The US Food and Drug Administration issued a string of announcements just before Christmas giving the thumbs-up to several new drugs. Here’s a rundown:

1. New drug to treat high cholesterol. Juxtapid was approved to treat a rare genetic form of high cholesterol. The condition, which occurs in about 3,000 Americans causes super-high cholesterol levels and heart attacks at an early age. The drug injections will cost $200,000 to $300,000 annually, according to the Wall Street Journal, and will require safety precautions because of its liver risks.