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NEW YORK — Pfizer has named one of its executives to a new position.

Olivier Brandicourt — Pfizer's president and general manager of the primary care business unit and a member of the Pfizer executive leadership team — has been appointed president and general manager of the company's emerging markets and established business products business units, effective June 1. He succeeds David Simmons, who is leaving Pfizer to become the chairman and CEO of Pharmaceutical Product Development.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for acne made by a GlaxoSmithKline subsidiary.

Stiefel announced the approval of Fabior (tazarotene) foam in the 0.1% strength, calling it the only retinoid in a topical foam for treating acne in patients ages 12 years and older.

"Stiefel is dedicated to meeting th needs of patients and dermatologists, and we believe Fabior foam will be an important treatment option for people with moderate-to-severe acne," Stiefel VP North America dermatology Jean-Christophe May said.

NEW YORK — Pfizer has partnered with EatingWell magazine to launch the drug maker's Lipitor For You "Recipes 2 Go" mobile application.

Taken together, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema — affect nearly 50 million Americans, or about 15% of the total U.S. population, according to statistics from such organizations as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And combined, the two diseases cause more than 100,000 deaths per year. Fortunately, however, there is a wide range of treatments available for both, many of which work for both diseases.

OTTAWA — Getting a flu shot during pregnancy provides unanticipated benefits to the baby, according to the authors of a large population-based study examining the issue. Specifically, the study showed that H1N1 vaccination during the pandemic was associated with a significantly reduced risk of stillbirth, preterm birth and extremely small babies at birth.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for Type 1 diabetes in children ages 2 to 5 years.

Drug maker Novo Nordisk announced Tuesday the additional approval of Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin]). The insulin already was approved for Type 1 diabetes in older children and adults and Type 2 diabetes in adults, and the drug maker said the new FDA approval made Levemir the only basal insulin analog for use in the 2 to 5 year age group.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Medical supply manufacturer BD has released a syringe with a shorter needle designed to reduce discomfort in patients with diabetes who must inject insulin, the company said Tuesday.

BD announced the introduction of the ultra-fine 6mm needle, saying more than 80% of patients expressed a preference for it in trials, and a recent article published by the American Association of Diabetes Educators recognized the safety and efficacy of shorter needles.

The needle is designed to deliver insulin subcutaneously in adults and children.

SAN DIEGO — Drug maker Apricus Biosciences will receive regulatory guidance from the Food and Drug Administration in July that will contain feedback concerning the drug maker's plans to seek approval for a nail fungus treatment.