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March 27, 2013

The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists on Wednesday honored Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, with an award of appreciation for introducing and supporting legislation that safeguards Americans' right to choose complementary health care.

MILWAUKIE, Ore. — The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists on Wednesday honored Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, with an award of appreciation for introducing and supporting legislation that safeguards Americans' right to choose complementary health care. Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Harkin has been a longtime supporter of patient access to homeopathic medicines, AAHP noted. 

March 27, 2013

Soho Flordis International recently launched Calorease, formulated with a patented fat binder called FBCx, into the U.S. market.

SYDNEY, Australia — Soho Flordis International recently launched Calorease, formulated with a patented fat binder called FBCx, into the U.S. market. 

The dietary fiber used by Calorease, binds up to nine times its weight in fat from food, safely removing it from the body before it can be absorbed. Taken with each meal, Calorease can reduce dietary fat by up to 15,000 calories per month without the restrictions of a low fat diet. 

March 26, 2013

GNC extended its Preventive Nutrition brand to help supplement a number of conditions, including eye health, liver health and digestive health.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Tuesday extended its Preventive Nutrition brand to help supplement a number of conditions, including eye health, liver health and digestive health.  

March 26, 2013

La Vox Media Group launched Saludify.com, a site designed to provide Latinos with daily news and content to live a better life and improve their health.

MIAMI — La Vox Media Group on Monday launched Saludify.com, a site designed to provide Latinos with daily news and content to live a better life and improve their health. With a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of U.S. Latinos, Saludify is providing accurate, convenient and culturally relevant content that goes beyond what’s found in mainstream media. 

March 26, 2013

U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., introduced legislation repealing restrictions placed on health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., and Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., last week introduced the Family Health Care Flexibility Act, repealing restrictions placed on health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts in the President’s healthcare law. A provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, already in effect today, prohibits HSA and FSA participants from using their account dollars to purchase over the counter medicines without a prescription.  

March 26, 2013

According to the new report “An In-Depth Look at Keeping Young Children Safe Around Medicines,” released by Safe Kids Worldwide, 7-of-10 emergency department visits for medicine poisonings are due to curious young children getting into their grandparent’s or mother’s medicine that was left within reach.

WASHINGTON — According to the new report “An In-Depth Look at Keeping Young Children Safe Around Medicines,” released last week by Safe Kids Worldwide, 7-of-10 emergency department visits for medicine poisonings are due to curious young children getting into their grandparent’s or mother’s medicine that was left within reach.

March 25, 2013

Bausch + Lomb announced that it has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to take the company public.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bausch + Lomb on Friday announced that it has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to take the company public. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined, the company stated. 

The proposed IPO could raise as much as $1.5 billion and is expected to value Bausch & Lomb at about $9 billion to $10 billion, Reuters reported earlier in March.

March 25, 2013

An early look at this season’s reports indicates that about 90% of flu-related pediatric deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

ATLANTA — An early look at this season’s reports indicates that about 90% of flu-related pediatric deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. 

The number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to the CDC during the current season surpassed 100 as an additional 6 deaths were reported in FluView last week. To date, this brings the total number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to the CDC to 105 for the 2012-2013 season.

March 25, 2013

LifeScan initiated a voluntary recall and replacement for all of its OneTouch VerioIQ blood-glucose meters in the United States, effective immediately.

MILPITAS, Calif. — LifeScan on Monday initiated a voluntary recall and replacement for all of its OneTouch VerioIQ blood-glucose meters in the United States, effective immediately.

March 25, 2013

SanMedica International introduced its SeroVital-HGH, a new oral human-growth hormone booster formulated with women in mind, at the Academy of Women's Health's Annual Congress.

WASHINGTON —  SanMedica International on Friday introduced its SeroVital-HGH, a new oral human-growth hormone booster formulated with women in mind, at the Academy of Women's Health's Annual Congress here. 

March 25, 2013

SoloHealth named Joe Stephens to the newly created role of director of business planning and analytics. Stephens will focus on organizing business development initiatives, priorities, metrics and efficiencies, as well as helping guide new-business exploration as the company continues its growth.

ATLANTA — SoloHealth on Friday named Joe Stephens to the newly created role of director of business planning and analytics. Stephens will focus on organizing business development initiatives, priorities, metrics and efficiencies, as well as helping guide new-business exploration as the company continues its growth. 

Stephens will report directly to Stephen Kendig, chief commercial officer and EVP of SoloHealth, effective immediately.

March 25, 2013

The U.K.'s Infirst Healthcare on Monday announced it has successfully raised $32.1 million in new funds.

LONDON — The U.K.'s Infirst Healthcare on Monday announced it has successfully raised $32.1 million in new funds. The funding, from Invesco Asset Management managed funds, will be used for the launch of the company's medicines into the cough-cold and analgesic consumer healthcare markets.

March 22, 2013

Boiron founder Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron owner Michèle Boiron recently published a book on homeopathy for healthcare professionals titled "Homeopathy and Pharmaceutical Care," the company announced. In April 2013, she and co-author François Roux will host lectures in Philadelphia and New York. 

March 22, 2013

Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark., on Friday introduced the Preventing Abuse of Cough Treatments Act of 2013, which would require retailers to restrict the sale of dextromethorphan-containing products to adults.

WASHINGTON — Sens. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark., on Friday introduced the Preventing Abuse of Cough Treatments Act of 2013, which would require retailers to restrict the sale of dextromethorphan-containing products to adults. The bill also would restrict the sale of raw, bulk DXM to FDA-approved entities. 

Many retailers have age restrictions on the sale of DXM products already in place; and similar legislation to this has been enforced in California since 2012. 

March 21, 2013

The Food and Drug Administration advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday advised consumers not to purchase or use three separate sexual enhancement products that are being promoted as dietary supplements because they contain undeclared and unapproved prescription-only ingredients. 

March 21, 2013

New Chapter voluntarily recalled a limited number of packages of its 90-count Probiotic Elderberry dietary supplement because it may contain an undeclared allergen - soy.

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — New Chapter on Wednesday voluntarily recalled a limited number of packages of its 90-count Probiotic Elderberry dietary supplement because it may contain an undeclared allergen - soy. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product, the company stated.  

The one lot of affected New Chapter Probiotic Elderberry was distributed nationwide. It reached consumers through retail stores, mail order and direct delivery.

March 21, 2013

Norovirus has emerged as the leading cause of gastroenteritis - inflammation of the stomach and intestines - in children younger than 5 years, according to a new study.

ATLANTA — Norovirus has emerged as the leading cause of gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines — in children younger than 5 years, according to a new study.

March 21, 2013

Lower levels of vitamin D may predispose smokers to developing tobacco-related cancer, according to research published last week by Clinical Chemistry, the journal of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry.

WASHINGTON — Lower levels of vitamin D may predispose smokers to developing tobacco-related cancer, according to research published last week by Clinical Chemistry, the journal of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry. Consequently, study authors suggested that vitamin D blood tests and supplements have the potential to improve smokers’ health.

March 20, 2013

A group of doctors and public health professors are hoping the Food and Drug Administration will place stronger regulations on energy drinks to protect children and adolescents from what they call the harmful effects of high caffeine consumption.

NEW YORK — A group of doctors and public health professors are hoping the Food and Drug Administration will place stronger regulations on energy drinks to protect children and adolescents from what they call the harmful effects of high caffeine consumption.

March 19, 2013

The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Monday advised the Food and Drug Administration to establish a time frame on New Dietary Ingredient guidance, as well as guidance clarifying whether a liquid product may be labeled and marketed as a dietary supplement or as a conventional food with added ingredients.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Monday advised the Food and Drug Administration to establish a time frame on New Dietary Ingredient guidance, as well as guidance clarifying whether a liquid product may be labeled and marketed as a dietary supplement or as a conventional food with added ingredients. Those two guidelines will help the agency use adverse event reports in overseeing dietary supplement products, the GAO stated.

March 18, 2013

Perrigo announced that it has begun shipments of guaifenesin 600-mg extended-release tablets. It's the first product that is generically equivalent to Reckitt Benckiser's Mucinex 600-mg extended-release tablets.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Monday announced that it has begun shipments of guaifenesin 600-mg extended-release tablets. It's the first product that is generically equivalent to Reckitt Benckiser's Mucinex 600-mg extended-release tablets. 

March 18, 2013

Robinson Pharma introduced its Unique IS-2 Probiotic Softgel in collaboration with B&D Nutritional Ingredients and Unique Biotech USA.

SANTA ANA, Calif. — Robinson Pharma last week introduced its Unique IS-2 Probiotic Softgel in collaboration with B&D Nutritional Ingredients and Unique Biotech USA. The new product is a shelf-stable, guaranteed-yield probiotic softgel that delivers the Unique IS-2 Bacillus coagulans strain, a trademarked bacterium which has demonstrated high resistance to extreme temperature and humidity.

March 15, 2013

Cardium Therapeutics announced its To Go Brands operating unit has expanded its VitaRocks kids' vitamins product line and that retail distribution has been expanded into select Target stores.

SAN DIEGO — Cardium Therapeutics earlier this week announced its To Go Brands operating unit has expanded its VitaRocks kids' vitamins product line and that retail distribution has been expanded into select Target stores.

The VitaRocks products are inspired by a popping pellet candy that is popular with kids and represents a next-generation, easy-use delivery platform for multivitamins and nutrients, dietary supplements, and potentially over-the-counter medicines for children as well as adults, Cardium Therapeutics suggested. 

March 14, 2013

The Council for Responsible Nutrition announced it is taking its annual executive conference to Utah for the first time in its 40-year history.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Wednesday announced it is taking its annual executive conference to Utah for the first time in its 40-year history. 

Both The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science and The Conference: CRN’s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry, will be held in tandem Sept. 18-21 at the Montage Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah. Tyler Whitehead, general counsel at Utah-based Nu Skin Enterprises, and a long-serving director on CRN’s Board, will serve as 2013 conference chair.

March 14, 2013

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association officially elected James Mackey, SVP U.S. region head for Merck Consumer Care, as the association's chairman.

NAPLES, Fla. — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Wednesday officially elected James Mackey, SVP U.S. region head for Merck Consumer Care, as the association's chairman. Paul Sturman, president and general manager Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, will serve as immediate past chairman.