HEALTH

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — The consumer healthcare division of drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has launched a new website designed to encourage people to quit smoking and promote such products as nicotine gums, lozenges and patches.

Quit.com is described as a "total quit-smoking online resource" that includes features to help smokers create personalized plans for quitting without relapsing.

 ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that the national incidence of influenza-like illness dropped below the national baseline of 2.2% to 1.9% and is lower than reported during the previous week. "This fluctuation may be attributed in part to a reduced number of routine health visits during the Thanksgiving holidays, as has been observed in previous seasons," the agency speculated. 

EUGENE, Ore. — The American Heart Association has joined a group of patient and provider organizations promoting safe use of a commonly used class of painkillers.

The AHA announced that it had joined the Alliance for the Rational Use of NSAIDs, which refers to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a class that includes the common drug ibuprofen. Other members include the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

WASHINGTON — The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other advocacy groups last week released a report claiming that states are spending only "a miniscule portion" of their tobacco revenues to fight tobacco use. "The states have failed to reverse deep cuts to tobacco prevention and cessation programs that have undermined the nation’s efforts to reduce tobacco use," the advocacy groups stated. 

MUNDELEIN, Ill. — Following last week's news that the influenza season has gotten off to an early start, Medline issued a release recommending the company's BioMask facemask as adequate protection against contracting the flu.

SOLNA, Sweden — Meda announced Friday that it has signed an agreement to acquire MidNite, an OTC sleep-aid product. MidNite is well established in the U.S. and holds a market leading position within a growing category. Transaction terms were not disclosed.

“This acquisition enhances our presence in the U.S. ahead of other future OTC launches," stated Anders Lönner, CEO of Meda. 

Annualized revenues for MidNite are approximately $15 million, the company reported. 

BOSTON — Being mildly vitamin B-12 deficient could be an indication that some older adults are at a greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline, according to an observational study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University released Wednesday.