Content about California

May 22, 2013
New pneumococcal vaccine as safe as previous version, study finds

A new vaccine against pneumococcal disease appears as safe as an older one, according to a new study.

PASADENA, Calif. — A new vaccine against pneumococcal disease appears as safe as an older one, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente and published Wednesday in the journal Vaccine, compared the new 13-valent vaccine with the seven-valent one used before 2010. The Food and Drug Administration approved the newer vaccine, called PCV13, in 2010 after a series of trials. The valent number refers to the number of varieties of pneumococcal disease the vaccine prevents.

May 21, 2013
iHealth Lab adds new products and partners to mobile personal healthcare offering

iHealth Lab Inc., today announced the release of two new fitness products to its existing lineup of wireless blood-pressure monitors and scales: the Wireless Pulse Oximeter and the Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker. The company also announced new partnerships with two health and fitness communities, MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — iHealth Lab Inc., today announced the release of two new fitness products to its existing lineup of wireless blood-pressure monitors and scales: the Wireless Pulse Oximeter and the Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker. The company also announced new partnerships with two health and fitness communities, MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper.

May 21, 2013
Impax ships authorized generic version of Zomig

Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

Impax said its generics division, Global Pharmaceuticals, began shipping authorized generic zolmitriptan tablets and orally disintegrating tablets in the 2.5 mg and 5 mg strengths. The drug is a version of AstraZeneca's Zomig.

Zomig had sales of about $196 million during the 12-month period that ended in April, according to IMS Health.

May 21, 2013
Nordic Naturals introduces OTC Pro EPA Elite

Nordic Naturals now is offering Pro EPA Elite, a powerful EPA-only concentrate available without a prescription, the company stated.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals now is offering Pro EPA Elite, a powerful EPA-only concentrate available without a prescription, the company stated.

With 1600 mg of the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in each serving, Pro EPA Elite provides high intensity, therapeutic support for healthy triglyceride levels and heart health, while promoting key anti-inflammatory pathways.

May 20, 2013
Rite Aid appoints Bruce Bodaker to board of directors

A California health executive has been appointed to Rite Aid's board of directors, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A California health executive has been appointed to Rite Aid's board of directors, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

May 17, 2013
Safeway and Safeway Foundation collectively raise $10.8 million for Special Olympics

Safeway and the Safeway Foundation on Friday announced they raised and donated more than $10.8 million in April for Easter Seals, Special Olympics and a range of other charities that support people with disabilities.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway and the Safeway Foundation on Friday announced they raised and donated more than $10.8 million in April for Easter Seals, Special Olympics and a range of other charities that support people with disabilities.

This year's campaign brings the total donation from the annual Support for People with Disabilities campaign, along with other fundraising activities, to $150 million to benefit some of the most respected and prominent charities that help people with disabilities live fuller lives.

May 16, 2013
NCL names honorees of Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge

The National Consumers League and its partners on Thursday announced the awardees of the second annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge for health profession students.

WASHINGTON — The National Consumers League and its partners on Thursday announced the awardees of the second annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge for health profession students. This month-long competition engaged health profession students and faculty in developing creative ideas for raising awareness about medication adherence as a critical public health issue. This year's awardees are: St. Louis College of Pharmacy, University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Thomas J.

May 15, 2013
Beauty Changes Lives names first Sassoon scholarship winners

The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation named the first set of awards of the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program at the Spring Operations Conference of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, BCL’s parent body.

LAS VEGAS — The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation named the first set of awards of the Vidal Sassoon Professional Beauty Education Scholarship Program at the Spring Operations Conference of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, BCL’s parent body.

May 15, 2013
FDA approves Genentech drug for lung cancer with genetic mutation

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a type of lung cancer.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a type of lung cancer.

Roche subsidiary Genentech and the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Astellas Pharma announced the approval of Tarceva (erlotinib) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have mutations that activate the epidermal growth factor receptor. The FDA also approved a test to detect the mutation.

The drug was already approved for advanced NSCLC that did not exhibit the mutation.

 

May 15, 2013
Kroger unveils system that will convert food shrink into clean energy to power DC

Kroger on Wednesday unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Wednesday unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

May 14, 2013
Safeway increases quarterly dividend by 14%

Safeway announced that its board of directors approved an increase to its regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.175 per share to $0.20 per share, reflecting a 14% increase.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Tuesday announced that its board of directors approved an increase to its regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.175 per share to $0.20 per share, reflecting a 14% increase. 

The board also declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable on July 11, 2013 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 20, 2013.

May 9, 2013
Prince of Peace names winner of its Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes

Prince of Peace Enterprises on Thursday named the winners of its Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Prince of Peace Enterprises on Thursday named the winners of its Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes. 

The Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes ran from Nov. 7, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2013 and gave entrants the chance to win a trip for two to Singapore (the home of Tiger Balm) or one of three gift packs with $100 in Tiger Balm products and gear.

The grand prize winner is Kyra Gorski of White Salmon, Wash.

May 9, 2013
Taylor Farms expands salad kit line

Taylor Farms Retail this week debuted a new Italian Chopped Salad Kit with salami and cheese, expanding on the company's chopped salad line.

SALINAS, Calif. — Taylor Farms Retail this week debuted a new Italian Chopped Salad Kit with salami and cheese, expanding on the company's chopped salad line. The new "Italian Chopped Salad Kit" is a blend of romaine lettuce, broccoli, red cabbage, celery, Italian cheese blend, green onions, salami and parsley.

May 8, 2013
Esri mapping platform to aid Hy-Vee's location decisions

Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee is expanding its use of a mapping platform made by geographic information systems firm Esri to aid its real estate decision-making, Esri said Wednesday.

REDLANDS, Calif. — Midwestern supermarket chain Hy-Vee is expanding its use of a mapping platform made by geographic information systems firm Esri to aid its real estate decision-making, Esri said Wednesday.

Esri said this would allow Hy-Vee to enhance its site selection, using location analytics that combine demographic and psychographic data.

May 8, 2013
Murad to expand global HQs as part of $35M development project

Skin care brand Murad has signed a new 12-year lease and committed to a $35 million investment that will result in a new corporate headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., located just a few blocks away from the company’s current location.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Skin care brand Murad has signed a new 12-year lease and committed to a $35 million investment that will result in a new corporate headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., located just a few blocks away from the company’s current location.

Murad will move to the new location at 2121 Park Place in El Segundo, Calif., sometime in early 2014.

May 8, 2013
Walgreens debuts flagship concept in San Francisco

Walgreens celebrated the official opening of its latest flagship store, located at Powell and O’Farrell streets in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens celebrated the official opening of its latest flagship store, located at Powell and O’Farrell streets in the heart of San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood. Like many of the flagships, the store, which opened at 10 a.m. Wednesday, is tailored to reflect the uniqueness of San Francisco at a location where Walgreens has been present since 1946.

May 7, 2013
PrescribeWellness launches patient engagement tool through the American Pharmacy Allliance

PrescribeWellness on Tuesday announced a partnership with the American Pharmacy Alliance to provide independent retail pharmacies with a low-cost, easy-to-implement patient engagement solution.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — PrescribeWellness on Tuesday announced a partnership with the American Pharmacy Alliance to provide independent retail pharmacies with a low-cost, easy-to-implement patient engagement solution. The APA is a consortium of leading pharmacy software providers for more than 12,000 independent and small chain pharmacies in the United States.

May 7, 2013
Sato Pharmaceutical touts ZenTrip motion sickness solution to New Yorkers on the go

Sato Pharmaceutical, maker of ZenTrip, an over-the-counter motion sickness remedy, recently completed an outdoor urban panel promotion with Duane Reade drug stores in New York, driving trial to the remedy’s thin-film medicated strip.

CARSON, Calif. — Sato Pharmaceutical, maker of ZenTrip, an over-the-counter motion sickness remedy, recently completed an outdoor urban panel promotion with Duane Reade drug stores in New York, driving trial to the remedy’s thin-film medicated strip.

Street-level displays were strategically placed throughout New York at subway entrances to reach multiple audiences with increased frequency, noted Russ Allison, Sato general manager U.S. 

May 3, 2013
Murad expands Environmental Shield skin care line

Murad has announced the launch of three new product additions to its Environmental Shield line: Instant Radiance Eye Cream, Advanced Active Radiance Serum and Essential-C Sun Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 35 | PA+++.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Murad has announced the launch of three new product additions to its Environmental Shield line: Instant Radiance Eye Cream, Advanced Active Radiance Serum and Essential-C Sun Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 35 | PA+++.

May 2, 2013
Personal Care Products Council reaffirms safety of lip products

A recently released reported that analyzed and measured the level of metals in 32 lip products does not provide any “new meaningful information” and the traces of metals found were not “unexpected given their natural presence in air, soil and water,” according to a statement issued Thursday by the Personal Care Products Council.

WASHINGTON — A recently released report that analyzed and measured the level of metals in 32 lip products does not provide any “new meaningful information” and the traces of metals found were not “unexpected given their natural presence in air, soil and water,” according to a statement issued Thursday by the Personal Care Products Council.

May 1, 2013
Bayer to acquire Conceptus for $1.1 billion

Bayer HealthCare will buy birth-control product maker Conceptus for $1.1 billion, the companies said.

LEVERKUSEN, Germany — Bayer HealthCare will buy birth-control product maker Conceptus for $1.1 billion, the companies said.

Bayer said its $31-per-share purchase of the Mountain View, Calif.-based company would allow it to expand its selection of contraception products. Conceptus makes Essure, a non-surgical permanent birth-control method, and Bayer said it would allow the company to offer a complete range of short-term, long-term and permanent contraceptive methods for women.

May 1, 2013
Clif Bar launches workplace contest behind Luna bar

Clif Bar introduced an interactive contest under its Luna brand, the "Whole Nutrition Bar for Women," which will reward Luna vending machines to winning participants at their workplace.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar on Wednesday introduced an interactive contest under its Luna brand, the "Whole Nutrition Bar for Women," which will reward Luna vending machines to winning participants at their workplace. 

“We’re flipping the typical perception of vending machine snack food on its head,” stated Rosa Compean, Luna brand director. “Luna is encouraging women to feed their strength and that starts by making healthier choices that add to their overall workplace wellness.”

May 1, 2013
PrescribeWellness launches LinkWellness 2.5

A search feature that allows pharmacies to quickly determine why patients are calling so they can better serve their needs and a patient registration system that allows easier enrollment in medication-time reminders, disease management and smoking-cessation programs are among the new features of the latest version of PrescribeWellness' software system.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A search feature that allows pharmacies to quickly determine why patients are calling so they can better serve their needs and a patient registration system that allows easier enrollment in medication-time reminders, disease management and smoking-cessation programs are among the new features of the latest version of PrescribeWellness' software system.

April 30, 2013
Drug for rare, fatal genetic disorder receives FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for a genetic disorder that affects about 500 people in the United States and 3,000 worldwide, the agency said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for a genetic disorder that affects about 500 people in the United States and 3,000 worldwide, the agency said Tuesday.

April 30, 2013
FDA approves Genentech arthritis drug for rare disorder in children

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for a rare form of arthritis in children, the company said Tuesday.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Genentech for a rare form of arthritis in children, the company said Tuesday.

Genentech, a subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Roche, announced the approval of Actemra (tocilizumab) for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older, either alone or combined with the generic drug methotrexate.