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February 28, 2011

CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

The program will get under way in Houston on March 5, and continue in Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

February 24, 2011

Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

ATLANTA — Expect to see Heinz in a whole new way.

The company said it has entered a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola to implement the soft drink giant's PlantBottle packaging in the production of its Heinz Ketchup bottles. PlantBottle packaging is made of PET plastic bottles that are fully recyclable and use less nonrenewable resources than traditional PET plastic bottles, according to the companies. Heinz said the adoption of the PlantBottle technology will be the biggest change to its iconic ketchup bottles since they first introduced plastic in 1983.

February 15, 2011

Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service that helps shoppers locate products down to the shelf location, on Tuesday announced its service now is live in more than 1,000 stores. The service added three markets: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

ST. LOUIS — Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service that helps shoppers locate products down to the shelf location, on Tuesday announced its service now is live in more than 1,000 stores. The service added three markets: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Other markets identified for expansion included Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Houston; Minneapolis; New York; Phoenix; Sacramento, Calif.; Seattle and Washington, D.C.

February 11, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured a steady rise in influenza — both in number of cases and severity — for the week ended Feb. 5.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured a steady rise in influenza — both in number of cases and severity — for the week ended Feb. 5.

There are 19 states that now are experiencing high levels of influenza-like illnesses as measured by outpatient visits — a measuring stick that provides a sense as to how severe the flu might be in a community but not how prevalent it is. The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 4.6%, which is above the national baseline of 2.5%.

February 10, 2011

Tri-Land Properties has broken ground for the redevelopment of The Crossings at Four Corners here in Smyrna, Ga. The 8-acre site will be home to Kroger’s largest supermarket in the Atlanta area: a 96,000-sq.-ft. grocer replete with fuel station, a wine shop and drive-through pharmacy.

SMYRNA, Ga. — Tri-Land Properties has broken ground for the redevelopment of The Crossings at Four Corners here in Smyrna, Ga. The 8-acre site will be home to Kroger’s largest supermarket in the Atlanta area: a 96,000-sq.-ft. grocer replete with fuel station, a wine shop and drive-through pharmacy.

The project is expected to be completed by November, Tri-Land Properties announced. “The Crossings at Four Corners Kroger location is replacing an outdated, 42,000-sq.-ft., 40-year-old store located across the street,” Tri-Land stated in a release.

February 8, 2011

ATLANTA — Newell Rubbermaid's Goody hair care brand has announced that its Simple Styles Spin Pin has been recognized by Good Housekeeping as a 2011 Very Innovative Products Award recipient, and in an effort to build on the success, the brand is slated to expand the Simple Styles line in the first quarter to include the new Bun Spiral and Spin Pin Mini.

February 4, 2011

A drug designed to treat an eye condition caused by diabetes may provide a long-term option for patients, according to Alimera Sciences.

ATLANTA — A drug designed to treat an eye condition caused by diabetes may provide a long-term option for patients, according to Alimera Sciences.

Alimera said in two three-year, phase-3 pivotal clinical trials — collectively known as the FAME Study — of Iluvien, which is designed to treat diabetic macular edema, the drug improved visual acuity among patients.

February 1, 2011

A Minute Maid product has achieved $1 billion in sales worldwide.

ATLANTA — A Minute Maid product has achieved $1 billion in sales worldwide.

Coca-Cola, which owns the Minute Maid brand, reported that Minute Maid Pulpy marked the first Coca-Cola brand that was launched in an emerging market — the drink was launched nationally in China in 2005 — to reach the billion-dollar mark.

Last year, Minute Maid Pulpy was introduced in Algeria, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, followed by rollouts in Mexico and Kazakhstan.

January 31, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated the nation’s influenza status.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated the nation’s influenza status. Nine states are reporting high influenza-like activity (a metric that captures the severity of a flu outbreak) and 25 states are reporting widespread activity (a metric that captures the estimated level of spread of influenza activity through state and territorial epidemiologists reports.)

January 26, 2011

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.

ATLANTA — Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, according to new estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Wednesday.

In addition, an estimated 79 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

January 24, 2011

Influenza activity in the United States decreased across several indicators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, though the agency projected that illness rates for the season have not yet peaked.

ATLANTA — Influenza activity in the United States decreased across several indicators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, though the agency projected that illness rates for the season have not yet peaked.

Of all influenza A viruses tested since Oct. 30, 2010, only 15.8% were identified as the 2009 H1N1 virus; 44.6% of the specimens were identified as an H3N2 virus. That virus is similar to the H3N2 component of the 2010-2011 triumvirate influenza vaccine.

January 21, 2011

Obesity rates continue to soar among the U.S. population, particularly in children. And the result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, leads both to “psychosocial problems and to cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes.”

ATLANTA — Obesity rates continue to soar among the U.S. population, particularly in children. And the result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, leads both to “psychosocial problems and to cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes.”

January 20, 2011

Coca-Cola announced it is extending its collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in a new global partnership.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola announced it is extending its collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in a new global partnership.

Coca-Cola announced a $2 million investment to support the IFRC’s work in disaster response and preparedness, and public engagement, in communities that both organizations serve. Coca-Cola's charitable arm, the Coca-Cola Foundation, will donate $1 million to the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

January 20, 2011

British drug maker ProStrakan Group will partner with two U.S. companies to administer its risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for a cancer pain drug.

ATLANTA — British drug maker ProStrakan Group will partner with two U.S. companies to administer its risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for a cancer pain drug.

ProStrakan said it would use RelayHealth Pharmacy Solutions’ and McKesson Specialty Care Solutions’ services to administer the REMS for Abstral (fentanyl citrate), a drug that patients can place under the tongue to treat breakthrough pain associated with cancer when they already have received and become tolerant of opioid painkillers.

January 19, 2011

Hair accessories brand Goody is gearing up for spring with the launch of its new Modern Organica collection, exclusively available at Target next month.

ATLANTA — Hair accessories brand Goody is gearing up for spring with the launch of its new Modern Organica collection, exclusively available at Target next month.

This season, headbands comprised of shells and barrettes dressed in colorful knits will help beauty mavens get back on-trend while staying true to their roots. Mother of pearl embellishments provide a feminine feature, while earth stones and nature-inspired designs add a glamorous touch.

January 19, 2011

L'Oréal USA has tapped Moxie Interactive to serve as its digital agency of record, handling all digital media planning and buying for brands representing all L'Oréal USA divisions.

NEW YORK — L'Oréal USA has tapped Moxie Interactive to serve as its digital agency of record, handling all digital media planning and buying for brands representing all L'Oréal USA divisions.

Prior to the consolidation, Atlanta-based Moxie Interactive oversaw digital media planning and buying duties for the Maybelline New York-Garnier Division, a relationship that began in 2007.

January 12, 2011

Nationwide rates of asthma have been on the rise in recent years, though they’ve risen at a slow pace, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — Nationwide rates of asthma have been on the rise in recent years, though they’ve risen at a slow pace, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the report, released Wednesday, around 24.6 million people in the United States had asthma in 2009, meaning a prevalence of 8.2%. Rates have risen by around 1.2% per year since 2001, with asthma attack prevalence staying between 3.9% and 4.3% between 1997 and 2009.

January 11, 2011

Newell Rubbermaid, whose portfolio includes the hair accessories brand Goody, has announced that its president and CEO, Mark Ketchum, will retire later this year.

ATLANTA — Newell Rubbermaid, whose portfolio includes the hair accessories brand Goody, has announced that its president and CEO, Mark Ketchum, will retire later this year.

An executive recruiting firm has been retained to conduct an outside search for Ketchum's replacement and also to assist with the assessment of internal candidates, the company stated. To help ensure a smooth and transition, Ketchum plans to remain on the company¹s board through the spring of 2012.

January 3, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a treatment for diabetic eye disease made by Alimera Sciences, the drug maker said Dec. 23.

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a treatment for diabetic eye disease made by Alimera Sciences, the drug maker said Dec. 23.

In its complete response letter, the FDA requested additional safety and efficacy data for the drug, Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert), a treatment for diabetic macular edema, a problem that commonly affects people with diabetes.

December 22, 2010

The philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola donated funds to 38 organizations that support water conservation, community recycling, active healthy living and education.

ATLANTA — The philanthropic arm of Coca-Cola donated funds to 38 organizations that support water conservation, community recycling, active healthy living and education.

December 17, 2010

In a major alliance to foster preventive health in the United States, Walgreens has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide free flu vaccinations to as many as 350,000 low-income and uninsured Americans.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In a major alliance to foster preventive health in the United States, Walgreens has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide free flu vaccinations to as many as 350,000 low-income and uninsured Americans.

Walgreens will provide more than $10 million worth of vouchers for free flu shots, which HHS will help distribute.

December 15, 2010

Private equity firm Roark Capital Group last week closed the deal on its acquisition of Atkins Nutritionals, a weight-control and nutrition brand. Atkins' management team, led by CEO Monty Sharma — who invested alongside Roark Capital in the transaction — will remain with the business.

ATLANTA — Private equity firm Roark Capital Group last week closed the deal on its acquisition of Atkins Nutritionals, a weight-control and nutrition brand. Atkins' management team, led by CEO Monty Sharma — who invested alongside Roark Capital in the transaction — will remain with the business.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

December 13, 2010

Among those getting their health on track in time for New Year's resolutions are consumers who are concerned about the long-term, negative effects of drinking unhealthy beverages.

ATLANTA — Among those getting their health on track in time for New Year's resolutions are consumers who are concerned about the long-term, negative effects of drinking unhealthy beverages.

December 9, 2010

Coca-Cola is looking to spread holiday cheer by asking consumers to donate their My Coke Rewards points to help generate gifts for unprivileged children.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is looking to spread holiday cheer by asking consumers to donate their My Coke Rewards points to help generate gifts for unprivileged children.

By logging onto MCR.com/holiday, registered My Coke Rewards members can donate their points to Toys for Tots by entering codes found on 13 participating Coca-Cola products. The points will be awarded to Toys for Tots. Coca-Cola also is donating $120,000 to Toys for Tots; the money will be divided between eight cities across America.

December 7, 2010

Razor bump eliminator Bump Patrol has announced the debut of its "Smooth Crew" as part of an education campaign to help wipe out razor bumps, a common shaving problem, particularly among men of color.

ATLANTA — Razor bump eliminator Bump Patrol has announced the debut of its "Smooth Crew" as part of an education campaign to help wipe out razor bumps, a common shaving problem, particularly among men of color.