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WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — In 2011, refusing to inoculate children against dangerous illnesses like measles, whooping cough and even the flu, borders on child abuse. This story should go a long way toward keeping a lot of kids healthy by educating their misguided parents—good news for retail pharmacy, which continues to expand its presence as the local community destination for common vaccinations.

NEW YORK Colgate-Palmolive experienced a strong third quarter as its global market shares in toothpaste and manual toothbrushes reached record highs year-to-date, the company announced on Thursday.

"Overall, we are very pleased with our solid results this quarter, despite aggressive competitive activity and difficult economic conditions around the world," stated Ian Cook, chairman, president and CEO. 

NEW YORK A new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that the nation's average larger waist circumference is an indicator as to why the diabetes rate in America is higher than the rate in England.

James Smith, corporate chair of economics at the nonprofit organization RAND Corp., and researchers found that American men's waists were an average of 3 cm (1.5 in.) larger than those of men in England. Similarly, American women's waists were an average of 5 cm (2 in.) larger than those of women in England.

CINCINNATI Skin care brand Olay has named singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood as its first-ever North American celebrity brand ambassador.

Underwood joins a list of well-known Olay brand ambassadors around the world, including actress Maggie Cheung in greater China, singer and actress Lucero in Latin America and actress Thandie Newton in the United Kingdom.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Parlaying a 73-year-old brand with a strong following into another synergistic category only can mean good things, especially as a significant amount of trial almost is a foregone conclusion.

(THE NEWS: Carmex enters skin care category. For the full story, click here)

Under current U.S. laws, only doctors and nurse practitioners can write prescriptions, but a limited contract between the Washington State Department of Health and pharmacy agencies to allow pharmacists there to prescribe antivirals in the event of a flu pandemic marks a major expansion of the role of community pharmacists in the United States.