Regulatory and Washington

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

Republicans in Congress have sought to reduce government spending by making large cuts to various domestic programs and agencies, including the FDA, which critics of the plan said could jeopardize food and drug safety.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Monday that Jill McCormack joined its state government affairs team as a director of state government affairs.

McCormack previously worked as a government affairs associate for Malady & Wooten in Harrisburg, Pa., where she represented the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores. She also served as a member of the senior staff for the Democratic Leader in the Pennsylvania Senate.

WASHINGTON — Consumers can expect to find less packaging with their food and beverages in the coming years as manufacturers look to eliminate waste.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association found that by 2020, 2.5 billion lbs. of waste is expected to be avoided. This is on top of the 1.5 billion lbs. of packaging avoided since 2005.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Exergen modify superior performance claims for its temporal thermometers as compared with tympanic (in-the-ear) readings.

WASHINGTON — Menthol-flavored cigarettes are the latest target for tobacco opponents, according to published reports.

Reuters reported Friday that a committee of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration said in a report that banning mentholated cigarettes would benefit public health. Under legislation adopted in 2009, most flavored cigarettes already are banned.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Peak Life modify its advertising to clearly convey the message that claimed sleep benefits associated with its Somnapure dietary supplement are achieved from a regular, consistent program of supplementation with these ingredients, and not with one-time use.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Due to the public concern related to the nuclear incident in Japan, there has been an increased demand for such drugs as potassium iodide (KI), used to prevent and treat the harmful effects of radiation, according to a Food and Drug Administration Web page updated Thursday.