HEALTH

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Patients with one or more out of four chronic diseases studied who take their medications as prescribed may save the healthcare system as much as $7,800 per patient annually, according to findings of a new CVS Caremark study analyzing annual pharmacy and medical costs over a three-year period.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Bayer Diabetes’ Contour USB, pictured here at CVS, may be ideal for those tech-savvy boomers just learning they have diabetes. 

The monitor takes a blood-glucose reading at one end and can be inserted into the USB port of either a home computer or the laptop in the doctor’s office.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Church & Dwight on Tuesday morning unveiled its latest personal massager — Trojan Vibrating Twister — at the Consumer Electronics Show. Also showcased at the electronics show was Trojan BareSkin, the thinnest condom in brand history, Trojan Vibrating Pulse personal massager and Trojan Ecstasy Fire & Ice condoms with personal lubricants on both the interior and exterior of the condom.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition’s "Life…supplemented" team on Wednesday hosted the “Power Hour of Wellness Featuring Hungry Girl and Friends," a 60-minute streamed panel featuring diet, exercise and supplement experts.

EL PASO, Texas — Helen of Troy Limited last month entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire the business of Kaz for $260 million in cash, subject to certain closing working capital and other adjustments. Kaz manages the Vicks and Braun brand names under license from Procter & Gamble, Honeywell under license from Honeywell and its owned brands, Stinger, SoftHeat and Kaz. Kaz sales for the ensuing 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2011, are expected to exceed $400 million, Helen of Troy stated.

WASHINGTON — The Food Marketing Institute and the Grocery Manufacturers Association on Wednesday announced their support for a research study about how consumers use brand websites and how the use of these websites impacts shoppers’ in-store buying behavior.

HONOLULU — Hisamitsu America earlier this week announced the release of two videos featuring an Obama look-alike applying Salonpas to ease the aches and pains of a “presidential magnitude.”

Hisamitsu noted it may be the first pharma company to use a parody of President Obama in its advertising, a controversial factor that should help generate a buzz around the videos.

DENVER — Looking to inspire weight loss among consumers, a maker of weight-management products is kicking off a new multiplatform marketing campaign.

Centered around Atkins' free weight-loss kit — which includes the quick-start guide, chef recipe booklet, sample two-week induction meal plan, pocket carb counter with acceptable foods lists, $3 book rebate for the bestselling "The New Atkins for a New You" and three free Atkins bars — the new campaign will include advertising, online initiatives and a unique chef recipe program.