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  • FDA allows meningitis vaccine for infants as young as 2 months

    CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine against meningococcal disease for use among patients of a broader age range than before.

  • PhRMA: Drug companies have 444 medicines under development for neurological disorders

    WASHINGTON — Nearly 450 drugs are under development for treating neurological disorders, according to a report by a drug industry trade group.

    The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said in a report released Wednesday that drug makers had 444 drugs in clinical development or awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval for a range of diseases, ranging from mild to serious.

  • Pfizer to form three business segments for branded, generic drugs

    NEW YORK — Drug maker Pfizer is planning to split its commercial division into three business lines that will separate its branded and generic products, the company said Monday.

  • Actavis lowers acetaminophen dosage in painkiller drugs

    PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Actavis is launching new formulations of a drug used to treat tension headaches, the company said Monday.

    The drug maker announced new formulations for Fioricet (butalbital; acetaminophen; caffeine) capsules and Fioricet with Codeine that reduce the amount of acetaminophen from 325 mg to 300 mg. Actavis said the formulation would provide a safer treatment option for patients.

  • Perrigo to buy Elan Corp.

    ALLEGAN, Mich. — U.S.-based drug maker Perrigo Co. will buy Ireland's Elan Corp. for $8.6 billion, the companies said Monday.

    Elan is best known for the multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri (natalizumab), marketed and distributed by Biogen Idec. Perrigo manufactures various branded and generic prescription and OTC drugs. A previously announced deal, whereby New York-based Royalty Pharma would acquire the Dublin-based drug maker, fell apart last month after Elan shareholders voted in favor of a share-buyback plan.

  • Senate to consider drug supply chain bill

    ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new track-and-trace bill that the Senate is expected to consider would institute a nationwide "track-and-trace" system in place of patchwork state laws with the aim of securing the pharmaceutical supply chain.

    S. 959 also seeks to respond to last year's meningitis outbreak by establishing a list of "do not compound" medications.

  • HPV vaccination rates among girls stalled in 2012, CDC says

    ATLANTA — While rates of human papillomavirus infection among girls ages 14 years to 19 years have dropped by half since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started recommending routine vaccination against it seven years ago, rates of vaccination have not increased, the agency said.

    According to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, HPV vaccination coverage for girls did not increase over last year. The survey included vaccination records of about 19,000 teenagers.

  • Health Canada approves GSK's Tafinlar, Mekinist

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian regulators have approved two drugs made by GlaxoSmithKline for treating skin cancer, GSK said Wednesday.

    The drug maker announced Health Canada's approval of Tafinlar (dabrafenib mesylate) and Mekinist (trametinib) in patients with melanoma that can't be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body.

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