HEALTH

CHPA shares success combating cough medicine abuse
Flu incidence on the rise and this season could be severe, CDC says
ATLANTA — Incidence of influenza is elevated in all but one of 10 HHS Surveillance Regions for the week ended Dec. 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported. The end of the year marked the third week influenza activity was above the national baseline level of 2.2% as activity levels continue to climb.

There were several pockets of high influenza activity, including throughout New York City, Puerto Rico and 10 states (Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah).

Hydroxycut signs country music star Chris Lane as spokesman

TORONTO — Iovate Health Sciences, owner of the Hydroxycut brand, on Wednesday announced the signing of country music star Chris Lane to represent the Hydroxycut family of weight management products.
CHPA, industry supports 'Restoring Access to Medication Act'

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Wednesday applauded the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral legislation in the U.S. Congress that would restore the ability of consumers to use their tax-preferred flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts to purchase over-the-counter medicines. The legislation, “Restoring Access to Medication Act (RAMA) of 2017” (H.R. 394 and S. 85), was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and in the U.S. House by Reps.
L’Oréal to buy three Valeant skin care brands for $1.3B

MONTREAL, Québec, Canada — Valeant Pharmaceuticals will sell three skin care brands to L’Oréal for $1.3 billion. The brands, CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi are expected to even further expand L’Oréal’s North American presence.

CeraVe was founded in 2005 and offers a range of advanced skincare products, specifically cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreens, healing ointments and a dedicated baby line.

AcneFree markets and distributes a full range of over-the-counter cleansers and acne treatments in the United States.
Premier Nutrition adds two flavors to Premier Protein bars

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Premier Protein on Tuesday launched a new line of protein bars with no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors. The new 30g protein bars join Premier Protein's existing lineup of shakes, bars and powders, providing consumers with sustained energy to help them do what they need and achieve what they want.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mothers take folic acid supplements

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday published a final recommendation statement on folic acid, suggesting all women who are planning or able to become pregnant take a daily supplement containing 400 micrograms to 800 micrograms of folic acid.
America's Naturals adds immune-boosting probiotic to Family Flora lineup
BareOrganics brings superfood ingredients to mass outlets

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — BareOrganics showcased a complete line of superfood supplements packaged as raw ingredients at ECRM's recent Vitamin, Diet and Sports Nutrition EPPS that consumers can incorporate into their day-to-day cooking or breakfast smoothies.
Study: Quit smoking attempts up substantially

BETHESDA, Md. — Data from more than 40,000 adult smokers in the U.S. reveal a substantial increase in serious attempts to quit smoking between 2012 to 2014, according to a new study appearing in the journal, Addiction.

In 2014, 55% of adult smokers reported making a serious quit attempt during the previous year, up from 51% in 2011, according to an analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey.