HEALTH

WASHINGTON — According to a new report released Friday by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, a provision in the Affordable Care Act of 2010 that requires employers to provide nursing breaks and a private, sanitary place to express breast milk for most mothers employed on an hourly basis will drive breast-feeding rates up by 4% in the first six months. That translates into as many as 165,000 new moms breast-feeding each year, or more than 1 million new moms in six years, noted Robert Drago, director of research with IWPR.

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — Prestige Brands introduced an iPhone application in support of its PediaCare line — the PediaCare Shopper’s Guide.

It’s an application that will help parents navigate the pediatric cough-cold aisle when they’re physically shopping the shelf, and help to alleviate two parental concerns around kids' cough-cold remedies that have garnered media attention of late — accurate dosing and the spate of product recalls.

MINNEAPOLIS — After testing a pilot program in select stores last year, Best Buy is addressing the health needs of its customers by rolling out health devices and fitness products at 600 Best Buy stores across the country and online at BestBuy.com.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands Holdings on Thursday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets associated with the Dramamine business in the United States from McNeil Consumer Healthcare for $76 million in cash.

“The company expects to quickly and smoothly integrate Dramamine into the Prestige portfolio and drive growth through enhanced brand support,” stated Matthew Mannelly, Prestige Brands CEO.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Lansinoh Labs on Thursday named Richard Thome as its COO. He will report to Diane Manwaring, Lansinoh North America president.

“Recognizing the need for Lansinoh to expand its operations expertise in the areas of consumer packaged goods, over-the-counter and medical device manufacturing, we are excited to welcome a team member with [Thome’s] caliber of talent and experience,” stated Kevin Vyse Peacock, CEO of Lansinoh Labs.

WASHINGTON — More than 6% of women who gave birth in hospitals in the United States in 2008 had diabetes or developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, according to a new analysis by the federal government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

NEW YORK — Community-based healthcare models, and the nurse practitioners who work within them, are particularly helpful in assisting diabetes patients with such underlying health conditions as depression, according to a recent study published on Nurse.com.

CLEVELAND — ECRM on Thursday announced the launch of a series of reports and a new blog on retail circular ads. The new resources provide a unique perspective on retail promotions from Walmart, Kroger, Walgreens, Safeway, Best Buy, OfficeMax, Aldi and 160 additional retailers in the United States and Canada.

Using ECRM’s trade promotion expertise, these reports and blog entries will enable retailers and suppliers to manage more effective trade spending, ECRM stated.