HEALTH

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Monday named Bill Head as the association’s VP government affairs, effective Jan. 17, and promoted David Spangler as the association’s SVP policy, general counsel and secretary, effective immediately.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation is inviting health and pharmacy experts and other researchers to join the Herculean effort to improve patient adherence rates.

The invitation comes in the form of a new Request for Proposal, issued Tuesday by the NACDS Foundation. The foundation is seeking bids from research organizations to study primary medication nonadherence, which occurs when a patient fails to fill or pick up his or her newly prescribed medication.

NEW YORK — The magazine of the American Diabetes Association has released its annual consumer guide in its January issue.

Diabetes Forecast highlighted what's new and on the horizon for the six categories of diabetes-management products, including blood-glucose meters and insulin pens and pumps, as well as diabetes drugs available in the United States, ranked by type and popularity. The guide also spotlighted mobile applications and what devices they can be used for.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Monday elected Jim Hamilton, president of DSM Nutritional Products USA, to chair of the association’s board of directors.

Hamilton, who will hold the chairman post through 2012, succeeds Mark LeDoux, CEO of Natural Alternatives International. LeDoux will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chair.

ATLANTA — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a treatment for diabetic eye disease made by Alimera Sciences, the drug maker said Dec. 23.

In its complete response letter, the FDA requested additional safety and efficacy data for the drug, Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert), a treatment for diabetic macular edema, a problem that commonly affects people with diabetes.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Reckitt Benckiser on Monday supplemented its Mucinex and Delsym cough-cold portfolio with the addition of Cepacol from Combe.

Combe also announced the completion of its cough-cold and skin care businesses to the British conglomerate, along with its foot care brand Odor-Eaters to personal care company Blistex.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration last week prompted the recall of two more products sold as supplements but adulterated with prescription medicines.

Drive Total Energy, headquartered in San Diego, recalled its Rock Hard Extreme and Passion Coffee dietary supplements. The FDA found that the products contained sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil that is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

LAS VEGAS — The Continua Health Alliance and member companies Intel, Trac, Andago, Bluegiga, Texas Instruments and ZyXEL will demonstrate personal connected health solutions this week at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, held from Jan. 6 to 9 here, the alliance announced Monday.