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.

GOODRICH, N.D. — A new dairy-free milk product made from cold-pressed flax oil has made its debut.

Flaxmilk is a plant-based beverage that is enriched with vitamins A, D and B12, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. One 8-oz. serving of Flaxmilk contains 50 calories and provides as much calcium as cow's milk with zero cholesterol and zero trans fat, according to Flax USA, the make of Flaxmilk.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is partnering with the Skin Cancer Foundation to launch a healthy skin care campaign for the summer, the retail pharmacy chain announced Monday.

The campaign, which will last through July 26, will include free informational guides in all the chain’s stores and online, as well as promotions for skin care products and a national tour featuring free full-body skin cancer screenings by local dermatologists and advice from Rite Aid pharmacists.

SAN DIEGO — An investigational drug improved diabetes and lipid control in patients with partial lipodystrophy, according to a new study.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals announced Saturday results of a study of metreleptin, an analog of the human hormone leptin. Results of the study were presented at the 93rd annual meeting and expo of the Endocrine Society in Boston.

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.

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.