Diabetes

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Monday introduced its annual national education and prevention campaign against heart disease in observation of American Heart Month in February.

ATLANTA — Obesity rates continue to soar among the U.S. population, particularly in children. And the result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, leads both to “psychosocial problems and to cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes.”

VALENCIA, Calif. — It seems that MannKind has experienced a setback with a drug designed to control hyperglycemia in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes patients.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued a complete response letter to the drug maker regarding Afrezza (insulin human [rDNA origin]) inhalation powder. The regulatory agency requested that the company conduct two clinical trials, one in patients with Type 1 diabetes and one in patients with Type 2 diabetes, with its next-generation inhaler, to assure it works as effectively as MedTone, its predecessor.

CRAWLEY, England — An insulin pen for children made by Novo Nordisk has won a design award, the company said Wednesday.

The Danish drug maker won the 2010 Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies for its NovoPen Echo, used to treat Type 1 diabetes. The annual award, which the two organizations have given since 1950, are the oldest and among the most coveted for design and innovation, Novo Nordisk said.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Global Industry Analysts on Wednesday released its report on the future growth of the diabetes diagnostics market.

In "Diabetes Diagnostics: A Global Strategic Business Report," GIA projected that the global market for diabetes diagnostics is expected to reach $26 billion by 2015. GIA noted that the United States is the largest regional market, followed by Europe. The report also noted that the increasing number of diabetics worldwide will prompt boosts in certain segments, including blood-glucose test strips and meters.

PITTSBURGH — In partnership with Bayer Healthcare Diabetes Care and Novo Nordisk, Giant Eagle is offering its customers free in-store diabetes screenings.

Offerings include A1C tests to measure blood-glucose levels, as well as consultations with Giant Eagle diabetes and pharmaceutical care specialists. The retailer also will have dietitians and wellness coaches on hand at select locations.

Testing is available through Feb. 5, while supplies last.

PITTSBURGH — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic diabetes drug made by Mylan, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Mylan announced the approval of acarbose tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths. The drug is a version of Bayer’s Precose, used with diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

The drug had sales of around $23 million during the 12-month period ended in September, according to IMS Health.

LONDON — Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will take a legal charge of $3.4 billion related to its promotion of a controversial diabetes drug.

The British company said the charge related to an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado regarding sales and promotion of the drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) in spite of reports of the risk of heart attacks in patients taking it.