Pharmacy Technology

ALEXANDRIA, Va. In another bid to boost the standing of pharmacists in a changing healthcare system, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores urged a leading healthcare think-tank and advocacy group to adopt health quality standards that include a broader role for retail pharmacy professionals.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Mobile shoppers will account for nearly one-third of the money spent this holiday season by U.S. consumers, according to IDC Retail Insights.

NEW YORK NYC New York Color, a Coty brand, is gearing up for spring 2011 with the launch of several new products for eyes, lips and face.

NYC New York Color has revamped its line of mascaras and developed specific formulas and brushes to lift, lengthen, volumize or curl lashes. New products include:

• Sky Rise lengthening mascara ($1.99) with Lift and Stretch technology;

• City Curls curling mascara ($2.99) with new Curl Xpress technology;

FLINT, Mich. Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy has promoted Steven Miesowicz to VP human resources, planning and government relations, the company said Monday.

Miesowicz previously served as the company’s senior director for human resources and as a business management consultant. He had a large role in securing the Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit that the company received in connection with the relocation to its new Flint, Mich., headquarters.

YORK, Pa. Lifestyle Foods is helping consumers curb their daily calorie intake without sacrificing taste.

Lifestyle Foods' chilled grab-and-go line of products pairs together soups, including chicken noodle, vegetarian vegetable and tomato basil varieties, with either Caesar or garden salads, accompanied by light Caesar, ranch or Italian dressings. Lifestyle Foods also offers an oatmeal kit, complemented by fresh apple, raisins and turbinado sugar.

NEW YORK Toys continue to dominate wish lists this holiday season, according to a new poll by Harris Interactive.

Of 3,084 U.S. adults surveyed online between Oct. 11 and 18, 53% of respondents said that they plan to purchase toys as gifts this year. What's more, nearly 3-out-of-4 consumers in a household with children (73%) said they will purchase toys as gifts this year.

Topping the toys list this year includes books (43%), video games (32%) and board games (32%). Top gift picks also include:

GURNEE, Ill. EcoTools is brushing up on its cosmetic accessories.

The eco-friendly bath and beauty products maker announced the availability of three brand-new cosmetic brushes and two revised brush sets, which now can be purchased at Ulta and Walgreens.

New to the EcoTools collection are:

• The bamboo Minishing Kabuki ($6.99), which has varying hair lengths to provide a sheer, delicate finish that is soft on skin;

SKILLMAN, N.J. Aveeno, a Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Co. brand, has developed new products and teamed up with the National Eczema Association to educate sufferers of the common condition in preparation for the cold and dry winter months when dry skin is most common.

Roughly 35 million people in the United States suffer from eczema, a chronic skin disorder resulting in intense itching and overall discomfort. Eczema also is among the top five skin conditions for babies zero to 36 months, with 10% to 20% of all infants experiencing some form of eczema.