Content about Biology

January 31, 2013

Monistat survey: 75% of women experience yeast infections, but misconceptions persist

Research has shown that 3-in-4 women will experience candidiasis, more commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection, and 67% are embarrassed by it, Insight Pharmaceuticals announced, citing an independent survey commissioned for Monistat.

TREVOSE, Pa. — Research has shown that three in four women will experience candidiasis, more commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection, and 67% are embarrassed by it, Insight Pharmaceuticals announced Wednesday, citing an independent survey commissioned for Monistat.

January 29, 2013

Oceans Omega launches omega-3 enhanced water

Oceans Omega launched Omega Infusion, an omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product with initial placement within Giant Food.

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega on Monday launched Omega Infusion, an omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product with initial placement within Giant Food.

"Delivering heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids in enhanced water is something we've been developing for years," stated Volker Berl, chief technology officer Oceans Omega. "Our proprietary delivery system is transforming the beverage industry by including ingredients like Omega-3 EPA/DHA."

January 28, 2013

FDA approves new use of Pfizer vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a pneumococcal vaccine made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a pneumococcal vaccine made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

Pfizer announced the approval of Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine [diphtheria CRM197 protein]) for children and adolescents ages 6 years to 17 years for active immunization against the 13 Streptococcus pneumonia serotypes the vaccine covers. For this group, Prevnar 13 is administered as a one-time dose to patients who have never received it.

January 28, 2013

Q&A: Optimizing pharmacy’s function

In August 2012, the American Association of Diabetes Educators highlighted recommendations and research confirming that more than one-third of the 25 million Americans with diabetes don’t take their insulin as prescribed. Collaborative Care recently had the opportunity to interview Jerry Meece, a pharmacist, certified diabetes educator and author of the AADE’s recommendations, about what pharmacists are — and should be — doing to address the problem.

In August 2012, the American Association of Diabetes Educators highlighted recommendations and research confirming that more than one-third of the 25 million Americans with diabetes don’t take their insulin as prescribed, with 20% intentionally skipping doses and many admitting they inject it in the wrong place or at the wrong time or use the wrong technique, and only 30% of patients receive formal insulin education.

January 28, 2013

Survey: 7-in-10 consumers track health conditions, but only half record progress

As many as 7-in-10 U.S. adults track a health indicator for themselves or for a loved one, according to a Pew Research Center study.

WASHINGTON — As many as 7-in-10 U.S. adults track a health indicator for themselves or for a loved one, according to a Pew Research Center study released Monday.

January 28, 2013

Vitamins & Supplements 2013

The January/February 2013 Vitamins & Supplements Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Centrum, One-A-Day, NatureMade, VitaFusion, Alive, VirMax-T, MoveFree, Bioglan and Voots products.

Click here for the complete guide.

January 24, 2013

Disease from Down Under: New Australian norovirus strain responsible for most outbreaks in U.S., CDC says

A new strain of norovirus from Australia accounts for more than half of outbreaks around the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — A new strain of norovirus from Australia accounts for more than half of outbreaks around the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

January 22, 2013

International probiotic association to sponsor documentary sequel on probiotics

Health Point Productions announced the second part of a three-part documentary on probiotics will be going into production.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Health Point Productions on Monday announced the second part of a three-part documentary on probiotics will be going into production.

January 22, 2013

J&J introduces innovation to diabetes diagnostics and insulin delivery space

During its annual business review Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson announced that the recent introduction of the OneTouch Verio Glucose testing platform represented one of the first diabetes care devices to alert and display high/low patterns that deliver more meaningful and actionable insights to help patients better understand and manage their diabetes.

NEW YORK — During its annual business review Tuesday, Johnson & Johnson announced that the recent introduction of the OneTouch Verio Glucose testing platform represented one of the first diabetes care devices to alert and display high/low patterns that deliver more meaningful and actionable insights to help patients better understand and manage their diabetes.

January 22, 2013

Three Lansinoh products awarded Parent Tested Parent Approved Seals of Approval

Lansinoh Laboratories announced that three of its products — Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, Lansinoh mOmma NaturalWave Nipple featuring the mOmma Feeding Bottle, and mOmma Spill-Proof Cup — have been awarded Parent Tested Parent Approved Seals of Approval by PTPA Media.

WASHINGTON — Lansinoh Laboratories on Tuesday announced that three of its products — Lansinoh HPA Lanolin, Lansinoh mOmma NaturalWave Nipple featuring the mOmma Feeding Bottle, and mOmma Spill-Proof Cup — have been awarded Parent Tested Parent Approved Seals of Approval by PTPA Media.

January 17, 2013

FDA approves Flublok, a trivalent influenza vaccine not made with eggs

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Protein Sciences' Flublok, the first trivalent influenza vaccine made using an insect virus (baculovirus) expression system and recombinant DNA technology.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Protein Sciences' Flublok, the first trivalent influenza vaccine made using an insect virus (baculovirus) expression system and recombinant DNA technology.

January 16, 2013

Safeway secures 200,000 additional flu shots due to high demand

Safeway on Wednesday shipped an additional 200,000 doses of flu vaccine to its pharmacies in the U.S.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday shipped an additional 200,000 doses of flu vaccine to its pharmacies in the U.S.

"This additional quantity of flu vaccine will allow us to meet the needs of our customers to help them remain healthy this season," stated Darren Singer, SVP Pharmacy. "Our pharmacists administer the vaccine on a walk-in basis. The process is simple, convenient and affordable. We want all of our customers to have this protection."

January 15, 2013

Reports: Otsuka can block Apotex's generic version of Abilify

Drug maker Otsuka Pharmaceuticals can keep generic versions of its schizophrenia drug off the market, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Otsuka Pharmaceuticals can keep generic versions of its schizophrenia drug off the market, according to published reports.

Bloomberg reported that the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that allowed Otsuka to block Canadian generic drug maker Apotex from marketing a version of the antipsychotic Abilify (aripiprazole), which Otsuka co-markets with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

January 14, 2013

BMI an appropriate gauge of health risks, study finds

A new study indicates that body mass index is a reliable indicator of obesity-related health risks.

NEW YORK — A new study indicates body mass index is a reliable indicator of obesity-related health risks.

The study, published Saturday in the journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, compared the merits of BMI to other measures of body size as a predictor of obesity-related cardiovascular health risks. The study's authors noted that some have questioned the validity of BMI.

January 14, 2013

Enough flu vaccines to go around - just not everywhere at once

Amid an unusually strong flu season that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called an epidemic, supplies of flu vaccines are running low, and some people hoping to get immunized are having trouble finding them.

January 10, 2013

Medela launches Calma breastmilk feeding system into mass, specialty

The Calma breastmilk feeding system from Medela, which helps emulate the breastfeeding experience for babies, is now available in major national retail stores, Medela announced Thursday.

MCHENRY, Ill. — The Calma breastmilk feeding system from Medela, which helps emulate the breastfeeding experience for babies, is now available in major national retail stores, Medela announced Thursday. Calma is a research-based nipple used with a BPA-free breastmilk bottle, designed to help babies maintain their natural feeding behavior and transition from bottle back to breast with ease.

January 10, 2013

Study: Misconceptions about antibiotics linked to poor health literacy levels in Latino population

A recent study found that poor heath literacy among Latino parents is associated with incorrect beliefs on the proper use of antibiotics, particularly for upper respiratory infections, which can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance.

NEW YORK — A recent study found that poor heath literacy among Latino parents is associated with incorrect beliefs on the proper use of antibiotics, particularly for upper respiratory infections, which can lead to an increase in antimicrobial resistance.

January 9, 2013

Small pet market rebounding after recession, report says

For most Americans who own pets, that word refers to the kinds with four legs and a predilection for purring or tail wagging. But more than 100 million Americans also own pets other than cats and dogs, representing a significant share of the market, according to a new report.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — For most Americans who own pets, that word refers to the kinds with four legs and a predilection for purring or tail wagging. But more than 100 million Americans also own pets other than cats and dogs, representing a significant share of the market, according to a new report.

January 8, 2013

iHealth Labs launches two new Apple-compatible diagnostic devices at Consumer Electronics Show

iHealth Labs on Monday unveiled two new additions to its suite of devices — the iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System and iHealth Pulse Oximeter — at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS — iHealth Labs on Monday unveiled two new additions to its suite of devices — the iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System and iHealth Pulse Oximeter — at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show here.

January 8, 2013

Vitamin Shoppe proposed acquisition of Super Supplements delayed

The Vitamin Shoppe's proposed acquisition of Super Supplements has been delayed, the company recently announced.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe's proposed acquisition of Super Supplements has been delayed, the company recently announced. According to the company, the Federal Trade Commission had notified VSI that it is conducting an investigation into the planned acquisition, noting that the investigation will extend beyond Dec. 31, 2012.

January 8, 2013

Walgreens promoting exclusive line of 'natural' dietary supplements

Walgreens has begun promotion of its exclusive PureLife Naturals line of health supplements, a line launched in September in its weekly circulars.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has begun promotion of its exclusive PureLife Naturals line of health supplements, a line launched in September in its weekly circulars. The line of active-ingredient formulas are blended without any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives and ideal for the purity-conscious shopper.

January 7, 2013

Americans consume more snacks than in past, report finds

Snacks used to be primarily something given to children as a reward, but today, they're a major part of Americans' eating habits, according to a new report.

NEW YORK — Snacks used to be primarily something given to children as a reward, but today, they're a major part of Americans' eating habits, according to a new report.

Bellevue, Wash.-based market research firm The Hartman Group surveyed members of HartmanSalt.com, a food information website and used data from its Eating Occasions Database to find that Americans, on average, eat 2.3 snacks per day, most frequently in the afternoon, evening and late at night.

January 7, 2013

Biogen Idec hopes treatment will be first advance in hemophilia B treatment in 15 years

Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

WESTON, Mass. — Biogen Idec is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a hemophilia drug that it called the first of its kind.

The drug maker announced that it had submitted a regulatory application for recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein, or rFIXFc, which it called the first long-lasting factor IX therapy for hemophilia B.

January 4, 2013

FDA approves new delivery method for MS drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new means of administration for a multiple sclerosis drug, the manufacturers said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new means of administration for a multiple sclerosis drug, the manufacturers said.

Pfizer and EMD Serono announced the approval of Rebif Rebidose (interferon beta-1a), a single-use auto-injector for self-administering Rebif, used to treat relapsing forms of MS. EMD Serono is the U.S. division of German drug maker Merck KGaA, so-named to avoid confusion with U.S.-based Merck & Co.

January 4, 2013

March of Dimes highlights folic acid for pregnant women

The March of Dimes is launching a campaign to encourage expectant mothers to take folic acid to prevent birth defects, the group said Friday.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — The March of Dimes is launching a campaign to encourage expectant mothers to take folic acid to prevent birth defects, the group said Friday.

The group announced national Folic Acid Awareness Week, reminding pregnant women to take vitamin B. The vitamin is known to prevent birth defects like spina bifida and anencephaly, collectively known as neural tube defects. NTDs occur in the first few weeks following conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.