Regulatory and Washington

WASHINGTON — The U.S. surgeon general this week released a report on tobacco use among the nation's youth.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a version of a drug made by Teva that includes a dose counter, the drug maker said.

Teva announced the approval of the inhaled drug ProAir HFA (albuterol sulfate) with a dose counter for treating bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients ages 4 years and older. The dose counter is designed to help patients and caregivers keep track of the number of doses in the canister.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Friday applauded the Senate for passage of the Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act (S. 1886), which NACDS said would protect the health and safety of consumers by increasing penalties on criminals that engage in the harmful practice of trafficking in counterfeit medications.

The bill is sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Michael Bennet, D-Colo.



WASHINGTON — A new partnership aims to educate pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, caregivers and patients about diabetes and about how pharmacists can work with physicians to help patients manage the condition.

The American Pharmacists Association, the APhA Foundation and the American Diabetes Association announced the collaboration Friday, saying it would develop new resources and also promote existing programs, such as the ADA's Stop Diabetes Movement and the APhA's Pharmaceutical Care for Patients with Diabetes certification program.

WASHINGTON — A Food and Drug Administration panel will meet Monday to discuss a class of drugs designed to treat chronic painful conditions that currently are under development and the safety issues possibly related to the drugs.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking at the possibility of selling certain prescription drugs over the counter under specific circumstances, the agency said.

ALAMEDA, Calif. — A blood-glucose monitoring system created by Abbott has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration.

WASHINgTON — A Consumer Healthcare Products Association study earlier this year supported what everyone has known all along: Use of over-the-counter medicines saves the U.S. healthcare system money. A lot of it. 


For every dollar spent on over-the-counter medicines, the U.S. healthcare system realizes a savings of between $6 and $7, or $102 billion all told, according to CHPA’s study, “The Value of OTC Medicine to the United States.”