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NEWS ROUNDUP

3M Prescribes New Brand3M here has begun shipping its line of first-aid products under a new brand name, 3M Nexcare. The line includes adhesive bandages, first-aid tapes, nonstick pads, skin closures, elastic wraps, cold- and heat-therapy products, eye patches, protective masks, dressings and other products. The company said it decided to revamp the line's identity after conducting research that showed

3M Prescribes New Brand

3M here has begun shipping its line of first-aid products under a new brand name, 3M Nexcare. The line includes adhesive bandages, first-aid tapes, nonstick pads, skin closures, elastic wraps, cold- and heat-therapy products, eye patches, protective masks, dressings and other products. The company said it decided to revamp the line's identity after conducting research that showed significant consumer confusion about the first-aid category. "The new Nexcare banner and family-friendly packaging will give 3M products a uniform look," said Pat Trepp, business manager of consumer and professional health care, in a prepared statement. "This will allow consumers to make more sense of the various first-aid products, recognizing that Nexcare is part of 3M."

Hogil Buys Two Efidac Brands

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Hogil Pharmaceutical Corp. here has announced the purchase of the Efidac 24 for Colds and Efidac 24 for Allergies brands from Novartis, Basel, Switzerland. According to Hogil, Efidac 24 is the only over-the-counter product line in the cough/cold category that can give 24-hour relief of symptoms with a single dose. The drug comes in the form of a time-release capsule with a laser hole that slowly disseminates the contents after consumption.

"We've made it our business to breathe new life into existing brands," said Gil Spector, Hogil's president. "We've bought the Efidac 24 products because there are no other products on the OTC market as effective and long-lasting." Alza Corp., Palo Alto, Calif., which owns the patent on the Efidac 24 technology, will continue to manufacture the products for Hogil.

NDMA Launches Web Site

WASHINGTON -- The Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association here has launched a new web site -- http://www.ndmainfo.org -- so consumers, health care professionals, public-policy workers and members of the media can easily access facts about over-the-counter medications.

The site contains information on self care and general consumer trends, regulatory and legislative issues, prescription-to-OTC switches and product labeling. The site also features NDMA news releases and position statements, as well as the association's Executive Newsletter. NDMA members generate 95% of all OTC sales in the United States, according to the association.

Can-Am Marketing Directly

CHAZY, N.Y. -- Can-Am Care here, a maker of diabetes care products, has begun a new marketing program in support of its introduction of Monolet Thin lancets.

The program, according to the company, includes direct-to-consumer advertising in such publications as Diabetes Forecast, Diabetes Self-Management, Diabetes Interview and Diabetes Advisor, and distribution of trial packs to doctors' offices. Pharmacists and other dealers of home care products can also order the trial packs for their customers by calling an 800 number, Can-Am said.

In addition to its Monolet Thin lancets, introduced last fall, the company makes insulin syringes, glucose tablets and skin creams for diabetics.

Amon-Re' Raising Awareness

THOMASVILLE, Ga. -- Amon-Re' here, maker of Iguana Sunscreen Products, has begun a multimillion-dollar advertising and promotional campaign to raise consumer awareness of the line.

The campaign includes a full-page, color ad in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, as well as ads scheduled for April through June in People, InStyle, Vanity Fair, Allure, Family Circle, Family Fun, Health, Parents, Southern Living, Seattle and Sunset magazines.