HEALTH

ClearVia new probiotic supports better metabolization of alcohol
NEW YORK — ClearVia, a probiotic that naturally supports the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, launched nationwide on Wednesday. A proprietary probiotic blend, ClearVia helps the body's natural ability to break down alcohol while sleeping so after a night of enjoying a few drinks busy professionals can wake up clear and ready to take on their day, the company stated.
2017 considered one of longest- and latest-running flu seasons
ATLANTA — The 2016/2017 influenza season is still ongoing. According to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence is still tracking above the national baseline, making this year both the longest-running season and the latest-running season in recent memory.

Report: Food, beverage companies invested $30M in health-and-wellness efforts last year

WASHINGTON — The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation on Tuesday released new data showing the 11 food and beverage companies participating in the Commitment to Healthy Communities program invested more than $30 million in community-based health-and-wellness initiatives that reached more than 11 million Americans in 2016. The CHC data was reviewed and confirmed by the City University of New York School of Public Health.
CDC: Flu shots for children significantly reduces death from influenza

ATLANTA — A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month in Pediatrics is the first of its kind to show that flu vaccination significantly reduced a child’s risk of dying from influenza. The study, which looked at data from four flu seasons between 2010 and 2014, found that flu vaccination reduced the risk of flu-associated death by half (51%) among children with underlying high-risk medical conditions and by nearly two-thirds (65%) among healthy children.
KIND Foundation seeks to 'pop the bubble' of Facebook users
J&J’s Actelion acquisition expected to close this quarter

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson confirmed Tuesday during its 2017 fiscal first-quarter earnings report that it expects its $30 billion acquisition of Actelion to close this quarter.

“The public tender offer for Actelion has been declared successful based on the number of shares tendered and regulatory approval has been obtained in six of seven jurisdictions in which the company filed for such approval, with antitrust approval from the European Commission pending.”
Nature's Bounty to present three key VMS studies

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. — The Nature's Bounty Co. has been selected by the American Society of Nutrition to present three of its recent scientific abstracts at this year's Experimental Biology Conference, the company announced Tuesday.
Standard Homeopathic recalls teething tablets

LOS ANGELES — Standard Homeopathic Company last week recalled all lots of Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets and Hyland's Baby Nighttime Teething Tablets sold in retail stores to the consumer level.
Hormel Foods ups CytoSport exec to SVP marketing

AUSTIN, Minn. — Hormel Foods on Monday announced the advancement of Karen Wiernik, senior director of innovation and business development for CytoSport to SVP marketing, CytoSport.
Industry Issues Summit: Health, Wellness and Tech Roundtable 2017

Editor’s Note: The Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit gathered a record crowd in December at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan to discuss the most important issues facing the industry today. Three roundtable discussions took place at the event, one regarding chronic care (which appeared in the February issue of DSN), the front-end panel (which appeared in the March issue of DSN), and this health, wellness and technology panel.