Content about Latest News

April 11, 2011

In an effort to reward those that take everyday conservation actions, Procter & Gamble's Future Friendly program has announced a national partnership with Recyclebank.

CINCINNATI — In an effort to reward those that take everyday conservation actions, Procter & Gamble's Future Friendly program has announced a national partnership with Recyclebank.

The announcement follows a successful collaboration between P&G Future Friendly and Recyclebank's Cincinnati division, which enhanced the city's recycling efforts.

April 11, 2011

Part of its 50th anniversary as a baby care brand, Pampers has launched its Little Miracle Missions program.

CINCINNATI — Part of its 50th anniversary as a baby care brand, Pampers has launched its Little Miracle Missions program.

April 11, 2011

A drug originally developed by scientists in the Soviet Union to treat allergies and currently under investigation by Pfizer and Medivation did not yield significant results in a late-stage clinical trial of patients with Huntington disease, a disorder that leads to cognitive decline, the companies said Monday.

NEW YORK — A drug originally developed by scientists in the Soviet Union to treat allergies and currently under investigation by Pfizer and Medivation did not yield significant results in a late-stage clinical trial of patients with Huntington disease, a disorder that leads to cognitive decline, the companies said Monday.

April 11, 2011

Pharmavite on Monday named Bill Tullis as its new EVP sales.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — Pharmavite on Monday named Bill Tullis as its new EVP sales.

Tullis comes to Pharmavite with more than 25 years of experience within the consumer packaged goods industry, most recently as area VP for alternate channels at Del Monte Foods. Prior to his work at Del Monte Foods, Tullis held sales and marketing positions at Nabisco and Nestle USA.

April 11, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an oral contraceptive made by Sandoz, the company said Friday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an oral contraceptive made by Sandoz, the company said Friday.

Sandoz, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the approval of Altavera (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) tablets, a generic version of Duramed’s Nordette.

Branded and generic versions of Nordette had sales of about $57.4 million during the 12-month period ended in February, according to IMS Health.

April 11, 2011

Genzyme now officially is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis.

PARIS — Genzyme now officially is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis.

The Paris-based drug maker said that the closing followed the completion of the exchange offer for drug maker Genzyme last week. As its subsidiary, Genzyme will become a new platform in Sanofi's sustainable growth strategy and expand the company's presence in biotechnology, Sanofi said. Genzyme will continue to operate out of its Cambridge, Mass., headquarters, and will be led by Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher for several months.

April 11, 2011

Following the success of its 13-store test in 2010, Sears has announced that it now is expanding its in-store cosmetic departments to more than 100 stores and online.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Following the success of its 13-store test in 2010, Sears has announced that it now is expanding its in-store cosmetic departments to more than 100 stores and online.

The staffed beauty departments include such mass brands as Revlon, L'Oréal, Maybelline and CoverGirl. The concept also includes nail care from Sally Hansen, Nicole by OPI and Essie, as well as skin care and fragrances.

April 11, 2011

Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is looking to distinguish itself from the competition.

The retailer announced that it is reinvigorating its price leadership promise, bringing back products its customers have asked for and simplifying its ad match policy.

April 11, 2011

Winn-Dixie on Monday announced that its pharmacy will offer specially designed medication disposal envelopes to help its customers safely dispose of unused, outdated or unwanted medications.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie on Monday announced that its pharmacy will offer specially designed medication disposal envelopes to help its customers safely dispose of unused, outdated or unwanted medications.

The specially designed TakeAway Environmental Return System envelopes, made by Sharps Compliance, offer a convenient, safe and environmentally responsible method to dispose of unused, expired or unwanted noncontrolled prescription or over-the-counter medications, the grocer stated.

April 8, 2011

Specialty pharmacy provider Assured Pharmacy will reduce its stock through a reverse stock split, the company said Thursday.

FRISCO, Texas — Specialty pharmacy provider Assured Pharmacy will reduce its stock through a reverse stock split, the company said Thursday.

The company, which trades on the pink sheets but seeks to eventually be listed on a larger exchange, announced that it had filed an amendment to its articles of incorporation whereby it would convert every 180 shares of stock to a single stock, reducing the total number of shares of outstanding common stock from 416,200,000 to 2,321,222, while reducing authorized shares of common stock from 3 billion to 16,666,667.

April 8, 2011

The Emerson Group announced that former Actavis executive Brad Blake has joined the company.

WAYNE, Pa. — The Emerson Group announced that former Actavis executive Brad Blake has joined the company.

Blake will focus on Actavis, an Emerson client, and its business to continue the current strong relationship between the two companies. Additionally, Blake also will concentrate on other private-label business for Emerson and be responsible for Publix, Winn-Dixie and Dollar Tree.

Brad has been in the consumer packaged goods and over-the-counter business since 1982.

April 8, 2011

A grape soda brand has gotten a makeover.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A grape soda brand has gotten a makeover.

Buffalo Rock Bottling, a privately held PepsiCo bottler, said that its Grapico and Diet Grapico cans now feature a multi-hued purple emblem, product wording in a signature Southern block script and a cluster of purple grapes at the top.

The packaging redesign applies to all versions of the soft drink, including the 2-liters, 20-oz. single-serving bottles, 12-oz. cans and 12-pack cartons.

Grapico is a well-known staple in the South and made its debut in New Orleans in 1914.

April 8, 2011

The Department of Health and Human Services on Friday launched two plans aimed at reducing health disparities.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Friday launched two plans aimed at reducing health disparities.

“For the first time, the United States has a coordinated road map designed to give everyone the chance to live a healthy life,” stated HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “We all need to work together to combat this persistent problem so that we can build healthier communities and a stronger nation.”

April 8, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to a generic antibiotic made by Hi-Tech Pharmacal, the drug maker said Friday.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — The Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval to a generic antibiotic made by Hi-Tech Pharmacal, the drug maker said Friday.

Hi-Tech announced the tentative approval of levofloxacin oral solution in the 25 mg-per-mL strength. The drug is used to treat mild, moderate and severe bacterial infections in adults.

April 8, 2011

Supermarket chain Hy-Vee has brought in Australian-born celebrity chef Curtis Stone to develop recipes designed to put the fun in cooking at home, the company said Friday.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Supermarket chain Hy-Vee has brought in Australian-born celebrity chef Curtis Stone to develop recipes designed to put the fun in cooking at home, the company said Friday.

Stone, the host of “Top Chef Masters” on Bravo and an investor and mentor on NBC’s “America’s Next Great Restaurant,” will be featured in the chain’s television commercials, print ads and in-store marketing materials for the next two years.

April 8, 2011

Impax Labs will collaborate with a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and manufacturing of unique gelatin-based dosage forms.

HAYWARD, Calif., and HIGH POINT, N.C. — Impax Labs will collaborate with a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and manufacturing of unique gelatin-based dosage forms.

Impax said it has entered a deal with Banner Pharmacaps in respect to the supply and commercialization of two softgel capsule products.

The products and terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

April 8, 2011

Nestle Performance Nutrition and its PowerBar brand have teamed up to introduce a new energy bar for women.

TAMPA, Fla. — Nestle Performance Nutrition and its PowerBar brand have teamed up to introduce a new energy bar for women.

Iron Girl is a co-branded women's energy bar that was produced by PowerBar and Iron Girl, an athletic event series consisting of 13 races nationwide, ranging from 10K/5K to half-marathon, duathlon and triathlon. Iron Girl is part of World Triathlon, producers of the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

April 8, 2011

A line of inflatable inserts that prevent boots from wrinkling and creasing have gained distribution in Duane Reade.

NEW YORK — A line of inflatable inserts that prevent boots from wrinkling and creasing have gained distribution in Duane Reade.

Booty Shapers offer consumers an inexpensive way to store boots and are available in small, medium and large sizes, catering to all different kinds of boots, the company said.

Booty Shapers can be purchased at Duane Reade, CVS.com, Drugstore.com and more, for a suggested retail price of $9.99 per pair.

April 8, 2011

Lance is getting creative with its sandwich crackers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lance is getting creative with its sandwich crackers.

New Cracker Creations feature vegetables, cheese or herbs baked right into the cracker and currently are available in garden vegetable and parmesan herb varieties. The crackers also tout a real cream cheese filling, Lance said.

Cracker Creations are available at major grocery retailers and Walmart with a suggested retail of $2.99.

April 8, 2011

A Georgetown University Health Policy Institute study of Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care pilot program should raise doubts for states considering the use of for-profit managed care companies to reduce Medicaid costs, the National Community Pharmacists Association cautioned on Friday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A Georgetown University Health Policy Institute study of Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care pilot program should raise doubts for states considering the use of for-profit managed care companies to reduce Medicaid costs, the National Community Pharmacists Association cautioned on Friday.

April 8, 2011

Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has received the Corporate Leadership Award from the National Hemophilia Foundation in response to its research and development efforts for the disease, the company said Friday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has received the Corporate Leadership Award from the National Hemophilia Foundation in response to its research and development efforts for the disease, the company said Friday.

Novo Nordisk president Jurek Gruhn accepted the award at the NHF’s Inaugural Spring Soiree Benefit in New York Thursday. Novo Nordisk makes NovoSeven RT (coagulation factor VIIa [recombinant], room temperature stable), used to treat hemophilia A and B.

April 8, 2011

Procter & Gamble has announced a voluntary recall of 10 shades of its Clairol Natural Instincts in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico because of a mismatched ColorFresh! Revitalizer sachet in the kits that may create an unwanted color result.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has announced a voluntary recall of 10 shades of its Clairol Natural Instincts in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico because of a mismatched ColorFresh! Revitalizer sachet in the kits that may create an unwanted color result.

April 8, 2011

Purina One has introduced a new line of pet food for dogs and cats that boasts meat as the No. 1 ingredient.

ST. LOUIS — Purina One has introduced a new line of pet food for dogs and cats that boasts meat as the No. 1 ingredient.

April 8, 2011

Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare have initiated 1-of-2 late-stage clinical trials of their aflibercept ophthalmic solution in the treatment of a complication caused by diabetic retinopathy.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and BERLIN — Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare have initiated 1-of-2 late-stage clinical trials of their aflibercept ophthalmic solution in the treatment of a complication caused by diabetic retinopathy.

The drug makers said that it would evaluate the efficacy of VEGF Trap-Eye (aflibercept ophthalmic solution) in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, a prevalent cause of vision loss among diabetes patients, after promising results from its previous clinical trial.

April 8, 2011

Nine people died in Alabama last month after taking a compounded injectable supplement contaminated with bacteria, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Nine people died in Alabama last month after taking a compounded injectable supplement contaminated with bacteria, according to published reports.

The New York Times reported that the patients died of infections with Serratia marcescens bacteria in hospitals after receiving the intravenously administered supplement total parenteral nutrition from the Birmingham, Ala.-based compounding pharmacy Meds IV Pharmacy.