HEALTH

CHPA commends California for packaging law clarification on the use of excess container capacity
WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Tuesday commended California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing S.B. 465 into law, which clarifies the current state law on the use of empty space between the product and excess container capacity, commonly referred to as “nonfunctional slack fill.”
The 10 products you may have missed at Natural Products Expo East
BALTIMORE — DSN visited the Baltimore Convention Center last week to check out the Natural Products Expo East. DSN reviews its top 10 new products from the show.

The products identified below all have curb appeal, meaning they look like they'd fit in on a mass merchant's shelf and may serve a niche customer base that's shopping food, drug and mass outlets but not buying these specialty items, necessarily.

Health insurance information to be made available on SoloHealth kiosks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — SoloHealth and eHealth, parent company of eHealthInsurance, on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership to help expand consumer awareness and enrollment in individual, family and Medicare health insurance plans.

The partnership makes eHealth’s plan selection and comparison tools available, in selected geographies, to many of the more than 130,000 people who use the SoloHealth Stations every day across America. SoloHealth Station users will be able to explore their health insurance options via eHealthInsurance.com.
HDMA re-elects chair and vice chair, names two new board members

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Healthcare Distribution Management Association on Tuesday announced the re-election of David Neu, president of AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. as chairman of its board of directors. Ted Scherr, president and CEO of Dakota Drug, also was re-elected as vice chairman.

Additionally, HDMA welcomed two members to the Board. Mark Walchirk, president of McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical, was elected to replace Paul Julian, EVP and group president of McKesson Corporation, on the board and executive committee.
Advil named 'Official Pain Reliever of the NHL'

NEW YORK — Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and the National Hockey League on Monday announced Advil as the Official Partner and the Official Pain Reliever of the NHL and the 30 NHL athletic trainers in North America for the 2013-14 season. Under the agreement, Advil is also an Official Partner and the Official Pain Reliever of the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.
Nutrisystem announces sponsorship of American Diabetes Association's annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — Nutrisystem on Monday announced it will sponsor and have more than 100 employees and their families, including CEO Dawn Zier and new Nutrisystem ambassador, Andy Baldwin, join the company at the American Diabetes Association's annual Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Philadelphia. On Oct. 5, Baldwin will walk with Zier and Fort Washington-based Nutrisystem employees as part of the company's ongoing commitment to support the fight against diabetes.
New York passes legislation restricting sale of DXM to adults 18 years and older

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday signed legislation to prohibit pharmacies and stores from selling dextromethorphan to any person younger than 18 years unless they have a prescription.

“This legislation will combat the growing trend of DXM abuse by preventing young people from easily purchasing products that contain DXM,” Cuomo stated. “The overuse of this drug can lead to terrible consequences, so by limiting access to this substance, this new law will prevent tragedies and protect the health of our children.”
ScriptPro integrates products with meth-precursor-tracking system

MISSION, Kan. — ScriptPro's Central Pharmacy Management System Point of Sale can now interface with a real-time system for tracking and controlling OTC products that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.

ScriptPro said its system now interfaces with the Appriss National Precursor Log Exchange system, currently used by pharmacies and law enforcement agencies in 22 states to track products like pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy remedies. ScriptPro said the interface eliminates the need to keep a manual log to document sales of the products.
Clif Bar introduces pecan pie seasonal flavor

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar introduced its newest seasonal flavor, pecan pie. Pecan pie brings together nuts and spices to create a traditional, nostalgic flavor reminiscent of the holidays. Made with organic ingredients specifically chosen by athletes and foodies in the Clif Kitchen, the recipe delivers nutrition for sustained energy, the company stated.
FortiFX, celebrity chef Robert Irvine unveil new baked protein bars

PITTSBURGH — Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, along with nutritional products brand FortiFX, is pleased to announce the debut of a new line of six-layer baked meal-replacement bars — Fit Crunch Baked Bars — which are high in protein and low in sugar without compromising taste and texture.