Retail Clinics

BASEL, Switzerland An investigative vaccine made by Novartis appears to offer good protection against meningococcal disease in infants, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

The Swiss drug maker said results of a phase-3 trial showed that Menveo (meningococcal group A, C, W135 and Y) induced immune responses in a high percentage of babies against four strains of the bacteria. Meningococcal disease occurs suddenly and can cause serious illness and often death during the first year of life.

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. Cirrus Healthcare Products recently announced the launch of ClearEars, earplugs that contain a polymer to draw water from the ears after water activities. Consumers with glue ear, a condition in which thick, sticky fluid collects behind the eardrum, discovered that ClearEars helps to alleviate this condition, the company said.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. In recognition of American Diabetes Month in November, MinuteClinic is offering complimentary A1c tests beginning Oct. 25 through Nov. 25, CVS Caremark has announced. The free tests, sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care, are available while supplies last.

ARDEE, Ireland The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive from Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said Friday.

The company said it plans to launch Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets) early next year. The company said the contraceptive contains the lowest dosage of estrogen — 10 micrograms — of any oral contraceptive currently available in the U.S. market.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. Drug maker Hospira has launched a generic treatment for bacterial infections, Hospira said Thursday.

The company, which specializes in generic injectables, announced the launch of piperacillin and tazobactam for injection. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer’s Zosyn.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $797 million during the 12-month period ended in August, according to IMS Health. Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, also launched its own version of the drug Thursday.

WASHINGTON Seven months after President Obama signed the massive health-reform bill into law, Americans remain deeply divided over the controversial overhaul and its potential benefits, a new poll from the Associated Press and the GfK Group revealed.

PRINCETON, N.J. A few days after it released a report on how awareness and education play an integral role in the prevention, detection and treatment of diabetes, Novo Nordisk is bringing it to the public.

PRINCETON, N.J. Sandoz has launched a generic antibiotic drug, the generics division of Swiss drug maker Novartis said Thursday.

Sandoz announced the launch of piperacillin and tazobactam for injection. The drug is used to treat moderate to severe infections of bacteria resistant to piperacillin alone but vulnerable to the combination of the two drugs.