HEALTH

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A standards-development organization for the pharmacy services industry has updated a white paper on protecting consumers and patients from accidental overdoses of the painkiller acetaminophen.

The NCPDP announced the updated white paper, "NCPDP Recommendations for Improved Prescription Container Labels for Medicines Containing Acetaminophen Version 1.1."

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Tuesday announced the launch of its new brand campaign, "Respect Yourself," celebrating individuals who enjoy great self-respect by living a healthy lifestyle. This campaign builds on GNC's brand mission, since 1935, to provide consumers with health and wellness solutions in order to help them live a better life.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid reported a 0.3% increase in comps for the month of January, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

The increase included a 4.2% increase in front-end comps, 2.4% of which came from sales of OTC flu products. Pharmacy comps decreased by 1.4%, while same-store prescription count increased 5%, 3.4% of which came from flu-related prescriptions and flu shots. Total store sales for the four-week period, which ended Saturday, decreased 0.5% to $1.91 billion.

NEW YORK — A nutritional supplement may help ward off gestational diabetes in pregnant women, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at Italy's University of Messina and published in the journal Diabetes Care, found that pregnant women with family histories of Type 2 diabetes who received myo-inositol saw a significant reduction in the incidence of gestational diabetes, a condition that causes high blood sugar in some pregnant women.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Wednesday determined the National Weight Loss Institute can support general weight-loss claims made in direct-response advertising for Prevoxin, a dietary supplement intended to promote weight loss, but recommended the marketer modify or discontinue certain claims.

BOULDER, Colo. — BackJoy and celebrity fitness trainer Ashley Borden on Monday released the “Sit Right – Stretch Right” online video program for easy-to-follow back exercises and stretches that can be done in the comfort of the office or home. 

PHILADELPHIA — "Talk to your cardiologist." That's the advice offered Friday by Wills Eye Institute, a hospital specializing in eye care,  following a JAMA article linking aspirin therapy to macular degeneration. 

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi announced today that Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is now available in U.S. retail pharmacies nationwide with a prescription from a healthcare provider.