HEALTH

REDMOND, Wash. — Crossmark has launched a self-service data portal that it said would deliver business insights in real time to manufacturer and retail clients in the consumer goods industry.

The portal, which uses the Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Workhouse, provides sales and marketing channels with access to real-time market data, allowing them to analyze and take advantage of market trends faster than before, the company said.

SAN DIEGO — Health warning labels on cigarette packages that use pictures to show the health consequences of smoking are effective in reaching adult smokers, according to the results of a new study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 

WASHINGTON — The Natural Products Association last week launched an industry effort to help those directly affected by Hurricane Sandy through the creation of the NPA Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. All donations to the fund can be made to the Natural Products Foundation at NaturalProductsFoundation.org/Sandy. 

GAINESVILLE, Va. — CastMedic Designs was awarded $20,000 as the winner of the "Steve's Top Inventor" competition on the nationally syndicated "Steve Harvey Show," the company announced last week. 

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble and Teva Pharmaceutical on Monday gained European Union approval for a joint venture on the sale of nonprescription medicines to be called PGT Healthcare, according to published reports. 

According to the reports, the joint venture didn't raise competition concerns. P&G will have a 51% stake in the venture. 

DUBLIN, Ohio — Cardinal Health on Monday announced the availability of free, downloadable materials to help community pharmacists educate patients about effective strategies for preventing and living with diabetes as part of National Diabetes Awareness Month. 

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Nearly 80% of office workers polled come to work even when they know they are sick — an increase of 20% over last year — according to the third annual "Flu Season Survey" from Staples. 

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark — A Food and Drug Administration panel has voted to support two experimental insulin treatments made by Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug maker said Thursday.

Novo Nordisk said the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee had voted 8-to-4 in favor of approval for insulin degludec and a combination treatment containing insulin degludec and insulin aspart.