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INDIANAPOLIS — Roche on Wednesday announced that it has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its Accu-Chek Combo system for insulin pump therapy.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new weight-loss drug made by Vivus, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) extended-release, designed for use by overweight and obese adults alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise for chronic weight management. The drug's original brand name was Qnexa.

LONDON — British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will acquire development partner Human Genome Sciences for $3.6 billion, GSK said Monday.

The deal, worth $14.25 per share, would give GSK full ownership of the lupus drug Benlysta (belimumab), as well as albiglutide, an experimental drug for diabetes, and darapladib, an experimental heart disease drug.

ATLANTA — UCB has launched a new drug for treating Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, the company said Monday.

The Belgian drug maker announced the launch of Neupro (rotigotine) transdermal system, which the Food and Drug Administration approved in April. The drug is a once-daily patch that provides continuous delivery of rotigotine, a dopamine agonist, over 24 hours.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory application for an opioid painkiller made by Zogenix, the company said Monday.

The drug maker announced the FDA's acceptance of its application for Zohydro (hydrocodone bitartrate) extended-release capsules, designed for moderate to severe chronic pain. The company expects the FDA to decide whether or not to approve the drug by March 1, 2013.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug used to treat HIV for reducing the risk of HIV infection, the agency said Monday.

Another prescription drug-related crime is drug counterfeiting, which got significant attention in March 2011 when CBS News’ “60 Minutes” reported on the problem, including a tour of a drug counterfeiting operation.


In March, the Senate passed S. 1886, the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act, which toughens punishments for criminals who produce and traffic counterfeit medications, drawing praise from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.


SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur has begun shipping the first lots of its influenza vaccine for the 2012-2013 season.