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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu pharmacies are offering the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster at the majority of its nearly 800 pharmacies, the company announced Tuesday.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout the country,” stated Chris Dimos, president of Supervalu Pharmacies. “It is strongly recommended from many state health department agencies that all teenagers and adults who have not had the Tdap vaccine get immunized to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease.”

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With pertussis rising at alarming rates across the country, now is a better time than ever for pharmacists to step in and do their part to quash the epidemic.

(THE NEWS: "CDC: National pertussis rates are on the rise." For the full story, click here.)

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday held a press briefing regarding the growing number of whooping cough cases in Washington state, which, according to the CDC, is reflective of how pertussis cases are trending nationally.

The July/August 2012 Pain Relief Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Aleve, Advil, Bayer Advanced, Perform, Absorbine, Salonpas, Hyland's Leg Cramps ointment, Arnicare and BenGay Cold Therapy.

Click here for the complete guide.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — For nearly 30 years, Kmart has been helping to improve the health of babies in partnership with the March of Dimes and, in 2012, the retailer raised $8 million to benefit the organization, bringing Kmart’s total contribution throughout the partnership to $106 million.

Kmart, which is a subsidiary of Sears Holdings, has made working on behalf of the health and wellness of children a company-wide effort involving management, associates and customers throughout all the company's in-store activities and events.

Stopping a viral pandemic of any kind presents a major challenge that historically has often taken decades or even centuries, as occurred in the cases of polio and smallpox. But stopping or even slowing a pandemic is made all the more difficult when people who carry the virus face stigma and ignorance from their families, communities and governments.


HOUSTON — Retail-based clinic operator RediClinic is gearing up for the back-to-school season by offering $10 off a school physical for those who “like” RediClinic on Facebook.

NEW YORK — Vichy Labs has introduced its new LiftActiv Serum 10, an anti-aging serum that promises to go beyond fine lines and wrinkles to deliver visible results on wrinkles, pores, a loss of firmness and tonicity.


LiftActiv Serum 10 combines Rhamnose in a 10% concentration with hyaluronic acid, ceramides and antioxidant-rich Vichy thermal water. Rhamnose, a naturally derived plant sugar, is proven to simultaneously stimulate rejuvenation of all skin surface layers, the company stated.


WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — After it was first identified as the cause of AIDS in 1983, being diagnosed with an HIV infection was a literal death sentence, and it remains that way for many people in poor countries who lack access to the life-saving medications that have transformed HIV from a sure ticket to death into a chronic illness.

PITTSBURGH — Parents are 52% less likely to develop a cold when exposed to a common cold virus than nonparents, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has launched generic versions of two drugs to treat bipolar disorder and allergies, the company said Tuesday.

Mylan announced the launch of lithium carbonate extended-release tablets in the 300-mg strength. The drug is a generic version of Noven Therapeutics' Lithobid, various versions of which had sales of about $21 million during the 12-month period ended in March, according to IMS Health.