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DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs last month created a Facebook personality quiz to benefit the American Heart Association. For each Facebook fan who takes the “What’s Your Cold-Eeze Flavor?” personality quiz, ProPhase will donate $1 to the AHA, up to a total of $2,500.

SUPPLIER NEWS — OPI is launching a new
limited-edition nail lacquer collection based on the
“Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise. In line with the premiere of the franchise’s latest film, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” OPI has developed six new nail lacquers, including a new Shatter polish, which leaves behind a crackled, two-texture silver finish when painted over any dry OPI hue. The collection will be available in May at professional salons and at such retailers as Ulta for $8.50 each.

SUPPLIER NEWS — Juicy Fruit has expanded its sugar-free gum offerings with new mystery-flavored Juicy Secret gum. The gum builds on the 2009 launch of Juicy Fruit’s foray into sugar-free treats with its pellet gum, available in parent company Wrigley’s Big E-pak. Juicy Secret will be available in a 15-stick slim pack nationwide.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Delays or limits in the supply of flu vaccines can exacerbate disparities in vaccination rates among elderly whites, African-Americans and Hispanics, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — The active gum category has a new functional addition. Kraft Foods recently introduced Stride Spark, a gum that contains vitamins B6 and B12, two essential nutrients known for helping to release energy in the body.

Manufacturers have been boosting new gum flavors with vitamins and supplements in an effort to help consumers meet their daily nutritional requirements and keep the category exciting. The strategy has worked — gum has seen steady growth over the past few years, outpacing many other confection segments.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Among people who use dietary supplements, the most popular products in 2010 were fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium and Co Q-10, according to a ConsumerLab.com survey.

Women were much more likely than men to have taken vitamin D, calcium or probiotics. Men were more likely than women to have taken Co Q-10, herbs and extracts, glucosamine/chondroitin, vitamin E, resveratrol, amino acids, and nutrition drinks and powders.

With pharmacists across the country now able to administer vaccinations, the Department of Health and Human Services’ plan came at just the right time.

American cuisine always has been influenced by the country’s diverse population. An expanding ethnic population and a proliferation of TV cooking shows have led to even greater interest in ethnic foods among American consumers.

Ethnic food sales are expected to increase 19% from 2010 to 2015, according to a recent report published by Mintel. The study revealed that 64% of U.S. households said that ethnic sauces, condiments and/or seasonings could be found in their kitchens.

Though efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act via the court system remain under way — with recent victories for opponents in Virginia and Florida — the attempt to repeal the healthcare-reform bill in Congress failed, thus leaving the bill and, most importantly, the regulatory approval pathway for follow-on biologics intact.


A whole slew of drugs will lose patent protection this year, opening up opportunities for generic drug makers to market their own versions. Most notable among these is Pfizer’s cholesterol-
lowering drug Lipitor (atorvastatin), the world’s top-selling drug, with U.S. sales of $7 billion during the 12 months ended September 2010, according to IMS Health.


ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Blood-pressure kiosks have become a ubiquitous site in retail pharmacies across the country, but like pharmacy automation and technology as a whole, they’re continuing to advance and offer new features.

Digi-Piggy

TORRANCE, Calif. — Earlier this month, Cisco Sales Corp. introduced Digi-Piggy at the 108th Toy Fair in New York. Digi-Piggy calculates the value of all U.S. coins inserted and then displays the total on a digital readout on the pig’s snout. The Digi-Piggy is made of durable plastic with a simple twist-off lid, and is designed for children ages 3 years and older. The price point is $14.95.