Retail Clinics

NEW YORK — New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and health commissioner Thomas Farley received their seasonal flu vaccine on Saturday at a Duane Reade pharmacy in the Bronx, demonstrating the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Every year, New Yorkers lose their lives to the flu, and a flu shot is the single most important protection against getting sick and spreading the flu to others,” Bloomberg said. “I urge everyone to go to their doctor, local health clinic or pharmacy and get a flu shot as soon as they can.”

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Select Walgreens across the country will offer free blood-glucose testing during National Diabetes Month this November, Walgreens announced Monday.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama issued an executive order Monday to address the growing problem of drug shortages.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on Monday became the 11th senator to sign on as a co-sponsor for the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2011. The legislation was first introduced in February by Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.

WASHINGTON — New guidelines that will ensure women receive preventive health services at no additional cost were announced Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Developed by the independent Institute of Medicine, the new guidelines require new health insurance plans to cover women’s preventive services, such as well-woman visits, breast-feeding support, domestic violence screening and contraception without charging a co-payment, co-insurance or a deductible.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic has surpassed 10 million patient visits since opening its doors in 2000.

The retail clinic operator, which is owned by CVS Caremark, said that the 10 millionth patient was seen at a clinic in Quincy, Mass., one of the communities where MinuteClinic has opened new locations in the past 18 months.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of a short-term adjunct treatment for obesity.

Lannett said that the FDA approved its abbreviated new drug application for phentermine resin extended-release capsules in the 15-mg and 30-mg strengths. The drug, which is equivalent to UCB's Ionamin, will be sold in bariatric clinics.

ORLANDO, Fla. — This year’s fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress kicked off on Monday, bringing together hundreds of retail healthcare professionals to network, receive exclusive accreditation and honor those providers and key executive leaders whose work throughout the year has distinguished them among their peers in retail health care.