New Products

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to become the first company to market a generic treatment for cholesterol.

The drug maker said Wednesday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Welchol (colesevelam hydrochloride) tablets in the 625-mg strength, made by Daiichi Sankyo, thus challenging the patents covering the drug.

LONDON — GlaxoSmithKline and Valeant last week responded to the Food and Drug Administration's complete response letter for the companies' investigational anti-epileptic drug.

AKRON, Ohio — The American Podiatric Medical Association has awarded the APMA seal of acceptance to Performance Health’s Thera-Band First Step to Foot Relief, a first-line treatment plan for heel pain.

The seal is awarded to a product after the Committee on Podiatric Seals, a standing committee of the American Podiatric Medical Association, scientifically evaluates and determines whether the product allows normal foot function and promotes quality foot health.

NEW DELHI — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a diabetes drug made by Lupin Pharmaceuticals, according to published reports.

The FDA approved Lupin’s metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, a generic version of Andrx Labs’ Fortamet.

Fortamet had sales of $83 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

LOS ANGELES — My Idol Pops is rolling out licensed confections through its My Idolpops line based on the upcoming 3-D movie "The Smurfs."

The beloved blue characters, including Clumsy, Smurfette, Papa and Brainy, are captured in My Idolpops hand-crafted lollipops. The 1-oz. lollipops are wrapped in a bag bearing the colorful image of each Smurf character and displayed in a four-color playful display box of 24. The pops also are available in peg-hook bags of two pops each.

"The Smurfs" is slated for theatrical release on July 29.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched a generic drug for treating herpes, the company said Wednesday.

Mylan announced the launch of famciclovir tablets in the 125-mg, 250-mg and 500-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Famvir.

Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of $196 million in 2010, according to IMS Health.

VISTA, Calif. — Astroglide on Wednesday launched its new personal massager device, the AstroglideVibe.

A durable waterproof device, the travel-sized AstroglideVibe offers multiple speeds and requires only one AA-sized battery.

The product sells for $13.99 on CVS.com.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Salix Pharmaceuticals three patents related to a drug used for travelers’ diarrhea.

Salix announced Wednesday that it had secured patents for the drug Xifaxan (rifaximin) covering its methods of treating travelers’ diarrhea, as well as two related to the drug’s chemical composition.

The patents are set to expire between 2024 and 2029.