HEALTH

PITTSBURGH — Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, along with nutritional products brand FortiFX, is pleased to announce the debut of a new line of six-layer baked meal-replacement bars — Fit Crunch Baked Bars — which are high in protein and low in sugar without compromising taste and texture.

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Parents in its October issue will feature the True Easy Syringe from Health Enterprises as the simple way “to give your child the correct dose of liquid medicine.”

The patented True Easy Syringe was designed by a mother of three children to make it easy to give accurate doses of medicine. The new product features a patented two-step color coded dosing system and oversized grip for ease of use.

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. — PTPA Media, a volunteer parenting testing community, recently recognized Boiron's Oscillococcinum for helping families nip flu-like symptoms. Oscillococcinum was awarded the Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval from the group. 

“At PTPA Media, we are proud to play a role in certifying innovative products that families can trust,” stated Sharon Vinderine, CEO of PTPA Media. 

NEW YORK — Fruth Pharmacy is handing out free vitamins to elementary school students in a West Virginia county, according to published reports.

The Huntington, W.Va., Herald-Dispatch reported that Fruth president Lynne Fruth announced a plan to offer free vitamins to every elementary school student in Cabell County, W.Va., for the next 12 months.

The program was launched last year in conjunction with Mason Vitamins, serving about 2,000 students in economically depressed areas where Fruth operates, in Ohio and West Virginia, according to the newspaper.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck Consumer Care on Wednesday announced that Oxytrol for Women is now on shelf for the more than 20 million women suffering from overactive bladder. Oxytrol for Women is a thin, flexible patch that is discreetly applied to the abdomen, hip or buttock once every four days for the relief of overactive bladder in women. It is the first and only over-the-counter option that treats the OAB symptoms — urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency — which can take a physical and emotional toll on women.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Pharmagen on Thursday announced the launch of Clotamin, a unique multivitamin formulated without vitamin K in order to meet the special nutritional needs of people taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as Warfarin. 

Because it does not contain vitamin K, Clotamin can be taken with Warfarin without affecting international normalized ratio levels. 

LOS ANGELES — Huffington Post fitness blogger and a star of "Basketball Wives," Evelyn Lozada appeared in New York on Tuesday at a midtown Duane Reade to help promote YouthH2O, a "beauty and wellness" energy shot. 

Product consideration at the shelf level remains a driving force behind purchase decisions. According to an online survey of more than 500 AccentHealth viewers conducted in August, 34% of respondents indicated that in-store browsing influences their OTC purchase. However, 40% of respondents indicated that OTCs purchased to treat cold, flu and allergy were the result of a doctor recommendation. To see more Patient Views, click here