Retail Clinics

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is looking to curb the growing national epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse, according to a plan unveiled Tuesday.

Elements of the plan include expansion of state-based prescription drug monitoring programs, recommendation of convenient and environmentally responsible drug-disposal methods, education and reduction of doctor shopping.

BOSTON — InhalerWear on Tuesday announced its launch of a neoprene cover for inhalers that will help make carrying around an inhaler “trendy and cool” to children and teenagers. The new inhaler can be clipped to a backpack, purse or belt loop.

"We started InhalerWear because we knew the challenge facing parents was not in getting their kids to use their inhaler, but to get them to carry their inhalers with them at all times,” stated co-founder Rob Fiore.

NEW YORK — Consumers that seek timely and detailed information about product recalls look to multiple resources, according to a new Deloitte survey.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A letter educating healthcare providers regarding a drug-drug interaction between prescription anticlotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel) and a proton-pump inhibitor has resulted in a reduction in the number of patients combining the two therapies, according to a new study by Prime Therapeutics released Monday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Takeda Pharmaceutical has launched a new treatment for high blood pressure, the company said Friday.

Takeda announced the launch of Edarbi (azilsartan medoxomil), which the Food and Drug Administration approved on Feb. 25 as a once-daily pill for hypertension.

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. — A Native American tribal clinic in Redding, Calif., that fills some 300 prescriptions per day has adopted a pharmacy automation system made by Innovation, the company said Friday.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is participating in a new docudrama that debuts on Animal Planet beginning Friday at 9 p.m., the agency announced earlier this week.

Animal Planet has ordered six episodes of the new series “Killer Outbreaks.” Each episode features potentially deadly viruses and includes commentary from CDC experts and victims of the outbreaks. "Killer Outbreaks" began production in March 2010, and in total, producers interviewed 43 subject matter experts from across the agency.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. ­— The Little Clinic has announced the appointment of Kenneth Patric as its new chief medical officer, providing medical oversight and management, and overseeing the development and implementation, of new clinical programs and initiatives for The Little Clinic on a national level.