WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is encouraging customers to consider making simple lifestyle changes to experience long-term health benefits in light of new findings on the positive effect of daily vitamin regimens released this week by Brigham and Women's Hospital and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Given this latest research, it's important that people talk to their physicians and pharmacists about taking a daily multivitamin if they aren't already," stated Troyen A. Brennan, EVP and chief medical officer of CVS Caremark. "This is one of a few simple steps our customers and patients can follow each day in an effort to remain healthy."

CVS/pharmacy is offering the following three tips for positive ongoing health benefits:

1. Take vitamins daily. According to the new research released by Brigham and Women's Hospital, taking a daily multivitamin was shown to help adult men reduce their risk of cancer. In the 15-year study, involving nearly 15,000 men over the age of 50, findings showed that participants who took a multivitamin for an average of 11 years had an 8% lower risk of getting cancer, compared with those randomly chosen to get placebos. Taking a daily multivitamin may also help to make up for insufficiencies in diet and to support a healthy immune system. CVS/pharmacy offers a vast selection of popular and national brand vitamins and supplements in all 7,400 store locations, including special formulas for men, women and seniors, providing options for customers to choose a multivitamin that meets their needs. Over the past few months, CVS/pharmacy has expanded its own CVS Brand supplements to include new options such as gummy vitamins for adults, formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of men and women, and new prenatal gummies. CVS Brand multivitamins typically cost 20% to 40% less than national brand alternatives, but include the same active ingredients and follow the same strict testing guidelines and FDA regulations as national brands.
2. Take steps to avoid getting a cold or the flu. Getting a flu shot is the best protection available to prevent catching the flu and spreading the virus to others. The retailer is stressing the importance of getting a flu shot annually because influenza strains change every year and the body's immunity to flu viruses declines over time. Every CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic location across the U.S. are providing flu shots every day, no appointment needed. Other easy ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness are frequently washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleanser, covering your cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, avoiding contact with people who have the flu, and staying home from work or school if you are sick, the retailer stated.
3.  Take medications as prescribed. There are many factors to consider to ensure that you are taking your prescribed medications correctly, such as when, how and how much of a medication should be taken, as well as avoiding specific foods, drinks or other drugs that may reduce the treatment's overall effectiveness or cause unpleasant side effects.

More than 30 million Americans take five or more prescription drugs regularly, and more than 3-out-of-4 people stop taking their medication within the first year of therapy. Following doctors' orders when taking prescription medications, and talking to their pharmacist before starting any new diet, exercise or health regimens is important for CVS/pharmacy customers to keep in mind to truly take a proactive role in managing their overall wellness, the retailer added.