Content about Microbiology

February 9, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday issued a public warning that the use of proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, or CDAD.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday issued a public warning that the use of proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, or CDAD.

Patients should immediately contact their healthcare professional and seek care if they take PPIs and develop diarrhea that does not improve, the agency stated.

February 9, 2012

A retail pharmacy chain's efforts to immunize customers have won recognition from an organization of the country's pharmacists.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A retail pharmacy chain's efforts to immunize customers have won recognition from an organization of the country's pharmacists.

Rite Aid won the American Pharmacists Association's Immunization Champion Award in the national corporation and institution category, the chain said Thursday.

February 3, 2012

The impact of the failed Express Scripts negotiations on Walgreens' sales has been significant to date, as evidenced by Walgreens' January sales release issued Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The impact of the failed Express Scripts negotiations on Walgreens' sales has been significant to date, as evidenced by Walgreens' January sales release issued Friday.

Walgreens reported a sales decline of 2.3% for the month of January to $5.8 billion — the first month operating outside of the Express Scripts pharmacy network. A flu season that has yet to materialize also has had a significant impact on comparable sales figures.

Sales in comparable stores were down 4.6%, falling below analyst consensus of down 2.6%.

February 1, 2012

As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans older than 6 months of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in early December.

As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans older than 6 months of age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in early December. The number of people getting vaccinated is up slightly from last year, the CDC reported, most notably among children and seniors.

January 27, 2012

The news that MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to protect their children and themselves by getting the proper vaccination is important as it not only addresses a serious health concern, but also underscores the valuable role that retail-based health clinics can play in health care.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to protect their children and themselves by getting the proper vaccination is important as it not only addresses a serious health concern, but also underscores the valuable role that retail-based health clinics can play in health care.

(THE NEWS: MinuteClinic urges vaccination as pertussis cases rise in 2012. For the full story, click here)

January 26, 2012

Clover Labs, based in Fairview, Tenn., last week announced a new delivery system format — peppermint-flavored gum — for an intimacy supplement presented at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition EPPS conference.

ATLANTA — Clover Labs, based in Fairview, Tenn., last week announced a new delivery system format — peppermint-flavored gum — for an intimacy supplement presented at the ECRM Vitamin, Diet & Sports Nutrition EPPS conference.

Branded Vantage-X, the product is designed to take up to one hour prior to intimacy.

The company has also partnered with Ansell Healthcare and Biofilm with a number of combination packs coupling Clover's Vantage-X with Lifestyle-brand condoms and Astroglide personal lubricants, respectively.

January 26, 2012

With at least a dozen states reporting confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, during the first three weeks of January, MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to obtain a DTaP shot (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) for unvaccinated children under 7 years old.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — With at least a dozen states reporting confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, during the first three weeks of January, MinuteClinic is urging parents and guardians to obtain a DTaP shot (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) for unvaccinated children under 7 years old.  Booster shots, known as Tdap, also are encouraged for all pre-teens, teens and adults.

January 26, 2012

Pharmacists in Florida are hoping to expand the kinds of vaccinations they can administer, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Pharmacists in Florida are hoping to expand the kinds of vaccinations they can administer, according to published reports.

Tallahassee, Fla., CBS affiliate WTSP reported that a bill proposed in the state legislature would allow pharmacists to administer shots to prevent pneumonia and shingles. While pharmacists in Florida have been able to administer flu shots since 2007, the state remains one of the few where they can't administer pneumonia and shingles shots.

A committee in the state House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill, WTSP reported.

January 23, 2012

Avian flu researchers have agreed to take a 60-day hiatus on testing an H5N1 influenza strain that recently had gained public attention, according to a letter published Friday in the journal Science.

WASHINGTON — Avian flu researchers have agreed to take a 60-day hiatus on testing an H5N1 influenza strain that recently had gained public attention, according to a letter published Friday in the journal Science.

January 3, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Pfizer vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults ages 50 years and older, the company said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Pfizer vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults ages 50 years and older, the company said.

Pfizer announced the FDA approval of Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine [diphtheria CRM197 protein]) as a single-dose for adults.

December 20, 2011

The World Health Organization has approved three generic second-line treatments for HIV made by Mylan, the drug maker said Tuesday. The drugs will be delivered to people in developing countries living with HIV and AIDS.

PITTSBURGH — The World Health Organization has approved three generic second-line treatments for HIV made by Mylan, the drug maker said Tuesday. The drugs will be delivered to people in developing countries living with HIV and AIDS.

December 16, 2011

According to an article in the November/December issue of the journal Medical-Surgical Nursing, rates of HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, human papilloma virus and other STDs are climbing steadily across men and women older than 50 years.

PITMAN, N.J. — According to an article in the November/December issue of the journal Medical-Surgical Nursing, rates of HIV/AIDS, herpes, syphilis, human papilloma virus and other STDs are climbing steadily across men and women older than 50 years. 

December 14, 2011

Walgreens on Tuesday expanded its offering of immunizations that provide protection against pertussis (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis-Tdap vaccine) to all of its more than 580 pharmacies throughout Illinois with no appointment necessary.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday expanded its offering of immunizations that provide protection against pertussis (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis-Tdap vaccine) to all of its more than 580 pharmacies throughout Illinois with no appointment necessary.

December 13, 2011

The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday announced that the first U.S. facility to use a faster and more flexible technology to make influenza vaccine was dedicated as part of an initiative that could provide vaccine supplies sooner in an influenza pandemic.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Monday announced that the first U.S. facility to use a faster and more flexible technology to make influenza vaccine was dedicated as part of an initiative that could provide vaccine supplies sooner in an influenza pandemic.

December 9, 2011

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released new recommendations to treat latent tuberculosis infection.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released new recommendations to treat latent tuberculosis infection.

The new recommendations, published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, provide guidance on how to administer a new 12-dose regimen for TB preventive therapy that will significantly shorten and simplify the course of treatment from about nine months to 12 weeks. The recommendations are based on the results of three clinical trials, as well as expert opinion.

December 5, 2011

As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans over the age of 6 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a media telebriefing Monday afternoon.

ATLANTA — As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans over the age of 6 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a media telebriefing Monday afternoon. The number of people getting vaccinated is up slightly from last year, the CDC reported, most notably among children and seniors.

December 5, 2011

In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week from Dec. 4 to 10, CVS/pharmacy and its in-store health clinic business, MinuteClinic, are reminding families to "vaccinate before they celebrate" the holidays and receive their annual flu shot before the flu season peaks.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — In recognition of National Influenza Vaccination Week from Dec. 4 to 10, CVS/pharmacy and its in-store health clinic business, MinuteClinic, are reminding families to "vaccinate before they celebrate" the holidays and receive their annual flu shot before the flu season peaks.

December 5, 2011

Rite Aid is responding to a flu vaccination campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by lowering prices on flu vaccinations, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is responding to a flu vaccination campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by lowering prices on flu vaccinations, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

To mark National Influenza Vaccination Week, the retailer is offering flu shots for $19.99 through Dec. 17.

December 2, 2011

Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a generic HIV and AIDS drug made by Mylan, the company said.

PITTSBURGH — Under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Food and Drug Administration has given tentative approval to a generic HIV and AIDS drug made by Mylan, the company said.

The drug maker's Mylan Labs subsidiary received tentative approval for atazanavir sulfate and ritonavir tablets in the 300-mg/100-mg strength. The FDA's tentative approval of the drug under PEPFAR means it will be eligible for purchase in certain developing countries.

December 1, 2011

Cases of whooping cough have been increasing in the Milwaukee area, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Cases of whooping cough have been increasing in the Milwaukee area, according to published reports.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the bacterial infection known medically as pertussis is spreading among kids at school districts in Wisconsin, citing public health officials as saying that new, stronger vaccines may be needed.

November 30, 2011

A new survey from Dannon released Wednesday revealed that Americans are more familiar than ever with probiotics.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — A new survey from Dannon released Wednesday revealed that Americans are more familiar than ever with probiotics.

November 30, 2011

Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that most people get flu shots, many members of the public remain skeptical, according to a new survey by Vitals.com.

LYNDHURST, N.J. — Despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending that most people get flu shots, many members of the public remain skeptical, according to a new survey by Vitals.com.

November 30, 2011

Walgreens on Wednesday announced it is offering more than $10 million worth of free flu shot vouchers to Americans without health insurance coverage.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday announced it is offering more than $10 million worth of free flu shot vouchers to Americans without health insurance coverage. The Department of Health and Human Services is assisting in the distribution of the vouchers in markets across the country.

November 21, 2011

A hand and respiratory hygiene program including frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer helped reduce illness caused by influenza A, and reduced the number of missed school days in elementary school children, according to a study in the November issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

PHILADELPHIA — A hand and respiratory hygiene program including frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer helped reduce illness caused by influenza A, and reduced the number of missed school days in elementary school children, according to a study in the November issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

November 18, 2011

Citi Investment Research & Analysis is projecting that the peak of flu season may occur beyond last season's peak of January/February, a factor that may place a negative drag on retail same-store sales results over first quarter 2012.

NEW YORK — Citi Investment Research & Analysis is projecting that the peak of flu season may occur beyond last season's peak of January/February, a factor that may place a negative drag on retail same-store sales results over first quarter 2012.