Branded

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.