HEALTH

SCARSDALE, N.Y. — HungerShield recently expanded its diet aid, adding an iced tea flavor. 

"We developed this new flavor because while customers love the original taste of lemon-lime HungerShield, the iced tea version offers the option of a slightly sweeter, less tart variety in a refreshing flavor most people love," said Dafna Chazin, HungerShield co-founder. "We believe that we will be pleasing thousands of current and new customers everywhere with this new, delicious alternative.”

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — O'Connor Companies' new product GoGargle! was named Best New Product last week at the ECRM Cough-Cold, Analgesics and Allergy meeting. GoGargle! is an effervescent salt gargle that soothes and moisturizes dry and irritated throats in a new way. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration will host a public meeting in March to discuss updating the OTC monograph system, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. 

According to the report, the FDA will consider improving the agency's ability to initiate label changes quickly, allowing for faster innovation from manufacturers and imposing new pediatric dosing limits based on the most recent science. 

ATLANTA — Only one-third of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 have gotten their flu shot this season, which is a contributing factor to why this year's flu activity has hit young adults particularly hard, according to Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions and Walgreens earlier this week teamed up to tackle the flu in Detroit Public Schools. On Feb. 25 Walgreens, the official health and wellness partner of the Detroit Lions, will give Detroit Lions Academy students flu immunizations.

Students who choose to get flu immunizations will have the opportunity to participate in a Playworks recess session that includes special guest Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell.

Families — parents and siblings — of students are also welcome to receive complimentary flu immunizations.

CINCINNATI — Comedian Larry the Cable Guy has teamed up with Prilosec OTC to show racing fans that “You Can’t Beat Zero” by offering them great “Zero Experiences” at two top stock car races and a chance at winning Prilosec OTC’s hottest wheels: a “monster” utility vehicle.

FERNDALE, Mich. — Ferndale Healthcare recently announced a three-year partnership on behalf of its RectiCare (lidocaine 5%) Anorectal Cream brand and the Colon Cancer Alliance. This nonprofit corporation is the nation’s leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to increasing colon cancer screening rates and survivorship.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on Tuesday voted 25-to-9 to make pseudoephedrine a Schedule IV prescription drug and exempt medicines that can’t easily be diverted to methamphetamine, according to published reports. A similar bill is being considered by the West Virginia House of Delegates.

According to reports, the two exceptions to the prescription-only requirement would include Acura Pharmaceuticals' Nexafed and Westport Pharmaceuticals' Zephrex-D.