Cough-Cold and Flu

LAS VEGAS  — Dave Challis, RB VP innovation, is bringing RB's Healthier Tomorrow Challenge to CES through Indiegogo in an effort to bring to bear RB's industry expertise, business connections and mentorship to the kind of technology innovators eager to create the next industry disruptor.

WASHINGTON — The results of the 2016 National Institute on Drug Abuse and University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey released earlier this week determined the percentage of teens using over-the-counter cough medicine containing dextromethorphan to get high remains at 3%.

When first reported by Monitoring the Future in 2006, teen OTC cough medicine abuse was at just under 6%.

DEERFIELD, Ill.  — Walgreens on Thursday launched its first Flu Index for the 2016-17 season, a weekly report that ranks the top markets and states for flu activity in the U.S. It's the third year for Walgreens' Flu Index, and this year will include Puerto Rico for the first time.

NEW YORK -- Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) do not  believe coughing is an indicator of sickness. In fact, there are more Americans who are inclined to believe that ghosts (47%) and aliens (43%) are real than there are Americans who acknowledge that a cough is a harbinger of a cold or flu, according to a recent Harris Poll commissioned by Pfizer's Robitussin brand.

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- From Dec. 5 through Dec. 17, Rite Aid customers will be able to save $5 on their flu shot in support of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the company announced Monday.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. -- Matrixx Initiatives announced Monday the launch of Zicam Cold Remedy Ultra Berry Lemonade Crystals, the latest addition to Zicam's cold shortening line-up.

The new product  combines the power of zinc, which reduces the duration of the common cold, and elderberry, a popular immunity boosting ingredient.  

PHOENIX - Your birth year predicts -- to a certain extent - how likely you are to get seriously ill or die in an outbreak of an animal-origin influenza virus, according to a study published last week that was co-led by researchers from the University of Arizona in Tucson and the University of California, Los Angeles.