HEALTH

FORT WORTH, Texas — Integrated pharmacy systems provider PDX and Health Market Science, a leading source for health provider data and solutions, have teamed up to improve the accuracy and safety of the prescription verification process.

BOSTON — According to a report in the December 2010 issue of the Harvard Health Letter, Americans are maintaining intimacy through their 60s, 70s and even 80s.

The article summed up findings from two surveys investigating intimacy health in older Americans. Indiana University researchers reported earlier this year that 20% to 30% of long-lived Americans are active into their 80s. And a University of Chicago survey originally published in 2007 found that half of Americans continue to engage well into their 70s.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set aside the week of Dec. 5 to observe this season's National Influenza Vaccination Week. The week-long emphasis on flu vaccination was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.

MADISON, N.J. — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare on Thursday introduced a new contest from the makers of Centrum multivitamins at LoveFeelingHealthy.com. Participants there can nominate women who manage to stay energized this holiday season with a smile on their face.

Nominators can share how the special woman in their lives manages to be the ultimate host, party charmer, gift giver, cookie baker, etc. Participants are asked to submit 300 words that explain how that woman does it all.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — A growing drug-treated population will cause the Type 2 diabetes drug market in China to increase to $2.5 billion by 2014, according to a new report by Decision Resources.

The Type 2 diabetes market in China totaled $1.4 billion in 2009, Decision Resources said.

WASHINGTON — The CRN Foundation on Thursday brought two new consultants on board — Cheryl Forberg, a registered dietitian for NBC's “The Biggest Loser,” and popular “foodologist” Lisa Lillien.

MINNEAPOLIS — Same-store sales surged 5.5% at Target during November, exceeding the company’s guidance and analysts’ expectations for a low-single digit gain. The company said the number of people shopping its stores as measured by transactions increased nearly 4% and average transaction sizes also were up slightly with broad-based growth throughout the store.

The company is looking for December comps to increase in the low- to mid-single digit range.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A new study released Thursday determined that directed use of Lansinoh HPA Lanolin results in a marked reduction of nipple pain associated with breast-feeding and in significantly higher healing rates of nipple trauma compared with application of expressed breast milk. The researchers concluded that “the current recommendation for any topical treatment of sore nipples during breast-feeding should be revised in favor of HPA lanolin.”