HEALTH

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has begun promotion of its exclusive PureLife Naturals line of health supplements, a line launched in September in its weekly circulars. The line of active-ingredient formulas are blended without any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives and ideal for the purity-conscious shopper.

WASHINGTON — New results from a national online public opinion poll of Americans 18 and older show that 34% of smokers plan to quit smoking as a New Year’s resolution in 2013, as compared to only 18% who reported that quitting smoking was a New Year’s resolution in 2012. Increasing costs of cigarettes (67%) and concerns about the health risks associated with smoking (58%) were two of the key factors motivating smokers to contemplate quitting as a resolution for 2013.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday advised consumers not to purchase or use “MAXILOSS Weight Advanced” — a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various web sites, including DreamLifeWeightLoss.com, and in some retail stores.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Tuesday recommended that Casper Labs modify or discontinue certain claims for Calmestra, a dietary supplement marketed as providing relief for symptoms of menopause, including claims that the product has been “clinically proven” to address symptoms of menopause.

LAS VEGAS — iHealth Labs on Monday unveiled two new additions to its suite of devices — the iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System and iHealth Pulse Oximeter — at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show here. 

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced the launch of its CDC Influenza application for clinicians and other healthcare professionals on the Apple platform. The app makes it easy to access CDC’s latest recommendations and influenza activity updates on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, the agency stated.

An Android support will be added in a future update, CDC noted. 

BOSTON — Topical pain relievers may be better suited for joint pain, according to a report published in the January 2013 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch. 

"Topical pain relievers can be very helpful for the more superficial joints like the knees, ankles, feet, elbows and hands," stated Rosalyn Nguyen, a clinical instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. "In those areas, the medication can penetrate closer to the joint."

PARIS — Sanofi on Monday announced that its U.S. Consumer Healthcare Division Chattem, completed the acquisition of the worldwide rights to the Rolaids brand from McNeil Consumer Healthcare for an undisclosed amount.