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January 24, 2013

The number of people who have died from flu in Minnesota is 75, more than double what it was last year, according to the state health department and published reports.

NEW YORK — The number of people who have died from flu in Minnesota is 75, more than double what it was last year, according to the state health department and published reports.

According to data released by the department, the third week of January — Jan. 13-19 — saw 15 people die from flu-related illness, bringing the total for the season to 75. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that 33 people died from flu last season, while 67 died during the 2009-2010 season, coinciding with the H1N1 pandemic.

January 24, 2013

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to healthcare services in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and WEST ORANGE, N.J. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Barnabas Health in New Jersey have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to healthcare services in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

January 24, 2013

Seniors have serious concerns regarding mandatory mail-order pharmacy requirements in prescription drug plans, according to a new national survey of 669 Medicare Part D beneficiaries released Thursday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Seniors have serious concerns regarding mandatory mail-order pharmacy requirements in prescription drug plans, according to a new national survey of 669 Medicare Part D beneficiaries released Thursday by the National Community Pharmacists Association.

January 24, 2013

A division of drug maker Teva is partnering with an advocacy group focused on asthma in the launch of a new educational website about the condition.

WASHINGTON — A division of drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is partnering with an advocacy group focused on asthma in the launch of a new educational website about the condition.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and Teva Respiratory announced the launch of Get Smart About Asthma, which aims to increase understanding of how inflammation in the airways contributes to the disease's persistence and severity, as well as providing other educational materials.

January 24, 2013

Pampers, part of Procter & Gamble, is expanding its line of Swaddlers diapers, the company announced this week.

MINNEAPOLIS — Pampers, part of Procter & Gamble, is expanding its line of Swaddlers diapers, the company announced this week. Previously available only up to size 3, the company will now offer sizes 4 and 5 at Target stores nationwide. From Jan. 27 through Feb. 2, Target guests will receive a free $20 Target gift card with an in-store purchase of two Pampers Swaddlers, Cruisers or Baby Dry economy packs.

January 24, 2013

Perrigo and a subsidiary of K-V Pharmaceutical Co. have launched a new drug for yeast infections in women, the two companies said.

ST. LOUIS — Perrigo and a subsidiary of K-V Pharmaceutical Co. have launched a new drug for yeast infections in women, the two companies said.

Perrigo and Ther-Rx Corp. announced the availability of Gynazole-1 (butoconazole nitrate vaginal cream) in the 2% strength for treating yeast infections in nonpregnant women.

Ther-Rx has a partnership with Perrigo to manufacture the drug.

January 24, 2013

One-of-every-4 deaths among Americans between the ages of 35 years and 69 years can be attributed to smoking, according to a study published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

WALTHAM, Mass. — One-of-every-4 deaths among Americans between the ages of 35 years and 69 years can be attributed to smoking, according to a study published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine. But smoking cessation efforts can help curb that trend, researchers noted. 

January 24, 2013

Canadian pharmacy retailer Rexall has unveiled its new flagship private brand, Be.better, a line of more than 100 products available exclusively at the more than 300 corporate Rexall and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian pharmacy retailer Rexall has unveiled its new flagship private brand, Be.better, a line of more than 100 products available exclusively at the more than 300 corporate Rexall and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.

January 24, 2013

Rite Aid has raised nearly $600,000 for a United Way chapter in Pennsylvania, the retail pharmacy chain said.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has raised nearly $600,000 for a United Way chapter in Pennsylvania, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company announced that employees in its corporate offices around the greater Harrisburg, Pa., area had raised $590,159 during its fundraising campaign for United Way of the Capital Region, for a total of nearly $5.8 million since 2002. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's state capital, is near the company's headquarters in Camp Hill, Pa.

January 24, 2013

One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey.

CHICAGO — One-in-5 consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its fourth quarter 2012 MarketPulse survey. And almost one-third are forsaking their preferred brands due to a sale price. The survey found that shopper sentiment dropped to its lowest point since Q3 2011.

January 23, 2013

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Tuesday joined forces to honor the Bucks County, Pa.-based Bucks Promise for Youth and Communities with this year’s Dose of Prevention award.

WASHINGTON — The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Tuesday joined forces to honor the Bucks County, Pa.-based Bucks Promise for Youth and Communities with this year’s Dose of Prevention award. This award recognizes community-based organizations that have implemented successful initiatives to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and OTC cough medicine abuse.

January 23, 2013

A new version of ConAgra Foods' Pam cooking spray is designed to be calorie-free and leave less residue, the company said.

OMAHA, Neb. — A new version of ConAgra Foods' Pam cooking spray is designed to be calorie-free and leave less residue, the company said.

The food company said that the new Pam leaves up to 99% less residue and is available in three varieties: original, baking and butter.

January 23, 2013

For two weeks this winter, customers at Duane Reade are being asked to donate their spare change to help feed New York City’s homebound elderly as part of a relationship with Citymeals-on-Wheels, the retailer has announced.

NEW YORK — For two weeks this winter, customers at Duane Reade are being asked to donate their spare change to help feed New York City’s homebound elderly as part of a relationship with Citymeals-on-Wheels, the retailer has announced.

January 23, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for removing excess iron from the blood in patients with a rare genetic disorder, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for removing excess iron from the blood in patients with a rare genetic disorder, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Novartis' Exjade (deferasirox) for patients ages 10 years and older with chronic iron overload resulting from nontransfution-dependent thalassemia, or NTDT. A companion diagnostic, FerriScan, made by Australia-based Resonance Health, also was approved.

January 23, 2013

Hero Nutritionals on Wednesday introduced two sugar-free vitamins to its Yummi Bears line that are naturally sweetened with lo han fruit and inulin fiber.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Hero Nutritionals on Wednesday introduced two sugar-free vitamins to its Yummi Bears line that are naturally sweetened with lo han fruit and inulin fiber.

“Overall the gummy vitamin category is up by 19% year over year, with the new sugar-free trend emerging," stated Claire Polson, national sales and marketing manager for Hero Nutritionals. “Additionally, the supplement alternative sweetener category grew by 10%, with the children’s multivitamin category driving it at 23% growth as compared to 2011.”

January 23, 2013

Hy-Vee has started building a new store in Iowa, the supermarket chain said.

ANKENY, Iowa — Hy-Vee has started building a new store in Iowa, the supermarket chain said.

Hy-Vee announced that the 92,000-sq.-ft. store would be the second in the planned community of Ankeny, Iowa. The company plans to open the store in late 2013.

The new store will include a Starbucks coffee outlet, pharmacy with drive-through service, gelato bar, Chinese buffet, sushi bar and other amenities, as well as an on-site convenience store and gas station.

January 23, 2013

The National Advertising Division on Tuesday recommended that Nature’s Answer discontinue a wide range of Internet advertising claims for “Bio-Strath,” including claims that the supplement benefits children with ADD/ADHD, pregnant women, people recovering from cancer treatments, people with dementia and people with diabetes.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division on Tuesday recommended that Nature’s Answer discontinue a wide range of Internet advertising claims for “Bio-Strath,” including claims that the supplement benefits children with ADD/ADHD, pregnant women, people recovering from cancer treatments, people with dementia and people with diabetes.

Nature's Answer agreed to comply. 

January 23, 2013

Johnson & Johnson expects to return about 75% of its OTC brands to the marketplace over the course of 2013, Alex Gorsky, J&J chairman and CEO told analysts.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson expects to return about 75% of its OTC brands to the marketplace over the course of 2013, Alex Gorsky, J&J chairman and CEO told analysts Tuesday. "I’m very pleased with the progress that we’re making in that," he said. "We mentioned to you that the consent decree that we had designed in conjunction with the FDA was approved and reviewed in October, with very few comments. And given the breadth and scale of that agreement, we felt very good about that. We’ve had teams working hard since then.

January 23, 2013

Kraft Foods is adding to their line of flavored water enhancers with two flavors of Mio Fit, a portable liquid water enhancer with B vitamins and electrolytes, and has planned the brands first-ever Super Bowl spot to run during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVLII on Feb. 3.

NEW YORK — Kraft Foods is adding to their line of flavored water enhancers with two flavors of Mio Fit, a portable liquid water enhancer with B vitamins and electrolytes, and has planned the brands first-ever Super Bowl spot to run during the third quarter of Super Bowl XVLII on Feb. 3.

January 23, 2013

A lobbying organization for independent pharmacies has launched an ad campaign in The Hill, the Washington-based daily newspaper covering Congress.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A lobbying organization for independent pharmacies has launched an ad campaign in The Hill, the Washington-based daily newspaper covering Congress.

The National Community Pharmacists Association ad lays out the group's legislative agenda for the 113th Congress and the Obama administration.

January 23, 2013

Growth in 2013 will be slow-going in the first half of 2013 but will pick up at the end, suggested James Russo, SVP global consumer insights for Nielsen, during a webinar Wednesday afternoon.

CHICAGO — Growth in 2013 will be slow-going in the first half of 2013 but will pick up at the end, suggested James Russo, SVP global consumer insights for Nielsen, during a webinar Wednesday afternoon. "The consumer remains in maintenance mode," he said. "Consumers are being pragmatic in their spending. Uncertainty dominates."

January 23, 2013

Cytos Biotechnology will regain rights to an experimental vaccine against nicotine addiction that it had licensed to Novartis, Cytos said Wednesday.

SCHLIEREN, Switzerland — Cytos Biotechnology will regain rights to an experimental vaccine against nicotine addiction that it had licensed to Novartis, Cytos said Wednesday.

The company said that Novartis would discontinue the project, known as NIC002. Cytos granted Novartis a license for NIC002 in 2007, but phase-2 trial results in October 2009 indicated that the vaccine spurred the development of nicotine-specific antibodies in patients, but did not increase smoking cessation.

January 23, 2013

A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A new study indicated that some parents may not be sufficiently concerned about misuse of narcotic painkillers by children and teenagers.

January 23, 2013

Five pharmacies dominated prescription drug dispensing revenues in the United States last year, according to a new study.

PHILADELPHIA — Five pharmacies dominated prescription drug dispensing revenues in the United States last year, according to a new study.

The proprietary study, by the Drug Channels Institute, found that pharmacy retailers CVS Caremark, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts accounted for 63% of all prescription drug revenues in the $276.5 billion U.S. pharmacy industry in 2012.

January 23, 2013

Health kiosk maker SoloHealth has joined a health program led by former president Bill Clinton, the company said Wednesday.

ATLANTA — Health kiosk maker SoloHealth has joined a health program led by former president Bill Clinton, the company said Wednesday.