HEALTH

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.”

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. 

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Monday announced that it has served nearly 400,000 children through its partnership with Vitamin Angels. Donations have added up to $98,000 since the start of the partnership in 2004, enough money to serve more than 395,000 people.      

Abraham Lincoln is said to once have quipped: “It's not me who can't keep a secret. It's the people I tell that can't.”

But secret-keeping in business is no joke. According to Symantec, theft and misappropriation of trade secrets, customer lists and other intellectual assets is estimated to cost U.S. businesses $250 billion annually.

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.

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. 

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.

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.”