A new vaccine against pneumococcal disease appears as safe as an older one, according to a new study.

As many as 58% of consumers are likely to purchase beauty services — such as manicures or brow shaping — at a drug store on an independent visit or while waiting for a prescription to be filled, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. And of those likely to use services, 55% indicated they would fill a prescription at a pharmacy that they wouldn't typically use if not for the beauty services.

AccentHealth found that more than half of viewers make personal product purchases when filling a prescription at the pharmacy, according to an online survey of almost 700 AccentHealth viewers conducted in April. There is opportunity for growth as 7-out-of-10 consumers indicated that they are likely to purchase beauty and hygiene products when filling a prescription in the future.

Impax Labs has launched an authorized generic drug for migraine headaches under a partnership with AstraZeneca, Impax said.

A subsidiary of drug maker Mylan is sponsoring a campaign to draw attention to severe allergic reactions.

Nordic Naturals now is offering Pro EPA Elite, a powerful EPA-only concentrate available without a prescription, the company stated.

The prevalence of chronic diseases, increased demand for patient care and failure of many patients to take their medications as prescribed calls for an increased role in the healthcare system for pharmacists, according to a national organization of pharmacies.

More evidence is emerging that interventions by pharmacists can have a profound beneficial effect on patient outcomes.

The latest example comes from Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, which released the results of a study May 17 showing that more than two-thirds of patients with hepatitis C “achieved sustained virologic response or cure after completing newer ‘triple therapy’ treatment” backed up by a regimen of care and oversight by pharmacists, according to a Drug Store News report from senior editor Michael Johnsen.

Why the pharmacist interventions? They help improve patient compliance with the complicated drug therapy, which involves the administration of two newer protease inhibitors to prevent the HCV virus from reproducing, in combination with peginterferon and ribavirin. According to Johnsen, that powerful medicinal cocktail “significantly increased the cure rate and cut treatment time in half” for the 406 HCV patients in the study who received triple therapy with either telaprevir or boceprevir.

Energizer Personal Care, which makes Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic brand sunscreens, has teamed up with the Skin Cancer Foundation to launch a public awareness campaign featuring Los Angeles Galaxy and Team USA soccer player Landon Donovan.

The makers of LifeStyles condoms announced the release of the latest innovation to the studded condom category with the debut of the new Fun Bumps condom.

Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, has made a “founder’s gift” of $100,000 to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Foundation to help further nurse practitioner education by supporting the Foundation’s Scholarship and Grant Fund.