Retail Clinics

REUS, Spain New research has found a Mediterranean diet can cut the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50% in nondiabetics with high cardiovascular risk.

The study was conducted by Jordi Salas-Salvado and colleagues and published online in the Oct. 7 edition of Diabetes Care. This is the first randomized clinical trial to look specifically at use of the Mediterranean diet for the prevention of diabetes, the investigators said.

NEW YORK More young adults, particularly young women, are being hospitalized for diabetes-related issues, according to a new study.

The study — published online in the Oct. 12 edition of Journal of Women's Health, led by Joyce Lee of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and colleagues — evaluated hospital discharges with a primary or secondary diagnosis of diabetes from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 1993 and 2006.

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. A local Blue Cross chapter has gained national recognition for its pilot diabetes program.

Anthem Blue Cross' health equities pilot is 1-of-7 programs recognized this year with a Best of Blue Clinical Distinction Award, an award developed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the Harvard Medical School department of healthcare policy, Anthem Blue Cross said.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Watson Pharmaceuticals generic drug for treating high blood pressure, Watson said Friday.

The company announced the FDA approval of amlodipine besylate and benazepril capsules in the 5/20-mg, 10/20-mg, 2.5/10-mg and 5/10-mg strengths.

The drug is a generic version of Novartis’ Lotrel. Branded and generic versions of the drug had sales of around $1.05 billion during the 12-month period ended in June, according to IMS Health.

PITTSBURGH The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs by Mylan for treating hypertension, Mylan said Friday.

The company announced the approval of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in the 50/12.5-mg and 100/25-mg strengths, and losartan potassium tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths, generic versions of Merck’s Hyzaar and Cozaar, respectively. Mylan began marketing its version of Hyzaar in the 100/12.5-mg strength in April.

SALT LAKE CITY Identigene on Thursday officially unveiled its Identigene STD test kit, which currently is available over the counter at Rite Aid.

Purchasers of the Identigene STD test kit can receive a highly accurate test result for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the more popular sexually transmitted diseases, within two to three business days of receipt of a urine specimen by the Identigene laboratory.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash., and PORTLAND, Ore. Two health insurers in the northwest are taking steps to change the dynamics of preventive health reimbursement and broaden the role pharmacies play in flu vaccination efforts.

The two plans, Premera Blue Cross of Washington state and LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, have announced new programs that both plans said will “remove barriers to care by providing improved access to common immunizations at pharmacies.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. A report by the New England Healthcare Institute that addressed the role of care teams in improving medication adherence among patients has received support from the charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.