HEALTH

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Thursday created an infographic that depicts the dietary supplement consumer based on the association's annual survey.

CRN’s mission behind this infographic was to provide an easily accessible – and easy to understand – resource with key data from the 2013 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, CRN stated.

PHILADELPHIA — Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome typically have widespread chronic pain and fatigue. For those with low vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplements can reduce pain and may be a cost-effective alternative or adjunct to other treatment, reported researchers in the current issue of Pain.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday expressed its support behind the Diabetic Testing Supply Access Act (S. 1935). 

The legislation would allow independent community pharmacies to provide same-day delivery of diabetes testing supplies to Medicare beneficiaries and was introduced by Senss Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and John Thune, R-S.D. 

Since July 1, 2013 community pharmacies have been banned from delivering DTS to beneficiaries, including those who are homebound or in long-term care or assisted living facilities. 

WASHINGTON — A survey released by the National Consumers League found that more than 1-in-5 (22%) U.S. parents surveyed admitted they’ve never received a flu shot, and only half (53%) of parents with children ages 17 years and younger have received a flu vaccination within the last year. 

CHICAGO — Giving an infant a probiotic during the first three months of life appears to reduce the onset of gastrointestinal disorders and result in lower associated costs, according to a study by Flavia Indrio of the Aldo Moro University of Bari, Italy, that was released earlier this week. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued a warning that some cryogenic wart removers — which remove warts from the skin by freezing them off — have caught fire during use at home, harming consumers or setting fire to items around the house.

Since 2009, FDA has received 14 such reports about over-the-counter wart remover products. Ten patients have described singed hair, blisters, burns or skin redness, the agency stated.

WASHINGTON — An analysis released Tuesday by the Trust for America's Health found that only 35.7% of adults ages 18 to 64 years got the flu shot last season. By comparison, 56.6% of children ages 6 months to 17 years old and 66.2% of seniors were vaccinated.  

"The trend of low vaccination rates among younger adults is particularly troubling this year, when they are more at risk than usual for the effects of the H1N1 strain of flu that's circulating," stated Jeffrey Levi, executive director of TFAH.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday recommended healthcare professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit.