Content about Influenza A virus subtype H1N1

Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but CVS' store brand equivalent to Boiron's Oscillo speaks volumes to something else: The gaining popularity of homeopathy.

And that's especially true this year, as concerns over the novel H1N1 flu pandemic have driven scores of consumers into their pharmacies in search of safe and effective symptomatic relief solutions.

NEW YORK There’s a reason there is such a great emphasis on school-aged children with the pending “return” (it in fact never left) of the H1N1 influenza pandemic. That’s because kids are more likely to get sick from colds and flu — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children come down with a cold and/or flu between five and six times per year.

NEW YORK Fearless prediction No. 1: You can bet a case of hand sanitizer that if and when this survey is conducted in late October, as opposed to late July, there’ll be a whole lot more people not only aware of the importance of hand-washing and sanitizers, but they’ll likely be rubbing their hands raw with the amount of hand washing that’ll be going on.

NEW YORK On the surface, this news highlights how serious the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention take that “prevention” piece of their title. The fact of the matter is the novel H1N1 influenza pandemic, the virus that ran rampant in the spring, giving the United States a little taste of what could come, will be the top billing this coming cough-cold-flu season.

NEW YORK The report by Kalorama Information indicating that one of the biggest areas of growth has been vaccines, and that the market is expected to double by 2013, is big news for the industry, as pharmacies and retail-based clinics are bound to reap the benefits.

This is especially true given the current trajectory health reform is on in this country, and the fact that clinics and pharmacies are emerging and expanding their services to help fill the “medical home” void.