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ROCKVILLE, Md. — Several intertwined factors are fueling the mass nail care market, and according to a new report by Packaged Facts, the growth of do-it-yourself nail products is expected to continue despite an uptick in professional nail services.

SymphonyIRI Group, a Chicago-based market research firm, reported that sales of nail care products grew 26% for the 52 weeks ended April 15 at food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart). Nail polish sales, in particular, grew about 43% during that time.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter sales of a test for the virus that causes AIDS, the agency said Tuesday.

The FDA announced the approval of the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, calling it the first OTC, self-administered HIV test kit that detects the presence of antibodies to HIV, including the HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for obesity in adults, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Arena Pharmaceuticals' Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride), designed for use alongside reduced-calorie diets and exercise, for chronic weight management. Eisai will distribute the drug.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The market for health and beauty care products targeted to minorities continues to advance at a healthy pace, and marketers should be ramping up in new products and marketing campaigns sooner rather than later, according to a new report released from Packaged Facts.

According to the "Ethnic Hair, Skin and Cosmetic Products in the U.S." report, the market posted growth of nearly 13% during 2010, and the market continued to advance at a healthy pace in 2011 to approach $3 billion.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — A study recently published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism suggests that vitamin D — when taken with calcium — can reduce the rate of mortality in seniors, thereby providing a possible means of increasing life expectancy, the society reported Friday.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday issued a draft recommendation around the ineffectiveness of vitamin D and calcium to prevent cancer or fractures. The draft guidance also suggested vitamin D and calcium could equate to a greater risk of kidney stones in older women.

"Many people take the supplements, but the science was insufficient to make recommendations for everyone," stated panel member Timothy Wilt of the University of Minnesota.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — The U.S. chocolate market continues to grow, according to a new Packaged Facts report.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A counterfeit version of a Teva Pharmaceutical Industries attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy drug is circulating online, regulators warned Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a statement warning consumers and healthcare professionals that a fake versions of Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) tablets in the 30-mg strength are being sold on the Internet.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved generic versions of one of the country's top-selling drugs made by eight different companies, the agency said Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and the National Community Pharmacists Association announced the winners of a competition designed to highlight the best practices in medication adherence teaching among the nation's 127 colleges and schools of pharmacy.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for treating erectile dysfunction, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Vivus' Stendra (avanafil).

"This approval expands the available treatment options to men experiencing erectile dysfunction and enables patients, in consultation with their doctor, to choose the most appropriate treatment for their needs," FDA Office of Drug Evaluation III deputy director Victoria Kusiak said.

LANDOVER, Md. — Two of Royal Ahold's U.S. supermarket chains are offering new labeling to make gluten-free foods easier to find in the store, while one has launched a new magazine to address childhood obesity.