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December 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat a condition that affects people who have had their intestines partially or completely removed, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat a condition that affects people who have had their intestines partially or completely removed, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of NPS Pharmaceuticals' Gattex (teduglutide) for daily injection in adults with short bowel syndrome who need additional nutrition from intravenous feeding. SBS results from partial or complete surgical removal of the small or large intestine, which can lead to poor absorption of fluids and nutrients from food.

December 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a common flu drug for use in children as young as 2 weeks old, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a common flu drug for use in children as young as 2 weeks old, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the new approval for Genentech's Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The agency said that while patients ages 1 year and older can receive the same dosage, those younger than 1 year must be dosed based on their exact weight.

December 21, 2012

A federal court decision means that a nontamper-resistant formulation of a painkiller made by Endo Health Solutions can enter the market early next month, the drug maker said.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — A federal court decision means that a nontamper-resistant formulation of a painkiller made by Endo Health Solutions can enter the market early next month, the drug maker said.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a case filed by Endo subsidiary Endo Pharmaceuticals against the Food and Drug Administration, in which the company had argued that the FDA failed meet a legal obligation to determine whether the original formulation of Opana ER (oxymorphone) extended-release tablets was withdrawn from the market for safety reasons.

December 21, 2012

Giant-Carlisle has opened its 100th gas station, the supermarket chain said.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant-Carlisle has opened its 100th gas station, the supermarket chain said.

Giant-Carlisle, officially known as Giant Food Stores and owned by Ahold, said the gas station opened at a store in Souderton, Pa. The chain offers a loyalty program, Gas Extra Rewards, that provides discounts on gas when people shop at the supermarket's front end and pharmacy.

December 21, 2012

A new product from the PediaCare line is designed to keep children hydrated when they have a cold or flu.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A new product from the PediaCare line is designed to keep children hydrated when they have a cold or flu.

Prestige Brands Holdings announced the launch of PediaCare Cold & Flu Hydration, designed to ensure children get needed fluids and electrolytes. The product replenishes nutrients lost from illness and provides immune-boosting antioxidants, with less sugar than sports drinks, soda and juices.

December 21, 2012

Actress Drew Barrymore is developing her own makeup collection to be retailed exclusively at Walmart, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Actress Drew Barrymore is developing her own makeup collection to be retailed exclusively at Walmart, according to published reports.

The cosmetics line, called Flower, is slated to hit more than 1,500 Walmart stores in January.

While this is the first time Barrymore has developed her own makeup collection, she is certainly no stranger to the world of beauty. Barrymore has been the face of Procter & Gamble’s CoverGirl brand since 2007 and, before that, had a stint as a spokeswoman for Lancome.

December 21, 2012

Though total same-store sales were down 8%, Walgreens Friday morning characterized a first quarter lifted by a steady influx of returning Express Scripts patients and driven by a steady stream of new Balance Rewards members.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Though total same-store sales were down 8%, Walgreens Friday morning characterized a first quarter lifted by a steady influx of returning Express Scripts patients and driven by a steady stream of new Balance Rewards members. The Chicagotown retailer has signed 45 million Walgreens faithful since mid-September. "Today, we have the wind at our backs as we head into a new calendar year," Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson told analysts Friday morning.  

December 21, 2012

Rite Aid is donating 80,000 toys to a charity for children affected by poverty and tragedy, emphasizing those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the retailer said Friday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is donating 80,000 toys to a charity for children affected by poverty and tragedy, emphasizing those affected by Hurricane Sandy, the retailer said Friday.

Rite Aid announced the donation of coloring books, stuffed animals and activity workbooks to Kids In Distressed Situations.

December 21, 2012

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is buying $1 billion worth of its debt, the Israeli drug maker said.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is buying $1 billion worth of its debt, the Israeli drug maker said.

Teva said its finance division, Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV, had called for redemption of its $1 billion outstanding principal amount of 1.700% senior notes due 2014, funded with proceeds from the company's offering of $2 billion principal amount of senior notes, priced on Dec. 13, 2012, and closed Tuesday.

The redemption date will be Jan. 7, 2013.

December 21, 2012

Walmart Canada announced on Friday a donation of C$100,000 to Food Banks Canada to help local food banks improve access to food and services for those in need.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada announced on Friday a donation of C$100,000 to Food Banks Canada to help local food banks improve access to food and services for those in need. 

Food Banks Canada's HungerCount 2012 shows 882,000 individuals turned to a food bank each month for help this year, and more than 339,000 of those assisted are children.

December 21, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals will present at two conferences sponsored by financial banks, the company said.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals will present at two conferences sponsored by financial banks, the company said.

Watson said that president and CEO Paul Bisaro would provide an overview and update of the company's business at the 2013 Goldman Sachs "Healthcare CEOs Unscripted: A View from the Top" conference, scheduled for Jan. 3, 2013, at the Goldman Sachs Conference Center in New York.

Six days later, on Jan. 9, Bisaro will present at the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

December 20, 2012

An advocacy group said proposed Food and Drug Administration rules for compounding pharmacies would put the public's health and safety at risk.

WASHINGTON — An advocacy group said proposed Food and Drug Administration rules for compounding pharmacies would put the public's health and safety at risk.

In a letter sent to Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Public Citizen criticized Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg for "both undermining her agency's authority in congressional testimony last month and offering a plan that would effectively weaken the agency's oversight of drug manufacturing."

December 20, 2012

Seventy-seven area nonprofit organizations on Wednesday received funds generated from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at a presentation held at CVS Caremark’s headquarters.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Seventy-seven area nonprofit organizations on Wednesday received funds generated from the CVS Caremark Charity Classic at a presentation held at CVS Caremark’s headquarters.

The tournament, Rhode Island’s largest charitable sporting event, raised $1.2 million this year for charities across Southern New England, bringing the total funds raised since its inception to more than $16 million.

December 20, 2012

More consumers plan to spend more on holiday shopping this year than last, according to a new Nielsen survey.

NEW YORK — More consumers plan to spend more on holiday shopping this year than last, according to a new Nielsen survey.

According to the "Nielsen Holiday Survey," 54% of consumers stated they still haven't started their holiday shopping. The weekly survey polled 1,100 households starting in September, and the market research company releases results weekly. Respondents said their top destinations for holiday shoppings would be supercenters, departments stores and the Internet.

December 20, 2012

Kodak is selling its digital imaging patents for $525 million, the bankrupt photography company said.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kodak is selling its digital imaging patents for $525 million, the bankrupt photography company said.

The sale of the more than 1,100 patents, part of the company's restructuring efforts as it seeks to emerge from chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, involves the sale of the patents to a group of companies organized by Intellectual Ventures and RPX. According to published reports, companies buying the patents include Apple, Research In Motion and Google. Others include Adobe, Samsung, Fujifilm and China-based Huawei Technologies.

December 20, 2012

Laura Geller Beauty, a prestige color cosmetics brand developed by makeup artist Laura Geller, has announced that the company has received an investment from private equity firm Tengram Capital Partners.

NEW YORK — Laura Geller Beauty, a prestige color cosmetics brand developed by makeup artist Laura Geller, has announced that the company has received an investment from private equity firm Tengram Capital Partners.

The company is best known as an innovator and pioneer of the “baked” category of makeup — uniquely formulated, color-correcting products made in Italy. The company also was one of the first brands to introduce primer, now one of the leading cosmetic categories, called Spackle.

December 20, 2012

Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday

PITTSBURGH — Generic drug maker Mylan has settled with Orion over a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease, Mylan said Thursday.

The company said it reached a settlement with Orion to resolve patent litigation concerning a generic version of Orion's drug Comtan (entacapone) tablets in the 200-mg strength. The drug is used with levodopa-carbidopa therapy to treat Parkinson's patients who experience signs and symptoms of end-of-dose "wearing off."

December 20, 2012

Looking to battle skinny skin and enlarged pores, La Roche-Posay has developed the new Effaclar Mat Daily Mattifying + Pore-Refining Moisturizer.

NEW YORK — Looking to battle skinny skin and enlarged pores, La Roche-Posay has developed the new Effaclar Mat Daily Mattifying + Pore-Refining Moisturizer.

For the first time, this formula contains a unique combination of ingredients that neutralizes shine for lastingly matte, clear and balanced skin with tightened pores, the manufacturer stated.
 

December 20, 2012

A Los Angeles-based entrepreneur says he's built a better breath mint.

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles-based entrepreneur says he's built a better breath mint.

The breath tablet InFresh promises to "systematically eliminate" bad breath rather than masking it, as other products do. The product is a concentrated tablet that uses chlorophyll to eliminate the causes of bad breath, creater Elias Chavando said. Chavando came up with the idea in 2000 and worked with physicians and homeopathic product experts to develop it.

December 20, 2012

OPI has announced the launch of six limited-edition nail lacquers and a new Liquid Sand shade, inspired by Disney’s "Oz The Great and Powerful" film that opens in theaters on March 8, 2013.

NEW YORK — OPI has announced the launch of six limited-edition nail lacquers and a new Liquid Sand shade, inspired by Disney’s "Oz The Great and Powerful" film that opens in theaters on March 8, 2013.

With a mix of soft cream and warm glitter shades, the line is ideal for layering to create rich, complex looks. In addition to the Liquid Sand nail lacquer in "What Wizardry is This?," the promotion includes:
 

December 20, 2012

Rite Aid beat analyst expectations in third quarter 2013 as the generic wave and retention of Express Scripts customers helped drive better-than-expected adjusted EBIDTA and produced the company's first profitable quarter in five years.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid beat analyst expectations in third quarter 2013 as the generic wave and retention of Express Scripts customers helped drive better-than-expected adjusted EBITDA and produced the company's first profitable quarter in five years.

"I am proud that we have achieved this significant milestone by putting our customers first and challenging ourselves to better serve them," Rite Aid president, chairman and CEO John Standley said in a conference call with Wall Street analysts Thursday morning.

December 20, 2012

Sales at Stater Brothers increased by 1.83% to $67.8 million in fiscal year 2012, the company said in an earnings report.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Sales at Stater Brothers increased by 1.83% to $67.8 million in fiscal year 2012, the company said in an earnings report.

The 167-store chain's sales for the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, were $3.9 billion, thanks in part to an extra week; without the extra week, sales would be $3.8 billion, but still higher than 2011's $3.7 billion. Profit for the year was $37.7 million, compared with $26.3 million in fiscal year 2011.

December 20, 2012

Retail co-pays for drugs are on the rise across all drug types, according to a new study by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

PLANO, Texas — Retail co-pays for drugs are on the rise across all drug types, according to a new study by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute.

The study, based on a survey of 424 U.S. employers representing about 3.7 million members, found that retail co-pays increased 10% for generics, 13% for branded drugs and 26% for specialty drugs. Meanwhile, there was an increase in use of multitier designs, which now represent 92% of plan sponsors, while adoption of medication therapy management for commercial populations was "minimal."

December 20, 2012

The National Hispana Leadership Institute has announced its 2013 Executive Leadership Program fellows. Following a nationwide search, 22 Latinas have been selected to participate in this program.

WASHINGTON — The National Hispana Leadership Institute has announced its 2013 Executive Leadership Program fellows. Following a nationwide search, 22 Latinas have been selected to participate in this program.

December 20, 2012

Walgreens on Thursday announced $100,000 in additional donations to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The company, which includes Duane Reade in New York and New Jersey, is making two $50,000 contributions.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced $100,000 in additional donations to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. The company, which includes Duane Reade in New York and New Jersey, is making two $50,000 contributions, one to the Empire State Relief Fund announced by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the other to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund established by Gov. Chris Christie.