Allergy

In contrast to the most recent cough-cold season, which was characterized by a relative lack of upper respiratory illnesses, pharmacy shoppers with itchy eyes, runny noses and audible sneezes have been back in force this spring in search of allergy relief. And those patients are gravitating toward the OTC aisle for their seasonal allergy needs now that the last of the second-generation antihistamines was made available without a prescription a year ago. 


BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — A company that makes an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions is marking the 15th annual Food Allergy Awareness Week.

Mylan Specialty, a division of drug maker Mylan, said it would support various initiatives to raise awareness of life-threatening food allergies during the special week, which started Sunday and ends Saturday. Mylan Specialty is the maker of EpiPen (epinephrine), used to treat anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can occur quickly and without warning.

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the maker of Zyrtec, on Wednesday announced that actress Kate Walsh and beauty expert Rebekah George will address "allergy face" — the beauty challenges that can come along with typical allergy symptoms — during a live webcast April 10 at 8 p.m. EST on Ustream, a live interactive broadcast platform.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering new coupon booklets and other services to help customers make it through allergy season, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

A mild winter may be setting the stage for a particularly strong spring allergy season for sufferers allergic to tree pollens and mold. The incidence of seasonal allergy has been soft of late, but IMS Health is predicting a significant uptick in allergy sufferers in the coming months.

JERUSALEM — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Teva for treating allergies, the company said Monday.

Teva announced the approval of Qnasl (beclomethasone dipropionate) for seasonal and year-round nasal allergies in patients ages 12 years and older. The company said the drug, a "dry" nasal aerosol, would become available next month.

EL MONTE, Calif. — Optics Lab has kicked off a new consumer campaign in support of its OcuFresh Eye Wash product, the company announced Tuesday.

The product, which helps flush out such eye irritants as pollen, dust and smoke, will be featured across the "Mommy Blog" circuit and in such print publications as Prevention, Redbook and Allergies Today.

The company also is circulating a 15-second spot featured on YouTube here.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal has bought a line of homeopathic nasal spray products from Dynova Labs, the company said Thursday.

Hi-Tech announced the acquisition of Sinus Buster and Allergy Buster for $1.25 million and an addition $1.25 million that it will deposit in an escrow account. The company also will pay Dynova a royalty on net sales for up to three and a half years or up to $1.75 million. The products, which Hi-Tech will sell through its Health Care Products over-the-counter division, had sales of $3.3 million in 2011.