HEALTH

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed legislation to prohibit pharmacies and stores from selling dextromethorphan to any person younger than 18 years unless they have a prescription.

“This legislation will combat the growing trend of DXM abuse by preventing young people from easily purchasing products that contain DXM,” Cuomo stated. “The overuse of this drug can lead to terrible consequences, so by limiting access to this substance, this new law will prevent tragedies and protect the health of our children.”

MISSION, Kan. — ScriptPro's Central Pharmacy Management System Point of Sale can now interface with a real-time system for tracking and controlling OTC products that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

ScriptPro said its system now interfaces with the Appriss National Precursor Log Exchange system, currently used by pharmacies and law enforcement agencies in 22 states to track products like pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy remedies. ScriptPro said the interface eliminates the need to keep a manual log to document sales of the products.

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar introduced its newest seasonal flavor, pecan pie. Pecan pie brings together nuts and spices to create a traditional, nostalgic flavor reminiscent of the holidays. Made with organic ingredients specifically chosen by athletes and foodies in the Clif Kitchen, the recipe delivers nutrition for sustained energy, the company stated.

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.

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.