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June 18, 2013
AquaHydrate grows U.S. retail distribution

AquaHydrate, a Southern California-based health and fitness water company, announced expanded retail distribution across the West and Midwest regions of the United States, including Walgreens, Savemart, Raley's, Pharmaca stores and more.

LOS ANGELES — AquaHydrate Inc., a Southern California-based health and fitness water company, announced today expanded retail distribution across the West and Midwest regions of the United States.

In the west, AquaHydrate launched into grocery and drug store chains: Walgreens in Los Angeles and San Diego (230 stores); Savemart (240 stores); Raley's (128 stores); Pharmaca (25 stores); High Health (38 stores); Superior Grocery (35 stores); and Vallarta Grocery (44 stores).

June 18, 2013
Avella joins limited-distribution network for orally administered cancer drug

Avella Specialty Pharmacy will be included in the limited distribution network for a cancer drug made by Genentech, Avella said Tuesday.

PHOENIX — Avella Specialty Pharmacy will be included in the limited-distribution network for a cancer drug made by Genentech, Avella said Tuesday.

The specially pharmacy company said it would be included in the network to sell Tarceva (erlotinib), an orally administered drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. Genentech will shift distribution of Tarceva to a select group of pharmacies starting July 1 to align its distribution with that of similar cancer drugs.

June 18, 2013
Better Oats expands Oat Revolution line

Better Oats announced the addition of three new steel-cut instant oatmeal varieties to the brand’s Oat Revolution line.

MINNEAPOLIS — Better Oats announced today the addition of three new steel-cut instant oatmeal varieties to the brand’s Oat Revolution line. The new oatmeal is one of the fastest cooking steel-cut oats products on the market, allowing consumers to enjoy all the taste, flavor and health attributes of steel cut oats in just two and a half minutes cook time.

June 18, 2013
Eat Well, Test Well: Bayer HealthCare and dLife Healthcare Solutions launch diabetes resource

Bayer HealthCare, makers of the Contour Next portfolio of blood-glucose meters, and dLife Healthcare Solutions, a diabetes behavior change solution, have created and are working together to offer Eat Well, Test Well, a six-week food and nutrition program for people with diabetes available at no charge.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., and WESTPORT, Conn. — Bayer HealthCare, makers of the Contour Next portfolio of blood-glucose meters, and dLife Healthcare Solutions, a diabetes behavior change solution, have created and are working together to offer Eat Well, Test Well, a six-week food and nutrition program for people with diabetes. The Eat Well, Test Well program is available online at no charge and was developed to help educate and motivate people with diabetes to make healthier mealtime choices based on the results of blood-sugar testing as a guide.

June 18, 2013
Energizer Personal Care inks licensing partnership with agency Brandgenuity

Energizer Personal Care, which is a division of Energizer Holdings, has announced a partnership with New York-based licensing agency Brandgenuity LLC to extend the reach of its Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and Playtex brands.

NEW YORK — Energizer Personal Care, which is a division of Energizer Holdings, has announced a partnership with New York-based licensing agency Brandgenuity LLC to extend the reach of its Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and Playtex brands.

June 18, 2013
FDA has collected more than $255 million in generic drug user fees

The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has collected 84% of the fees it intends to collect this year under a law passed last year to collect user fees from generic drug members, according to a memo sent out to CDER staff Tuesday.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has collected 84% of the fees it intends to collect this year under a law passed last year to collect user fees from generic drug members, according to a memo sent out to CDER staff Tuesday.

CDER director Janet Woodcock wrote that the FDA had collected more than $255 million under the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments to the 2012 Prescription Drug User Fee Act reauthorization. The agency plans to collect $299 million in fiscal year 2013.

June 18, 2013
Healthcare spending growth to drop next year, PwC report finds

Spending on health care will slow down in 2014 despite a flood of new patients who will have insurance, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — Spending on health care will slow down in 2014 despite a flood of new patients who will have insurance, according to a new study.

The PwC Health Research Institute study, titled Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers, forecasts 6.5% inflation in healthcare spending despite the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act adding millions of new patients. The report noted that the slowdown in spending was contrary to the experience of previous recessions.

June 18, 2013
Mike’s Hard Lemonade pairs with celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn for July 4th promotion

Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. announced today a partnership with celebrity chef and former "Top Chef" contestant Spike Mendelsohn in support of a July 4th in-store consumer promotion to win a trip to New York City. The promotion begins June 19.

CHICAGO — Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co. announced today a partnership with celebrity chef and former "Top Chef" contestant Spike Mendelsohn in support of a July 4th consumer promotion beginning June 19. The in-store promotion offers one lucky winner and 11 friends the chance to win a trip to New York City to attend a private barbecue hosted by Spike. On the heels of the launch of Mike’s new advertising campaign, “It’s Never Not a Good Time for a Refreshing Mike’s,” the brand reminds consumers that Independence Day is no exception.

June 18, 2013
More companies focus on innovation, marketing, report finds

Consumer packaged goods companies and retailers that sell their products have managed to stay strong despite economic difficulty, according to a new report.

WASHINGTON — Consumer packaged goods companies and retailers that sell their products have managed to stay strong despite economic difficulty, according to a new report.

The 2013 financial performance report, "Growth Strategies: Unlocking the Power of the Consumer," conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and PwC, found that despite overall slowing net sales growth rates in 2012, food, beverage and household product companies had respective sales growth of 7%, 5.5% and 3.2%.

June 18, 2013
Mylan hires NFL player, TV personality to promote EpiPen

A division of Mylan is hiring NFL player Adrian Peterson and family expert Jo Frost to promote an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — A division of Mylan is hiring NFL player Adrian Peterson and celebrity nanny Jo Frost to promote an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions.

Mylan Specialty announced that it had hired the two — who both have potentially life-threatening allergies — to raise awareness of the problem. Mylan Specialty is launching a multichannel marketing campaign for the EpiPen (epinephrine) auto-injector to mark the 25th anniversary of its approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

June 18, 2013
Pirate's Booty announces collaboration with Disney Pixar for new cheese puffs

Smart Puffs all-natural cheese puffs is offering a special limited-edition 4.5-oz. package and a sweepstakes where parents have the chance to win $10,000 toward their child’s education.

SEA CLIFF, N.Y. — Smart Puffs, all-natural cheese puffs from the makers of Pirate’s Booty, announced today its collaboration with Disney Pixar’s “Monsters University,” an all-new 3-D animated comedy adventure that opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013. As the exclusive salty snack for the film, Smart Puffs is made with real, all-natural ingredients and baked into crunchy puffs.

 

June 18, 2013
Report: The Little Clinic to expand footprint with six new locations

Kroger is looking to open six additional Little Clinic locations within its stores in Ohio this summer and plans to expand its relationship with Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, according to a local news report.

CINCINNATI — Kroger is looking to open six additional Little Clinic locations within its stores in Ohio this summer and plans to expand its relationship with Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, according to a local news report.

The clinic operator currently has seven Columbus-area locations inside select Kroger stores, but Kroger has indicated that it is opening the additional locations because of higher patient volume and demand from employers to curb rising healthcare costs, according to a report by Columbus Business First.

June 18, 2013
Royalty Pharma drops bid for Elan Corp.

Royalty Pharma will not buy Irish drug maker Elan Corp., the company said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Royalty Pharma will not buy Irish drug maker Elan Corp., the company said Tuesday.

Royalty said it would withdraw a request for a review by the Irish Takeover Panel after Elan shareholders voted in favor of a share buyback. Elan said last week that it would begin a process of selling itself to Royalty, which had previously offered $13 per share for the company.

June 18, 2013
Study finds double-digit growth in drug store loyalty programs

Memberships in drug store loyalty programs have grown by 45% over the past couple years to total more than 140 million, according to a new report.

CINCINNATI — Memberships in drug store loyalty programs have grown by 45% over the past couple years to total more than 140 million, according to a new report.

June 18, 2013
Study: Eating peanut butter, peanuts at breakfast can help control hunger all day

A new study, released in the current British Journal of Nutrition, showed that consuming peanut butter or peanuts for breakfast can control blood-sugar throughout most of the day, even after eating a high carbohydrate lunch. In addition to this "Second Meal Effect," peanuts and peanut butter caused a significant reduction in the desire to eat for up to 12 hours and a significant increase in the secretion of the hormone PYY that promotes satiety and feelings of fullness.

ALBANY, Ga. — A new study, released in the current British Journal of Nutrition, showed that consuming peanut butter or peanuts for breakfast can control blood-sugar throughout most of the day, even after eating a high-carbohydrate lunch. In addition to this "second meal effect," peanuts and peanut butter caused a significant reduction in the desire to eat for up to 12 hours and a significant increase in the secretion of the hormone PYY that promotes satiety and feelings of fullness.

June 18, 2013
Teva to acquire MicroDose for up to $165 million

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will spend up to $165 million to buy a company developing a drug to prevent viral respiratory infections.

JERUSALEM — Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will spend up to $165 million to buy a company developing a drug to prevent viral respiratory infections.

Teva said it would acquire MicroDose Therapeutx for $40 million, plus up to $125 million in milestone payments and sales milestones and royalties from its lead product, MDT-637, an inhaled treatment for respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

June 18, 2013
ThinkThin unveils new fiber bars

ThinkThin announced the introduction of new ThinkThin Fiber bars, a high-fiber addition to its line of protein bars.

LOS ANGELES — ThinkThin LLC today announced the introduction of new ThinkThin Fiber bars, a high-fiber addition to its line of protein bars.

Touting 13 g of protein and 5 g of fiber in each bar, ThinkThin is the only brand among the top 10 leading nutrition bar brands offering a high protein and high fiber option that also has only 2 grams of sugar and less than 200 calories, the company stated. According to the Institute of Medicine, the recommended fiber intake for an adult is 25-38 g per day.

June 17, 2013
Bio Follicle introduces new lavender shampoo, conditioner

Bio Follicle has announced the launch of its 100% vegan plant-derived sulfate- and cruelty-free aromatherapy lavender shampoo and conditioner.

NEW YORK — Bio Follicle has announced the launch of its 100% vegan plant-derived sulfate- and cruelty-free aromatherapy lavender shampoo and conditioner.

This hair care duo promises to provide hair and scalp with the benefits of natural botanicals and a pH-balanced formula. The shampoo is a gentle, plant-derived formula that thoroughly cleanses hair while restoring its natural balance, body and shine, the company stated. The conditioner contains an antioxidant-rich herbal blend of therapeutic lavender oil and rich plant-based moisturizers.

June 17, 2013
BioScrip to acquire CarePoint Partners for $223 million

BioScrip will acquire a Cincinnati-based home infusion company for $223 million, BioScrip said Monday.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — BioScrip will acquire a Cincinnati-based home infusion company for $223 million, BioScrip said Monday.

June 17, 2013
Dr. Baker Says Co. adds new nut oil supplement to lineup

The Dr. Baker Says Co. introduced last week a new supplement to market containing four omegas, essential fatty acids and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Cape Cod, Mass. — The Dr. Baker Says Co. introduced last week a new supplement to market containing four omegas, essential fatty acids and a variety of vitamins and minerals.

June 17, 2013
GMDC congratulates Top 10 Showcase products from HBW13 conference

During the 2013 HBW conference held in San Antonio, from May 31 to June 3, one of the most anticipated events by attendees was The Showcase venue, which gave suppliers an opportunity to highlight their innovative new products or packaging to retailers and wholesalers attending the event.

SAN ANTONIO — During the 2013 HBW conference held in San Antonio, from May 31 to June 3, one of the most anticipated events by attendees was The Showcase. The Showcase venue gave suppliers an opportunity to highlight their innovative new products or packaging to retailers and wholesalers attending the event. The Showcase also offered an opportunity to present any type of merchandising vehicle available to display their products: floor or counter-top displays, pallet programs, clip strips, wing panels and others, as well as single retail Items.

June 17, 2013
J&J to buy Aragon Pharmaceuticals for up to $1 billion

Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to spend up to $1 billion to acquire a privately owned company developing a drug for prostate cancer.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Drug maker Johnson & Johnson plans to spend up to $1 billion to acquire a privately owned company developing a drug for prostate cancer.

J&J said Monday it would acquire Aragon Pharmaceuticals for $650 million upfront plus up to $350 million in milestone payments, with the expectation that the deal will close in third quarter 2013.

June 17, 2013
NPD Group: Growth in men's fragrance sales fueled by larger sizes, gift sets

Sales of U.S. prestige men’s fragrances are on the rise, according to recent research by global information company The NPD Group.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Sales of U.S. prestige men’s fragrances are on the rise, according to recent research by global information company The NPD Group.

Sales of U.S. prestige men’s fragrance increased 6% to $953 million, from May 2012 to April 2013, compared with the same time period last year, according to The NPD Group’s U.S. fragrance industry.

June 17, 2013
Perrigo to acquire Fera's ophthalmic portfolio for up to $129 million

Perrigo Co. will pay up to $129 million to buy Fera Pharmaceuticals' portfolio of ophthalmic products, Perrigo said.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo Co. will pay up to $129 million to buy Fera Pharmaceuticals' portfolio of ophthalmic products, Perrigo said Monday.

Perrigo said the acquisition from Locust Valley, N.Y.-based Fera included an upfront payment of $93 million and milestone payments of about $36 million. The products include generic ophthalmic sterile ointments and solutions and generated sales of more than $30 million in 2012.

June 17, 2013
Pharmacists praise enactment of Texas bills providing for fair pharmacy audits and pricing transparency

The National Community Pharmacists Association commended Texas Gov. Rick Perry for signing into law two significant pieces of legislation in support of Texas small business independent community pharmacies: HB 1358, legislation that provides common sense standards to pharmacy audits conducted by pharmacy benefit managers, and SB 1106, which provides transparency in generic maximum allowable costs, or MACs, for Medicaid plans.

 ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association commended Texas Gov. Rick Perry for signing into law two significant pieces of legislation in support of Texas small business independent community pharmacies: HB 1358, legislation that provides common sense standards to pharmacy audits conducted by pharmacy benefit managers, and SB 1106, which provides transparency in generic maximum allowable costs, or MACs, for Medicaid plans.