Content about Social Issues

COLUMBIA , S.C. (May 27) One of the nation's largest drug store chains has teamed up with a healthcare benefits company and a community solutions provider to raise awareness of the need for adequate vitamin D intake.

Walgreens, Aetna and United Way of the Midlands are continuing their efforts through a vitamin D giveaway program extension, which initially was kicked off earlier this year. The vitamin D awareness efforts will donate more than 25,000 samples, the companies said.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced its $1 million contribution to the National Consumers League's medication adherence awareness campaign.

ST. LOUIS, Mo. Supplementing with fish oils could help improve gum health, according to research published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health found that dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids like fish oil, known to have anti-inflammatory properties, shows promise for the effective treatment and prevention of periodontitis, otherwise known as gum disease.

With strong support from pharmacy leaders, Congress is moving to shut down prescription medication abuse and diversion with a multipronged legislative cudgel.

Prior to its October recess, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three industry-backed bills in September to help seal up the nation’s leaky prescription drug pipeline. The bills are expected to pass under “suspension of the rules,” which allows for expedited consideration of legislation.

As this issue went to press, it sure had been a busy week here at Drug Store News. And that means it was a busy week for the industry, too.

FRAZER, Pa. The Food and Drug Administration has approved risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for two sleep disorder drugs made by Cephalon, the drug maker said.

Cephalon announced that the FDA approved the REMS for Nuvigil (armodafinil) and Provigil (modafinil), both used to improve wakefulness in patients with sleep apnea, narcolepsy or shift work disorder.