Retail Clinics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer has launched a chainwide effort to position its pharmacy staff as diabetes specialists.

The announcement was made by Effie Steele, the chain's clinical services manager.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and Direct Relief USA teamed up to provide free flu vaccinations at a flu shot clinic held Thursday in Dallas at Healing Hands Ministries Medical & Dental Clinic.

CHADDS FORD, Pa. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Endo Pharmaceuticals for high blood pressure.

Endo announced Wednesday the approval of felodipine extended-release tablets in the 2.5-mg, 5-mg and 10-mg strengths. Endo's generic drugs division, Qualitest Pharmaceuticals, will manufacture and distribute the product.

The drug is a generic version of AstraZeneca's Plendil extended-release tablets. Felodipine had sales of about $84 million during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future will host the Promise of Nursing for South Carolina gala to raise funds and provide scholarships to help ease the nursing shortage in South Carolina.

BOSTON — Employee wellness experts from Babcock & Wilcox, Caesars Entertainment and others spoke to the synergies that such a company as Walgreens' Take Care Health Systems can create across their health management strategies during a panel discussion here last week at the National Conference on Health, Productivity and Human Capital hosted by the National Business Group on Health.

Representing businesses that collectively employ more than 120,000 workers, the panelists discussed a number of emerging themes in employer-sponsored health care, including:

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Hope Paige Medical has introduced a new line of short message, service-enabled medical jewelry that is designed to quickly provide patients' medical information via text message.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. — ProPhase Labs on Tuesday launched the Cold-Eeze oral spray, which is formulated with zinc gluconate to help reduce the severity and duration of the common cold.

NEW YORK — New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and health commissioner Thomas Farley received their seasonal flu vaccine on Saturday at a Duane Reade pharmacy in the Bronx, demonstrating the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Every year, New Yorkers lose their lives to the flu, and a flu shot is the single most important protection against getting sick and spreading the flu to others,” Bloomberg said. “I urge everyone to go to their doctor, local health clinic or pharmacy and get a flu shot as soon as they can.”