Content about New York

February 5, 2013

WebMD Health launched the WebMD Allergy app for the iPhone, a mobile resource that empowers consumers to take control of their allergies.

NEW YORK — WebMD Health Corp. on Tuesday launched the WebMD Allergy app for the iPhone, a mobile resource that empowers consumers to take control of their allergies.

"The WebMD Allergy app provides consumers with accurate and personalized weather-related allergy information to help them proactively manage their allergy conditions," stated Michael Smith, WebMD chief medical editor. "WebMD's trusted allergy information is delivered through an innovative mobile app to help consumers be better prepared to face the day."

February 4, 2013

Bloomberg: Tesco reassures U.S. customers as investment bank conducts strategic review

U.K. grocer Tesco is attempting to reassure shoppers that its United States-based Fresh & Easy supermarkets are not closing after announcing in December plans to exit the U.S. market, Bloomberg News reported Friday.

NEW YORK — U.K. grocer Tesco is attempting to reassure shoppers that its United States-based Fresh & Easy supermarkets are not closing after announcing in December plans to exit the U.S. market, Bloomberg News reported Friday.

February 1, 2013

Magnacca — nothing short of a visionary merchant

Walgreens promoted Joseph Magnacca to EVP from SVP. Magnacca also retains his title as president of daily living products and solutions. In this capacity, Magnacca will continue to oversee Walgreens merchandising and inventory strategy, private brands, insights and analytics, and the New York-based Duane Reade drug store chain, which Walgreens acquired in 2010.

And that means Magnacca will continue to do what he does best, which is change everything you've ever thought you knew about drug store retailing across the front-end. If you've ever met him in person, you'd know he's not a static person. He doesn't stand still. He's always moving toward identifying that next thing, that next offering or presentation that resonates with people at the crossroads of health and happy and at the same time is something they never thought they'd find in a drug store.

February 1, 2013

Perrigo acquires Velcera pet care company

Leading private-label supplier Perrigo has acquired pet health company Velcera for $160 million.

NEW YORK — Leading private-label supplier Perrigo has acquired pet health company Velcera for $160 million.

The deal follows last fall’s acquisition of Sergeants and signals Perrigo’s intent to accelerate growth in areas beyond its traditional businesses of consumer health care, nutrition products and prescriptions. Velcera is a pet health company best known for its PetArmor brand of flea and tick products that are widely available at retailers nationwide, much to the chagrin of veterinarians. PetArmor had sales of $60 million last year.

February 1, 2013

U by Kotex aims to bust myths, advance vaginal health knowledge with Generation Know campaign

U by Kotex, a Kimberly-Clark feminine care line, is aiming to inspire girls to empower themselves with education, take control of their health and redefine how society thinks about their bodies with Generation Know, a multifaceted commercial marketing program.

NEW YORK — U by Kotex, a Kimberly-Clark feminine care line, is aiming to inspire girls to empower themselves with education, take control of their health and redefine how society thinks about their bodies with Generation Know, a multifaceted commercial marketing program.

January 31, 2013

Breakout star Elle Varner partners with Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea

Breakout star Elle Varner is gearing up for her first nomination for “Best R&B Song” at music’s biggest award show, and Unilever’s Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea is inviting fans to join Varner on her journey via a series of videos on Facebook.

NEW YORK — Breakout star Elle Varner is gearing up for her first nomination for “Best R&B Song” at music’s biggest award show, and Unilever’s Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Ultra Shea is inviting fans to join Varner on her journey via a series of videos on Facebook.

January 31, 2013

Climate change could exacerbate flu epidemic, study finds

While experts say climate change could produce a wide range of side effects, a new one could be earlier and more severe flu seasons, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — While experts say climate change could produce a wide range of side effects, a new one could be earlier and more severe flu seasons, according to a new study.

January 31, 2013

Colgate announces Q4 results

Colgate-Palmolive announced on Thursday an increase in worldwide net sales and net income for the fourth quarter as strong sales of Colgate Optic White and Colgate Optic White Enamel White toothpastes helped fuel toothpaste market share in the United States.

NEW YORK — Colgate-Palmolive announced on Thursday an increase in worldwide net sales and net income for the fourth quarter as strong sales of Colgate Optic White and Colgate Optic White Enamel White toothpastes helped fuel toothpaste market share in the United States.

Worldwide net sales totaled $4.29 billion during the fourth quarter, an increase of 2.5% compared with the year-ago period. Organic sales grew 4%.

January 31, 2013

ERSP recommends weight-loss supplement manufacturer modify claims

The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program determined the National Weight Loss Institute can support general weight-loss claims made in direct-response advertising for Prevoxin, a dietary supplement intended to promote weight loss, but recommended the marketer modify or discontinue certain claims.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Wednesday determined the National Weight Loss Institute can support general weight-loss claims made in direct-response advertising for Prevoxin, a dietary supplement intended to promote weight loss, but recommended the marketer modify or discontinue certain claims.

January 31, 2013

NCPA and three Oregon legislators push for greater oversight, transparency of PBMs

The National Community Pharmacists Association urged Oregon state lawmakers to pass a series of bills that would "collectively reduce red tape for pharmacists caring for patients, give consumers greater pharmacy choice at no extra cost, and keep more revenue within the state."

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday urged Oregon state lawmakers to pass a series of bills that would "collectively reduce red tape for pharmacists caring for patients, give consumers greater pharmacy choice at no extra cost, and keep more revenue within the state."

NCPA has identified four issues of import:

January 31, 2013

Supplement may reduce gestational diabetes risk in some women, study finds

A nutritional supplement may help ward off gestational diabetes in pregnant women, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — A nutritional supplement may help ward off gestational diabetes in pregnant women, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at Italy's University of Messina and published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that pregnant women with family histories of Type 2 diabetes who received myo-inositol saw a significant reduction in the incidence of gestational diabetes, a condition that causes high blood sugar in some pregnant women.

January 31, 2013

Swisse Wellness launches supplement line at Walgreens

A line of OTC products from Australia will hit the shelves of Walgreens Friday.

NEW YORK — A line of OTC products from Australia will hit the shelves of Walgreens Friday.

Swisse Wellness announced plans to roll out its line of multivitamins and other products in October 2012, hiring actress Nicole Kidman as the spokeswoman for the brand.

An announcement on the company's website noted that the release would coincide with Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday as it touted its Ultivite multivitamins, Swisse Ultiboost Liver Detox and Swisse Ultivite + Energy.

January 31, 2013

Wegmans' food drive raises more than $2 million in 2012

During the fall 2012 checkout scanning campaign at 45 Wegmans stores in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, and the Greater Rochester region of New York, hunger relief donations totaled $1.4 million, Wegmans reported.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — During the fall 2012 checkout scanning campaign at 45 Wegmans stores in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, and the Greater Rochester region of New York, hunger relief donations totaled $1.4 million, Wegmans reported Wednesday.

“We’re thankful for our customers and employees who step up to give in such a generous way,” stated Linda Lovejoy, Wegmans' community relations manager. “Their donations at checkout help reduce hunger that exists right in our own neighborhoods and communities.”

January 30, 2013

Estrogen patch, described as smallest, available at pharmacies

A patch for treating menopause that the manufacturer calls the smallest is now available.

NEW YORK — A patch for treating menopause that the manufacturer calls the smallest is now available.

Noven Pharmaceuticals announced the availability of Minivelle (estradiol) transdermal system in pharmacies. The patch, which the Food and Drug Administration approved in October 2012, is designed for treating hot flashes and night sweats in women with menopause.

The patch has a surface area nearly the same as a dime at its lowest strength of 0.0375 mg-per-day and is 34% smaller than Noven's Vivelle-Dot patch, the company said.

January 30, 2013

Mintel: Moms, young women show highest usage of at-home nail care

Moms and young women helped fuel sales of at-home nail care products, according to the latest research by Mintel.

NEW YORK — Moms and young women helped fuel sales of at-home nail care products, according to the latest research by Mintel.

Women in households with children are more likely to use most nail care products than those without children in their homes, according to the latest research by Mintel. This is particularly notable with nail art accessories where 24% of women with children report usage compared with 11% in households without children.

January 30, 2013

Nonprofit supermarket aims to address food deserts in Philadelphia area

A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

NEW YORK — A hunger relief group serving Philadelphia and surrounding areas has hired a New York-based brand and retail design consultancy to design a prototype nonprofit grocery store to address food deserts.

The agency, CBX, said the Philabundance had hired it to design the store, Fare & Square, which will open this summer in Chester, Pa.

January 29, 2013

Ahold USA names Mark McGowan to EVP merchandising

Ahold USA last week announced that Mark McGowan has been appointed as EVP merchandising. He will lead a merchandising team that supports Ahold USA and its four divisions.

NEW YORK — Ahold USA last week announced that Mark McGowan has been appointed as EVP merchandising. He will lead a merchandising team that supports Ahold USA and its four divisions: Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover and Giant Carlisle.

Mr. McGowan had previously served as EVP supply chain for Ahold USA and previously led the Boston division of Stop & Shop.

January 29, 2013

Forbes: Retail pharmacy flush with flu business

This year's virulent flu season driven by a predominant H3N2 bug has people hitting their drug stores in droves in search of symptomatic relief, suggested an article published online by Forbes.

NEW YORK — This year's virulent flu season driven by a predominant H3N2 bug has people hitting their drug stores in droves in search of symptomatic relief, suggested an article published online by Forbes Monday.

January 29, 2013

New York Times: Battle against biogenerics is on

The battle against biogenerics is on, noted a report published in The New York Times.

NEW YORK — The battle against biogenerics is on, noted a report published in The New York Times Tuesday. As many as eight states have introduced legislation that would restrict generic competition of biological pharamceuticals so far this year and one, the Virginia House of Delegates, already passed such a measure by a 91-to-6 vote.

January 28, 2013

FDA approves new use of Pfizer vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a pneumococcal vaccine made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

NEW YORK — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for a pneumococcal vaccine made by Pfizer, the drug maker said.

Pfizer announced the approval of Prevnar 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine [diphtheria CRM197 protein]) for children and adolescents ages 6 years to 17 years for active immunization against the 13 Streptococcus pneumonia serotypes the vaccine covers. For this group, Prevnar 13 is administered as a one-time dose to patients who have never received it.

January 28, 2013

Six retailers make YouGov's BrandIndex 'Buzz' list

YouGov's BrandIndex has named 25 brands to its "2012 Annual US Top Buzz Rankings," YouGov said.

NEW YORK — YouGov's BrandIndex has named 25 brands to its "2012 Annual US Top Buzz Rankings," YouGov said.

The index measures public perception of thousands of brands based on interviews with thousands of consumers every day, with more than 2.5 million interviews every year.

January 28, 2013

WSJ: J&J shopping women's care unit

Johnson & Johnson is shopping its women's health unit, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that the business no longer coincided with J&J's "growth priorities."

NEW YORK — Johnson & Johnson is shopping its women's health unit, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that the business no longer coincided with J&J's "growth priorities."

The brands managed by the unit include intimacy health KY and women's personal care brands, o.b. tampons and Stayfree and Carefree pads.

January 25, 2013

Canadian provinces to reduce reimbursements for six generics

Canada's provincial and territorial governments have reached a deal that they said would save money on drugs, but that generic drug makers said had left them "disappointed."

NEW YORK — Canada's provincial and territorial governments have reached a deal that they said would save money on drugs, but that generic drug makers said had left them "disappointed."

January 25, 2013

Wellco Brands launches pain relief cream for under the nose of cold, allergy sufferers

Wellco Brands on Thursday launched Healerz for Noses, a pain relief cream to soothe the skin under the nose that becomes irritated during cold and allergy season.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Wellco Brands on Thursday launched Healerz for Noses, a pain relief cream to soothe the skin under the nose that becomes irritated during cold and allergy season.

Healerz is formulated with lidocaine for pain relief, benzalkonium chloride antiseptic to help guard against infection and aloe for its soothing properties.

Each package contains six single-use packets.

January 24, 2013

Disease from Down Under: New Australian norovirus strain responsible for most outbreaks in U.S., CDC says

A new strain of norovirus from Australia accounts for more than half of outbreaks around the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NEW YORK — A new strain of norovirus from Australia accounts for more than half of outbreaks around the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.