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November 2, 2012
Lilly to expand Indianapolis insulin factory

Eli Lilly is spending $140 million to expand its insulin manufacturing plant in Indianapolis, the drug maker said.

INDIANAPOLIS – Eli Lilly is spending $140 million to expand its insulin manufacturing plant in Indianapolis, the drug maker said.

Lilly said it would expand the plant by 80,000 sq. ft., saying it represented one of the most significant investments in its U.S. manufacturing operations in the past decade. Construction is expected to start immediately, with completion planned for March 2014.

November 1, 2012
Abbott launches new adult nutrition shake Ensure Complete

Abbott on Tuesday announced the launch of Ensure Complete in chocolate and vanilla flavors.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott on Tuesday announced the launch of Ensure Complete in chocolate and vanilla flavors.

Ensure Complete shakes feature Abbott’s proprietary ingredient, Revigor, a source of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, an amino-acid metabolite, and 13 grams of protein to help protect, preserve and promote muscle health. Revigor, in combination with protein, can help rebuild muscle by helping to stabilize muscle cells and slow protein breakdown while promoting the production of new muscle tissue, the company stated. 

October 31, 2012
Sandoz starts phase-3 trial of biosimilar anemia drug

Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a late-stage clinical trial in the United States for a biosimilar treatment for anemia, the company said.

HOLZKIRCHEN, Germany — Generic drug maker Sandoz has started a late-stage clinical trial in the United States for a biosimilar treatment for anemia, the company said.

Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, said it had started enrolling patients for a phase-3 study of epoetin alfa, a biosimilar version of Epogen and Procrit, made by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson and used to treat anemia associated with chronic kidney disease.

October 29, 2012
ProPhase rejects second overture from Matrixx Initiatives

ProPhase Labs on Monday again rejected an acquisition proposal from Matrixx Initiatives. Matrixx's latest offer was to acquire ProPhase for $1.60 per share in cash, up from a prior $1.40 per share proposal.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs on Monday again rejected an acquisition proposal from Matrixx Initiatives. Matrixx's latest offer was to acquire ProPhase for $1.60 per share in cash, up from a prior $1.40 per share proposal. 

October 26, 2012
FDA approves Teva's Synribo for blood and bone marrow cancer

The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the second new drug in two months for a form of leukemia, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the second new drug in two months for a form of leukemia, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries' Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) for chronic myelogenous leukemia, or CML, a disease that the National Institutes of Health expects will be diagnosed in more than 5,400 people this year. The drug is intended for patients whose disease has progressed after treatment with at least two drugs of a class used to treat the disease.

October 26, 2012
Supervalu banners partner locally with Iams Home 4 the Holidays to raise pet adoption awareness

A number of Supervalu banners on Friday announced that select locations will host Iams Home 4 the Holidays initiative on Nov. 2 and 3. As part of the events, neighborhood shelters will introduce shoppers to deserving puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are up for adoption.

 MINNESOTA — A number of Supervalu banners on Friday announced that select locations will host Iams Home 4 the Holidays initiative on Nov. 2 and 3. As part of the events, neighborhood shelters will introduce shoppers to deserving puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that are up for adoption.

October 25, 2012
CDC recommends Tdap for pregnant women

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 23, 2012
Sam's Club's Simply Right brand donates $500K to vitamin program for the needy

Sam's Club, via its Simply Right wellness brand, has donated $500,000 to Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing availability, access and use of micronutrients among at-risk populations in need.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club, via its Simply Right wellness brand, has donated $500,000 to Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing availability, access and use of micronutrients among at-risk populations in need. The monetary donation will help Vitamin Angels expand their efforts to reach at-risk children age five and under with vitamin A and daily multivitamins and pregnant or breastfeeding women with prenatal vitamins around the world and domestically.

October 19, 2012
Study: Regular blood glucose monitoring increases medication adherence

Blood glucose monitoring is associated with reduced A1C levels and greater adherence to medication in Type 2 diabetes patients who do not take insulin, according to a study published in the September issue of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

MILPITAS, Calif. — Blood glucose monitoring is associated with reduced A1C levels and greater adherence to medication in Type 2 diabetes patients who do not take insulin, according to a study published in the September issue of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

October 18, 2012
CDC study finds drops in cholesterol levels since 1988

An uptick in the use of cholesterol drugs since the late 1980s and changes in Americans' diets may account for a fall in cholesterol levels, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — An uptick in the use of cholesterol drugs since the late 1980s and changes in Americans' diets may account for a fall in cholesterol levels, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

October 17, 2012
Study: Out of 20 hand sanitizer brands, Purell only one to deliver on FDA monograph

Gojo Industries on Wednesday announced the results of a series of independent lab studies testing the ability of instant hand sanitizers to meet Food and Drug Administration Healthcare Personnel Handwash germ kill requirements at various dosage levels.

AKRON, Ohio — Gojo Industries on Wednesday announced the results of a series of independent lab studies testing the ability of instant hand sanitizers to meet Food and Drug Administration Healthcare Personnel Handwash germ kill requirements at various dosage levels. The studies, which included more than 20 different hand sanitizers, concluded that the patent-pending Purell Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer formulation is the only one to meet FDA germ kill requirements with a single 1.2-mL dispense.

October 16, 2012
Cepacol Sensations ready to soothe this cough-cold season

Reckitt Benckiser this fall launched Cepacol Sensations, pictured here in a CVS, for those consumers looking for sensational relief to help soothe their sore throat irritation.

LEBANON, Pa. — Reckitt Benckiser this fall launched Cepacol Sensations, pictured here in a CVS, for those consumers looking for sensational relief to help soothe their sore throat irritation. The product line contains a lower amount of numbing medication than Cepacol Maximum Strength products, but the three variants relieve sore throat pain and provide either an instantly cooling, warming or refreshing sensation.

October 15, 2012
New recommendations out for pneumococcal vaccine in high-risk adults

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.

October 12, 2012
Foods in prominent supermarket locations feed unhealthy choices, researchers say

An article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine examines the role that impulse marketing and customer psychology in supermarkets contributes to obesity and related health problems.

NEW YORK — An article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine examines the role that impulse marketing and customer psychology in supermarkets contributes to obesity and related health problems.

October 12, 2012
Nipro Diagnostics garners Consumer Reports recommendation for the second consecutive year

Nipro Diagnostics' TRUEresult Blood Glucose Meter for the second consecutive year received a “recommended“ rating from Consumer Reports as part of the publication's review of blood glucose meters in its October issue.

 NEW YORK — Nipro Diagnostics' TRUEresult Blood Glucose Meter for the second consecutive year received a “recommended“ rating from Consumer Reports as part of the publication's review of blood glucose meters in its October issue. 

The TRUEresult meter received an “excellent” rating for accuracy and “very good“ for repeatability and convenience. Additionally, the TRUE2go meter rated “very good” for accuracy and repeatability, and “good” for convenience. 

October 11, 2012
Vitamin Shoppe to host 'Share the Health Expo' at each of its stores

Vitamin Shoppe will be hosting a "Share the Health Expo" at store locations Oct. 13, the specialty channel retailer announced earlier this week.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Vitamin Shoppe will be hosting a "Share the Health Expo" at store locations Oct. 13, the specialty channel retailer announced earlier this week. 

"All it takes is one day to make a difference in your health and wellness," stated Doug Henson, SVP retail operations for the Vitamin Shoppe. "By participating in the 'Share the Health Expo' customers can take the next step in owning their health-and-wellness goals."

October 9, 2012
Meijer partners with PrescribeWellness in flu shot campaign

A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

October 9, 2012
Retailers, suppliers address diabetes at community level

Diabetes is one of the country’s most serious public health crises, and it will likely remain so for some time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans now have the disease, with another 79 million at risk, and most of those with the disease have Type 2 diabetes — the kind that results from lifestyle choices.


Diabetes is one of the country’s most serious public health crises, and it will likely remain so for some time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans now have the disease, with another 79 million at risk, and most of those with the disease have Type 2 diabetes — the kind that results from lifestyle choices.


But half of “public health” is “public,” and recent efforts by retailers and suppliers have sought to combat the disease at the community level.


October 9, 2012
Shoppers Drug Mart to offer flu vaccinations in Ontario

In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

TORONTO — In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

Under the new regulations, pharmacists in Ontario now can administer flu immunization by injection or inhalation to a patient who is 5 years of age and older.

October 8, 2012
Buddy Fruits launches fruit gel pouch

Buddy Fruits has launched what it calls the first 100% fruit gel pouch to hit the market.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Buddy Fruits has launched what it calls the first 100% fruit gel pouch to hit the market.

Buddy Fruits said its new Jiggle Gel pouch further demonstrates the company's originality in developing products that are portable, healthy and fun to eat. Available in raspberry, strawberry and orange flavors, the vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free fruit gel is only made with fruit and fruit pectin, and touts 70 calories per pouch.

October 5, 2012
Study: Hypercholesterolemia patients adherent to medication regimen may be healthier, but at a price

Patients with high cholesterol who take statins may be healthier than those who do not, but their overall healthcare costs may be slightly higher than their counterparts, according to a new study.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Patients with high cholesterol who take statins may be healthier than those who do not, but their overall healthcare costs may be slightly higher than their counterparts, according to a new study.

October 4, 2012
Digestive Aids

The September/October 2012 Digestive Aids Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Tums, Di-Gel, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Prevacid 24HR, Dulcolax, Senokot and Pepto-Bismol.

The September/October 2012 Digestive Aids Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Tums, Di-Gel, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, Prevacid 24HR, Dulcolax, Senokot and Pepto-Bismol.

Click here for the complete guide.

October 4, 2012
Gillette promotes Odor Shield antiperspirant/deodorant via 'My City is My Gym' campaign

Procter & Gamble’s men’s grooming brand Gillette has announced the launch of its “My City is My Gym” campaign, which encourages men to take their exercise routines outdoors and put Gillette’s Odor Shield antiperspirant/deodorant to the test.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble’s men’s grooming brand Gillette has announced the launch of its “My City is My Gym” campaign, which encourages men to take their exercise routines outdoors and put Gillette’s Odor Shield antiperspirant/deodorant to the test.

October 4, 2012
More than 60% never immunized against whooping cough, Walgreens study finds

While most adults in the United States believe immunizations are important, consumer sentiment doesn't always drive behavior, according to a new survey by Walgreens.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — While most adults in the United States believe immunizations are important, consumer sentiment doesn't always drive behavior, according to a new survey by Walgreens.

October 3, 2012
Sagent launches drug for apnea of prematurity in infants

Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat apnea of prematurity in infants, the drug maker said Wednesday.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Sagent Pharmaceuticals has launched a drug used to treat apnea of prematurity in infants, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Sagent announced the launch of caffeine citrate injection and caffeine citrate oral solution, used to treat apnea of prematurity in infants between 28 and less than 33 weeks gestational age.

The market for the drug was worth about $28.5 million during the 12-month period ended in July, according to IMS Health. The drug features Sagent's PreventIV Measures packaging and labeling, which are designed to reduce medication errors.