Retail Clinics

SILVER SPRING, Md. The Food and Drug Administration has moved to significantly restrict access to a controversial diabetes drug made by GlaxoSmithKline.

The agency said Thursday that it would restrict access to the Type 2 diabetes medication Avandia (rosiglitazone) in response to clinical study data suggesting that its use can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

SAN RAMON, Calif. The Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards announced Wednesday that the group is making significant changes to its Eligible Products List — a list of over-the-counter products eligible for reimbursement under flexible spending accounts — in response to IRS guidance issued earlier this month.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. Retail clinic operator Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, has opened two new clinics in the Houston area, according to a local news report.

The new clinics bring the total number of Take Care Clinics to 14 in the local market, the article stated.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck is expanding its patient assistance program, the drug maker said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON Newt Gingrich, former House speaker and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, unveiled a new website on Wednesday -- HealthReformReport.com -- dedicated to providing “real facts, trusted analysis” with news about how the new federal healthcare law impacts individuals, doctors, businesses, hospitals, insurers and others.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. Abbott on Wednesday initiated a proactive, voluntary recall of certain Similac powder infant formulas in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and some countries in the Caribbean following an internal quality review, which detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product, produced in one production area in a single manufacturing facility.

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. Kaz, the maker of Vicks, Honeywell and Braun wellness devices, recently launched a new Facebook fan page named Cold and Flu Central, created to help inform families about some of the best defenses against colds and the flu.

The page includes doctor-approved tips, third-party expert advice and links, product giveaways, drug store availability information, discussions and polls.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. Sanofi-Aventis has tapped actors Paul and Mira Sorvino to launch an awareness program aimed to help people living with diabetes and those who support them.

The "Diabetes Co-Stars" program provides family and friends of diabetics with advice on lifestyle choices, healthy cooking, promoting physical activity and treatment options including insulin, Sanofi-Aventis said. DiabetesCoStars.com provides links to the Sanofi-Aventis diabetes social media pages, including Facebook and Twitter.