New Products

RICHMOND, Va. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals for treating addiction to opioid drugs, the drug maker said.

Reckitt Benckiser announced the approval of Suboxone (buprenorphine and naloxone) sublingual film in the 4 mg and 12 mg strengths, used for the maintenance treatment of dependence on prescription opioid painkillers and heroin. Addiction to opioid drugs is a growing epidemic in the United States, the company said.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Murad, whose skin care products are available at such retailers as Ulta Beauty and Sephora, has announced the addition of the new Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator to its Anti-Aging Acne Line, which was created to simultaneously reduce acne and aging concerns.

SARASOTA, Fla. — A Midwestern hospital system will implement a system in which nurses, physicians and others will use smartphones for communications.

Voalte, which develops a clinical communications system, said the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics would use its system to improve clinical workflow by using iPhones to merge voice, text and alarms, allowing patient care providers to send and receive high-definition voice calls, secure text messages and alarms on one device.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals has launched an authorized generic version of a respiratory disease drug used in children and adults, the drug maker said Monday.

Watson announced the launch of an authorized generic version of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals' Xopenex (levalbuterol hydrochloride) inhalation solution under an agreement with Sunovion. The drug is used to treat and prevent bronchospasm in patients ages 6 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease.

NEW YORK — Living Essentials is planning to expand its portfolio into snack bars in early 2013, according to a Reuters report published last week. The low-calorie snack bar will hold off hunger for three hours, according to the report. The brand name of the new bar was not disclosed.

Snacking is no longer limited to between-meal munching. “The food culture is changing, and snacking occasions are much broader,” said Blaine Becker, a representative for The Hartman Group. Becker said consumers are snacking more frequently during the day and often are reaching for more substantial, healthier snacks.

Research from The Hartman Group indicated that for millennial consumers, the lines between meals have blurred, and “three squares” a day are being replaced by smaller, more frequent meals.

Despite an economy that’s still in the doldrums, the back-to-school season means parents will once again open their wallets for the annual shopping ritual. “We expect spending to be up again modestly this BTS season — most likely in the low- to mid-single digits,” said Perry James, president of the NPD Group division that follows the category.

The Philadelphia chocolate-and-peanut bar that started as a World War I ration is back — even though it didn't really go anywhere. Candy company Just Born announced that it has overhauled its Peanut Chews' brand image to better reflect its roots.