INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES

NEW YORK — While the financial burden that families face due to prescription drugs has declined, costs nevertheless remain a challenge for many of them, according to a new study by nonprofit research organization Rand Corp.

ATLANTA — The amount of trans fats found in blood levels of U.S. white adults has significantly dropped over a nine-year period, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — An antiplatelet medication created by Boehringer Ingelheim is not affected when co-administered with a proton-pump inhibitor, according to results of a drug interaction study.

LOS ANGELES — Many Valentine's Day shoppers are sticking to a budget this year with 68% of consumers spending less than $100 on gifts, according to a new PriceGrabber survey.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — U.S. consumers are more optimistic about their finances despite cutting back to save money, according to Nielsen's fourth-quarter global consumer confidence findings.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A drug under development by Merck "significantly" reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in patients, according to clinical trial results announced Tuesday.

RESTON, Va. — U.S. retail e-commerce sales experienced a strong finish in 2011, putting sales for the full year well ahead of 2010, according to ComScore.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England — Pregnant women with diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without the condition, and the likelihood is linked to the mother's glucose level, according to a new study released by Newcastle University Monday.

The study, led by researchers at Newcastle University and the Regional Maternity Survey Office and funded by Diabetes UK, suggests that as many as 1-in-13 deliveries to women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes involves a major congenital anomaly, also known as a birth defect.