HEALTH

FDA approves three new drugs for Type 2 diabetes
SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved three new drugs for Type 2 diabetes made by Takeda, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Nesina (alogliptin), Kazano (alogliptin and metformin) and Oseni (alogliptin and pioglitazone) tablets.

Alogliptin is a new active ingredient, while metformin and pioglitazone are drugs already on the market.
Carmex contestant drains half-court shot, wins $75,000 and gets tackled by LeBron James
MIAMI — In a shot that made the rounds Friday on ESPN and other sports shows, Miami Heat fan Michael Drysch drained a half-court shot in the Carmex Half-Court Hero contest, netting $75,000 and getting tackled by Miami Heat superstar LeBron James.

In addition to winning $75,000 for himself, Drysch also scored a $75,000 donation for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Lebron James Family Foundation.

ThinkThin launches ThinkThin Divine, nutritional bar featuring chocolate and coconut

LOS ANGELES — ThinkThin last week launched its ThinkThin Divine nutritional bar featuring chocolate and coconut.

"ThinkThin Divine redefines the nutrition bar category," suggested Lizanne Falsetto, CEO ThinkThin. "With ThinkThin nutrition bars, it's never a choice between meeting your health needs and satisfying your sweet tooth. The new Divine line proves that natural, better-for-you ingredients can actually taste good — allowing chocolate-lovers to manage nutrition in a surprisingly delicious way."
Vitamins & Supplements 2013

The January/February 2013 Vitamins & Supplements Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Centrum, One-A-Day, NatureMade, VitaFusion, Alive, VirMax-T, MoveFree, Bioglan and Voots products.

Click here for the complete guide.
Survey: 7-in-10 consumers track health conditions, but only half record progress

WASHINGTON — As many as 7-in-10 U.S. adults track a health indicator for themselves or for a loved one, according to a Pew Research Center study released Monday.
Pharmacy trends and outlook for 2013
CDC: Flu still strong across central U.S.

ATLANTA — If the flu were a storm cloud, the influenza virus is hovering over America's Bread Basket on its way to the Southwest, according to data provided through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that 4.3% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to influenza-like illness, above the national baseline of 2.2%. But as the map indicates, influenza rates are declining up and down the East Coast and is most virulent in Texas and states west.
Merck: FDA approves Oxytrol for Women, creating overactive bladder category in OTC

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck on Friday announced the Food and Drug Administration has approved the switch of Oxytrol for Women (oxybutynin transdermal system, 3.9 mg/day) from prescription-only to nonprescription, creating a new category — overactive bladder in women — in the OTC area. Most notable about this switch is the fact that the FDA approved Oxytrol for Women against the majority opinion of its Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee, which voted five in favor and six opposed to the switch in November.
Perrigo introduces new packaging for infant formula

GEORGIA, Vt. — Perrigo Nutritionals is introducing new packaging that the company said would make providing nutrition to infants more convenient.
Wellco Brands launches pain relief cream for under the nose of cold, allergy sufferers

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Wellco Brands on Thursday launched Healerz for Noses, a pain relief cream to soothe the skin under the nose that becomes irritated during cold and allergy season.

Healerz is formulated with lidocaine for pain relief, benzalkonium chloride antiseptic to help guard against infection and aloe for its soothing properties.

Each package contains six single-use packets.