INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

NEW YORK — As patients face higher out-of-pocket costs for drugs and more complex treatment plans, they expect greater focus on their needs, like they would get from retail, which creates new opportunities for drug manufacturers, according to a new report from PwC.

A proposed rule from the Food and Drug Administration would effectively eliminate artificial trans fats from foods in the United States by classifying partially hydrogenated oils as unsafe food additives and thus permitting them only in certain cases.

The Senate this past week heard legislation that would reverse the provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandating a prescription on the sale of an over-the-counter medicine being paid for through a flexible spending account. All those in the retail pharmacy industry are staunch supporters of the legislation. 

WASHINGTON — The retail industry added 37,600 jobs in October, and 295,000 year-over-year, according to a new report by a retail industry trade group.

Analysing numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Retail Federation said the increase represented 2.4% boost over 2012, and every sector of retail added jobs except clothing retailers, which lost 12,500 jobs. Overall, according to the BLS, the economy added 204,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate was 7.3%.

INDIANAPOLIS — Many physicians in Asia say more information on managing Type 2 diabetes is needed, according to a new poll.

HAIFA, Israel — Patients ages 20 years to 29 years and those in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., have the worst medication adherence in the country, according to an analysis by a company that markets an app for improving adherence.

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Negative experiences in one shopping channel can influence consumers' perceptions of other channels too, according to a new survey.

The survey, "Holiday 2013: Top Trends to Watch," commissioned by Kronos and conducted online by Harris Interactive, found that 68% of Americans report that a negative experience in one channel can influence how they perceive physical stores, online, mobile, phone centers and catalogs. The survey was conducted from Sept. 26-30 among 2,003 adults.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Half of people with diabetes feel overwhelmed in managing their disease and diet, according to a new survey conducted by Meijer.