Retail Clinics

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Watson Pharmaceuticals generic drug for treating high blood pressure, Watson said Friday.

The company announced the FDA approval of amlodipine besylate and benazepril capsules in the 5/20-mg, 10/20-mg, 2.5/10-mg and 5/10-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Lotrel. Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of around $1.05 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

NEW YORK More young adults, particularly young women, are being hospitalized for diabetes-related issues, according to a new study.

The study — published online in the Oct. 12 edition of Journal of Women's Health, led by Joyce Lee of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and colleagues — evaluated hospital discharges with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 1993 and 2006.

SALT LAKE CITY Identigene on Thursday officially unveiled its Identigene STD test kit, which currently is available over the counter at Rite Aid.

Purchasers of the Identigene STD test kit can receive a highly accurate test result for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the more popular sexually transmitted diseases, within two to three business days of receipt of a urine specimen by the Identigene laboratory.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. A report by the New England Healthcare Institute that addressed the role of care teams in improving medication adherence among patients has received support from the charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

SAN JOSE, Calif. A&D Medical on Wednesday introduced three new wireless telehealth and wellness devices featuring ANT technology.

A&D Medical's monitoring devices with ANT wireless technology are essential feedback components for wellness coaching and health tracking, the company stated. Suitable for Web-based employee health programs, disease management, prevention programs and consumer wellness solutions, A&D Medical's ANT devices enable a richer, more data-driven experience for both program administrators and end users.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway pharmacies in California are responding to the state's whooping cough (pertussis) emergency and now are offering Adacel, a booster vaccine for people ages 11 through 64 years, the grocer announced Wednesday.

The Adacel vaccine is available at all Safeway, Vons and Pavilions pharmacies on a walk-in basis, the company stated.

BALTIMORE, Md. Lupin Pharmaceuticals received regulatory approval last week for its generic antihypertensive agents, the drug maker said.

Lupin was granted final approval for hydrochlorothiazide-losartan potassium and losartan potassium, the generic versions of Merck's Hyzaar and Cozaar.

Hyzaar and Cozaar had combined annual sales of approximately $1.6 billion in the United States, based on IMS sales data for the 12 months ended in June.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., and PORTLAND, Ore. Two health insurers in the northwest are taking steps to change the dynamics of preventive health reimbursement and broaden the role pharmacies play in flu vaccination efforts.

The two plans, Premera Blue Cross of Washington state and LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, have announced new programs that both plans said will “remove barriers to care by providing improved access to common immunizations at pharmacies.”