HEALTH

ERSP advises Lunada Biomedical to discontinue weight-loss claims for supplement Amberen
NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Monday recommended that Lunada Biomedical discontinue weight-loss and other claims made for Amberen, a dietary supplement marketed to menopausal women. ERSP found, however, the company could support claims related to hot flashes, irritability, sleeplessness and “low libido.”
House calls for GAO review of pending diabetes supply reimbursement changes
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Wednesday commended a bipartisan push for the Government Accountability Office to review the impact on patients of sharp reductions in reimbursement for diabetes test supplies provided by community pharmacies to Medicare beneficiaries.

Carex Health Brands launches pair of new DME products

NORWELL, Mass. — Carex Health Brands on Monday introduced two new items to its mobility lineup — the new Classic Wheelchair from Carex Health Brands and Carex's Two Wheeled Walker with Seat and Backrest.
Reports: Sears Holdings launches Mygofer same-day pick-up pilot in Chicago

NEW YORK — Sears Holdings will add some of its own products and allow customers to pick up products ordered from its flagship store in Chicago on the same day, according to published reports.
Bausch + Lomb names new president, CFO

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bausch + Lomb on Tuesday named Robert Bertolini as president and CFO effective immediately. In this capacity, he will oversee the company's finance, information technology and global quality and operations functions. Bertolini, who assumes CFO responsibilities from Brian Harris, will report to Bausch + Lomb CEO Brent Saunders.
USPSTF recommendation against vitamin D, calcium supplementation draws criticism

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Monday issued a trio of controversial recommendations regarding supplementing with vitamin D and calcium. Specifically, the Task Force determined that the current evidence was insufficient to support vitamin D and calcium supplementation for the primary prevention of fractures in premenopausal women, in men or in postmenopausal women and recommended against daily supplementation of vitamin D or calcium toward that end.
Product of the Year USA names top products for 2013

NEW YORK — Sun Products' All Mighty Pacs laundry packs, Aquafresh Extreme Clean Pure Breath Action Paste, M&M's Brand Snack Mix, Reckitt Benckiser's Resolve All-Stains, Sun Products' Surf Liquid Laundry Detergent and GlaxoSmithKline's Tums Freshers were among the winners of Product of the Year USA's recently announced top products for 2013, the group said.

The named products were the result of a vote among 50,000 consumers.
Dart and science

“The only real valuable thing is intuition,” said Albert Einstein. Within the consumer healthcare industry, nowhere is that more true than in the realm of brand management.

Ironically, Einstein also said “if we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?”
CDC: Flu incidence drops to 2.8%

ATLANTA — The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 2.8% for the week ended Feb. 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, a strong indicator that the 2012-2013 flu season is on its way out. Nevada, New Jersey and Vermont were still reporting high ILI activity; while 13 states and New York City reported moderate activity; 11 states reported low activity; and 23 states reported minimal activity.
DSN Flu Tracker: Illustrating the 2012-2013 season

There were more sick people cruising the cold relief aisles this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence peaked at 6.1% this season, making this season the most virulent since the 2007-2008 season — excepting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, which was atypical.

With that in mind, sales of cough and cold medicines — or sales of just about anything else that had something to do with the flu, from hand sanitizers to flu shots — were through the roof.