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Are doctors needlessly raising the costs of America's healthcare system through their prescribing habits? Absolutely, say researchers. A new report appearing in the Jan. 7 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine highlighted the powerful role played by branded drug advertising on consumer preferences and physicians' prescribing habits, and asserted that many doctors ignore the cost-saving benefits of generic drugs when writing prescriptions by acceding to patients' wishes.

"As seen on 'Shark Tank'" may become the new "As Seen on TV" plug, especially if more products like Ava the Elephant — a pediatric medical dispenser that talks to children as its dispensing the medicine — make it to market.

Mom and entrepreneur Tiffany Krumins appeared on the pilot show of ABC's "Shark Tank" and talked real-estate mogul Barbara Corcoran into investing $50,000 into the product concept.

As many as 72% of consumers use vitamins and dietary supplements, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in late 2012. Those most likely to report supplement use include women and all consumers over the age of 55 years. Almost 3-in-4 women surveyed supplement their diets (74%) vs. 65% of men, and 81% of consumers over 55 years reported supplementing vs. 72% of consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years.

CHICAGO — Balding men will give up just about anything to get their hair back, according to a recent survey out of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery — including that monster 60-in. LCD HDTV bought for this year's airing of the 49ers versus the Ravens. Of the 2,338 men with male pattern hair loss polled, more than 56% said they would be willing to give up something they owned in exchange for more hair. But they might not have to go as far as getting surgery with the launch of Lifes2good Natural Healthcare's Viviscal Man.

ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch's new golden amber lager Budweiser Black Crown debuted on the market in late January. The new beer, a blend of two-row caramel malt and four types of domestic hops, maintains the clean taste and high drinkability of the Budweiser label, but has more body, color and hop character than the flagship lager. It also has a slightly higher alcohol content. The beer will be sold nationwide in 12-oz. glass bottles available in 6- and 12-packs and in 22-oz. single bottles.

Pet supplies may have had limited growth this past year, but the stars of the segment are healthcare-related products. Pet supplies saw a 2% increase, bringing sales to $11.1 billion, according to Packaged Facts. The market research firm projects that this year, pet supplies will grow 4% over 2012 sales.

There were more sick people cruising the cold relief aisles this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence peaked at 6.1% this season, making this season the most virulent since the 2007-2008 season — excepting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, which was atypical.

With that in mind, sales of cough and cold medicines — or sales of just about anything else that had something to do with the flu, from hand sanitizers to flu shots — were through the roof.

The generic drug tidal wave became a tsunami in 2012, with some of the world's top-selling pharmaceuticals swamped by generic competition, and health plan payers scrambling to reap billions of dollars in financial savings.

Sore throats and dry coughs are more prevalent symptoms associated with the flu. With the severe 2012-2013 flu season to date, that means a healthy amount of lozenge sales. One of the bigger winners across the top 10 vendors is Reckitt Benckiser, which launched Cepacol Sensations this fall. The product line contains a lower amount of numbing medication than traditional Cepacol products, yet still provides either an instantly cooling, warming or refreshing sensation. Sales of all Reckitt Benckiser lozenges totaled $10.9 million, up 67.6%.

It's another innovative, yet simple, "Made by Mom" product in the pediatric section. Iris Shamus, the mom and entrepreneur behind AllerMates, developed a line of fun characters that kids won't have a problem wearing and will alert caregivers to specific food allergies.

A sick child leads to one certainty: parents in search of safe and effective symptom relievers that will allow their child — and subsequently, themselves — to get some rest.

Americans are seeking a brighter smile, and research and sales data suggest that they are increasingly turning to whitening toothpastes and even mouthwash to help whiten teeth.

According to research released from Mintel in August 2012, only 10% of those looking for brighter smiles took a seat in the dentist chair for a professional whitening service. What's interesting is that according to the findings, 41% of respondents said they had tried to whiten their teeth in the prior 12 months using toothpaste, while 17% had tried at-home mouthwash and 15% tried OTC whitening strips.