HEALTH

MINNETONKA, Minn. — United Health Foundation’s "2011 America’s Heath Rankings," released Tuesday, found that increases in obesity, diabetes and children in poverty are offsetting improvements in smoking cessation, preventable hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths. According to the report, the country’s overall health did not improve between 2010 and 2011 — a drop from the 0.5% average annual rate of improvement between 2000 and 2010, and the 1.6% average annual rate of improvement seen in the 1990s.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration will decide on Wednesday whether to remove merchandising restrictions on the emergency contraceptive Plan B and allow the product to be merchandised in the front-end without age restrictions, according to a report published Monday in the Washington Post.

LAS VEGAS — Altrient is launching three new nutritional supplements that will be available on the company's website.

The company said the lineup includes:

• Altrient C, a full-potency vitamin C formula (which touts 1,000 mg of vitamin C in each packet);

• Altrient ME, which combines B vitamins, essential trace minerals and cinnamon extract to boost energy and reduce the harmful byproducts of cell metabolism (and contains 313.5 mg of the "metabolic enhancement" formula in each packet); and

STAMFORD, Conn. — Gartner on Monday released the findings from its third annual "Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25," ranking Cardinal Health No. 1. The top 25 ranking for 2011 identifies organizations using their supply chains to improve the patient care experience.
 
"Value chain leadership in a range of foundational and collaborative capabilities has allowed these organizations to make great strides in enabling high-quality patient care at optimal economic cost," stated Barry Blake, research analyst at Gartner.
 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued seven warning letters to companies marketing over-the counter human chorionic gonadotropin products that are labeled as "homeopathic" for weight loss. The letters warn the companies that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss.

NEW YORK — A new over-the-counter drug designed to treat hangovers has entered the market.

Blowfish is an effervescent that touts 500 mg aspirin and 60 mg caffeine and can be used for the following indications:

• For the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with a hangover;

• Helps restore mental alertness or wakefulness when experiencing fatigue or drowsiness associated with a hangover; and

• For the temporary relief of headaches or body aches and pains alone.

CHICO, Calif. — Star Nutrition on Monday announced the launch of the PRO-3 Thin Sport Incredisocks to its Incrediwear portfolio. The PRO-3 Incredisocks are designed with a carbonized charcoal anion technology that increases circulation, which in turn improves performance, decreases foot fatigue and leads to faster recovery times.

ANDOVER, Mass. — As many as 95% of women reported having at least attempted to breast-feed their babies, with 35% continuing between four and six months, and another 52% breast-feeding for seven to 12 months, according to the Philips Mother & Child Care Index that was released Monday by the Philips Center for Health and Well-being.