HEALTH

MINNEAPOLIS — After testing a pilot program in select stores last year, Best Buy is addressing the health needs of its customers by rolling out health devices and fitness products at 600 Best Buy stores across the country and online at BestBuy.com.

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands Holdings on Thursday announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets associated with the Dramamine business in the United States from McNeil Consumer Healthcare for $76 million in cash.

“The company expects to quickly and smoothly integrate Dramamine into the Prestige portfolio and drive growth through enhanced brand support,” stated Matthew Mannelly, Prestige Brands CEO.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Lansinoh Labs on Thursday named Richard Thome as its COO. He will report to Diane Manwaring, Lansinoh North America president.

“Recognizing the need for Lansinoh to expand its operations expertise in the areas of consumer packaged goods, over-the-counter and medical device manufacturing, we are excited to welcome a team member with [Thome’s] caliber of talent and experience,” stated Kevin Vyse Peacock, CEO of Lansinoh Labs.

WASHINGTON — More than 6% of women who gave birth in hospitals in the United States in 2008 had diabetes or developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy, according to a new analysis by the federal government's Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

NEW YORK — Community-based healthcare models, and the nurse practitioners who work within them, are particularly helpful in assisting diabetes patients with such underlying health conditions as depression, according to a recent study published on Nurse.com.

NEW YORK — A link may exist between diabetes and the use of inhaled corticosteroids to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to published reports.

HealthDay News reported that researchers analyzed data on 380,000 patients in Quebec, finding a 34% increase in the rate of new diagnoses of diabetes and progression of the disease among those who used inhalers, with greater risk among those using higher doses.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Eulactol USA, the maker of Flexitol and Natralia brand products, on Friday announced its official corporate name change to Laderma Health USA, effective Jan. 1.

“This new name is better aligned with our long-term strategy, products and categories encompassing skin care and health and well-being products,” stated John Swigert, VP of Laderma Health USA. “We feel this is a very positive step for our company and portrays us more accurately in the marketplace.”

DANBURY, Conn. — A drug maker specializing in the treatment of diabetes announced the retirement of its chief scientific officer.

Biodel this week said Solomon Steiner, who is a company co-founder, will remain on the company's board of directors. Prior to holding his chief scientific officer position, Steiner was chairman, president and CEO of Biodel from its inception in late 2003 through March of this year, at which point Errol De Souza was appointed to be the company's president and chief executive, and Charles Sanders was named board chairman.