New Products

TOKYO — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a once-monthly treatment for schizophrenia.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical and H. Lundbeck announced the FDA approval of Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) for extended-release injectable suspension, an intramuscular depot formulation indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia.

The companies described Abilify Maintena as the first dopamine D2 partial agonist approved as a once-monthly injection, contributing to a new treatment option to address the ongoing need for relapse prevention in patients with schizophrenia.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme on Thursday announced the introduction of Glazed Banana Kreme Pies, available for a limited time at select mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores.

PLANO, Texas — Ruffles, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division brand, is bringing the tailgate party right to the house with the introduction of Ruffles Max Beer-Battered Onion Rings flavored potato chips, the company announced today.

Onion Rings, the widely popular bar food, second only to the ubiquitous French Fry, according to CNN's "Eatocracy" food blog, has gained a notable following recently, especially among men.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has expanded its telemedicine service to 58 more stores, the retail pharmacy chain said Friday.

Rite Aid said the NowClinic Online Care service were available at stores in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The service gives customers access to care, via a secure online video connection, from OptumHealth doctors and nurses. The company originally unveiled the program at nine stores in Detroit in 2011.

PHOENIX — Red cups aren't just made for beer pong anymore. Red Cup Living has taken them to a whole new level with reusable designs made specifically for wine, margaritas, cocktails and coffee.

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — Despite all the promises of e-prescribing, in the land of the newfangled, the old-fashioned still reigns supreme, according to a new study.

The study, by point-of-prescription advertising company MediScripts, found that handwritten prescriptions continued to outpace e-prescribing by more than 60% in 2012. The company said the high volume of MediScripts prescription pad use demonstrated continued physician preference for pen and paper, but use of electronic medical record software has shown increased uptake.

Has the explosion in generic utilization curbed pioneer-drug research and development? That's one concern floated by some pharmaceutical industry watchers, who claim that the stunning market share gains made by generic drug makers could reduce incentives for branded drug companies to spend to develop new molecular entities, conduct lengthy clinical trials, gain FDA approval and bring those new drugs to market.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Thursday announced new the launch of new delivery systems and certification advancements across GNC's Pro Performance AMP Concentrated Intelligent Release Series and the Pro Performance X.R. Series, along with three new AMP formulas.