Content about Microbiology

AKRON, Ohio — Among children who took part in a recent study on the use of hand sanitizer in an environment with limited access to clean water, diarrhea cases were reduced by 30% and respiratory illnesses by more than 11%, GOJO Industries noted in a release issued Tuesday. 

The University of Columbia study was reported in the June 2012 issue of Pan American Journal of Public Health. As part of the study, researchers monitored children's use of alcohol hand sanitizer in conjunction with education to help to reduce life-threatening infections.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Walgreens will encourage communities to focus on the importance of HIV testing and early treatment, both services addressed through its more than 700 HIV-specialized pharmacies coast to coast, the company announced Wednesday. 

Beyond the most obvious impetus for providing vaccines at the retail pharmacy level — it protects the public’s health by providing a more convenient option than making an appointment with the doctor — it also might help save money for employers.


A study recently published in the journal Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit. 


NEW YORK — French drug maker Sanofi announced a deal with the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development to develop drugs for tuberculosis.

The drug maker and the TB Alliance said the deal will include discovery and development of new drug compounds for the disease, which caused almost 1.5 million deaths globally and affected nearly 9 million in 2010, according to the World Health Organization.

FOSTER CITY, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new once-a-day combination pill to treat HIV-1 infection in adults who have never been treated for HIV infection.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Supermarket chain Bi-Lo has launched an annual campaign to promote flu vaccinations.

The chain offers three vaccination options, including the standard vaccination, a high-dose vaccination for elderly patients and an intradermal vaccination delivered with a microneedle that is 90% smaller than traditional needles.

The recent launch of a number of new probiotic products from several large suppliers should be a boon to the popular digestive-support supplement, sales of which were up 16.5% to $169.2 million for the 52 weeks ended July 8 across food, drug and mass (excluding Walmart), according to SymphonyIRI Group data.


MINNEAPOLIS — Nobody likes getting a shot, but a new survey indicates that fear of needles also may prompt people to avoid getting flu vaccinations.

Target announced results of a new online survey conducted on its behalf by Harris Interactive showing that 60% of American adults would skip flu vaccinations, with 23% of those avoiding vaccinations because they don't like needles. The survey polled 2,160 adults between July 10 and July 12; no margin of error could be calculated as the survey was not based on a probability sample.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Reflecting the value of community pharmacy, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is answering the call of public health authorities to promote vaccinations in the battle against whooping cough, also known as pertussis.

Kathleen Jaeger, NACDS’ SVP of pharmacy care and patient advocacy, is spreading the message amid a growing national outbreak of the highly-contagious respiratory disease.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — AstraZeneca's biologics division has begun shipping doses of influenza vaccine to distributors for the 2012-2013 flu season, the company said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.