Retail Clinics

WASHINGTON — The rate of obesity among adults has increased across 16 states, with no states seeing a drop, according to a new report released by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The report also found that 12 states now have obesity rates above 30%, versus four years ago when just one state had a 30% obesity rate, TFAH and RWJF said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Preventive health care may be signficiantly less costly than previously thought because of the expanded use of cost-effective generic medications for the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, according to researchers from Harvard University, Brigham and Women's Hospital and CVS Caremark.

BOSTON — People with lower percentages of body fat are not necessarily at lower risk for diabetes and heart disease, according to a new international study.

The study identified a gene that is linked with having less body fat but also with having an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The investigators examined the genomes of more than 75,000 people and found that the gene, IRS1, was linked to less body fat, but also to unhealthy levels of cholesterol and blood glucose.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Take Care Health Systems have entered into a relationship with Core Performance to offer Core Performance corporate wellness services to Take Care Health Systems employer clients and bolster its service portfolio.

Take Care Health Systems is the nation's largest manager of employer health, pharmacy and fitness centers, with nearly 400 locations throughout the United States. As part of the agreement, Walgreens has made a minority investment in Core Performance.

ATLANTA — New graphic cigarette warning labels released last month by the Food and Drug Administration already appear to be having one desired effect: an increase in "quit smoking" queries to the national 1-800-QUIT-NOW smoking cessation line, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

The new labels aren’t even on cigarette packages yet — the labels will be implemented next year.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday published long-awaited guidance on new dietary ingredients in the Federal Register.

BALTIMORE — St. Joseph Aspirin has returned to store shelves with a series of product, packaging and retail enhancements, Ilex Consumer Products Group announced last month.

The new packaging will target baby boomers on a low-dose aspirin regimen, as recommended by doctors, to help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. The new packaging copy calls out the need for the consumer to engage in an “Aspirin Regimen.”


The sun care segment is in the midst of some significant changes as, years after announcing its intent to improve the labeling of sunscreens, the Food and Drug Administration finally has issued new rules for OTC sunscreen products. For consumers, it should mean less confusion when buying products. For manufacturers, it will mean ensuring that they meet the new labeling and testing requirements.