Retail Clinics

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday morning unveiled the nine graphic health warnings mandated by the Food and Drug Administration to appear on every pack of cigarettes sold in the United States and in every cigarette advertisement.

The warnings represent the most significant changes to cigarette labels in more than 25 years and will affect everything from packaging to advertisements. The warnings are required to be placed on all cigarette packs, cartons and ads no later than September 2012.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved the first generic versions of an antibiotic designed to treat certain infections in people ages 18 years and older.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Elisa Technologies recently announced that its EZ Gluten test kit has earned Performance-Tested Methods certification from the AOAC Research Institute, a private, not-for-profit association that helps establish testing standards.

EZ Gluten was developed to help the food industry and consumers detect gluten in food and beverages, and delivers results in about 15 minutes. The kit is sensitive enough to detect levels of gluten as low as 10 parts per million.

NEW YORK — A new study recently estimated that 5.9 million children in the United States suffer from a food allergy.

The study, published in the July issue of Pediatrics, also found that children with a tree nut or peanut allergy tend to have the most severe reactions, with nearly 39% of children ages 18 years and younger surveyed saying they had a severe or life-threatening allergy. Additionally, more than 30% of children surveyed said they suffered from multiple food allergies.

The study was funded by the Food Allergy Initiative.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday informed the public that continued use of a Type 2 diabetes treatment made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals for more than one year may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

ATLANTA — Many adults across the United States opted to visit their local drug store or supermarket to receive their flu shot during the 2010-2011 influenza season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Little Busy Bodies has introduced its latest Boogie Wipes product line that caters to adults' dry, chapped noses.

Saline Soothers are designed to provide adults with a more comfortable alternative to dry tissues, the company said. Little Busy Bodies entered the mucus management market in 2007 with Boogie Wipes, designed just for kids.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A popular Type 2 diabetes treatment may help Type 1 diabetics achieve control of their blood-glucose levels, according to a small, observational study conducted at the University of Buffalo.