HEALTH

DENVER — UrgentRx — developer of fast-acting, over-the-counter, flavored powder medications — on Thursday announced the addition of CVS, OfficeMax and Paradies Stores to the company's list of retail partners. 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Heel on Tuesday announced the launch of the Reboost product line, which includes four of the company’s homeopathic cold, cough and flu products. The line is now available at a variety of fine natural health stores and pharmacies, including Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Patients taking a drug used for weight loss were able to reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

According to data from a 475-patient study published in the journal Diabetes Care, Vivus' Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate) reduced the annualized incidence rate of Type 2 diabetes by up to 78.7% in high-risk, overweight or obese patients with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. Prediabetes is a condition in which a person has elevated blood sugar and a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe on Wednesday announced the grand opening of its new distribution center in Ashland, Va. The new 311,740 square-foot facility began receiving inbound inventory in June 2013 and outbound shipments to stores began in September. 

NEW YORK — Contrary to the pharmaceutical industry’s commonly-held belief that active Rx and OTC brand consumers are harder to find online than offline, a new study released Tuesday reveals that the online audience is just as active — and for select categories, more active — than the general population.

WEST COVINA, Calif. — Diabetes Care Partners has introduced a new telehealth diabetes self-management education program, the company said.

The West Covina, Calif.-based company announced the launch of DiabetesCareConnect at Eastern Plumas Health Care in Portola, Calif., supported by Telehealthdocs, a team of physicians and telemedicine specialists, and Telemed Management.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The 2012-2013 flu season was one of the most severe in the United States in more than a decade and, according to a new study, had two to three times the impact than a more typical flu season on the workplace, school, family and other segments of people’s everyday lives. A new report from Walgreens released Wednesday suggests U.S. adults missed 230 million work days last season, while children lost more than 90 million school days due to flu-related illness.  

CHICAGO — According to IRI's Q3 2013 MarketPulse survey results released Tuesday, 85% of American consumers were aware of the looming debt ceiling crisis and of the government shutdown, which is clearly impacting their views of their personal finances, including their approach to grocery shopping.