HEALTH

CRN signs 13 new members
WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced 13 new companies have joined the association’s membership ranks, including Brassica Protection Products; Cadena Bio; doTERRA International; Earthrise Nutritionals; Hermes Pharma; NeoCell; Physician’s Seal; Nutraceutix; Unique Encapsulation Technology; ACG North America; Gilbert LLP-Insurance Recovery Law; Lifesciencerisk; and Pure Branding.
Influenza picking up south of New England, CDC reports
ATLANTA — Influenza activity is picking up across the East Coast even as it remains at high levels in central U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.

Nationwide during the week ended Jan. 28, 3.9% of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness. This percentage is above the national baseline of 2.2%.

ILI is defined as fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater) and cough and/or sore throat.

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare launches home health solutions for special needs pediatrics

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. – Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare last week officially launched a new home health lineup targeting children with special needs branded "Inspired by Drive."

"The new brand was born out of a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of children with special needs and their families," stated Doug Francis, principal and co-founder of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. "Inspired by Drive" joins the Columbia Medical, Specialised Orthotic Services (U.K.) and Wenzelite Rehab brands into one, the company noted.
CRN focuses on 3 talking points in Congressional outreach

WASHINGTON — The foundation on which the Council for Responsible Nutrition is basing its Congressional outreach this year is based on three elements: Incorporating dietary supplementation into the bedrock of any federal policy that promotes health and wellness; highlighting the many ways the dietary supplement industry is seeking to augment government oversight through self-regulation initiatives; and enjoining Congressional leaders to participate in an ongoing dialogue with VMS industry.
Age, smartphone usage awaken sales

Overall, the sale of all sleep remedies were up 6.1% to $707.9 million across total U.S. multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ended Nov. 27, 2016, according to IRI. Procter & Gamble’s ZzzQuil still leads the category. Sales of the liquid formulation are outpacing category growth with an uptick of 8.4% to $85.3 million, or 12% of total category sales.

(To view the full Cough-Cold Report, click here.)
Owen Mumford to debut insulin injection guide

Owen Mumford is releasing an insulin injection guide to better assist healthcare professionals in educating patients on healthy injection routines. Called “Injecting with Insulin: A Guide to Good Injection Technique,” the guide will be offered in both digital and print formats as early as this month.

(To view the full Home Health Care Report, click here.)
Strong OTC growth bolsters Prestige Brands performance

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Shares of Prestige Brands rose 6.6% in Thursday afternoon trading at $56.49 per share, driven by strong third-quarter earnings and solid performance from the company's OTC business.
RB in talks to acquire Mead Johnson

SLOUGH, England — RB on Thursday confirmed the group is in talks involving the acquisiton of the Mead Johnson Nutrition Company for $90 in cash, valuing Mead Johnson's entire share capital at approximately $16.7 billion.

The parties are presently engaged in a period of due diligence and contract discussion and both companies noted that there is no certainty that any transaction will ultimately be agreed, nor as to the terms on which any transaction might occur.
GMDC Academy helps new product launches become 'retail ready'
New contenders, category heavyweights battle for top spot in cough-cold

Last year, Drug Store News projected that GSK Consumer Healthcare’s Flonase allergy franchise would be challenged with the introduction of two new nasal corticosteroids to the market — McNeil Consumer’s Rhinocort and Bayer’s ClariSpray.

(To view the full Cough-Cold Report, click here.)