Content about Osteoporosis

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott Diagnostics on Friday announced its filing of a submission for clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for a fully automated vitamin D assay performed on its Architect testing system for use by healthcare professionals.

"Increasing interest in vitamin D is fueling a surge in orders for tests as more healthcare professionals and consumers become aware of the rising prevalence of vitamin D deficiencies in otherwise healthy people and the potential health risks," stated Sudarshan Hebbar, senior medical director of Abbott Diagnostics.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy has announced the launch of the 2011 To Your Health program, offering free preventive health screenings at more than 800 events in communities across the country. The program is designed to help Americans determine their risk for chronic diseases and get them on a path to better health.

The program will get under way in Houston on March 5, and continue in Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami.

WASHINGTON — The Institute of Medicine on Tuesday issued a report on the dietary reference intake levels for vitamin D and calcium at the behest of both the U.S. and Canadian governments. IOM recommended a slight increase in vitamin D intake, but also suggested that the need for either vitamin D or calcium may be overstated.

ARDEE, Ireland The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a drug for osteoporosis made by Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said Monday.

Warner Chilcott announced the approval of Atelvia (risendronate sodium), a treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis, which it plans to launch early next year. The drug is a delayed-release formulation of Actonel.