Regulatory and Washington

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Medicare Part D plans that had incorporated Walgreens into their network gained market share last year, while those without Walgreens collectively lost market share, according to a Walgreens statement issued Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.

WASHINGTON — More than 50 drugs are under development for treating a respiratory disease that is the third-leading cause of death in the United States.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America released a list Thursday of 54 drugs in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores once again has released funding that will support 15 new residencies for recent pharmacy graduates.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Novartis that is designed to prevent tumors in the gastrointestinal tract from recurring after surgical removal, the agency said.

The FDA approved Novartis' Gleevec (imatinib) for adults who have had gastrointestinal stromal tumors, or GIST, removed. The drug was specifically approved for people whose tumors are known as CD117-positive, which includes 95% of all GIST tumors.

The drug was originally approved in 2001 for a type of leukemia.

WASHINGTON — A projection issued by the Congressional Budget Office concluded that healthcare spending in the United States would reach a substantial high.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for anxiety made by Hi-Tech Pharmacal, the drug maker said Tuesday.

The FDA approved Hi-Tech's lorazepam oral concentrate in the 2-mg-per-mL strength, a generic version of Roxanne Labs' Intensol.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $10 million in 2011, according to IMS Health.

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson Consumer Cos. last week voluntarily recalled from retailers one lot of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort lotion that was distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

This is not a consumer level recall and no action is required by consumers, the company stated.