News Briefs

Gilead Sciences has received the Food and Drug Administration’s green light for Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide) 25 mg tablets as a once-daily treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus infection in pediatric patients aged 12 years old and older with compensated liver disease.

Vemlidy is a novel, targeted prodrug of tenofovir that was previously approved by the FDA in 2016 as a once-daily treatment for adults with chronic HBV infection with compensated liver disease. It is recommended as a preferred or first-line treatment for adults with chronic HBV with compensated liver disease in guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and European Association for the Study of the Liver.

“Chronic hepatitis B can have a significant long-term health impact on children, including the development of liver cancer later in life if the disease is left untreated, which is compounded by treatment challenges in this population,” said Kathleen Schwarz, pediatric gastroenterologist at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, an investigator in the Vemlidy clinical trial. “As a clinician, I recognize the critical importance of treating this disease as quickly as possible to help avoid complications and potential damage to the liver. In the clinical trial, we saw that tenofovir alafenamide may represent an effective treatment option for people as young as 12 years of age living with this chronic disease.”

“While pediatric hepatitis B prevalence has dropped significantly in the U.S., children who develop chronic hepatitis B following an acute infection can experience lifelong health impact,” Merdad Parsey, chief medical officer at Gilead Sciences, said. “Gilead is focused on meeting the biggest challenges in liver disease and impacting the course of disease. With an established safety profile and once-daily dosing, Vemlidy provides physicians a new option to address the treatment needs of pediatric patients living with hepatitis B.”

Blue Diamond is quickly ushering in the holiday season with not one but two limited-edition flavors — snickerdoodle and peppermint cocoa.

The snickerdoodle-flavored almonds feature a sweet cinnamon sugar seasoning, while the peppermint cocoa-flavored almonds contain a chocolatey flavor and a hint of peppermint.

“If Blue Diamond had a holiday wish, it’s that everyone would make our naughty and nice list," said Maya Erwin, vice president of innovation and R&D at Blue Diamond. "We are jumping into the holiday fun and festivities with two flavors that perfectly encompass the seasonality and spirit of indulgence while retaining the nutrition benefits that almond lovers appreciate.”

Consumers can find Blue Diamond’s limited-edition almond flavors available for purchase through December at major retailers nationwide and online.

Loblaw is no longer offering single-use plastic shopping bags at its stores across Canada’s Northwest Territories.

“We are a purpose-led organization, with a goal to help Canadians live life well.  Our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint is an important part of that,” said Robert Sawyer, chief operating officer at Loblaw Companies Limited. “Our efforts to remove single-use plastic bags from our stores have already resulted in 13 billion fewer bags going to landfill. But we know there's more work to be done.  Today’s announcement represents our continued commitment to protecting our environment across the region and beyond.”

The company is encouraging shoppers to bring their own bags to stores but also offering a variety of reusable alternatives at checkout lanes. 

Olay is looking to take hydration to the next level via a collaboration with Stanley that highlights its Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 collection.

The two companies have joined forces on the Ultimate Thirst Trap Kit, which is set to include Olay skin care products, a limited-edition Olay x Stanley Adventure Quencher 40-oz. and a hydration-themed sticker set.

Available in a custom Olay Blue Glow color inspired by the gel moisturizer, the Olay x Stanley Quencher features a glittering stainless steel that mirrors the radiance of skin after one use of Olay’s new collection, the company said.

There are only 3,000 limited-edition Olay x Stanley Quenchers available, which consumers can obtain by joining the waitlist.   

In addition, the brand announced that it will be offering up to 25% off select products, a free sample with every order and free shipping with any $100 purchase made on Cyber Monday.

Marie Originals, a brand of natural OTC homeopathic health products, is introducing its Eczema & Psoriasis Soap, Poison Ivy & Oak Soap, Sinus Relief, Ear Pain Drops, Ear Oil, Skin Repair Ointment and Skin & Nail Fungus Ointment products at Natural Grocers locations nationwide. 

“Consumers continue to embrace the power of natural, plant-based remedies, and this is especially true of Natural Grocers’ shoppers," Sammy Goodman, chief operating officer at Marie Originals, said. "This partnership could not be more aligned with our values and core consumers. By teaming up with Natural Grocers, we will be able to get our effective earth-based OTC homeopathic ear and skin care products into even more hands, as we continue to show consumers the raw, safe power of medicinal plants and biomaterials.”

"We welcome Marie Originals to Natural Grocers’ Body Care Department," said Laura Perkins, vice president of purchasing for Natural Grocers. “We’ve been setting the bar in this department for over 60 years because we believe that everyone benefits from body care products that meet our high standards. We only partner with companies and brands who are committed to crafting products whose principles and passion align with ours. Marie Originals is one such brand. They share that same commitment to quality that Natural Grocers’ customers trust and depend on.”

Food Lion To Go is growing in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. The grocer’s pickup service will expand to an additional 27 locations throughout the three states, with customers’ first pickup on the house. 

With the addition of the 27 stores, Food Lion To Go is now available at 630 locations in the grocer’s 10-state footprint. Customers over the age of 21 can also purchase beer and wine where allowed by law.

“With some of the busiest months ahead for our customers, we are excited to expand this convenient service to more stores in the Food Lion footprint so our customers can spend more time on what matters most to them,” said Evan Harding, director of digital and e-commerce at Food Lion. “With the Food Lion to Go service, we provide our neighbors the option to shop through the channel they prefer, in-store or online, still ensuring they have access to the freshest groceries at affordable prices.”

This story originally appeared on Progressive Grocer.