New Products

NEW YORK Inko's line of ready-to-drink white teas has expanded to include two new flavors.

ROCKVILLE, Md. A decision by a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee could pave the way for the first new drug to treat lupus in decades.

The FDA’s Arthritis Advisory Committee voted 13-2 Tuesday to recommend approval for Benlysta (belimumab), a drug for systemic lupus erythematosus made by British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline and U.S.-based Human Genome Sciences, the two companies announced. Lupus is an inflammatory disorder that affects internal organs, joints and skin and, in its severest forms, can be fatal.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — As the New Year quickly approaches, consumers with weight loss on their minds can look to a simple solution for healthy weight maintenance.

With pre-measured portions subtly etched into its interior, the Measure Up Bowl combines a measuring cup and dining bowl in one. The Measure Up Bowl is made of microwave- and dishwasher-safe porcelain, and is available in two sizes:

CLEVELAND American Greetings is bringing laughs on the go with its latest line.

Pocket Talkers offer a whole new take on funny sound cards. The cards feature detachable talking characters that are sure to entertain, American Greetings said. Each "talker" is mounted to the front of the greeting card and is ready to serve up a series of funny audio clips at the push of a button.

Pocket Talkers are available for purchase wherever American Greetings products are sold.

MADISON, N.J. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Tuesday announced it will be supporting its Advil Congestion Relief launch with a text-driven sweepstakes across five metropolitan areas, including Atlanta; Grapevine, Texas; Jersey City, N.J.; Orland Park, Ill.; and Pleasanton, Calif. As many as 100 sweepstake winners will be awarded the services of a personal shopper for use on Black Friday, providing “literal congestion relief” on one of the most congested holiday shopping days.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — There is a direct correlation between the amount of a patient's out-of-pocket co-pay and prescription abandonment, according to the findings of a CVS Caremark-sponsored study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study also found that e-prescriptions are more likely to be abandoned at retail compared with handwritten prescriptions.

SAN DIEGO — The Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to a drug for treating sickle cell disease.

TAMPA, Fla. — Biopharmaceutical company Oragenics has expanded retail distribution of its oral care probiotic EvoraPlus through an agreement with Winn-Dixie Stores. EvoraPlus will be sold in select Winn-Dixie locations, beginning in January 2011.