Diabetes

NEW YORK — Walgreens on Wednesday morning launched a national health initiative, Walk with Walgreens, here at its flagship store in Times Square.

The new initiative was created to lead to the prevention and early detection of leading diseases, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes, the pharmacy operator stated.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nipro Diagnostics last month was named the South Florida Manufacturer of the Year in the 200-plus employee category by the South Florida Manufacturers Association. The award was presented March 23 at the 32nd Annual Recognition of Excellence Awards Banquet.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Representatives from leading employers and payers met Monday to discuss the evolving role of employers in health care at the first Walgreens Employer Health and Wellness Executive Client Forum.

The event features presentations from Walgreens executives on clinical outcomes data supporting the benefits of utilizing employer health programs beyond traditional services.

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — A nonprofit charity that focuses on diabetes prevention efforts announced the launch of a calendar of events on its website, in line with what has been designated as Defeat Diabetes Month.

The Defeat Diabetes Foundation said that the calendar is designed to empower families with tools to prevent diabetes or related complications. The calendar also provides links to articles, downloads, tools, puzzles and games, nutrition tips, healthy recipes and more.

CLEVELAND — A drug used to treat diabetes also may prevent it, according to a new study published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University took specially bred obese, prediabetic rats and gave them either Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin), placebo or glyburide, an older diabetes drug. Both of the diabetes drugs lowered blood-glucose levels after the rats had eaten, but only Junuvia raised the total output of insulin by the pancreas while lowering levels of glucagon.

NEW YORK — Patients diagnosed with high blood-glucose levels that cannot control the condition over time likely will develop such eye-related complications as retinopathy 10 years later, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.

NEW YORK — Patients that have been handling their diabetes for a long time are less likely to experience complications, according to a new study conducted by Joslin Diabetes Center researchers.

Among 351 participants in the "Joslin 50-Year Medalist Study," researchers found that among veteran Type 1 diabetics — who have been living with the condition for 50 years or more — 43% were free from advanced diabetic eye complications, while 87% were free from kidney disease, 39% were free from nerve disease and 52% were free from cardiovascular disease.

DANBURY, Conn. — A biopharmaceutical company that specializes in diabetes treatments has appointed a new board chairman.

Biodel said that effective immediately, Brian Pereira, who has served on the drug maker's board since 2007, will become chairman. Current chairman Charles Sanders, who served as chairman since March 2010 after joining the board in August 2006, will continue to serve as a board member, Biodel said.