OFFICIALS WITH KING PHARMACEUTICALS IN BRISTOL TENNESSEE SAY JUST BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED A NEW DRUG FOR THE COMPANY DOESN’T MEAN ANY LAIDOFF WORKERS WILL BE CALLED BACK. THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVED KING’S NEW DRUG EMBEDA LAST WEEK. A COMPANY SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WON’T REQUIRE THE COMPANY TO ADD MORE WORKERS TO HANDLE THE DEMAND FOR THE PAIN-RELIEVER. KING OFFICIALS CALLED THE APPROVAL OF EMBEDA VERY POSITIVE NEWS AND HOPES IT WILL LEAD TO OTHER PLANNED DRUGS BEING APPROVED BY THE FDA. IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN KING COULD LOOK AT BEEFING UP ITS WORKFORCE. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED IT WOULD ELIMINATE 72 JOBS, REDUCING ITS LOCAL WORKFORCE TO 430 EMPLOYEES.