Regulatory and Washington

SILVER SPRING, Md.— The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for chronic hepatitis C, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Merck’s Victrelis (boceprevir) for patients with the disease. The drug is designed for patients who still have some liver function and have not previously received treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection or have failed previous treatments. The drug is approved for use in combination with the generic drug ribavirin and pegylated interferons, biotech drugs used for treating the disease.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating post-operative inflammation in patients who have undergone cataract extraction, the company said Monday.

Mylan announced the launch of bromfenac ophthalmic solution in the 0.09% strength, for twice-daily administration, under a development and supply agreement with Coastal Pharmaceuticals.

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly has launched what it’s calling an “umbrella” for its patient assistance programs.

Lilly subsidiary Lilly USA announced the launch of TruAssist, which comprises a website and call center for patients and healthcare providers to access information about programs the company provides to help increase access to Lilly medications. The website is at LillyTrueAssist.com, while the call center can be reached at 1-855-LLYTRUE (1-855-559-8783).

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A segment on NBC's "Today Show" that emphasized the importance of properly storing and disposing medication has received praise from the National Community Pharmacists Association.

ALEXANDRIA — Pharmacies play a critical role in emergency preparedness. That was the key message in a statement issued this week by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores to the House of Representatives' Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.

The subcommittee held a hearing this week, titled "Taking Measure of Countermeasures: A Review of Efforts to Protect the Homeland Through Distribution and Dispensing of CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear] Medical Countermeasures."

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has launched a version of a drug used to treat schizophrenia, the company said Friday.

Mylan announced the launch of risperidone orally disintegrating tablets in the 0.5-mg, 1-mg, 2-mg, 3-mg and 4-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Johnson & Johnson’s Risperdal M-Tab. Various versions of risperidone orally disintegrating tablets had sales of about $61 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Friday that it sent a letter to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in support of the administration's strategy to prevent and reduce prescription drug diversion and misuse. Last month, the administration released its report, "Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis," detailing its policy recommendations.

WASHINGTON — A new congressional caucus will look for ways to educate the public and members of Congress on how to reduce the country’s healthcare costs with affordable medicines.

Reps. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., and Peter Welch, D-Vt., will serve as chairwoman and chairman for the Congressional Affordable Medicines Caucus, whose formation was announced Thursday.