HEALTH

To Drug Store News and the industry at large:

As the year comes to a close, ECRM would like to express our collective gratitude for the industry’s support over the past year. I personally want to thank the many retailers, suppliers and brokers for their overwhelming expressions of encouragement, sympathy, and compassion directed to me personally and to all of us at ECRM during this difficult period.  At a time of inexplicable tragedy for me, your collective support  helped to keep our vision alive and I am forever grateful.

Rather than take off for Christmas, the editors of Drug Store News took a look at the year ahead and the stories, issues and trends that will make headlines in retail pharmacy in 2012.

WASHINGTON — Larry Hausner, the CEO of the American Diabetes Association, will serve as the 2012 chairman of the National Health Council's board of directors, NHC said.

NEW YORK — A survey of registered dietitians released by Pollock Communications Wednesday identified a "diet trifecta" of vitamins, minerals and fibers as the No. 2 nutrition trend that will play out in 2012.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals officially owns an Australian drug maker.

The company announced that it completed its acquisition of iNova, which sells and distributes prescription and over-the-counter drugs in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and South Africa, on Dec. 21 from iNova's current shareholders, Archer Capital, Ironbridge and others.

The deal, which was announced back in November, was valued at up to A$700 million.

CHICAGO — Six students in Chicago Public Schools' high schools last week were awarded more than $14,000 for their participation in a peer-to-peer learning program, sponsored by Walgreens, called the Expressions Challenge.

Student participants submitted art, video/photography or essay/poetry entries on educational disciplines, including art, English and health.
   

CHICAGO — A group of dietitians with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has conducted a review of smartphone applications for weight management, diabetes and gluten-free eating, the organization said.

The AND — formerly the American Dietetic Association — said the purpose of the review, which includes 30 of the most popular, free iPhone apps, was to help consumers sift through the numerous apps available.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Medication adherence is as high or slightly better among patients filling 90-day prescriptions at retail versus mail order, according to a new Walgreens study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Managed Care that the chain highlighted Thursday.

According to the study, adherence levels for 90-day at retail were 77%, while at mail-order adherence levels were 76%.