Regulatory and Washington

LEBANON, N.H. — Medicare beneficiaries' use of medications — both effective and risky — varies widely across different regions of the United States, according to a new report.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Children in the United States miss more than 38 million days of school due to the flu, and in response, one organization is promoting flu vaccination for entire families.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new generic drug from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for treating eye infections, the company said.

The Israeli drug maker announced the approval of the antibiotic drug tobramycin inhalation solution, a generic version of Novartis' Tobi.

Tobi has sales of about $350 million during the 12-month period that ended in June, according to IMS Health.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Independent pharmacies are focusing more on helping patients adhere to their medication therapies and save money by using generics, according to a new digest for members of a trade group that represents independents.

DUBLIN — Actavis is hoping to become the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat patients who have become dependent on opioid drugs, triggering a lawsuit from the branded drug's manufacturer.

The generic drug maker said it had filed a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration for buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride sublingual film in the 2-mg/0.5-mg and 8-mg/2-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser's Suboxone.

SAN ANTONIO — An increase of 1% in prescribed drug use decreases Medicare spending on other medical services by 5%, according to statements made Tuesday at a specialty pharmacy conference by a former chief of staff for the Obama administration.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Community Pharmacists Association Tuesday morning spelled out its public policy agenda — including the push to get H.R. 3204, The Drug Quality and Security Act, enacted — and expressed optimism for the future of community pharmacy during a media briefing held in conjunction with NCPA’s 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition here. 

WASHINGTON — Calling it a "looming threat," the National Council on Patient Information and Education released a 10-step plan to draw attention to the problem of poor medication adherence among elderly people with multiple chronic conditions.