Retail Clinics

WASHINGTON Newt Gingrich, former House speaker and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, unveiled a new website on Wednesday -- HealthReformReport.com -- dedicated to providing “real facts, trusted analysis” with news about how the new federal healthcare law impacts individuals, doctors, businesses, hospitals, insurers and others.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. Abbott on Wednesday initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of certain Similac powder infant formulas in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean following an internal quality review, which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product, produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility.

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. Kaz, the maker of Vicks, Honeywell and Braun wellness devices, recently launched a new Facebook fan page named Cold and Flu Central, created to help inform families about some of the best defenses against colds and the flu.

The page includes doctor-approved tips, third-party expert advice and links, product giveaways, drug store availability information, discussions and polls.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. Sanofi-Aventis has tapped actors Paul and Mira Sorvino to launch an awareness program aimed to help people living with diabetes and those who support them.

The "Diabetes Co-Stars" program provides family and friends of diabetics with advice on lifestyle choices, healthy cooking, promoting physical activity and treatment options including insulin, Sanofi-Aventis said. DiabetesCoStars.com provides links to the Sanofi-Aventis diabetes social media pages, including Facebook and Twitter.

MUNDELEIN, Ill. Clinere Products on Tuesday announced the launch of its Clinere ear cleaners, with distribution through Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Meijer, H-E-B and Shopko.

MAULDIN, S.C. A regional supermarket chain is kicking off two new health-and-wellness initiatives, just in time for the upcoming flu season.

Bi-Lo announced Friday a seasonal flu vaccination program at its pharmacies, as well as a new prescription discount card. The seasonal flu vaccinations will cost $30 and are available at a discounted rate of $27 for customers that present their My Bi-Lo BonusCard, the retailer said.

TAMPA, Fla. Oragenics, a biopharmaceutical company, has announced that its oral care probiotics line, EvoraPlus, will be available at select Fred Meyer stores in September.

"We are pleased that Fred Meyer stores are among the growing number of retailers that have chosen to carry EvoraPlus oral care probiotics," stated Gerry David, EVP sales and marketing for Oragenics. "We are looking forward to the expanded distribution of our oral care probiotics across the northwestern portion of the United States through this relationship."

SACRAMENTO, Calif. California health officials and healthcare professionals are urging Californians to get vaccinated, as the state is on pace for the worst epidemic of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, in more than 50 years. The disease already has claimed the lives of nine infants in the state.