Regulatory and Washington

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration, in a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, on Monday sought a permanent injunction against the dietary supplement manufacturer James G. Cole; its president, James Cole; and its general manager, Julie Graves, following the company’s repeated distribution of unapproved drugs and adulterated dietary supplements in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

NOIDA, India — The Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs for depression and smoking cessation made by Jubilant Life Sciences, the company said.

Jubilant, based in India, announced the approval of generic bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the 100-mg, 150-mg and 200-mg strengths, and another bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablet product in the 150-mg strength.

The first product is a generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's antidepressant Wellbutrin SR, while the second is a version of GSK's anti-smoking drug Zyban.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Specialty Pharmacy has named Walgreens corporate VP specialty pharmacy and infusion services as its first president, the organization said Tuesday.

BETHESDA, Md. — Researchers have begun the first definitive, large-scale clinical trial to investigate if a vitamin D supplement helps prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes in adults who have prediabetes and are at high risk for developing Type 2. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study is taking place at about 20 study sites across the United States, the agency announced Monday.

NEW YORK — The state Senate of Pennsylvania will vote on a bill to curb misuse of prescription drugs, according to published reports.

The Beaver County, Pa., Times reported that Pennsylvania House Bill 1694 cleared the lower house of the state legislature in a 191-7 vote. The bill is designed to stop doctor-shopping and pill mills by creating an electronic prescription drug database to track drugs dispensed by doctors and veterinarians. Doctors and pharmacists can then use it to verify patients' medication histories.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic contraceptive drug made by Famy Care, agency records show.

The agency approved Famy's levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets in the 0.02-mg/0.1-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Aviane-28, made by Teva Women's Health, a division of Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries that previously went under the name Duramed.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program last week determined that Kowa Health Care America can support general performance claims for Okinawa Life, a dietary supplement marketed as providing a variety of health benefits. 

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a pain drug made by Iroko Pharmaceuticals, Iroko said.

The drug maker announced the approval of Zorvolex (diclofenac) capsules for mild to moderate acute pain in adults. The drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, belonging to the same class as the common analgesic drug ibuprofen. Zorvolex was approved at dosage strengths 20% lower than currently available diclofenac products, the company said.