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FMI Pharmacy dailyLead

November 3, 2009

Daily Dose

1,500 Walgreen stores to host events for American Diabetes Month
Walgreen is recognizing American Diabetes Month by holding various diabetes wellness events at most of its 24-hour stores this month. The events will include free blood-sugar and A1C testing as well as pharmacy consultations. Walgreen said a dollar will be donated to the American Diabetes Association for each of the tests conducted. Drug Store News (11/2)

Health & Wellness

1 dose of H1N1 flu vaccine protects pregnant women, NIAID says
Clinical trials conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases showed that one dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine is safe and can protect pregnant women against the flu, but children younger than 10 still need two doses of the vaccine given one month apart. An official from the National Vaccine Program Office also announced the formation of a panel of experts that will keep track of adverse effects reported in relation to the vaccine. NYTimes.com (11/2)

Study links salt, diet soda to kidney function decline
Two separate studies found that the risk of kidney function decline is greater in women who consume large amounts of sodium or artificially sweetened beverages. Researchers say the findings are consistent with experimental animal data, but additional studies are needed. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/HealthDay News (11/2)

Industry News

FDA decides against Lipitor-Zetia combo
The FDA rejected an application to market cholesterol drugs Lipitor and Zetia as a combination treatment because of a lack of manufacturing and stability data. Merck & Co., which developed Zetia with Schering-Plough, said it is reviewing the complete-response letter "to determine a new timetable for filing." The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/2)

FDA approves changes to Byetta label
The FDA approved a revised label for diabetes drug Byetta to include reports of problems with kidney function. The decision came days after Eli Lilly and Co. and Amylin Pharmaceuticals received clearance to promote Byetta as a stand-alone treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Reuters (11/2) The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/2)

Study: Vaccine protects women from group B strep bacteria
U.S. researchers found that women of childbearing age who received group B Streptococcus vaccine had a lower chance of carrying the bacteria in the vagina and gut than those who took a dummy vaccine. They think the vaccine could reduce pregnant women's risk of contracting the bacteria, which can cause blood and brain infections in newborns. WebMD (10/30) Yahoo!/Reuters (10/30)

Study: Schering hepatitis drug induces rapid virologic response
Narlaprevir, Schering-Plough's once-daily drug for hepatitis C, helped reduce the virus to an undetectable level in 85% to 87% of patients who took the pill with three other medicines. The study focused on combination treatment with ritonavir, Pegintron and ribavirin. Reuters (11/2)

Technology & Trends

Flu concerns pump up hand-sanitizer sales
Hand sanitizer sales in dollars jumped 70.5% over sales during the same time frame last year in the 24 weeks ending Oct. 3, to $118.4 million, according to the Nielsen Company. Concerns about H1N1 and other flu viruses have also pushed up unit sales by 63.1% and volume sales by 81.9%. Progressive Grocer/Nielsen Business Media (11/2)

FMI News

Asset Protection Conference

March 14-17, 2010
Ritz-Carlton - Dallas, Texas

Attend FMI's new Asset Protection Conference to learn how to best protect your associates, customers, reputation and property.

Hands-on exercises featuring real-world situations will prepare you for any crisis and help you investigate incidents thoroughly, reduce costs and mitigate risk. Find out how to tackle your key challenges through industry-driven general sessions, discussion groups and workshops.

Join forces with peers and colleagues responsible for protecting the industry's assets.

Visit www.fmi.org or Contact Aileen Dullaghan Munster at 202.220.0704 or adullaghan@fmi.org for more information.

SmartQuote

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