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February 26, 2013

A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A newly conducted study of millions of Medicare Part D prescription drug event data has found that community pharmacies provide 90-day medication supplies at lower cost than mail-order pharmacies and that local pharmacists substitute lower-cost generic drugs more often when compared with mail-order pharmacies.

February 26, 2013

The federal government has recognized the state of Michigan as a national leader in electronic prescribing, a group of health organizations in the state said.

LANSING, Mich. — The federal government has recognized the state of Michigan as a national leader in electronic prescribing, a group of health organizations in the state said.

The Michigan Health Information Network said that the Office of the National Coordinator for health information technology had commended it, recognizing that 94% of pharmacies in the state are equipped for e-prescribing.

February 26, 2013

Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

NEW YORK — Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

The named products were the result of a vote among 50,000 consumers.

February 26, 2013

Drug maker Ranbaxy Labs has started producing the ingredients for a cholesterol drug while working with the Food and Drug Administration to fix manufacturing issues that led to the recall in November 2012 of several batches of the drug.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Ranbaxy Labs has started producing the ingredients for a cholesterol drug while working with the Food and Drug Administration to fix manufacturing issues that led to the recall in November 2012 of several batches of the drug.

The Indian drug maker said it had initiated corrective and preventive actions, or CAPA, as it prepared to resume supplies of generic atorvastatin calcium tablets to the U.S. market. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor, and Ranbaxy became the first company to market a generic version in November 2011.

February 26, 2013

A privately owned drug maker in New York is offering $6.5 billion for Irish drug maker Elan Corp., but hasn't heard back from it, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A privately owned drug maker in New York is offering $6.5 billion for Irish drug maker Elan, but hasn't heard back from it, according to published reports.

The Associated Press reported that Royalty Pharma's $11-per-share offer for Elan represented a 4% premium over its closing price Friday. Royalty buys royalty interests in drug products that are in late-stage development or have already entered the market, but doesn't develop or market drugs of its own, the AP reported.

February 26, 2013

A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A state Senate committee in Tennessee is looking into the possibility of allowing supermarkets to sell wine, according to published reports.

The Memphis, Tenn., Commercial Appeal reported that the proposed law would be subject to approval in local referendums.

Supporters of the bill cited convenience, while opponents — including liquor store owners — said it would be detrimental to public health, safety and the economy, criticizing the legislation as driven by "big national chains" and harmful to locally owned businesses.

February 26, 2013

Sears Holdings will add some of its own products and allow customers to pick up products ordered from its flagship store in Chicago on the same day, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Sears Holdings will add some of its own products and allow customers to pick up products ordered from its flagship store in Chicago on the same day, according to published reports.

February 26, 2013

Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Several pharmacy retailers got top place in a recent consumer satisfaction survey.

A report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Rite Aid at the top among drug store chains, with a score of 77, a 3% improvement over last year. Walgreens gained 1%, for a score of 76, while CVS ranked 75, a 3% gain. The survey noted that CVS hit a low two years ago due to cost-cutting efforts.

February 26, 2013

A Virginia-based pharmacy school will collaborate with an alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies around the country to find ways to promote and increase pneumococcal vaccinations among elderly and high-risk people.

LEESBURG, Va. — A Virginia-based pharmacy school will collaborate with an alliance of more than 22,000 pharmacies around the country to find ways to promote and increase pneumococcal vaccinations among elderly and high-risk people.

February 26, 2013

Shutl on Tuesday announced the official launch of its North American operation and that service — Shutl enables omnichannel retailers to offer delivery of online orders within a one-hour window of choice — will go live next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago.

SAN FRANCISCO — Shutl on Tuesday announced the official launch of its North American operation and that service — Shutl enables omnichannel retailers to offer delivery of online orders within a one-hour window of choice — will go live next month in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. 

A Shutl spokesperson declined to identify specific retail partners prior to going live with the service. 

February 26, 2013

Learning the professional tips and tricks of the beauty and fashion world isn't always easy. That's why Suave Professionals has teamed up with designer and reality TV star Nicole Richie to sponsor NBC's "Fashion Star" for the second consecutive year.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Learning the professional tips and tricks of the beauty and fashion world isn't always easy. That's why Suave Professionals has teamed up with designer and reality TV star Nicole Richie to sponsor NBC's Fashion Star for the second consecutive year.

February 26, 2013

Sunstar Americas and Crayola have partnered on a new children's toothpaste to make brush time "fun time" again.

BOSTON — Sunstar Americas and Crayola have partnered on a new children's toothpaste to make brush time "fun time" again. GUM Crayola Squeeze-A-Color Toothpaste is the newest addtion to the GUM Crayola line from Sunstar Americas.

February 26, 2013

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium. Specifically, the Task Force determined that the current evidence was insufficient to support vitamin D and calcium supplementation for the primary prevention of fractures in premenopausal women, in men or in postmenopausal women and recommended against daily supplementation of vitamin D or calcium toward that end. 

February 25, 2013

The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said.

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association has released the latest edition of a publication for pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services, the professional group said Monday.

February 25, 2013

Survey participants older than 55 years were more likely to seek multiple sources of dietary supplement information (33%) as compared with younger shoppers (25%), according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Referencing multiple sources for vitamin information suggests greater interest in the topic.

Survey participants older than 55 years were more likely to seek multiple sources of dietary supplement information (33%) as compared with younger shoppers (25%), according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Referencing multiple sources for vitamin information suggests greater interest in the topic.

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February 25, 2013

Bartell Drugs is collecting donations of teddy bears to give to children in stressful and traumatic situations, the Seattle-based regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is collecting donations of teddy bears to give to children in stressful and traumatic situations, the Seattle-based regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it would work with local radio statement Warm 106.9 FM in the annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign, which will take place through March 30. The chain's 58 stores will collect donations of $7 "Bartell Bears" or new or gently used bears smaller than 12 in.

February 25, 2013

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out.

ATLANTA — The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out. Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont were still reporting high ILI activity; while 13 states and New York City reported moderate activity; 11 states reported low activity; and 23 states reported minimal activity.

February 25, 2013

Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Health insurer Aetna is offering individual health insurance plans to Costco members in Florida, the insurer said.

The Costco Personal Health Insurance program includes five plans and offers medical benefits, dental options, a network of doctors and hospitals and other services, as well as lower copays on prescriptions at the club retailer's pharmacies.

February 25, 2013

A clinical technology manager at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has received an award from a state pharmacy association.

FLINT, Mich. — A clinical technology manager at Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has received an award from a state pharmacy association.

Diplomat said Monday that Michael Crowe had received the Fellow of Michigan Pharmacists Association award, announced over the weekend at the MPA's annual convention and exposition in Detroit. According to the MPA, the award "recognizes achievements and dedication to the practice of pharmacy, the community and MPA. The distinction signifies the recipient's actions well beyond the regular practice toward the advancement of pharmacy."

February 25, 2013

In View, the Discovery Channel program of which Larry King is host, will include a feature about DivaCup, a reusable menstrual cup.

NEW YORK — In View, the Discovery Channel program of which Larry King is host, will include a feature about DivaCup, a reusable menstrual cup.

The show will air on March 7 at 7 a.m., examining the product and its role in feminine hygiene and featuring the mother and daughter who created it, Francine and Carinne Chambers. The product is made from healthcare-grade silicone and is designed to reduce the amount of disposable feminine hygiene waste created each year.

February 25, 2013

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a drug to treat opioid dependence.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Amneal Pharmaceuticals has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a drug to treat opioid dependence.

Amneal announced Monday the approval of buprenorphine hydrochloride and naloxone hydrochloride sublingual tablets, a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare's Suboxone.

Suboxone had sales of $1.5 billion in 2012, according to IMS Health.

 

February 25, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for treating tumors of the digestive system, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for treating tumors of the digestive system, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Stivarga (regorafenib) for gastrointestinal stromal tumors that could not be removed through surgery or had spread to other parts of the body and were no longer responding to treatment with Novartis' Gleevec (imatinib) or Pfizer's Sutent (sunitinib).

February 25, 2013

HungerShield announced the launch of its appetite control product of the same name.

NEW YORK — HungerShield on Friday announced the launch of its appetite control product of the same name. The appetite suppressant is formulated with a blend of fiber, protein and probiotics and is designed to be mixed with 12-16 oz. of water to create a lemon-lime flavored drink that can be consumed on-the-go.

February 25, 2013

The alleged health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been touted for years, but a new study adds weight to the claims.

NEW YORK — The alleged health benefits of a Mediterranean diet have been touted for years, but a new study adds weight to the claims.

The study, published online Monday in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that a traditional Mediterranean diet — characterized as rich in extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, fruits and vegetables and including moderate wine consumption, as well as low intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meats and sweets — reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease.

February 25, 2013

Mylan has begun shipping a generic drug for cholesterol, the company said Monday.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan has begun shipping a generic drug for cholesterol, the company said Monday.

Mylan said a subsidiary had started shipping fenofibrate capsules in the 43-mg and 130-mg strengths. The drug is a generic version of Lupin Atlantis Holdings Antara, used in combination with diet to reduce elevated bad cholesterol and other blood lipids and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia.