Retail Clinics

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The White House on Friday held a roundtable discussion with approximately two dozen leaders across the public safety, healthcare and technology sectors to address how health information technology can help limit prescription drug abuse, the National Community Pharmacists Association noted in a release on Monday.

The main focus was how data from prescription drug monitoring programs can better facilitate prescribing, be incorporated into pharmacies and be leveraged in emergency rooms, the association stated.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The gold standard long-term glucose monitoring test for patients with diabetes proved to be of limited value in dialysis patients, according to a new study at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center released Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the flu vaccine for the 2011-2012 season protect against the same strains as it did this year.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended that the vaccine will protect those immunized against H1N1, H3N2 and a type of influenza-B virus, the same formulation as this past season's vaccine.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic locations are offering a free diabetes monitoring package this summer, the company announced on Friday.

The monitoring package administered by a MinuteClinic practitioner includes hemoglobin A1C and blood glucose tests, a blood pressure check, body mass index, cholesterol test, comprehensive foot exam and microalbumin test (kidney function check). The practitioner also will conduct a review of lifestyle factors and give immediate results and recommendations.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is enhancing its hepatitis C patient support program following the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of two new add-on therapies for hepatitis C, the company announced on Friday.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — To celebrate Men's Health Month, Sam's Club is offering free men's health screening tests this weekend at select stores, which will be sponsored by Unilever brands, including Dove Men's deodorant and body wash.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — A survey conducted on behalf of The Vitamin Shoppe and released Wednesday found that 60% of adults currently take a vitamin or supplement.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is investigating a possible link between a class of birth control pills and a higher risk of blood clots in the women taking them, the agency said.