HEALTH

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Clif Bar & Co. on Monday introduced its latest line of snack bars — Clif Mojo Fruit & Nut and Clif Mojo Dark Chocolate. Crafted with 70% organic ingredients, Clif Mojo Fruit & Nut and Clif Mojo Dark Chocolate deliver a convenient and gluten-free snack that supports today’s on-the-go lifestyle, Clif Bar noted. 

WILMINGTON, Del. — AstraZeneca received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its Bydureon pen (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension) 2-mg, which is to be used as an addition to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

The Bydureon pen is a pre-filled, single-use pen injector, which eliminates the need for the patient to transfer their medication between a vial and syringe during the process of self-injection. The pen contains the same formula and dose as the original Bydureon single-dose tray.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is recruiting for a 1,200-patient actual use study to measure whether or not patients can appropriately self-select treating high cholesterol with the statin Lipitor, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. 

The trial is recruiting patients through more than 35 pharmacies and is expected to be completed by year-end.  

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration last week ruled that generic equivalents to Teva Pharmaceutical's Plan B emergency contraceptive can be sold alongside Plan B without any behind-the-counter merchandising restrictions or a requirement to verify the age of the purchaser in a letter to the interested parties. 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — An international team led by researchers at the Broad Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital has identified mutations in a gene that can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, even in people who have such risk factors as obesity and old age, the group announced Sunday. The results focus the search for developing novel therapeutic strategies for Type 2 diabetes — if a drug can be developed that mimics the protective effect of these mutations, it could open up new ways of preventing this devastating disease.

DUBLIN — Perrigo on Friday announced that it has acquired a basket of value-brand OTC products sold in Australia and New Zealand from Aspen Global for $51 million in cash. 

The products are primarily sold through the mass retail channel and include the Herron range of analgesics, vitamins and supplements. This basket of products is expected to generate at least $20 million in annual revenue.

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Mead Johnson Nutrition on Friday expanded the size of its board from 11 to 12 members and appointed Michael Grobstein as its newest director. He is a retired vice chairman of Ernst & Young, one of the world's largest professional services organizations.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pharma Supply earlier this week launched NeedleBay, a safe and easy method of organizing and dispensing insulin pen needles and medication.

NeedleBay provides a highly visible, unique and simple “proof of use” reminder, which eliminates the risk of missed, or excess injections and associated medications. NeedleBay has been specially designed in consultation with healthcare professionals and those with diabetes, to enable the user to deploy disposable pen needles safely and to avoid the risk of needle pick injuries.