Regulatory and Washington

NEW YORK — Several states are cutting funding to programs that provide HIV medications to people who can’t afford them in an effort to reduce spending, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported that more than 8,300 people are on waiting lists to obtain antiretrovirals and other drugs that treat HIV, AIDS and related conditions. The Post article highlighted particularly large program cuts in Illinois and Georgia, as well as one proposed for Florida.

WASHINGTON — More than 350 independent pharmacists will be rallying with legislators in the halls of Congress Wednesday to help communicate the value pharmacists contribute to health care and to advocate for specific legislative initiatives as part of the 2011 Legislative and Government Affairs Conference of the National Community Pharmacists Association.

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic over-the-counter treatment for allergies made by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries.

Taro announced Monday the approval of cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution.

The drug, a generic version of Johnson & Johnson’s children’s Zyrtec, is used to relieve symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies and is available in a sugar-free bubblegum flavor.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that it submitted on Tuesday a statement to the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism for the "Responding to the Prescription Drug Epidemic: Strategies for Reducing Abuse, Misuse, Diversion and Fraud" hearing.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for epilepsy made by Mylan.

Mylan said Monday that the FDA had approved its divalproex sodium capsules in the 125-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Abbott’s Depakote Sprinkle capsules and is used to treat certain types of epileptic seizures.

Divalproex sodium capsules had sales of about $89 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for hepatitis C made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the agency said Monday.

The FDA approved Incivek (telaprevir) to treat adults with chronic hepatitis C infection, particularly those who either have not received interferon-based drug therapy or who have not responded to prior therapies. The drug is approved for use with therapies that include ribavirin and peginterferon alfa.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — A generic drug maker has been granted approval from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture its version of a urinary tract infection treatment.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals said that its nitrofurantoin oral suspension in the 25-mg/5-mL strength is the first-to-market, AB-rated, generic version of Furadantin, which is made by Shionogi Pharma.

Amneal will sell its generic in 8-oz./230-mL size bottles, the company said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Pfizer drug for treating pancreatic tumors.

Pfizer announced Friday the approval of Sutent (sunitinib malate) for the treatment of progressive, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in patients with locally advanced disease that can’t be removed through surgery. Pancreatic NET is a rare cancer reported in 2 million to 4 million people worldwide every year.