HEALTH

Regulators, healthcare providers and the public at large have taken note of the rise in prescription drug substance abuse. A recent article titled "Oxycodone Prescriptions Rose Sharply" in the New York Times (1/11/2012) describes trends of double-digit percentage increases in the dispensing of certain narcotic based painkillers.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan is changing the name of its branded specialty pharmaceutical business, the company said Wednesday.

The drug maker announced that it would change the name of Dey Pharma to Mylan Specialty. Dey makes treatments for respiratory diseases, psychiatric disorders and severe allergic reactions, including the EpiPen (epinephrine).

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Tuesday announced that it has begun shipping Loratadine-D 12-hour extended-release tablets.

ATLANTA — People that are genetically predisposed to developing a condition that causes high blood cholesterol levels may be at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Monday reported Direct Digital, marketer of Instaflex, has supported certain advertising claims made in print and online.

Instaflex is formulated with 1,500 mg glucosamine sulfate, 500 mg methylsulfonylmethane, 250 mg ginger root extract and 4 mg hyaluronic acid. Direct Digital had claimed that Instaflex could relieve and comfort joints and increase flexibility, among other claims.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Monday recommended that Barlow Herbal Specialties discontinue advertising its LDM-100 dietary supplement as a "plant or herb antibiotic."

In its advertising statement, Barlow agreed to discontinue the challenged claims. However, a video embedded on the company's website as of Feb. 14 touted LDM-100 as an "antiviral" and "antifungal" good for use during cold and flu season.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Mam has launched its personalized pacifier collection, a line of pacifiers that can feature the name, nickname or saying of one's choice right on the pacifier's front knob.

"Over the years, Mam USA has received countless requests for personalized pacifiers from parents around the globe," Mam USA SVP marketing Christine Poppy said. "Mam USA values the needs of our customers and we are excited to offer moms and dads a service that allows them to create the customized pacifiers they want without compromising safety or comfort."

BETHESDA, Md. — A provider of mobile health solutions has introduced a free application that synchronizes with a wireless blood-glucose meter.

The MyTelcare Diabetes Pal, now available via the Apple App Store, allows patients and caregivers to use their iPhone, iPod Touch and/or iPad to visualize every glucose reading sent by the Telcare BGM (blood-glucose meter) while tracking medication, nutrition, activities and notes. What's more, the app also enables patients who don’t have the Telcare BGM to manually enter their blood-glucose data and track it over time.