HEALTH

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced on Thursday its support of legislation that seeks to repeal a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires consumers to obtain a prescription to use their flexible spending accounts for over-the-counter medication purchases.

The Restoring Access to Medication Act was introduced by U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., and Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb.

SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition on Thursday announced that Scott Milsten had assumed the role of SVP general counsel and corporate secretary effective July 12. 

“Schiff has entered a new phase focusing on growth,” Milsten stated. “I am excited to join the management team as we enhance our position as a world-class nutritional supplements company.” 

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Product recalls over the past two years have eroded consumer trust in over-the-counter drugs; however, those same recalls represent opportunity for smaller market players to gain exposure and build brand awareness, wrote Laura Mahecha, industry manager for health care at research firm Kline, in an online report issued Wednesday. In addition, private-label brands and “natural OTCs” are enjoying strong growth. 

FREDERICK, Md. — BioElectronics, maker of the topical drug-free pain relievers ActiPatch and Allay on Tuesday announced it has signed with the Greenwood Group to manage the company’s retail products portfolio.

“Greenwood Group management has a substantial history building successful brands, through international and domestic selling efforts, as well as developing and implementing marketing strategies,” BioElectronics stated in its release.

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Hamacher Resource Group, a retail consumer healthcare marketing and research firm, will be presenting at Cardinal Health’s 2011 Retail Business Conference July 20 to 23 in Las Vegas. 

Dave Wendland and Kat Fronek, both part of the owners group at HRG, will present two different educational sessions for continuing education credits. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Hy-Vee is the latest supermarket chain to bring a trained chef into the store to encourage customers to cook healthy food at home, according to published reports.

The Sioux Falls, S.D., Argus Leader reported Wednesday that a local Hy-Vee store had brought in chef Scott Teal to oversee food displays, demonstrate ways to prepare food and teach classes. It also gives the store a way to showcase new produce, such as brown-colored chocolate grape tomatoes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Is this the nutritional Twilight Zone?

Despite the common perception that kids are always reluctant to eat their greens, a new survey by Midwest retailer Meijer found that almost 6-in-10 adults don’t think they’re eating enough fruits and vegetables, while kids seem to be eating enough.

SCHOFIELD, Wis. — PuraMed BioScience on Monday announced that headache researcher Roger Cady will be exhibiting a poster presentation of his independent clinical study of PuraMed's nonprescription migraine medication LipiGesic-M at the 2011 Headache Update Conference being held in Orlando, Fla., July 14 to 17.