Content about U.S.

WASHINGTON — Retail sales continue to rise for 2012 as the U.S. Census Bureau reported results of February sales on Tuesday.

U.S. retail and food services sales for February, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $407.8 billion, an increase of 1.1% from the previous month and 6.5% above the year-ago period. Retail trade sales were up 1.1% from last month and 6.3% above last year.

LAS VEGAS — Hebron U.S.A. last week introduced a brand popular in Brazil into the U.S. market at the ECRM Cough & Cold and Allergy EPPS.

The company has two cough-cold products in its lineup: Bromelin DS and Propolis DS. Bromelin is a dietary supplement that supports healthy respiratory function with a natural extract made from pineapples. And Propolis, also a dietary supplement, helps coat and soothe the throat with its Propolis Extract, a natural ingredient harvested by honeybees.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Dr. Duve Babies & Kids, a product line that aims to provide healthy skin care solutions for little ones, is entering the U.S. market through a partnership with Nutritional Products International.

The line, which is part of the Dr. Duve Skin Care brand, offers parents a way to treat and prevent some of the most common skin problems faced by children and babies, including neurodermatitis. It has been developed by German dermatologist Stefan Duve, who has a wide range of expertise in dealing with the skin problems of children.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Fake versions of a cancer drug made by Roche's U.S. unit have entered the United States, the Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.

The FDA advised healthcare professionals and patients that a counterfeit version of Genentech's Avastin (bevacizumab) had been distributed in the United States. The agency said the counterfeit versions carried Roche's logo instead of Genentech's and displayed batch numbers starting with B6010, B6011 or B86017.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — U.S. consumers are more optimistic about their finances despite cutting back to save money, according to Nielsen's fourth-quarter global consumer confidence findings.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — British retail pharmacy chain Lloyds Pharmacy and U.S.-based Proteus Biochemical are collaborating to launch a digital health product that combines sensor-enabled tablets, a sensor patch and a mobile health application to help people with complex medication regimens and health issues.

The two companies announced Friday that they would work together to commercialize and launch Helius, which they said would provide "assurance and peace of mind" to patients and their families, friends and providers, and improve medication adherence.

PHILADELPHIA — Shire has acquired U.S. rights to a drug used to treat chronic constipation in women from Johnson & Johnson, the company said Tuesday.

Shire announced the acquisition of rights to Resolor (prucalopride) from J&J subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Shire acquired European rights to the drug in 2010 when it bought Belgian drug maker Movetis, which itself had acquired rights to the drug from Janssen.

DALLAS — U.S. Preventive Medicine on Wednesday named Ronald Loveless its vice chairman. Loveless will serve alongside vice chairman Ron Loeppke, who joined the company in 2008 to direct product innovation, research and clinical standards at the company.

Loveless, a Walmart retiree and first CEO of Sam's Club, will play a key role in guiding the growth of U.S. Preventive Medicine in the United States, as well as international markets, the company stated.

ZUG, Switzerland — A Swiss drug maker is acquiring the U.S. rights for several GlaxoSmithKline drugs.

Covis Pharma Sarl announced Thursday that it had acquired the rights to the antibiotic Fortaz (ceftazidime), the antibiotic Zinacef (cefuroxime), the heart arrhythmia drug Lanoxin (digoxin), the antidepressant Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate) and the gastroesophogeal reflux disease drug Zantac (ranitidine hydrochloride). GSK will retain rights to the drugs outside the United States.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — The nation’s leading warehouse club operator maintained its momentum in November by posting a 6% increase in same-store sales at U.S. clubs, excluding the beneficial effect of higher year-over-year gas prices.

CHICAGO — More than 1-out-of-4 U.S. adults were unable to pay or encountered problems paying medical bills in the past year, according to a new survey published by the Commonwealth Fund.

SAN DIEGO — The majority of Hispanics in the United States believe that more information about good oral health habits, access to affordable oral health care, and more Hispanic and Spanish-speaking dentists and dental hygienists in their communities would help them "a lot" in achieving better oral health. That’s according to the findings of a national survey led by the Hispanic Dental Association and sponsored by Procter & Gamble brands Crest and Oral-B.