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February 17, 2011
APhA encourages consumers to consult pharmacists about heart health

February is American Heart Month, and a professional group representing the country’s pharmacists is using that as an opportunity to encourage the public to learn how to prevent heart disease from the most easily accessible members of the healthcare system.

WASHINGTON — February is American Heart Month, and a professional group representing the country’s pharmacists is using that as an opportunity to encourage the public to learn how to prevent heart disease from the most easily accessible members of the healthcare system.

February 17, 2011
Auralgan otic solution seized by government officials

The Food and Drug Administration has seized supplies of a drug used to treat ear infections, under a program the agency started to remove unapproved drugs from the market.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has seized supplies of a drug used to treat ear infections, under a program the agency started to remove unapproved drugs from the market.

The FDA announced the seizure of about $16.5 million worth of Auralgan otic solution made by Brooks, Ky.-based Integrated Commercialization Solutions. Chapel Hill, N.C.-based Deston Therapeutics manufactures the drug, while ICS warehouses it.

February 17, 2011
Chobani kicks off first national ad campaign

Greek yogurt brand Chobani has launched its Real Love Stories multifaceted campaign.

NORWICH, N.Y. — Greek yogurt brand Chobani has launched its Real Love Stories multifaceted campaign.

The campaign, which underscores the love Chobani fans have for the brand, marks the company's first national advertising push, which includes two national television commercials, along with digital and out-of-home ads. Outreach also will continue on the brand’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

February 17, 2011
Dr Pepper Snapple Group reports Q4 results

Earnings per share for Dr Pepper Snapple Group increased 5 cents to 49 cents, compared with the year-ago period, thanks to an increase in consumer spending and new licensing agreements with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

PLANO, Texas — Earnings per share for Dr Pepper Snapple Group increased 5 cents to 49 cents, compared with the year-ago period, thanks to an increase in consumer spending and new licensing agreements with Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

February 17, 2011
FDA OKs Abilify as maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a psychiatric drug for treating bipolar disorder when used in combination with one of two other drugs.

The FDA approved Abilify (aripiprazole), made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, as an adjunct to lithium or valproate for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder.

February 17, 2011
Fresh & Easy touts more GreenChill stores than any other retailer

Supermarket retailer Fresh & Easy has added four more GreenChill-certified stores this year, a distinction developed by the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Supermarket retailer Fresh & Easy has added four more GreenChill-certified stores this year, a distinction developed by the Environmental Protection Agency's GreenChill Partnership.

The company, which has stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, now has the most GreenChill-certified stores than any other retailer in the nation. Fresh & Easy opened its first GreenChill store in September 2010.

February 17, 2011
Hallmark launches postage-paid cards

Hallmark has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to make sending greeting cards hassle-free.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hallmark has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to make sending greeting cards hassle-free.

New postage-paid greetings, which will range in price from $2.69 to $3.99, feature the U.S. Postal Service's Intelligent Mail bar code on the front of the envelope. Acting as a first-class stamp, Hallmark's postage-paid greetings have an added convenience so consumers can sign, seal and send cards without worrying about adding a stamp to the envelope.

February 17, 2011
Henry's, Sprouts to merge under one banner

Two natural food grocery chains are merging together.

SAN DIEGO and PHEONIX — Two natural food retailers are merging together.

Henry's Farmers Market and Sprouts Farmers Market, which were both founded by the Boney family, will combine forces under the majority ownership and sponsorship of Apollo Management, a private equity firm. The stores will operate under the Sprouts Farmers Market name.

The newly merged operation will include 98 stores, more than 7,000 employees and annual revenues that exceed $1 billion at the time of the transaction closing, which is expected to be in the second quarter 2011.

February 17, 2011
Kellogg's emphasizes fiber-rich cereals

Kellogg's is emphasizing its fiber-rich cereals, following the release of a study that examined the link between dietary fiber from grains and the lower risk of death from certain diseases in both men and women.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Kellogg's is emphasizing its fiber-rich cereals, following the release of a study that examined the link between dietary fiber from grains and the lower risk of death from certain diseases in both men and women.

February 17, 2011
Kroger EVP Don Becker dies

Supermarket giant Kroger announced company EVP Don Becker died Wednesday after suffering an aneurysm. He was 62 years old.

CINCINNATI — Supermarket giant Kroger announced company EVP Don Becker died Wednesday after suffering an aneurysm. He was 62 years old.

February 17, 2011
Mintel: Ethnic foods enjoy robust product growth

While some ethnic cuisines have become mainstream, such as Italian and Chinese food, some lesser-known ethnic food products are enjoying growth in the marketplace, according to new research by Mintel.

CHICAGO — While some ethnic cuisines have become mainstream, such as Italian and Chinese food, some lesser-known ethnic food products are enjoying growth in the marketplace, according to new research by Mintel.

According to Mintel's Global New Products Database, new food items that contained "Caribbean" in the product description realized a 150% increase from 2009 to 2010. In addition, Asian cuisine products, including Japanese and Thai, respectively rose 230% and 68%.

February 17, 2011
Novartis names Naomi Kelman as new head of the Novartis OTC division

Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

BASEL, Switzerland — Novartis on Thursday morning named Naomi Kelman head of the Novartis OTC division, effective March 2. She will report directly to Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO.

The Novartis OTC and animal health businesses will become separate Novartis divisions, in addition to the pharmaceuticals, Sandoz (generics), vaccines and diagnostics divisions. As previously announced, following the completion of the merger between Novartis and Alcon, CIBA Vision and Novartis ophthalmic medicines will be merged into the new Alcon eye care division of Novartis.

February 17, 2011
Oreo is well-'liked' on Facebook

It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — It seems that Facebook users love Oreo.

February 17, 2011
Perrigo gains entry to store-brand blood-glucose meter market

Perrigo on Thursday announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AgaMatrix to sell and distribute blood-glucose monitors and test strips in the U.S. store-brand channel.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Thursday announced that it has entered into an exclusive agreement with AgaMatrix to sell and distribute blood-glucose monitors and test strips in the U.S. store-brand channel.

Nipro Diagnostics long has dominated store-brand blood-glucose meters with a co-branding program that includes TRUE2Go, TRUEresult and TRUEtrack.

As part of the agreement, Perrigo will sell and distribute certain products in the current AgaMatrix portfolio, as well as certain future new products.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

February 17, 2011
Report: Exclusivity period for biotech drugs may be reduced to seven years

The Obama administration’s proposed budget for 2012 contains an item that could change the game for biosimilars, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s proposed budget for 2012 contains an item that could change the game for biosimilars, according to published reports.

According to the reports, the administration would lower the 12-year data exclusivity period for biotech drugs mandated in the healthcare-reform law to seven years.

February 17, 2011
Savient announces executive appointments

Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Savient Pharmaceuticals announced changes to its management team as it gears up for the commercial launch of its chronic gout treatment.

The drug maker appointed Louis Ferrari as its SVP corporate development, Christine Mikail as SVP and Stephen Davies as chief information officer and group VP.

February 17, 2011
Schnucks to host Frieda’s Produce University

Supermarket chain Schnucks Markets is partnering with produce wholesaler Frieda’s to educate shoppers about citrus fruits.

ST. LOUIS — Supermarket chain Schnucks Markets is partnering with produce wholesaler Frieda’s to educate shoppers about citrus fruits.

The retailer said all of its Schnucks and Logli stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Mississippi would host Frieda’s Produce University, an eight-hour, open-house-style event on Saturday that will feature staff to teach shoppers how to prepare and eat various citrus fruits and free samples. The session will cover exotic varieties, such as Meyer lemons, pomelos, blood oranges and kumquats.

February 17, 2011
Sean Whelan named Diplomat's new CFO

Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a new CFO, the company said.

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has hired a new CFO, the company said.

Diplomat announced the appointment of Sean Whelan, citing his experience as a CFO in the healthcare industry. Whelan will report directly to president and CEO Phil Hagerman.

February 17, 2011
Soon after Valentine’s, food stores foster romance

The Washington Post on Thursday morning tagged the Wegmans in Lanham, Md. — a suburb of Washington — as "Club Wegmans," the latest hot spot to meet singles.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post on Thursday morning tagged the Wegmans in Lanham, Md. — a suburb of Washington — as "Club Wegmans," the latest hot spot to meet singles.

And it’s not just singles. According to the article, “Singles hook up in front of bins of fresh produce; couples gather for dates in the grocery store's sit-down restaurant; and shoppers sway to music from overhead speakers, singing along with Prince, Luther Vandross and Teena Marie.”

February 17, 2011
Teva's Jinteli now available

Generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic drug for treating symptoms of menopause.

NORTH WALES, Pa. — Generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a generic drug for treating symptoms of menopause.

Teva announced Thursday the availability of Jinteli (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol) tablets.

The drug is a generic version of Warner Chilcott’s FemHRT and is available in the 1-mg/5-mcg strength.

February 17, 2011
ViVa Beverages introduces new relaxation aids

ViVa Beverages on Wednesday announced the national launches of Quick Beverages Sleep and Quick Beverages Relax, two new 2-oz. shots containing relaxation aids in a zero-calorie, sugar-free, berry-flavor drink.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — ViVa Beverages on Wednesday announced the national launches of Quick Beverages Sleep and Quick Beverages Relax, two new 2-oz. shots containing relaxation aids in a zero-calorie, sugar-free, berry-flavor drink.

"We live in a high-stress, amped-up, always-on-the-go society, which is why energy shots have grown into a huge category," stated Paul Fuegner of ViVa Beverages. "Quick Beverages Sleep and Relax are the all-natural alternatives to energy shots."

February 16, 2011
Ahoy! OPI develops 'Pirates of the Caribbean' nail polish collection

New swashbuckling colors are on the horizon as OPI gears up to launch a new, limited-edition nail lacquer collection based on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise.

NEW YORK — New swashbuckling colors are on the horizon as OPI gears up to launch a new, limited-edition nail lacquer collection based on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film franchise.

In line with the premiere of the franchise's latest film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," OPI has developed six new nail lacquers, including a new Shatter polish, which leaves behind a crackled, two-texture silver finish when painted over any dry OPI hue.

The limited edition line includes:

February 16, 2011
Amicus' Amigal improves symptoms among Fabry disease patients in trial

Amicus Therapeutics received good results from its mid-stage trial of a drug for a rare, genetic disorder, the drug maker said Wednesday.

CRANBURY, N.J. — Amicus Therapeutics received good results from its mid-stage trial of a drug for a rare, genetic disorder, the drug maker said Wednesday.

February 16, 2011
Baxter on verge of revolutionizing flu shot life cycle

Baxter International on Tuesday announced results of a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet that demonstrated effectiveness and tolerability of the company’s Preflucel in protecting against seasonal influenza.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Baxter International on Tuesday announced results of a study published in this week's issue of The Lancet that demonstrated effectiveness and tolerability of the company’s Preflucel in protecting against seasonal influenza.

February 16, 2011
Bounty supports clean classrooms with 'We Love Our School' week

Procter & Gamble's Bounty brand has partnered with PTO Today, an organization focused on filling unmet school needs through parent-teaching partnerships to promote clean, creative learning environments nationwide.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Bounty brand has partnered with PTO Today, an organization focused on filling unmet school needs through parent-teaching partnerships to promote clean, creative learning environments nationwide.

The "We Love Our School" week, which kicked off Monday, offers participating schools a Bounty Clean Kit with enough Bounty and Mr. Clean product to clean all of their classrooms. The cleaning program is helping to mobilize volunteers in 1,000 schools and 2,500 classrooms nationwide.