HEALTH

Helen of Troy selling Healthy Directions division
Helen of Troy will be selling its direct-to-consumer nutritional supplements and health guidance segment Healthy Directions. The El Paso, Texas-based company will be divesting the division to privately held VMS company Direct Digital for roughly $46 million in cash and a supplemental payment with a target value of $25 million that will come on or before Aug. 1, 2019, Helen of Troy said.
Less than half of college students get a flu shot each year
Although most college students in the U.S. believe it is important to get an annual influenza vaccine, less than half (46%) say they typically get vaccinated, according to a new National Foundation for Infectious Diseases survey released earlier this month.

Wearables makers target new demographics, functions

Garmin is focusing on further developing its activity trackers for children with the introduction of Disney licenses, including Star Wars and Marvel, for its Vívofit Jr. In addition to tracking steps, sleep and kids’ activity on the way to their recommended 60-minute daily play goal, the Vívofit Jr. comes with a free, parent-controlled mobile app. The Vívofit Jr.
Walgreens app makes health tracking easy

Walgreens is using its popular app to help consumers connect to many brands of fitness trackers outside of the store. The retailer, which is marketing Striiv, its own branded activity tracker, allows members of the company’s Balance Rewards program to also connect through 40 different devices and 27 apps, according to the Walgreen’s website.
Health Dialog disease management accreditation extended through 2020

Health Dialog announced Tuesday that it has received Patient Oriented Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its disease management programs for asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease and diabetes.
SlimFast Bake Shop options makes weight loss easier

Famous for its easy-to-follow diet plan, SlimFast last week introduced its the SlimFast Bake Shop featuring new meal replacement cookies and bars.
Getting on track with wearables

Are retail pharmacies late to the party when it comes to the health wearables market?

The booming category, which includes such devices as activity trackers and chronic pain relief devices, offers mass retailers — especially those operating a pharmacy — an opportunity to build sales and profits, not to mention a stronger relationship with consumers seeking answers. But, thus far, it appears that other retailers, as well as the digital marketplace, have outpaced retail pharmacy operators in this category.
Lone Star State heading into holidays with flu-like symptoms

The flu is picking up in Texas, according to the latest Walgreens Flu Index released Wednesday.

While the data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity, the Flu Index provides valuable insight by showing which cities or metropolitan areas are experiencing the most incidences of influenza each week based on Index methodology, the pharmacy retailer stated.
SlimFast gives a 'Booster' to dieting success with new line of supplements

SlimFast last week introduced four new Boosters, SlimFast-branded diet aid supplements, to perfectly complement the SlimFast Plan.
FDA approves Sanofi’s Humalog follow-on Admelog

The Food and Drug Administration has given full approval to Sanofi’s Admelog short-acting insulin lispro — a follow-on of Eli Lilly’s Humalog. The product received tentative approval from the FDA earlier this year, and now it is the first short-acting follow-on product to get the FDA’s stamp of approval.