Content about Washington

WASHINGTON — The mayor of the nation's capital announced Thursday plans to include calorie information on vending machines in municipal buildings.

Washington mayor Vincent Gray said the rollout of the Calories Count Vending Program would give workers and visitors the information they need to make wise lifestyle choices and would ultimately help reduce healthcare costs.

"This program is a great example of a public-private partnership that empowers consumers," Gray said.

WASHINGTON — The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus on Monday held an educational briefing, “Sports Health and Fitness: The Role of Dietary Supplements,” for Capitol Hill staff. This is the second DSC educational briefing for the 113th Congress and the 17th briefing since the DSC was formed in 2006. 

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem on Tuesday announced the appointment of Robin Shallow as VP public relations and corporate communications. Shallow will drive consumer and corporate communications strategies for the Nutrisystem brand and will join the company on May 20.

Nutrisystem recently entered the retail space in a bigger way with distribution through Walmart. 

WASHINGTON — Finals can be a stressful time for any college or graduate student, with many hours spent studying and few spent socializing or relaxing. But many students are using prescription drugs to get through finals, according to a new study.

WASHINGTON — The Generic Pharmaceutical Association has promoted Jason Money to associate VP federal government affairs, the trade group said Monday.

Money, who has worked for the GPhA for six years, was previously the organization's senior director for federal affairs. In the new position, he will continue lobbying on behalf of the generic drug industry in Congress.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday announced it will host its NCPA Ownership Workshop from May 17 to 19 at the Seattle Airport Marriott. The Ownership Workshop, sponsored by McKesson and in part by Pharmacists Mutual and Live Oak Bank, gives prospective and current pharmacy owners an in-depth look at the industry and the financial, management and marketing skills needed to operate a successful pharmacy business. The three-day session also offers pharmacists 20 hours of continuing education credits.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp.'s sales grew 7% in April over April 2012, the club retailer said Thursday.

Costco reported sales of $7.98 billion for the four weeks that ended Sunday, compared with $7.48 billion during the same period last year. Sales for the 35-week period that ended Sunday were $69 billion, 9% higher than the $63.59 billion recorded last year.

Sales in the United States at continuously open stores since last April increased by 4%, while same-store sales for the 35 weeks that ended Sunday increased 6%.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation's “Life…supplemented” campaign on Thursday announced that its mobile application, WannaBeWell, is the featured “App of the Month” in the May/June issue of Weight Watchers magazine. The bi-monthly magazine, which aids its readers in their weight loss goals through cooking, nutrition, health, fashion and beauty articles, is affiliated with the Weight Watchers weight loss program and boasts a readership of 9.8 million readers.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Prince of Peace Enterprises on Thursday named the winners of its Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes. 

The Tiger Balm Singapore Sweepstakes ran from Nov. 7, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2013 and gave entrants the chance to win a trip for two to Singapore (the home of Tiger Balm) or one of three gift packs with $100 in Tiger Balm products and gear.

The grand prize winner is Kyra Gorski of White Salmon, Wash.

WASHINGTON — One of the difficulties that federal regulators ran into during the nationwide scandal surrounding the New England Compounding Center — the Massachusetts-based pharmacy blamed for a nationwide fungal meningitis epidemic that has sickened hundreds and killed dozens — was the issue of when such pharmacies cross the line from compounding to manufacturing.

WASHINGTON — Drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb foresees significant effects on its business from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, company executives told attendees of the its recent shareholder meeting.

WASHINGTON — The National Community Pharmacists Association is expecting its highest turnout in two years for the association's 2013 Legislative and Government Affairs conference being held Tuesday and Wednesday. NCPA intends to address many key issues impacting community pharmacy with legislators during the two-day conference.