Pharmacy Technology

LAS VEGAS — With the Consumer Electronics Show approaching, Sears is launching a social media initiative designed to give bloggers early access to consumer electronics information and provide readers with the latest technology news.

FAIRFIELD, Conn., and SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A new joint healthcare venture between GE and Intel was launched on Monday, and both companies promise it will improve the quality of life for seniors.

The new company, called Intel-GE Care Innovations, “will develop technologies that support healthy, independent living at home and in senior housing communities,” both firms said. Care Innovations already has installed an executive team and board of managers “to support the new company’s transition and future growth,” according to the statement.

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.

WASHINGTON — A healthcare accrediting organization is revising three products in its Pharmacy Quality Management suite of programs.

URAC said its pharmacy committee approved revisions to its mail service, specialty pharmacy, and workers' compensation and property and casualty for pharmacy benefit management accreditation programs. The products revised include:

• Mail-service pharmacy, version 2.0;

• Specialty pharmacy, version 2.0; and

SALT LAKE CITY — Kerr Drug has begun offering a new emergency response and health service system to seniors via a one-touch cell phone link.

The product, from ActiveCare, now is available in most or all of the Raleigh, N.C.-based drug chain’s stores, according to both companies. Kerr VP marketing Diane Eliezer said the chain maintains roughly 90 stores and retail health centers, all in North Carolina.

MIAMI — The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology on Wednesday presented a new analysis of the effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids as potential treatment options for depression.

Two critical omega-3 essential fatty acids available from certain food or nutritional supplements but not manufactured by the body — eicosapentenoic acid and docosahexaenoic — play a role in optimal brain functioning and have antidepressant benefits that have not been fully recognized, the professional society stated during its annual meeting in Miami.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Chemotherapy drugs made by Johnson & Johnson and Merck will become the standard second-line treatment for ovarian cancer within the decade, replacing a treatment made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and generic versions, according to a new report by market research firm Decision Resources.

PASADENA, Calif. — A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that the use of tobacco products among young diabetics is on the rise, and many haven't been counseled by their healthcare providers to not smoke or stop smoking.