Retail Clinics

BASEL, Switzerland An investigative vaccine made by Novartis appears to offer good protection against meningococcal disease in infants, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

The Swiss drug maker said results of a phase-3 trial showed that Menveo (meningococcal group A, C, W135 and Y) induced immune responses in a high percentage of babies against four strains of the bacteria. Meningococcal disease occurs suddenly and can cause serious illness and often death during the first year of life.

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. Cirrus Healthcare Products recently announced the launch of ClearEars, earplugs that contain a polymer to draw water from the ears after water activities. Consumers with glue ear, a condition in which thick, sticky fluid collects behind the eardrum, discovered that ClearEars helps to alleviate this condition, the company said.

NEW ORLEANS Opening another front in its long campaign to extend electronic prescribing and health information technology throughout the United States, e-prescribing platform provider Surescripts said Monday that it will expand its nationwide e-prescribing network to accelerate the digital transformation of the nation’s healthcare system by enabling the electronic exchange of all types of clinical information.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. In recognition of American Diabetes Month in November, MinuteClinic is offering complimentary A1c tests beginning Oct. 25 through Nov. 25, CVS Caremark has announced. The free tests, sponsored by Bayer Diabetes Care, are available while supplies last.

ATLANTA The rate of diabetes among Americans is on an upswing and likely will reach epic proportions by 2050, costing the government millions.

ARDEE, Ireland The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new contraceptive from Warner Chilcott, the drug maker said Friday.

The company said it plans to launch Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets, ethinyl estradiol tablets and ferrous fumarate tablets) early next year. The company said the contraceptive contains the lowest dosage of estrogen — 10 micrograms — of any oral contraceptive currently available in the U.S. market.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. Drug maker Hospira has launched a generic treatment for bacterial infections, Hospira said Thursday.

The company, which specializes in generic injectables, announced the launch of piperacillin and tazobactam for injection. The drug is a generic version of Pfizer’s Zosyn.

Various versions of the drug had sales of $797 million during the 12-month period ended in August, according to IMS Health. Sandoz, the generics division of Novartis, also launched its own version of the drug Thursday.

WASHINGTON Seven months after President Obama signed the massive health-reform bill into law, Americans remain deeply divided over the controversial overhaul and its potential benefits, a new poll from the Associated Press and the GfK Group revealed.