HEALTH

OUD-BEIJERLAND, The Netherlands — New research published in the American Journal of Geriatrics on Monday found that more than 25% of bladder infections (cystitis) can be reduced with the regular use of cranberry concentrate supplements in vulnerable older people in nursing homes at high risk of urinary tract infections. 

More than 20% of these high-risk elderly did not develop any UTI’s at all when taking the cranberry capsule.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Monday responded to Sen. Charles Schumer’s, D-N.Y., recent call for the Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission to require flow restrictors on all bottles of children's liquid medicines.

NEW YORK — Novo Nordisk has launched a new insulin pen designed for children with diabetes.

The new NovoPen Echo is the first and only prefilled pen device in the United States that allows for half-unit dosing in combination with a memory function, the company said.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Drive Medical recently launched its new Steerable Knee Walker, a durable and stable mobility option for individuals recovering from foot surgery, breaks, sprains, amputation and ulcers of the foot. It can be steered for enhanced maneuverability and features a deluxe dual-braking system for added safety.

The Steerable Knee Walker features tool-free height adjustment of the tiller which can also be folded down for storage or transport.

SAN DIEGO — Higher levels of melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle, may decrease the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer, according to results presented here at the AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research, held Jan. 18-21.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals earlier this year launched Omega Boost, featuring 525 mg of omega-3s per serving. Sugar-free and sweetened with xylitol, Omega Boost is made from purified fish oil from anchovies and sardines, and offers fast absorption of the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA. Each 6-oz. bottle contains 35 servings, and has a convenient flip cap for easy pouring. 

WASHINGTON — Approximately 5.6 million American children alive today — or 1-of-13 children younger than 18 years — will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases unless current smoking rates drop, according to a new Surgeon General’s report released Friday.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Thursday responded to the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation to discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination medicines that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit, suggesting it would not impact use of over-the-counter formulations containing acetaminophen.