Content about Health & Wellness

February 12, 2013
Galderma drug for common skin condition becomes available

A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A topical medication made by Galderma Labs for treating melasma of the face is now available in pharmacies, Galderma said.

Tri-Luma (fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%), tretinoin 0.05%) is described as the only Food and Drug Administration-approved triple combination topical product for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe melasma. The chronic skin condition affects more than 7 million people in the United States.

February 12, 2013
Sanofi named CCCF's corporate partner of the year

The Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing colorectal cancer incidence and death throughout the United States, presented Sanofi with its annual Blue Star Corporate Award.

NEW YORK — Sanofi US was named corporate partner of the year by the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation (CCCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing colorectal cancer incidence and death throughout the United States, and presented with CCCF's annual Blue Star Corporate Award.

February 12, 2013
Sargento Foods, Cheryl Burke promote healthy snacking

A two-time winner of "Dancing with the Stars" and a food product manufacturer have a deal to promote healthy snacking options.

PLYMOUTH, Wis. — A two-time winner of "Dancing with the Stars" and a food product manufacturer have a deal to promote healthy snacking options for women.

February 12, 2013
Schiff Nutrition launches Valentine's Day marketing campaign behind MegaRed

Schiff Nutrition and M&C Saatchi NY launched a Valentine’s Day marketing campaign — “Whose Heart Do You Love” — in support of MegaRed krill oil supplements.

NEW YORK — Schiff Nutrition Group and M&C Saatchi NY on Tuesday launched a Valentine’s Day marketing campaign — “Whose Heart Do You Love” — in support of MegaRed krill oil supplements. 

February 12, 2013
Survey: 8-in-10 workout enthusiasts don't have post-workout nutrition plan

According to a national survey of fitness enthusiasts who exercise three or more times a week, 82% admitted to falling short when it comes to post-workout nutrition habits, Abbott announced.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — According to a national survey of fitness enthusiasts who exercise three or more times a week, 82% admitted to falling short when it comes to post-workout nutrition habits, Abbott announced Tuesday. 

The results of the survey from Abbott's EAS Sports Nutrition uncover a gap between Americans' knowledge surrounding post-workout nutrition and their desire to improve their fitness routines and results.

February 12, 2013
Trojan 'Safe Ride' taxis hit the road to promote sexual health

To help mark Condom Awareness Week, Trojan Brand Condoms has deployed a fleet of Trojan Safe Ride taxis to drive home facts about condoms.

EWING, N.J. — To help mark Condom Awareness Week, Trojan Brand Condoms has deployed a fleet of Trojan Safe Ride taxis to drive home facts about condoms. New Yorkers are invited to get in one of the taxis to test their sexual health IQ by participating in a condom trivia game while en route to their destination.

February 11, 2013
AHRQ contest winners announced

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

NEW YORK — The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has announced the winners of a competition it sponsored to increase awareness and use of evidence-based healthcare tools in retail health settings, the government agency said.

February 11, 2013
Bartell Drugs introduces PharmaSmart kiosks

Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs has introduced PharmaSmart blood-pressure testing kiosks at all 58 of its stores, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Bartell said it was the first drug store chain in the Pacific Northwest to provide the new kiosks, made by Rochester, N.Y.-based PharmaSmart International.

February 11, 2013
NYC mayor: Progress in initiative to reduce salt

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced 21 companies have hit their targets in a city-led effort to curb salt. Restaurants, as well as food manufacturers, were named as some of the companies to achieve their goals.

NEW YORK — New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on Monday 21 companies have hit their targets in a city-led effort to curb salt. Restaurants, as well as food manufacturers, were named as some of the companies to achieve their goals.

Amaericans, on average, eat about twice as much salt as the suggested daily allowance. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure and lead to other health-related problems.

February 11, 2013
Sunscreen Bands to take guesswork out of skin protection

JADS International, a health and beauty company, on Monday announced the introduction of Sunscreen Bands, which remind consumers to reapply sunscreen.

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — JADS International, a health and beauty company, on Monday announced the introduction of Sunscreen Bands, which remind consumers to reapply sunscreen.

February 8, 2013
Smoking rates significantly higher among mentally ill, report finds

Smoking among adults with mental illnesses is 70% higher than among those without them, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA - Smoking among adults with mental illnesses is 70% higher than among those without them, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

February 8, 2013
Type 1 diabetes spikes among Philadelphia children, study finds

While much of the attention to diabetes has focused on the dramatic rise of Type 2 diabetes among adults and children alike, a new study by a researcher in Philadelphia has found a spike in Type 1 diabetes among children as well.

PHILADELPHIA — While much of the attention to diabetes has focused on the dramatic rise of Type 2 diabetes among adults and children alike, a new study by a researcher in Philadelphia has found a spike in Type 1 diabetes among children as well.

February 8, 2013
Va. pharmacy students visit state legislators

An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

NEW YORK — An annual event at the Virginia state General Assembly drew several students from a local pharmacy school.

Hampton University said 24 of its students visited the General Assembly in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 30 to participate in Virginia Pharmacy Day, organized every year by the Virginia Pharmacist Association. 

The event combined a health fair — with cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure screenings — and legislative visits with state representatives to discuss pharmacy-related issues.

February 7, 2013
California vaccine distributor reports inventory still on hand for last-minute inoculations

While this season's flu epidemic maintains its strength across the West Coast, one vaccine distributor announced they still have vaccine on hand.

TEMECULA, Calif. — While this season's flu epidemic maintains its strength across the West Coast, one vaccine distributor announced Wednesday they still have vaccine on hand. 

"FFF is prepared to respond to the unpredictable nature of flu season. And our secure supply chain can always be counted on to deliver safe products — even in times of limited supply," stated Patrick Schmidt, CEO FFF Enterprises. "We purchase direct from manufacturers and sell only to licensed hospitals, pharmacies and clinics."

February 7, 2013
Cardinal Health develops patient-friendly heart health education program for community pharmacists

Cardinal Health announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Thursday announced it is providing free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease.  “By using these patient-friendly heart health materials, community pharmacists can strengthen their relationships with patients and help save lives by educating their communities about how to prevent and recognize the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes," stated Ron Clerico, VP marketing for Cardinal Health’s Retail Pharmacy business. 

February 7, 2013
CMS study further proof community pharmacy can improve patients' lives, says NACDS

National Association of Chain Drug Stores president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

ARLINGTON, Va. — National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) president and CEO Steve Anderson, calls a new study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) “further proof of community pharmacy’s ability to improve patients’ lives while making healthcare more affordable in this country.”

February 7, 2013
CVS Caremark announces expansion of Pharmacy Advisor program

CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced the extension of its Pharmacy Advisor program to cover an additional five chronic conditions, including asthma, breast cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression and osteoporosis.

February 7, 2013
Purdue Pharma drug 'significantly' reduces time to fall back asleep in insomnia patients, study finds

An insomnia drug made by Purdue Pharma "significantly" reduced the time it took patients to return to sleep after they'd woke up in the middle of the night, according to a new study.

STAMFORD, Conn. — An insomnia drug made by Purdue Pharma "significantly" reduced the time it took patients to return to sleep after they'd woke up in the middle of the night, according to a new study.

The placebo-controlled study, published in the journal Sleep, tested the drug Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate) sublingual tablets on 295 adults with primary insomnia and difficulty returning to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. Purdue said Intermezzo was the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating such patients.

February 7, 2013
Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacists administered 190K flu shots this season

The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — The team of pharmacists at Rexall Pharma Plus administered 190,000 of the more than 200,000 flu shots provided by pharmacists in Ontario this flu season, the Canadian retailer announced on Thursday.

Rexall Pharma Plus offered flu shots at all of its more than 250 Ontario pharmacies any time, with no appointment necessary. Rexall is Katz Group Canada’s flagship national chain.

February 7, 2013
Sam's Club offering heart health screenings

Sam's Club will offer free heart health screenings at 563 of its stores on Saturday, the club retailer said.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club will offer free heart health screenings at 563 of its stores on Saturday, the club retailer said.

The screenings, taking place at stores with pharmacies, will include tests valued at up to $100 for glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index and vision screenings.

February 7, 2013
Vaccine-resistant whooping cough bacteria strain may have appeared in U.S., researchers say

A new strain of the bacterium that causes whooping cough immune to vaccines may have appeared in the United States, according to a brief published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

NEW YORK — A new strain of the bacterium that causes whooping cough immune to vaccines may have appeared in the United States, according to a brief published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The brief, filed by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health authorities, reported that a strain of Bordetella pertussis had been reported in Japan, France and Finland and may have appeared in Philadelphia, where 12 children were hospitalized between 2011 and 2012.

February 6, 2013
New study shows children who eat cereal for breakfast have lower body weight, BMI

According to new research published in peer-reviewed healthcare journal Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition, children who start their day with a cereal breakfast - even if that cereal is presweetened - tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and less chance of being overweight or obese than children who eat other breakfasts or skip the meal entirely.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Parents searching for a healthy breakfast for their children should take another look at the cereal aisle.

According to new research published in peer-reviewed healthcare journal Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN), children who start their day with a cereal breakfast - even if that cereal is presweetened - tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and less chance of being overweight or obese than children who eat other breakfasts or skip the meal entirely.

February 6, 2013
WHO updates consumption guidelines for salt, potassium

Adults should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium, or 5 grams of salt, and at least 3,510 mg of potassium per day, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization.

GENEVA — Adults should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium, or 5 grams of salt, and at least 3,510 mg of potassium per day, according to new guidelines issued by the World Health Organization last week. A person with either elevated sodium levels and low potassium levels could be at risk of raised blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Currently, most people consume too much sodium and not enough potassium.

February 5, 2013
CVS promotes heart health

CVS Caremark is marking American Heart Month by encouraging heart-healthy behavior in February, the company said Tuesday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is marking American Heart Month by encouraging heart-healthy behavior in February, the company said Tuesday.

February 5, 2013
WebMD launches allergy app

WebMD Health launched the WebMD Allergy app for the iPhone, a mobile resource that empowers consumers to take control of their allergies.

NEW YORK — WebMD Health Corp. on Tuesday launched the WebMD Allergy app for the iPhone, a mobile resource that empowers consumers to take control of their allergies. 

"The WebMD Allergy app provides consumers with accurate and personalized weather-related allergy information to help them proactively manage their allergy conditions," stated Michael Smith, WebMD chief medical editor. "WebMD's trusted allergy information is delivered through an innovative mobile app to help consumers be better prepared to face the day."