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February 1, 2013

The flu epidemic is in full swing in the West and across the Southwest, as just about every state west of the Mississippi through to California is in the red on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly FluView for the week ended Jan. 26.

ATLANTA — The flu epidemic is in full swing in the West and across the Southwest, as just about every state west of the Mississippi through to California is in the red on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly FluView for the week ended Jan. 26. 

As expected, many of those living in areas with high influenza-like illness activity were visiting their local drug stores for symptomatic relief. Drug store front-end sales were up 7.4% for the four weeks ended Jan. 26, according to reports citing Nielsen data. 

January 25, 2013

If the flu were a storm cloud, the influenza virus is hovering over America's Bread Basket on its way to the Southwest, according to data provided through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network.

ATLANTA — If the flu were a storm cloud, the influenza virus is hovering over America's Bread Basket on its way to the Southwest, according to data provided through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that 4.3% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to influenza-like illness, above the national baseline of 2.2%. But as the map indicates, influenza rates are declining up and down the East Coast and is most virulent in Texas and states west.

January 24, 2013

In the height of the one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, Kleenex is hand-delivering care packs to unsuspecting fans all across North America. Three fans will receive what could be the surprise of a lifetime.

DALLAS — In the height of the one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, Kleenex is hand-delivering care packs to unsuspecting fans all across North America. Three fans will receive what could be the surprise of a lifetime.

 

January 23, 2013

Health kiosk maker SoloHealth has joined a health program led by former president Bill Clinton, the company said Wednesday.

ATLANTA — Health kiosk maker SoloHealth has joined a health program led by former president Bill Clinton, the company said Wednesday.

January 22, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the distribution of 2 million additional doses of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) 75 mg that contain an older version of the package insert.

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the distribution of 2 million additional doses of Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) 75 mg that contain an older version of the package insert.

January 18, 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a slight drop in influenza-like illnesses across the country, but even so the season is still going strong.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported a slight drop in influenza-like illnesses across the country, but even so the season is still going strong. The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness for the week ended Jan. 12 was 4.6%, above the national baseline of 2.2%

January 15, 2013

A new ad format from health kiosk maker SoloHealth delivers targeted sponsor content that allows consumers to request additional information regarding products or services that will help promote healthy lifestyles, the company said.

ATLANTA — A new ad format from health kiosk maker SoloHealth delivers targeted sponsor content that allows consumers to request additional information regarding products or services that will help promote healthy lifestyles, the company said.

January 14, 2013

The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those on the East Coast. In a late morning press conference with reporters on Friday, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions."

Just don't tell that to anyone living in New York or Boston or Chicago, at least not before slipping on a facemask first.

ATLANTA — The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those on the East Coast. In a late morning press conference with reporters on Friday, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions." 

Just don't tell that to anyone living in New York, Boston or Chicago, at least not before slipping on a facemask first.  

January 14, 2013

Medagate, a wholly owned subsidiary of InComm Holdings, announced the launch of the MasterCard Dual Value Health Card, the first dual network healthcare spending card.

ATLANTA — Medagate, a wholly owned subsidiary of InComm Holdings, on Monday announced the launch of the MasterCard Dual Value Health Card, the first dual network healthcare spending card. The Dual Value Health Card enables employers and health plans to combine a member/employee healthcare funding purse with a restricted-spend purse for targeted items and incentives.

January 11, 2013

The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those in the South.

ATLANTA — The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those in the South. In a late morning press conference with reporters, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions."

January 8, 2013

Select Family Dollar Stores will carry an environmentally friendly, individually-sold 3-lb firelog by Enviro-Log, the company stated.

ATLANTA — Select Family Dollar Stores will carry an environmentally friendly, individually-sold 3-lb firelog by Enviro-Log, the company stated.

"Family Dollar customers will appreciate the convenience and performance of our 3-lb firelogs, which burn cleaner and hotter than firewood," said Ross McRoy, president of Enviro-Log. "We are thrilled that Family Dollar customers can now take advantage of these environmentally friendly firelogs, as each Enviro-Log provides warmth and comfort for hours at a time."

January 7, 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced the launch of its CDC Influenza application for clinicians and other healthcare professionals on the Apple platform.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced the launch of its CDC Influenza application for clinicians and other healthcare professionals on the Apple platform. The app makes it easy to access CDC’s latest recommendations and influenza activity updates on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, the agency stated.

An Android support will be added in a future update, CDC noted. 

December 28, 2012

The incidence of influenza continued on an upward trajectory heading into the Christmas holiday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

ATLANTA — The incidence of influenza continued on an upward trajectory heading into the Christmas holiday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Nationwide for the week ending Dec. 22, 4.2% of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network were due to influenza-like illness, above the national baseline of 2.2%. 

December 14, 2012

Goody, a maker of hair accessories and styling tools, is supporting the 19th annual “Today Show “Holiday Gift Drive, through a donation of more than $200,000 hairstyling accessories to benefit children, teens and their families across the country this holiday season.

ATLANTA — Goody, a maker of hair accessories and styling tools, is supporting the 19th annual “Today Show “Holiday Gift Drive, through a donation of more than $200,000 hairstyling accessories to benefit children, teens and their families across the country this holiday season. The donation was made on “The Today Show” that aired on Friday.

December 10, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that the national incidence of influenza-like illness dropped below the national baseline of 2.2%.

 ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that the national incidence of influenza-like illness dropped below the national baseline of 2.2% to 1.9% and is lower than reported during the previous week. "This fluctuation may be attributed in part to a reduced number of routine health visits during the Thanksgiving holidays, as has been observed in previous seasons," the agency speculated. 

December 4, 2012

The influenza season is officially underway as flu incidence is already above the national threshold, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a teleconference Monday.

ATLANTA — The influenza season is officially underway as flu incidence is already above the national threshold, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a teleconference Monday. "This is the earliest regular flu season we've had in nearly a decade, since the 2003-2004 flu season," he said. "That was an early and severe flu year, and while flu is always unpredictable, the early nature of the cases as well as the specific strains we're seeing suggest that this could be a bad flu year."

November 30, 2012

Bayer HealthCare's animal-health division has introduced a new spray for killing ticks in cats and dogs, the company said.

SHAWNEE, Kan. — Bayer HealthCare's animal-health division has introduced a new spray for killing ticks in cats and dogs, the company said.

The company debuted Resultix at the opening of BarkWorld Expo, a pet social media conference in Atlanta that took place on Oct. 26.

The spray is designed to dissolve the outer wax layer that covers the tick's cuticle, its hard shell, resulting in the parasite's uncontrollable water loss and death within three hours.

November 28, 2012

PowderWorks has introduced a new facial exfoliant that is powder-based and remains a powder even after it is massaged onto the face, promising to leave skin with a clean feel and no residue buildup.

ATLANTA — PowderWorks has introduced a new facial exfoliant that is powder-based and remains a powder even after it is massaged onto the face, promising to leave skin with a clean feel and no residue buildup.

November 19, 2012

The American Cancer Society on Friday honored 19 companies, including three retail pharmacy operators and three consumer packaged goods companies, with its Excellence in Philanthropy award — recognizing the companies for their generous support of the society’s efforts to eliminate cancer as a public health burden.

ATLANTA – The American Cancer Society on Friday honored 19 companies, including three retail pharmacy operators and three consumer packaged goods companies, with its Excellence in Philanthropy award — recognizing the companies for their generous support of the society’s efforts to eliminate cancer as a public health burden.

November 15, 2012

Publix on Thursday announced six new officer positions that will begin work in 2013 across human resources, information technology and retail operations.

 LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Thursday announced six new officer positions that will begin work in 2013 across human resources, information technology and retail operations. 

“I am pleased we have so many leaders ready to take the next step in their careers,” stated Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our ability to promote from within highly talented individuals and perpetuate our Publix culture is a hallmark of our success.”

November 14, 2012

A majority of retailers say delivering a consistent customer experience is their top priority this holiday season, according to a new survey.

ATLANTA — A majority of retailers say delivering a consistent customer experience is their top priority this holiday season, according to a new survey.

Supply chain and retail technology provider RedPrairie released results of its "Holiday Hiring Snapshot" survey of 250 big-box, specialty, grocery, convenience store and food service retailers based in the United States, finding that nearly 60% cited the importance of consistency, with 29% saying they would hire more seasonal workers this year than last year.

November 6, 2012

McKesson on Tuesday announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Emendo, whose CapPlan Predictive Capacity Planning solution equips healthcare providers to optimize operational performance by intelligently forecasting patient demand.

ATLANTA — McKesson on Tuesday announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Emendo, whose CapPlan Predictive Capacity Planning solution equips healthcare providers to optimize operational performance by intelligently forecasting patient demand. 

CapPlan also supports clinicians in their delivery of quality patient care by using a patient-centered, enterprisewide view of activity to make real-time adjustments for patient flow and staffed capacity allocations.

October 25, 2012

A panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated for whooping cough, the CDC said.

ATLANTA — A panel at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated for whooping cough, the CDC said.

October 18, 2012

SoloHealth on Thursday announced it has plans in place to expand its FDA-approved SoloHealth Station health-and-wellness digital kiosks to more than 2,500 store locations by mid-2013, scaling to more than 4,000 by 2014.

ATLANTA, Ga. — SoloHealth on Thursday announced it has plans in place to expand its FDA-approved SoloHealth Station health-and-wellness digital kiosks to more than 2,500 store locations by mid-2013, scaling to more than 4,000 by 2014. 

October 15, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has updated its recommendations for pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk adults.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has updated its recommendations for pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk adults.

ACIP now recommends the use of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13; Prevnar 13) for high-risk adults ages 19 years or older. The committee recommends that PCV13 should be administered to eligible adults in addition to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23; Pneumovax 23), the vaccine currently recommended for these groups of adults.