Content about Environment

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble announced that its Auburn, Maine, feminine care facility became the first manufacturing plant in North America to achieve zero waste to landfill.

P&G said its Global Asset Recovery Purchases team assisted the company in reusing or recycling its waste. P&G said these efforts delivered tens of millions of dollars in cost recovery to the company in the past year alone.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., and BEVERLY, Mass. (Dec. 2) Merck announced on Thursday it has inked a deal to acquire an insulin maker.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The president of drug maker Merck now will fill an additional position at the company: CEO.

Merck's board of directors elected president and board member Kenneth Frazier as the company's next leader, effective Jan. 1. Frazier will succeed Richard Clark, who has served as Merck's CEO since 2005. Clark will continue as chairman of the board, the drug maker said.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended expanded approval of a vaccine for genital warts.

Merck announced Wednesday that the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended approval of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) for males and females ages 9 to 26 years to prevent anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, both diseases that result from infection by the human papillomavirus.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A group representing the nation's independent pharmacies praised a local drug store's participation in a drug take-back program.

Should retail pharmacists tell their patients to eat a good breakfast?

A mountain of data showing the health benefits of a good breakfast — one that includes high-fiber foods like cereals and grains — point to an unequivocal answer: absolutely.
Studies have proven that eating breakfast is closely linked to healthy body weights, improved mental alertness and physical performance. Plus, people who skip breakfast don’t make up for the missed nutrients later in the day.

WASHINGTON According to a study published in the November edition of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, taking docosahexaenoic acid may improve memory and learning in older adults with mild cognitive impairments. The study found that DHA taken for six months improved memory and learning in healthy, older adults with mild memory complaints.

PORTLAND, Ore. Aisle7 on Thursday announced the launch of its Aisle7 online widget gallery, home to plug-and-play mini apps that easily can be placed on a website to inform shoppers of the latest health recommendations, provide shopping ideas and recommend products for health-and-wellness goals. The widgets also provide website content producers a cost-effective solution that automatically updates a page with the latest wellness content without extra development overhead.

NEW YORK As part of its sustainability efforts, Kimberly-Clark will do a test-run of its Scott Naturals tubeless toilet paper in Northeast Walmart and Sam's Club stores, according to published reports.

The Scott Naturals line, which features bath tissue, towels and napkins made with a significant amount of recycled fiber, was developed in response to consumer demand for environmentally friendly products that didn't sacrifice performance. Last month, Scott Naturals introduced the Smart Flush bag, a device that reduces toilet water use.

With strong support from pharmacy leaders, Congress is moving to shut down prescription medication abuse and diversion with a multipronged legislative cudgel.

Prior to its October recess, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three industry-backed bills in September to help seal up the nation’s leaky prescription drug pipeline. The bills are expected to pass under “suspension of the rules,” which allows for expedited consideration of legislation.