Regulatory and Washington

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid will help elderly people and their caregivers prepare for the annual Medicare Part D enrollment starting in two weeks, the drug store chain said Tuesday.

Rite Aid said its stores around the country would offer Medicare Advisor to help Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers find the plan that suits them best starting on Oct. 15.

DUBLIN — Ireland's High Court has approved Actavis' acquisition of Warner Chilcott, the drug makers said.

The companies said the approval of Irish authorities meant that they had obtained all regulatory approvals required to complete the transaction, and that it now remained subject to satisfaction of other customary closing conditions and would occur as soon as practicable.

Actavis and Warner Chilcott announced the $8.5 billion merger deal in May. The companies' shareholders voted to approve it on Sept. 10.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug developed by Takeda to treat major depressive disorder, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Brintellix (vortioxetine) tablets for treating MDD in adults. The drug will be available in the 5-mg, 10-mg, 15-mg and 20-mg strengths.

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed legislation to prohibit pharmacies and stores from selling dextromethorphan to any person younger than 18 years unless they have a prescription.

“This legislation will combat the growing trend of DXM abuse by preventing young people from easily purchasing products that contain DXM,” Cuomo stated. “The overuse of this drug can lead to terrible consequences, so by limiting access to this substance, this new law will prevent tragedies and protect the health of our children.”

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Most consumers have "no" or "a little bit" of knowledge about the health insurance marketplaces set to open on Tuesday, according to a new survey.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Monday unveiled the Insurance Exchange webpage to help pharmacy staff respond to and engage patients about the new insurance marketplaces. Access to the resources is available to any NCPA member via the members-only section of www.ncpanet.org. 

BRUSSELS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new usage for a drug made by UCB, the drug maker said Monday.

UCB announced the approval of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) for psoriatic arthritis in adults. Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory, autoimmune condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints, usually combined with the skin lesions of psoriasis. The drug was already approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The National Criminal Justice Association has recognized a program to combat prescription drug abuse in Arizona as the best such program in the west of the country.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy said the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative received the NCJA's 2013 Western Region Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award. The program involves state agencies and organizations, including the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.