Retail Clinics

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended expanded approval of a vaccine for genital warts.

Merck announced Wednesday that the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended approval of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) for males and females ages 9 to 26 years to prevent anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, both diseases that result from infection by the human papillomavirus.

NEW YORK — Drug maker Takeda Pharmaceuticals is launching a campaign to raise awareness of gastroesophageal reflux disease, the company said Tuesday.

Takeda created the website GetToKnowGERD.com to coincide with GERD Awareness Week, which takes place from Nov. 21 to 27. The company also is using the occasion to promote the GERD drug Dexilant (dexlansoprazole).

CHICAGO — A social media go-to-market strategy is fast becoming a must-have for companies these days, especially those companies operating in the healthcare arena. It’s no longer enough to push patient education out through a branded online page, not with the growing prominence of social media sites. Today, companies need to seed that education across Facebook and Twitter and/or actively engage bloggers and heavy users to successfully get that education out to the masses online.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — There is a direct correlation between the amount of a patient's out-of-pocket co-pay and prescription abandonment, according to the findings of a CVS Caremark-sponsored study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study also found that e-prescriptions are more likely to be abandoned at retail compared with handwritten prescriptions.

HAYWARD, Calif. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic treatment made by Impax for seasonal allergies, Impax said Tuesday.

The drug maker announced the approval of its generic version of Sanofi-Aventis’ Allegra-D (fexofenadine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) tablets in the 60-mg/120-mg strength.

MORRO BAY, Calif. — Elemental Herbs, a maker of organic, nature-based healing products, has developed the new Sun Stick sunscreen SPF 30, an organic, zinc sunscreen in a stick applicator.

In addition to the protection of zinc, which goes on clear, the Sun Stick formula also includes certified organic oils, including jojoba, coconut and avocado. The sunscreen offers broad UVA/UVB protection and is chemical-free and coral-reef-safe.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Humana and Wal-Mart Stores on Monday announced that Mary Lee Reinscheld became the first Medicare beneficiary to sign up for the new Humana Walmart-Preferred Rx Plan at one of the Humana informational kiosks available in approximately 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide.

Reinscheld signed her Humana application at Walmart store No. 1170 here as the annual enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries, including seniors and people with disabilities, got under way.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug for use in adolescents.

British drug maker Shire announced Monday the approval of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules for patients aged 13 to 17. The drug was already approved for children ages 6 years to 12 years and adults.