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ATLANTA — The number of people diagnosed with asthma in the United States grew by 4.3 million between 2001 and 2009, according to a new Vital Signs report released earlier this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2009, nearly 1-in-12 Americans were diagnosed with asthma. In addition to increased diagnoses, asthma costs grew from about $53 billion in 2002 to about $56 billion in 2007, representing a 6% increase. The explanation for the growth in asthma rates is unknown.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Mike Jackson was named to the board of directors of iControl Systems USA, where he also will serve in the capacity of senior adviser to iControl president and CEO Tal Zlotnitsky.

Jackson is a 30-year veteran of Supervalu who retired from the company in late 2009 as president and COO.

PEAPACK, N.J. — Greenstone has introduced an authorized generic treatment for breast cancer, the generics subsidiary of Pfizer said.

The company announced the launch of exemestane tablets, an authorized generic version of Pfizer’s Aromasin. Aromasin is used to treat early breast cancer in menopausal women who already have taken the drug tamoxifen for two to three years, as well as breast cancer in women whose disease has worsened while taking tamoxifen, which is widely available as a generic.

SKILLMAN, N.J. — Johnson's has kicked off "Treasuring Everyday Joy," an integrated campaign that will benefit the March of Dimes, the company said.

Johnson's Treasuring Everyday Joy campaign will include a a celebrity-driven exhibit called "Footprints," a charity initiative on Facebook and a documentary on WE TV.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Nestle Waters North America has inked a deal to acquire the maker of Sweet Leaf and Tradewinds beverage brands.

Nestle Waters said its acquisition of Austin, Texas-based Sweet Leaf Tea Co. — which was founded in 1998 — is subject to applicable regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The deal will expand the company's beverage portfolio of bottled water to include high-quality iced teas, lemonades and juice drinks.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The blood test recommended for detecting Type 2 diabetes in overweight children may not be enough, and they may need two different tests to diagnose the disease, according to research conducted at Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.

The researchers found that the hemoglobin A1C test missed more than two-thirds of diabetes cases in children at high risk for the condition, but they found that performing that test along with the oral glucose tolerance test dramatically could lower the risk of delayed diagnosis in overweight children.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Healthcare services company Cardinal Health announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the company's quarterly dividend to 21.5 cents per share, or 86 cents per share on an annualized basis.

The declared dividend marks a 10% increase above what the company has paid out since July 2010, and also marks the 107th consecutive regular quarterly dividend for Cardinal Health.

The regular quarterly dividend is payable on July 15 to shareholders of record on July 1.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has unveiled two regulations, part of the newly enacted Food Safety Modernization Act, that will take effect in July.

COLUMBIA, Md. — FlavoRx and Rochester Drug Cooperative on Thursday announced a long-term distribution agreement designed to bring the FlavoRx brand to more than 950 independent pharmacies serviced by RDC throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Connecticut.

At the same time, RDC expects the FlavoRx product line, including the new Fillmaster Plus, to provide its customers with unique offerings that add to the value it already brings to independent pharmacies in the region.

INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly announced its largest-ever education-focused grant.

The drug maker has teamed up with nonprofit group The Mind Trust to launch the Grow What Works campaign, which seeks to raise and invest $18 million in the highest-impact education organizations working in Indianapolis. Lilly invested $2.5 million for the cause.

Since its founding in 2006, The Mind Trust has been strategically building a network of the nation's best education reform organizations in Indianapolis, Lilly said.

WASHINGTON — The Consumer Healthcare Products Association on Wednesday announced plans to convert liquid pediatric acetaminophen products to just one concentration.

This voluntary change means the current children’s strength of liquid acetaminophen (160 mg/5 mL) will become the only liquid concentration available for all children younger than 12 years, and the current concentrated infant drops no longer will be sold.

WASHINGTON — A major depressive disorder treatment made by Pfizer significantly reduced the number and severity of moderate-to-severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women, compared with placebo, according to a new study.