HEALTH

CHICAGO — In a randomized trial that included nearly 15,000 male physicians and started in 1997, long-term daily multivitamin use resulted in a modest, but statistically significant, reduction in cancer after more than a decade of treatment and follow-up, according to a study appearing in JAMA that was released Wednesday. The multivitamin used in the study was Pfizer's Centrum Silver. 

LONDON — Vitamin D supplementation could be considered an immunomodulatory agent for systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease characterized not only by skin, joint, neurological and renal symptoms, but also by inflammation of tissue linings in the body, according to a new clinical study published Tuesday in BioMedCentral's open access journal Arthritis Research and Therapy. 

An immunomodulatory agent has an effect on the immune system. 

Colgate Total and the American Diabetes Association teamed up to promote awareness for American Diabetes Month with a survey revealing people's knowledge — or lack thereof — about oral health and its association with diabetes.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, found that 36% of respondents didn't know about the link between diabetes and oral health, and 66% of respondents didn't realize that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop serious gum disease.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug application to market over-the-counter omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsules in the 20-mg/1,100-mg strength, the store-brand equivalent to Merck's Zegerid OTC.

Zegerid OTC (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsules 20 mg/1,100 mg), a proton-pump inhibitor indicated to relieve frequent heartburn, had sales of approximately $42 million through food, drug and mass merchandisers for the lastest 12 months.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — There’s good news for the upcoming holiday selling season. The National Retail Federation said September retail sales — excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants — increased 0.4%, seasonally adjusted from August and 2.1% unadjusted year-over-year.

 SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — According to Nielsen analyses issued Thursday, higher consumer confidence levels, increased impulse buying and consumer intent to spend more could all lead to an upside surprise in 2012 holiday spending. 

For sales in 89 categories across five key departments (food, beverages, alcohol, health/beauty and homecare), Nielsen is forecasting spending for November and December 2012 to reach $98.3 billion. Nielsen expects dollar sales to increase 2.3% and unit sales to remain generally flat (0.1%). 

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One of the most common reasons that retailers give for pet-medication programs is that pets are part of the family.

As analyst Debbie Wang of investment firm Morningstar told Drug Store News in April 2012, more empty nesters and young couples putting off having children are driving increases in pet ownership, and with that comes a need for pet healthcare.