Content about Social Issues

EDISON, N.J. — DSE Healthcare Solutions on Sunday evening announced the launch of Safari Towels, a new product extending from its Anti Monkey Butt Powder brand, to its Facebook fan base of almost 39,000.

“Our new Safari Towels ... so hot off the presses they aren't even in stores yet!” the Anti Monkey Butt Powder status read. “Make a cool gift ... from cyclists to soldiers, [they're] great to have on hand for a ‘shower on the go.’ See them in our online store.”

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association recently named GlaxoSmithKline veteran Janet Carter-Smith chair of the CHPA Retailer Liaison Steering Committee, effective Jan. 1.

Carter-Smith will be the third chair of this committee, succeeding David Howenstine, VP customer and industry development at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, whose term ends at the end of the year.

BOSTON — According to a report in the December 2010 issue of the Harvard Health Letter, Americans are maintaining intimacy through their 60s, 70s and even 80s.

The article summed up findings from two surveys investigating intimacy health in older Americans. Indiana University researchers reported earlier this year that 20% to 30% of long-lived Americans are active into their 80s. And a University of Chicago survey originally published in 2007 found that half of Americans continue to engage well into their 70s.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The forward-looking vision employed by Gov. Jay Nixon in exploring “next steps” in fighting methamphetamine abuse before even the last step has been put into place and enacted is, in a matter of speaking, extremely short-sighted. It doesn’t even make fiscal sense, because the National Precursor Log Exchange will do more to curb many of the costs associated with fighting meth addicts without conversely increasing the costs associated with fighting a cold.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark announced on Thursday that it has been awarded pharmacy benefit management and drug therapy management accreditation from URAC, a healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the healthcare industry. CVS Caremark previously had received accreditation for PBM and DTM from URAC in 2007.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Swiffer brand is helping dogs and cats find a loving home this holiday season.

As a sponsor for Macy's Union Square 24th Annual Holiday Pet Adoption Windows, Swiffer has tapped its spokesman Cesar Millan, a dog behavior specialist, to assist with the pet adoption and offer new pet owners tips on how to create a pet-friendly environment in their home this holiday season, Swiffer said.

NEW YORK — The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores held its 12th annual dinner in New York on Tuesday, which generated $1.76 million for research, charitable efforts and scholarships.

The NACDS Foundation said some of the funds were granted to those that sought to improve medication adherence -- understanding medication therapy and appropriately taking medications -- among patients. The foundation awarded a $1 million grant to National Consumer League’s public awareness campaign, which promotes medication adherence.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana's pharmacy benefit management business has been awarded pharmacy benefit management accreditation from a nonprofit healthcare accrediting organization.

Humana Pharmacy Solutions was awarded full pharmacy benefit management accreditation by URAC. URAC standards require companies to demonstrate their commitment to quality and safety.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Regional specialty pharmacy chain ReCept has appointed several people to new executive positions, the company said Wednesday.

ReCept, which owns 15 stores in Texas and specializes in compounding pharmacy services for people with such conditions as HIV/AIDS and cancer, announced the appointments of Nicky Otts as chairman and CEO, Carmine DeNardo as president and COO, Rob Jarvis as EVP sales and chief marketing officer, Jeff Brumbaugh as chief information officer and Stephanie Romero as VP finance.

MADISON, N.J. — On the same day that the Institute of Medicine increased the daily recommended intake of vitamin D to maintain bone health, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Tuesday announced the launch of Caltrate Soft Chews, which incorporate the higher daily recommended vitamin D goals.

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.

GURGAON, India, and PRINCETON, N.J. — Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals has received final approval for its generic Alzheimer's drug from the Food and Drug Administration, giving the drug maker 180 days of market exclusivity.

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Ranbaxy Labs, will manufacture and market donepezil hydrochloride tablets, a generic version of Aricept, in the 5-mg and 10-mg strength in the United States.