the first half of the fiscal year, according to an earnings statement released Tuesday.

The Indian generic drug maker said the second-quarter sales represented a 21% increase over second quarter 2011. Sales from global generics were $329 million for the quarter, an 18% increase over second quarter 2011, driven mostly by growth in North America and Russia.

Profits for the quarter were $63 million, a 7% increase over second quarter 2011.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Adminsitration has approved a drug made by ApoPharma for a complication resulting from treatments for a genetic condition that causes anemia, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Ferriprox (deferiprone), used to treat patients with iron overload due to blood transfusions for thalassemia, a blood disorder. Patients with the disease have excess iron in their bodies because of the frequent blood transfusions they must receive that can lead to iron overload, a condition that can be fatal.

Along with major paradigm shifts in how people communicate, read and do business, the way they receive healthcare services is changing dramatically, and retail pharmacies are at the front line.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday named Jeffrey Kang and Mike Ellis to its pharmacy, health and wellness division.

Kang will join Walgreens Oct. 31 as SVP health and wellness services and solutions, reporting to both president and CEO Greg Wasson and president of pharmacy, health and wellness Kermit Crawford.

In addition, Mike Ellis has joined Walgreens as VP specialty pharmacy and infusion, reporting to Crawford.