Regulatory and Washington

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association announced that Christine Pollack has joined the association as VP government relations, focusing on healthcare policy and serving as one of RILA’s lead advocates on core retail industry priorities.

PITTSBURGH — Sales at generic drug maker Mylan increased by 12% during first quarter 2011, compared with first quarter 2010, the company said Tuesday.

Sales for the three months ended March 31 were $1.45 billion, compared with $1.29 billion during the same period a year ago. Profits, meanwhile, were $104.2 million, compared with $61.1 million in first quarter 2010.

WASHINGTON — Pharmacists in Utah and Ohio have won the 2011 Bowl of Hygeia awards from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation and the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations, the two organizations announced.

The APhA Foundation and NASPA announced that the Utah Pharmacists Association had given the award to Kathy Goodfellow, owner of Mountain View Pharmacy in Bountiful, Utah, and that the Ohio Pharmacists Association had given it to Mark Dominik of St. Mary’s, Ohio.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched an authorized generic version of a Johnson & Johnson drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through a subsidiary, Watson said Monday.

Watson announced the launch by Watson Labs of methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets under an agreement with J&J subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Tradjenta (linagliptin), made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim.

“This approval provides another treatment option for the millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes,” FDA Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products director Mary Parks said. “It is effective when used alone or when added to existing treatment regimens.”

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment made by Abbott for low testosterone in men, the drug maker said Friday.

Abbott announced the approval of AndroGel (testosterone gel) in the 1.62% strength, a clear, odorless topical gel for men with hypogonadism. The company already markets AndroGel in the 1% strength.

The new gel contains 40.5 mg of testosterone in two pump presses, while AndroGel 1% contains 50 mg in four pump presses, but the company said the two were not interchangeable.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced that Robert Loeffler will succeed Larry Merlo as the organization's new board of directors chairman, and also announced the appointment of several other elected officers, at its 2011 Annual Meeting.

Loeffler, who serves as H-E-B's chief administrative officer, will replace Merlo, who is CVS Caremark president and CEO, as NACDS board chairman. Additionally, Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson was elected vice chairman, while Thrifty White president and CEO Robert Narveson was named treasurer.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association announced on Friday that they have issued a letter to Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., expressing pharmacy's support for H.R. 1092, the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, which would help preserve Tricare beneficiaries' access to pharmacy-based healthcare services.

The bill, introduced by Jones, prohibits increases to retail pharmacy co-payments.