New Products

WILLIAMS, Ore. — Herb Pharm recently debuted a new logo and label design across its entire product line in conjunction with the launch of three new herbal supplements — Inflamma Response capsules, Passionflower capsules and Turmeric softgels.

The new scheme makes use of color-coded functional categories that are easy to spot and understand. The new color-coded system enables retailers to merchandise products by category, while also providing consumers an at-a-glance reference point intended to educate, facilitate product selection and eliminate confusion. 

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Sunovion Pharmaceuticals on Monday announced that Aptiom (eslicarbazepine acetate), a once-daily antiepileptic drug, is now available across the United States.

The drug, which received approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 8, 2013, is a prescription medicine used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures. The drug is available in four table strengths: 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg; it can be taken whole or crushed, with food or without.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat on Monday announced that it is one of a select group of specialty pharmacies contracted by Celgene to distribute Otezla (apremilast), a new medication for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. Otezla is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) specific for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). 

Otezla was approved by the FDA on March 21, 2014, and is available in 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg tablets. 

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar on Tuesday introduced Kit’s Organic Fruit + Seed, a snack bar made with all organic fruit and seeds. Kit’s Organic Fruit + Seed is the vision of Kit Crawford, owner and co-chief visionary officer of Clif Bar, whose passion for organic farming and kitchen-crafted food inspired this bar. Motivated by her own experiences on her family farm and in her kitchen, Kit’s Organic Fruit + Seed is made with only a handful of ingredients and no added sugar.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries announced that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its generic form of Lovaza (omega-3-acid ethyl esters capsules, USP) in the United States.

Lovaza is used as an adjunct to diet to reduce triglycerdide levels in adult patients, according to the FDA. Teva believes it is the first to file and plans to begin shipping immediately.

Lovaza capsules, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, had annual sales of $1.1 billion in the United States as of December 2013, according to IMS data.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate). The drug is indicated for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who have received a parenteral anticoagulant for five to 10 days, and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE in patients who have been previously treated, the company said.

PLANO, TX — Cheetos and Doritos, two brands from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, announced the introduction of Cheetos Flamin' Hot/Doritos Dinamita Chile Limon Mix, which will bring a spicy-crunchy combo to consumers in a single bag. The debut marks the first time the two snacks have been available in the same package.

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Briggs Healthcare, a supplier to the hospital, pharmaceutical/DME and retail markets for 65 years, on Monday announced it is aligning its brands under the HealthSmart name as of summer 2014. The brand will be supported by a new website for wholesale and retail customers and, in collaboration with its retail partners, new packaging. Following the announcement, more than 1,000 products will be rebranded as HealthSmart.