HEALTH

DALLAS — MarketsandMarkets projects the nutraceutical ingredient market will grow from $23.8 billion in 2013 to $33.6 billion in 2018, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%, according to a report released Tuesday.  

PITTSBURGH — Women who are deficient in vitamin D in the first 26 weeks of their pregnancy may be at risk of developing severe preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening disorder diagnosed by an increase in blood pressure and protein in the urine, according to research by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health released last week.

Americans by and large have lousy diets, pharmacist and supplement expert James LaValle, CEO of Integrative Health Resources, told DSN Collaborative Care recently. Over a lifetime, those nutrient-poor diets contribute to the development of such chronic disease states as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The medicines prescribed to treat those conditions then further deplete essential vitamins and minerals.

AKRON, Ohio — Hygenic/Performance Health, maker of Perform Pain Reliever, on Tuesday announced that the company had increased in-store activity with an Instant Redeemable Coupon program in support of Pink-Link Breast Cancer Support Network, an online support resource for women affected by breast cancer. For each coupon redeemed, Hygenic/Performance Health donated a portion to Pink-Link. 

The program ran during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and concluded with a total donation of more than $18,000 to Pink-Link.   

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The Food and Drug Administration will hold a public meeting of the Allergenic Products Advisory Committee on Tuesday to determine the safety and efficacy of Ragwitek, a short ragweed pollen allergen extract tablet for sublingual use, which is manufactured by Merck and indicated for immunotherapy for diagnosed ragweed pollen induced allergic rhinitis, with or without conjunctivitis.

ATLANTA — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's FluView report released Friday, flu activity remains high overall, but is declining in parts of the country while increasing in other parts of the country. Most notably the Southeast, which began experiencing high levels of flu activity at the end of November, is now showing declines in activity. 

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. — Kaz last week launched the Vicks Moisture Map, an online tool to help families understand how too little humidity can create issues for the body, pets and the home.

The interactive map pinpoints the top 10 driest cities across the country by synthesizing weather data and geographical data from several sources. 

DUBLIN — Perrigo Co. announced that it received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for repaglinide tablets — a generic version of Prandin tablets — in 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The company has started shipment of the drug. Perrigo previously launched the 0.5-mg strength in 2013.