HEALTH

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Reckitt Benckiser on Tuesday announced the launch of Urban Thrill, an online free runner-themed game available on RB.com for free.

The game allows users to mimic the fast-paced, risk-taking and dynamic environment of the consumer packaged goods company by completing free runner challenges across nine countries. The launch of Urban Thrill is a significant component of RB's corporate brand campaign, the company stated, which was designed to create awareness among graduates and people early on in their business careers.

LONDON — The ever-increasing popularity of vitamin D may have reached its plateau, suggested a report issued by Euromonitor International in late March, in part because of the vitamin’s ubiquity across the marketplace.

Accordingly, sales of vitamin D supplements may fall, especially sales of single-letter vitamin D, the report concluded.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — U.S. spending on drugs grew 2.3% to $307.4 billion in 2010, according to a new report by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, part of industry research firm IMS Health.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — Vitamin Shoppe on Monday opened the doors to store No. 500 in St. Peters, Mo. — the company’s first store in that market and the third in the state.

"The opening of our 500th store is an extremely important event and a rewarding accomplishment that our entire company can be proud of,” Vitamin Shoppe CEO Tony Truesdale said. “The community's commitment to health and wellness makes the city an ideal location for the Vitamin Shoppe, and we are very excited to have our 500th store in this market.”

BOSTON — InhalerWear on Tuesday announced its launch of a neoprene cover for inhalers that will help make carrying around an inhaler “trendy and cool” to children and teenagers. The new inhaler can be clipped to a backpack, purse or belt loop.

"We started InhalerWear because we knew the challenge facing parents was not in getting their kids to use their inhaler, but to get them to carry their inhalers with them at all times,” stated co-founder Rob Fiore.

WASHINGTON — Pharmacists have become a go-to source for information about dietary supplements and also offer recommendations to patients, according to a study conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

According to the CRN’s "Life…supplemented Healthcare Professionals Impact Study," 93% of pharmacists recommend supplements to their customers, while 87% believe that supplements can play an important role in improving or maintaining the health of their customers.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A letter educating healthcare providers regarding a drug-drug interaction between prescription anticlotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel) and a proton-pump inhibitor has resulted in a reduction in the number of patients combining the two therapies, according to a new study by Prime Therapeutics released Monday.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertson's LLC, which operates more than 200 stores across seven states under the Albertsons banner, announced it has joined the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance.

The retail grocery chain joins such companies as UnitedHealth Group, YMCA, Walgreens and Novo Nordisk as a DPCA partner. Albertson's LLC will participate in the DCPA's Diabetes Control Program, offering its customers community-based programs that help prevent and control diabetes.