Retail Clinics

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced that the only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the United States no longer will be available as of Dec. 31 as part of an international agreement to stop the use of substances that damage the environment.

NEW YORK — While several drugs to treat Type 2 diabetes are on the market, researchers have found that the best first-line option is metformin.

Led by Wendy Bennett, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, researchers reviewed 140 trials and 26 observational studies of head-to-head comparisons of monotherapy or combination therapy that reported intermediate or long-term clinical outcomes or harms of six oral diabetes medications.

NEW YORK — Following reports of additional reactor failures at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility, natural health stores in Hawaii, Oregon and California rapidly are selling out of potassium iodide (KI) pills, a potassium supplement that can help protect the thyroid gland from radiation poisoning, FOXnews.com reported Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Beginning in mid-March, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour will embark on another 10-month tour to provide an expected $14 million worth of free health tests.

WASHINGTON — A lawmaker from New York has introduced legislation designed to combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Keep Antibiotics Working, a Chicago-based organization, praised the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, introduced by Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Carex Health Brands is expanding its line of in-home health products by bringing its Easy-Up bed rail to the market.

The bed rail, a patented 2-in-1 bed support and safety rail, is designed for comfort and functionality, ensuring that all users will continue to carry on daily life with confidence and ease, Carex said.

Carex's Easy-Up bed rail will be available at select retailers, independent pharmacies and drug stores across the country for a suggested retail price of $89.99.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Tris Pharma for a drug to treat allergies in children ages 2 years and older, Tris said Wednesday.

Tris said that if approved, its carbinoxamine extended-release oral suspension would provide an alternative to currently available immediate-release formulations.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Clinic is slated to open eight new locations in three markets.

The clinics will open in Target stores in the Twin Cities, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale-Davie areas by the end of July, bringing the total clinic count to 44. The first new Target Clinic location opened March 2 in Minnesota.

Target said expanding its clinic business will increase access to healthcare services.