Content about OTC

May 2, 2013
Justice Department appeals district court ruling removing emergency contraceptive sales restrictions

The Justice Department reported it will appeal a recent judicial decision that would require removing any age restriction from the purchase of the Plan B emergency contraceptive, according to a report published in USA Today.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department late Wednesday reported it will appeal a recent judicial decision that would require removing any age restriction from the purchase of the Plan B emergency contraceptive, according to a report published in USA Today.

May 2, 2013
Met-Rx embarks on first charitable food distribution event in Queens, N.Y.

In celebration of Mother's Day, Met-Rx on Thursday announced that its championship bodybuilding athletes will team up with moms in the Met-Rx Cares program's first charitable food distribution event to benefit needy families from the central Jamaica area of Queens here.

NEW YORK — In celebration of Mother's Day, Met-Rx on Thursday announced that its championship bodybuilding athletes will team up with moms in the Met-Rx Cares program's first charitable food distribution event to benefit needy families from the central Jamaica area of Queens here. 

The kick-off event will provide approximately 400 families with 1,000-gram bags of bite-size pieces of high-protein Met-Rx Big 100 Bars.

May 2, 2013
More than 80% of mothers regularly experience pain, survey finds

The vast majority of mothers experience pain throughout their bodies, according to a new survey.

STERLING, Ill. — The vast majority of mothers experience pain throughout their bodies, according to a new survey.

The survey, commissioned by electric massager maker Wahl Clipper Corp. and conducted by Harris Interactive, found that 84% of mothers experience pain. This includes 80% who experience lower back pain, 76% with shoulder and neck pain, 70% with upper back pain and 65% with joint pain. The survey included 2,000 men and women, including 300 mothers with children younger than 18, who were asked about their pain and how they cope with it.

May 2, 2013
National Alliance for Hispanic Health partners with Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health on Thursday announced a partnership with the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition to increase awareness among Spanish-speaking consumers for the importance of safe use of medicines that contain acetaminophen.

WASHINGTON — The National Alliance for Hispanic Health on Thursday announced a partnership with the Acetaminophen Awareness Coalition to increase awareness among Spanish-speaking consumers for the importance of safe use of medicines that contain acetaminophen. Many Hispanic consumers are not aware of any health risks associated with taking too much acetaminophen and do not check to see if their medicines contain acetaminophen, a drug ingredient in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medicines, according to Community Panel Discussions recently conducted by the Alliance.

May 2, 2013
Nutrisystem adjusts retail offering with weight-loss kit exclusive at Walmart

Nutrisystem executives told analysts they were bullish around expanding their weight-loss meal delivery service into mass retail through its partnership with Walmart.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem executives on Wednesday told analysts they were bullish around expanding their weight-loss meal delivery service into mass retail through its partnership with Walmart. Initially beginning with 500 Walmart doors in January, the company recently expanded the offering to 2,000 stores and climbing. 

May 2, 2013
Study calculates optimal upper limit of vitamin D

Researchers claim to have calculated for the first time the upper safe limit of vitamin D levels of 36 nanograms per milliliter, above which the associated risk for cardiovascular events or death raises significantly, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — Researchers claim to have calculated for the first time the upper safe limit of vitamin D levels of 36 nanograms per milliliter, above which the associated risk for cardiovascular events or death raises significantly, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

May 1, 2013
Clif Bar launches workplace contest behind Luna bar

Clif Bar introduced an interactive contest under its Luna brand, the "Whole Nutrition Bar for Women," which will reward Luna vending machines to winning participants at their workplace.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar on Wednesday introduced an interactive contest under its Luna brand, the "Whole Nutrition Bar for Women," which will reward Luna vending machines to winning participants at their workplace. 

“We’re flipping the typical perception of vending machine snack food on its head,” stated Rosa Compean, Luna brand director. “Luna is encouraging women to feed their strength and that starts by making healthier choices that add to their overall workplace wellness.”

May 1, 2013
FDA approves Plan B One-Step front-end placement for females 15 and older

The Food and Drug Administration announced that it has approved an amended application submitted by Teva Women’s Health to market Plan B One-Step (active ingredient levonorgestrel) for use without a prescription by women 15 years and older.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced that it has approved an amended application submitted by Teva Women’s Health to market Plan B One-Step (active ingredient levonorgestrel) for use without a prescription by women 15 years and older. The approval will move Plan B from behind the pharmacy counter into the family planning set of the pharmacy. 

May 1, 2013
Kiosk supplier Stayhealthy selects software provider to enable rapid content deployment

Stayhealthy announced the selection of BroadSign International as the company's digital signage software provider as it deploys its network of HealthCenter kiosks across the United States. BroadSign will manage Stayhealthy's rapid content deployment and network operations.

MONTREAL — Stayhealthy on Tuesday announced the selection of BroadSign International as the company's digital signage software provider as it deploys its network of HealthCenter kiosks across the United States. BroadSign will manage Stayhealthy's rapid content deployment and network operations. 

May 1, 2013
NPA: Gross amounts of gingko may be a danger to lab rats, but daily use no danger to people

Following a report published Monday in The New York Times about how high doses of the supplement ginkgo biloba caused cancer in lab animals, many are calling for the removal of the product from store shelves to prevent consumer consumption.

NEW YORK — Following a report published Monday in The New York Times about how high doses of the supplement ginkgo biloba caused cancer in lab animals, many are calling for the removal of the product from store shelves to prevent consumer consumption. 

On Tuesday, the Natural Products Association issued a release protesting the indirect correlation. 

April 30, 2013
Study: Vitamin D supplements important for baby but optimal daily dose in question

A study in the May issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association released Tuesday found that vitamin D supplementation may be important for breast-feeding moms.

NEW YORK — A study in the May issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association released Tuesday found that vitamin D supplementation may be important for breast-feeding moms. 

April 29, 2013
CRN: Consumer Reports corrects article on vitamin D

Consumer Reports recently corrected a story to run in its May issue, titled “Vitamin D: How 32 supplements really measure up," that erroneously identified nine vitamin D/calcium supplement products that the publication claimed exceeded the California Proposition 65 Lead Limit for Reproductive Risk.

WASHINGTON — Consumer Reports recently corrected a story to run in its May issue, titled “Vitamin D: How 32 supplements really measure up," that erroneously identified nine vitamin D/calcium supplement products that the publication claimed exceeded the California Proposition 65 Lead Limit for Reproductive Risk.

April 29, 2013
J&J chairman pledges to restore U.S. OTC business, outlines growth opportunities overseas

Johnson & Johnson chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky last week told shareholders that its consumer healthcare business would reclaim its prominence in the U.S. marketplace at the company's annual shareholder meeting. But OTC growth will be greatest outside of the United States.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky last week told shareholders that its consumer healthcare business would reclaim its prominence in the U.S. marketplace at the company's annual shareholder meeting. But OTC growth will be greatest outside of the United States.

April 29, 2013
Nutrition 21 successfully challenges competitor comparison claims as unsubstantiated

The National Advertising Division last week recommended that Interhealth Nutraceuticals discontinue certain claims for the company’s Zychrome dietary supplements, products that are promoted for the management of insulin levels.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division last week recommended that Interhealth Nutraceuticals discontinue certain claims for the company’s Zychrome dietary supplements, products that are promoted for the management of insulin levels.

Print and internet claims made by Interhealth for its Zychrome chromium compound, also known as chromium dinicocysteinate, were challenged by Nutrition 21, the manufacturer of a competing product, Chromax, a chromium picolinate product. Interhealth had been making comparison claims against the supplement ingredient in Chromax. 

April 29, 2013
Study: The message matters in successful smoking cessation ads

Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania last week reported that an area of the brain that initiates behavioral changes had greater activation in smokers who watched anti-smoking ads with strong arguments versus those with weaker ones, and irrespective of such flashy elements as bright and rapidly changing scenes, loud sounds and unexpected scenario twists.

PHILADELPHIA — Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania last week reported that an area of the brain that initiates behavioral changes had greater activation in smokers who watched anti-smoking ads with strong arguments versus those with weaker ones, and irrespective of such flashy elements as bright and rapidly changing scenes, loud sounds and unexpected scenario twists. 

April 29, 2013
Veterinary group predicts strong Lyme disease season this year

The risk of Lyme disease in dogs will be "extremely high" this year, an expert group has warned.

BEL AIR, Md. — The risk of Lyme disease in dogs will be "extremely high" this year, an expert group has warned.

April 26, 2013
GNC expands Member Price Program nationwide

GNC expanded nationwide its new Member Price Program, which will incorporate GNC’s current loyalty program boasting close to 7 million active members.

PITTSBURGH— GNC on Wednesday expanded nationwide its new Member Price Program, which will incorporate GNC’s current loyalty program boasting close to 7 million active members.

In new markets in which the Member Price Program is launching, GNC will offer free memberships for a limited time.

April 25, 2013
Max-Wellness pilots self-care retail concept in Naples, Fla., retirement community

Max-Wellness on Wednesday announced that it will open the first of its new concept Mini-Max stores in The Center for Healthy Living situated on the 83-acre campus of Moorings Park, an upscale Naples, Fla., retirement community.

CLEVELAND — Max-Wellness on Wednesday announced that it will open the first of its new concept Mini-Max stores in The Center for Healthy Living situated on the 83-acre campus of Moorings Park, an upscale Naples, Fla., retirement community. The grand opening will be held May 7 and will feature a number of services for its 700-plus residents and visitors, including medical and exercise facilities, a spa and beauty center and a 75-seat movie theatre.

April 24, 2013
Ferndale Healthcare: New Heliocare supplement offers sun protection

A dietary supplement that helps protect skin against sun-related effects and aging? Yes, according to Ferndale Healthcare.

FERNDALE, Mich. — A dietary supplement that helps protect skin against sun-related effects and aging? Yes, according to Ferndale Healthcare.

April 23, 2013
Inergetics to distribute brands through Hy-Vee

Inergetics will distribute its Bikini Ready Weight Loss Lifestyle and SlimTrim diet brands through a Midwestern supermarket-pharmacy chain, the company said Tuesday.

NEWARK, N.J. — Inergetics will distribute its Bikini Ready Weight Loss Lifestyle and SlimTrim diet brands through a Midwestern supermarket-pharmacy chain, the company said Tuesday.

Inergetics said the products had gained initial distribution with Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The company said it hoped to increase distribution with Hy-Vee in the near term.

 

April 22, 2013
Cough, cold medicines often given to children younger than 4, poll finds

Many parents give young children medicines for cough and cold that they shouldn't use, according to a new poll by the University of Michigan.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Many parents give young children medicines for cough and cold that they shouldn't use, according to a new poll by the University of Michigan.

April 22, 2013
Nutrisystem launches weight-loss kits at Walmart stores

Nutrisystem has launched its 5-Day Nutrisystem Jumpstart Your Weight Loss Kit at nearly 2,000 Walmart stores, the company said.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem has launched its 5-Day Nutrisystem Jumpstart Your Weight Loss Kit at nearly 2,000 Walmart stores, the company said.

The kit includes 15 entrees with desserts, a free meal planner and program guide with access to free weight-loss counseling and can be purchased for $44.98.

April 22, 2013
Target customers frequently turn to pharmacists for allergy advice, survey finds

More than half of allergy sufferers seek advice from pharmacists and doctors, a new survey by Target has found.

MINNEAPOLIS — More than half of allergy sufferers seek advice from pharmacists and doctors, a new survey by Target has found.

April 22, 2013
Usana launches prenatal nutrition product

Usana Health Sciences has announced a new prenatal nutrition product to its existing product line, the company said.

SALT LAKE CITY — Usana Health Sciences has announced a new prenatal nutrition product to its existing product line, the company said.

BabyCare Prenatal Essentials includes Usana's Prenatal Mega Antioxidant vitamin supplement and Prenatal Chelated Mineral supplement with added iron.

April 21, 2013
'Culture shop': Targeting the Latino customer

The Hispanic opportunity represents a "new American reality," noted Roberto Ruiz, SVP strategy and insights for Univision Communications, last month at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Annual Executive Conference.

The Hispanic opportunity represents a "new American reality," noted Roberto Ruiz, SVP strategy and insights for Univision Communications, last month at the Consumer Healthcare Products Association's Annual Executive Conference. Hispanic-Americans aren't assimilating into the American melting pot. "We're hearing people say they are '200% individuals' in our focus groups," Ruiz said. "100% American and 100% Latino."