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April 2, 2013

Global perspectives on scientific, regulatory and technical developments in product safety, health and well-being will be the feature as hundreds of experts from the consumer packaged goods industry meet Wednesday at the Grocery Manufacturers Association Science Forum.

WASHINGTON — Global perspectives on scientific, regulatory and technical developments in product safety, health and well-being will be the feature as hundreds of experts from the consumer packaged goods industry meet Wednesday at the Grocery Manufacturers Association Science Forum.

April 2, 2013

Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said.

SAN FRANCISCO — Users of McKesson's EnterpriseRx pharmacy system can communicate with patients through several mobile communication pathways and deliver a full-featured mobile pharmacy system using the mScripts mobile pharmacy platform, mScripts said Tuesday.

The company said it had received certification for the system, following its announcement of the integration with EnterpriseRx last week.

April 2, 2013

Dreyer's, part of Nestle USA, launched the new Outshine brand, which will include the Dreyer's Fruit Bars line as well as six new flavors launching in April under the Dreyer's Outshine name. The new flavors include two made with coconut water, the first coconut water-based frozen fruit bars on the market, according to the company.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Dreyer's, part of Nestle USA, launched today the new Outshine brand, which will include the Dreyer's Fruit Bars line, as well as six new flavors launching in April under the Dreyer's Outshine name. The new flavors include two made with coconut water, the first coconut water-based frozen fruit bars on the market, according to the company.

April 2, 2013

The Natural Dentist has launched “Rinse for Relief,” an online resource for proper oral care aimed at cancer patients suffering from mouth sores and other oral ailments, the fourth most common side effect of chemotherapy treatments.

MADISON, N.J. — The Natural Dentist has launched “Rinse for Relief,” an online resource for proper oral care aimed at cancer patients suffering from mouth sores and other oral ailments, the fourth most common side effect of chemotherapy treatments. The initiative included the unveiling of RinseForRelief.com and a giveaway of one free sample of Healthy Gums Mouth Rinse, an all-natural product that works as an effective daily cleanser and helps prevent and reduce gum bleeding and inflammation.

April 2, 2013

More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — More than one-tenth of school-age children and nearly one-fifth of high school boys in the United States have received a diagnosis for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the dramatic rise in the number of children diagnosed with ADHD over the last decade could lead to concern of over-diagnosis of the condition, as well as overuse of medications to treat it. The Times based its report on an analysis of raw data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

April 2, 2013

A ruling by India's high court means cheaper generic versions of a cancer drug will remain available in developing countries, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A ruling by India's high court means cheaper generic versions of a cancer drug will remain available in developing countries, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the Indian Supreme Court ruled drug companies there could keep making generic versions of Swiss drug maker Novartis' leukemia medication Gleevec (imatinib). According to the Times, generic versions of Gleevec in India cost about $2,500 per year, compared with $70,000 per year for the branded version.

April 2, 2013

Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering free allergy screenings, information and a range of products as the allergy season approaches, the retail pharmacy chain said Tuesday.

April 2, 2013

A coalition of drug and pharmacy organizations formed to address patients' medication needs during disasters is changing the name and Web address of its reporting system to make it easier to remember, the organization said Tuesday.

NEW ORLEANS — A coalition of drug and pharmacy organizations formed to address patients' medication needs during disasters is changing the name and Web address of its reporting system to make it easier to remember, the organization said Tuesday.

April 2, 2013

Schnucks was the victim of a recent attack on its computer network that compromised its credit and debit card system, the supermarket chain said.

ST. LOUIS — Schnucks was the victim of a recent attack on its computer network that compromised its credit and debit card system, the supermarket chain said.

Saying that it had "found and contained" the issue behind the attack, Schnucks said that a computer code discovered by an outside computer forensic firm had been designed to capture magnetic stripe data on the back of cards.

April 2, 2013

Specialty drugs are expected to account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, according to two new studies.

SAN DIEGO — Specialty drugs are expected to account for 50% of all drug costs by 2018, according to two new studies.

By contrast, specialty drugs accounted for 20% of all drug costs in 2009, but increased to 28.7% by 2012. Pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota conducted the studies, and Prime is presenting them Tuesday at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 25th annual meeting and expo in San Diego.

April 2, 2013

A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minn., has shown an increase in the incidence of celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by eating protein gluten.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minn., has shown an increase in the incidence of celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by eating protein gluten.

April 2, 2013

The L'Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science program awarded five women scientists from around the world with the 2013 L'Oréal-Unesco Awards in the Physical Sciences.

NEW YORK — The L'Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science program awarded five women scientists from around the world with the 2013 L'Oréal-Unesco Awards in the Physical Sciences.

April 2, 2013

Mad Money's Jim Cramer tabbed Safeway over Whole Foods in an interview published in The Street.

NEW YORK — Mad Money's Jim Cramer tabbed Safeway over Whole Foods in an interview with The Street published Tuesday.

April 2, 2013

Ahold USA now has the largest number of stores that have received leadership in energy and environmental design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the supermarket operator said Tuesday.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA now has the largest number of stores that have received leadership in energy and environmental design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the supermarket operator said Tuesday.

April 2, 2013

UrgentRx announced that the company has closed an additional $2.5 million in Series B funding, led by current investors as well as attracting new capital.

DENVER — UrgentRx on Tuesday announced that the company has closed an additional $2.5 million in Series B funding, led by current investors as well as attracting new capital. The additional funding brings the company’s total funding to date to more than $7 million.

April 2, 2013

Walgreens on Tuesday announced that walking, running and weight management goals can be logged and tracked through Steps with Balance Rewards, the retailer's customer loyalty program.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced that walking, running and weight-management goals can be logged and tracked through Steps with Balance Rewards, the retailer's customer loyalty program. Members will receive 20 points per mile, as well as 20 points per day for tracking their weight. Users also can log individual frequent activities that will earn points when recorded. Additionally, members can sync wireless activity trackers such as Fitbit, Withings and BodyMedia to automatically load the number of steps taken — each device linked will earn 250 points.

April 2, 2013

The Washington Post this week took an in-depth look at the health benefits of tea and how consumers are taking notice. And that's a good thing for specialty tea shops and supermarket chains.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post this week took an in-depth look at the health benefits of tea and how consumers are taking notice. And that's a good thing for specialty tea shops and supermarket chains.

April 1, 2013

Just a week after the Supreme Court heard the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit over its deal with AbbVie to sell a generic version of a testosterone-replacement therapy, Actavis is challenging the patent on another strength of the drug.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Just a week after the Supreme Court heard the Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit over its deal with AbbVie to sell a generic version of a testosterone-replacement therapy, Actavis is challenging the patent on another strength of the drug.

Actavis said Monday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of testosterone gel in the 1.62% strength. The drug is a generic version of AbbVie's AndroGel 1.62%. The case that went before the Supreme Court on March 25 concerns the 1% strength of AndroGel.

April 1, 2013

American Greetings greeting card company has agreed to be taken private by a group led by some of its top executives for about $602 million, the company announced.

CLEVELAND — American Greetings greeting card company has agreed to be taken private by a group led by some of its top executives for about $602 million, the company announced today.

The executive group was formed by the Weiss family — including chairman Morry Weiss; CEO Zev Weiss; director, president and COO Jeffrey Weiss and others — and will buy the shares of the company they don't already own for $18.20 a piece in cash. This amounts to a 13% premium to American Greetings' closing price of $16.10 last Thursday.

April 1, 2013

CVS Caremark elected on March 29 former Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon to serve on its board of directors, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark elected on March 29 former Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon to serve on its board of directors, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Weldon is the former chairman of the board and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, having served in those positions from 2002 until his retirement as CEO in April 2012 and his retirement from the board in December 2012. Weldon previously served in a variety of senior executive positions during his 41-year career with J&J.

April 1, 2013

E.p.t, creator of the original home pregnancy test, has partnered with the American Fertility Association to support the vast community of those who are actively trying to conceive during National Infertility Awareness Month this April.

TREVOSE, Pa. — E.p.t, creator of the original home pregnancy test, has partnered with the American Fertility Association to support the vast community of those who are actively trying to conceive, or TTC, during National Infertility Awareness Month this April.

April 1, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive therapy made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Teva said Monday.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive therapy made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Teva said Monday.

The drug maker announced the approval of Quartette (levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol and ethinyl estradiol) tablets. Teva said the drug represented the "next generation" of extended-regimen oral contraceptives and was designed to minimize breakthrough bleeding between scheduled periods.

April 1, 2013

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare today commended the proposals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the administration announced recommendations to remove certain warning statements and modifications of the instructions for use of nicotine replacement therapy products.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare today commended the proposals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the administration announced recommendations to remove certain warning statements and modifications of the instructions for use of nicotine replacement therapy products.

According to the statement released by GSK Consumer Healthcare:

April 1, 2013

Symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease are frequently overtreated in infants, according to a new study by researchers in Michigan and Missouri.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease are frequently overtreated in infants, according to a new study by researchers in Michigan and Missouri.

The study, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, found that doctors often diagnose such common symptoms in infants as crying and spitting up as disease, and frequent diagnoses of GERD can lead to overuse of medications to treat it, said the researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Missouri.

April 1, 2013

The makers of LifeStyles condoms today announced the release of the new Turbo condom. The Turbo condom is lubricated inside and out with LifeStyles' proprietary Excite gel.

ISELIN, N.J. — The makers of LifeStyles condoms today announced the release of the new Turbo condom. The Turbo condom is lubricated inside and out with LifeStyles' proprietary Excite gel.