Regulatory and Washington

NEW YORK — While the financial burden that families face due to prescription drugs has declined, costs nevertheless remain a challenge for many of them, according to a new study by nonprofit research organization Rand Corp.

ATLANTA — The amount of trans fats found in blood levels of U.S. white adults has significantly dropped over a nine-year period, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — Two members of Congress are looking for co-sponsors for a bill that would strengthen the medication therapy management benefit in the Medicare prescription drug program.

Last year, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ala.; and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., introduced H.R. 891, the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act, which would allow elderly people with at least one chronic condition access to Medicare Part D coverage for MTM. Currently, only those with multiple conditions are eligible.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health was granted a temporary restraining order Friday against the Drug Enforcement Administration's suspension order of its Lakeland, Fla., distribution center.

A preliminary injunction hearing is currently scheduled for Feb. 13.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation is taking its "Retail Means Jobs" campaign one step further with the launch of a video contest.

The "This is Retail" video contest looks to highlight the important role retail plays in the U.S. economy by offering a variety of career choices and employment opportunities, NRF said. Retail employees or business owners can submit a two-minute video sharing their retail story; winners of the contest will be awarded $50,000.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Shire for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Tuesday.

Shire announced the FDA approval of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules as a maintenance treatment for adults with ADHD. The drug already was approved for use in children and was approved for treating ADHD in adults in 2008.

The company said the approval was based on a clinical trial that showed more ADHD patients controlling their symptoms with Vyvanse than with placebo.

NAPLES, Fla. — In the five years since he has led the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, president and CEO Steve Anderson has operated under a sound policy; so simple, it is the advice he gives his own children: “We don’t start any fights — but we sure are going to finish them.” On Monday, Anderson and NACDS chairman Bob Loeffler, who also serves as H-E-B chief administrative officer, told NACDS Regional Chain Conference attendees here, that now they are going to take that fight to the PBM lobby.

NEW YORK — The regulatory waiting period standing between Bristol-Myers Squibb and its acquisition of drug maker Inhibitex has expired, giving Bristol the green light to buy the company.

Bristol said Friday that the expiration of the waiting period, mandated by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, would allow it to acquire Inhibitex for $26 per share.