HEALTH

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, CVS Caremark's network of walk-in medical clinics, was highlighted as a breakthrough innovator in healthcare delivery by the World Economic Forum's Innovative Health Care Delivery Project.

In addition, MinuteClinic president and CVS Caremark SVP and associate chief medical officer Andrew Sussman presented MinuteClinic's approach to care at a World Economic Forum satellite session attended by healthcare experts, regulatory representatives, researchers and other innovators in Montreux, Switzerland, this week.

ST. LOUIS — Pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts has created what it calls the industry’s most comprehensive specialty benefits organization, the company announced Thursday.

BASEL, Switerland — Swiss drug maker Novartis will focus on innovation as part of a program for long-term growth, the company said Wednesday.

Novartis touted its research and development pipeline of 142 drugs in clinical trials, 35% of which are in phase 3 or undergoing regulatory review, as well as a plan to submit 30 more drugs for regulatory review by the end of 2012. The company also plans to continue investing in vaccine development.

CHICAGO — A Type 2 diabetes drug marketed by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with other diabetes treatments, the two companies said Wednesday.

According to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific sessions in Chicago, use of Byetta (exenatide) was associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than insulin and several other drug classes.

WASHINGTON — A coalition of six associations, including the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, on Thursday called on Congress to repeal the requirement that prevents consumers from using their flexible spending accounts to purchase over-the-counter medicines without a prescription as of Jan. 1.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A class of alcoholic beverages that rapidly became popular among young people over the last few years is headed for the drain.

The Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to four manufacturers of beverages that combine high amounts of alcohol and caffeine, effectively issuing a federal ban on the beverages.

DALLAS — In the first half of 2010, consumers continued to shift to less-expensive private-label products in all categories, including the personal care and baby care segments, according to a recent survey by Epsilon Targeting, a provider of consumer information for targeted marketing solutions.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Patients taking an investigational treatment for cardiovascular disease showed big improvements in cholesterol levels, according to late-stage clinical trial results released Wednesday.