News Briefs

Azurity Pharmaceuticals has been given the Food and Drug Administration’s green light for Konvomep (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate for oral suspension) for the treatment of active benign gastric ulcer and reduction of risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients.

“We are very pleased that patients will soon have access to this FDA-approved oral liquid formulation option of a commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitor,” said Richard Blackburn, CEO of Azurity Pharmaceuticals. “Patients are our priority, and our purpose is to bring them new formulations that help them benefit from established medicines. Konvomep may give patients, particularly patients with difficulty swallowing pills or capsules, an option for treatment tailored to their needs.”

“Patients who struggle with taking solid oral dosage forms may be overlooked and have historically had limited FDA-approved treatment options available as liquid formulations,” said Olga Hilas, professor, clinical health professions at St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.

It is expected that Konvomep will become commercially available in pharmacies nationwide in Q1 2023.

Little Bites is taking on a favorite fall flavor with a seasonal limited-edition relaunch.

The Horsham, Pa.-based company announced the return of its pumpkin muffins, which come in a pre-portioned pouch and are made with real pumpkin.

“We love this time of year because it means our fan-favorite Little Bites pumpkin muffins make a comeback for families to enjoy,” said Moira Flood, senior brand manager at Little Bites Snacks. “For more than 20 years, we’ve been providing delicious flavor options that will help families create little moments that feel really big during snack time. We can’t wait to hear how our pumpkin muffins are adding excitement to our fan’s adventures this fall!”

Featuring 200 calories per pouch, Little Bites’ pumpkin muffins are made without the use of high fructose corn syrup, contain 0 g of trans fat and will be available at most retailers nationwide through October, the brand said.

Nestlé Rallies is adding a new flavor to its lineup of Nut Butter Bombs.

The latest addition is raspberry peanut butter, which features a dark chocolate coating that helps balance out the flavors of peanut butter and real raspberry pieces, the company said.

In addition, the brand also announced that all its Nut Butter Bombs are now available nationwide.

The trio of Nestlé Rallies Nut Butter Bombs, which include brownie almond butter, salted cashew butter and raspberry peanut butter, can now be found in the refrigerated section of select Harris Teeter, Giant Eagle and QuickChek stores, with additional in-store distribution coming in the next few months, the company said.

With midterm elections on the horizon, members of the National Community Pharmacists Association have completed dozens of pharmacy visits with policymakers or their staff as part of NCPA’s Month of Action initiative.

The Month of Action was in lieu of NCPA’s Congressional Pharmacy Fly-In to Washington, D.C., which typically takes place in April. By inviting policymakers to pharmacies instead, this initiative provided firsthand insight into the important role independent pharmacies play in their communities, the many ways that pharmacy teams help patients and the challenges facing the industry.

[Read more: NCPA survey: Three-quarters of community pharmacies report staff shortages]

From Aug. 1 to Sept. 7, NCPA members across the country had plans for 60 visits in conjunction with NCPA’s Month of Action. Twenty-two of these were with legislators who serve in leadership roles in or on key committees for community pharmacy, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure visited a community pharmacy as well. Nearly 40% of pharmacies participating in the Month of Action hosted a legislator for the first time, an important step in building rapport with those making decisions central to the future of pharmacy. 

“Forging a relationship with my senator and representative over the years has made them much more attuned to independent pharmacy issues,” said NCPA president Michele Belcher, owner of Grants Pass Pharmacy in Grants Pass, Ore.

Belcher has hosted several policymakers at her pharmacy and, in August, joined Wyden, Brooks-LaSure and others in visiting River Road Health Mart Pharmacy in Eugene.

[Read more: 2022 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition finalists announced]

“These opportunities show how decisions made in Washington affect independent pharmacies and patients across the country are times well spent,” she said. “I’m glad to have participated in NCPA’s Month of Action and am proud that so many independent pharmacists were prioritized by policymakers’ offices for meeting with this summer.”

One Brand is adding a bit of a crunch to its popular protein bars with a new product line — One Crunch.

Featuring 12 g of protein and 1 g of sugar, the bars come in peanut butter chocolate chip, cinnamon French toast and marshmallow treat varieties.

“After a day of working hard, new One Crunch protein bars are the perfect way to power through afternoon hunger and fatigue,” said Eric Clawson, One Brands’ general manager. “One Brands is known for our flavor innovation, and you can expect more exciting and delicious flavors like marshmallow or French toast, delivered without all the sugar and combined with powerful protein in this new line of bars.”

One Crunch bars are available for purchase online and in select stores at Walmart. The products will be launched at a later date on Amazon and Target.

A new popcorn is joining the General Mills family.

Trix Popcorn is the latest launch from the company, which is a crunchy popcorn snack that contains a Trix-flavored fruity glaze along with bits of the cereal, the company said.

Inspired by other cereal and popcorn snack flavors that have been released, including Cinnamon Toast Crunch popcorn with Cinnadust Glaze and Cocoa Puffs popcorn with Cocoa Glaze, the snack features a balance of sweet and salty notes.

Consumers currently can find Trix Popcorn available at Sam’s Club in a 20-oz. bag that retails for $6.48 and in a 7-oz. bag that will retail for $3.69 at Walmart beginning in October.