Content about Health & Wellness

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — J. Michael Pearson has been appointed to chairman of the board at Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Pearson, who is Valeant's CEO, will extend his contract with Valeant through February 2017, the company said.

Pearson replaces current chairman Robert Ingram, who remains on the board as an independent board director and lead director.

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations has introduced a program that aims to reduce the secondary complications of diabetes among specific ethnic groups living with the disease.

AAPCHO said its five-year diabetes program addresses diabetes among vulnerable populations in three Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities:

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Exergen said a new patent granted to the company protects its temporal artery thermometers brand.

Exergen said its portfolio of intellectual property rights has expanded with the new patent for its TemporalScanner brand of noninvasive thermometry products. Recently, Exergen said it filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against Kidz-Med, American Scientific Resources and Tecnimed SRL.

WASHINGTON — The generic drug industry’s main lobby in Washington is hoping to head off cuts to the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Generic Drugs, which it said could have a “devastating impact” on those who rely on generics.

Republicans in Congress have sought to reduce government spending by making large cuts to various domestic programs and agencies, including the FDA, which critics of the plan said could jeopardize food and drug safety.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Patients with bleeding disorders could be eligible for a scholarship from a specialty pharmacy provider that specializes in treating them.

MedPro Rx announced Sunday that patients with such disorders as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease attending college and active in their communities could be eligible for its Education Is Power scholarship program.

NEW YORK — Generic drug maker Mylan is suing the Food and Drug Administration in an effort to prevent Gurgaon, India-based competitor Ranbaxy Labs from launching its generic version of Pfizer’s cholesterol medication Lipitor, according to published reports.

LONDON — With respect to the Type 2 diabetes drug Avandia, British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has another medical study to worry about.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Thursday recommended that Peak Life modify its advertising to clearly convey the message that claimed sleep benefits associated with its Somnapure dietary supplement are achieved from a regular, consistent program of supplementation with these ingredients, and not with one-time use.

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Tom's of Maine, a maker of natural oral and personal care products, has announced the five winning mobile dental clinics of its 2011 Dental Health for All program.

The nonprofit clinics, determined by public vote, will split $100,000 to grow and support mobile programs that offer easy-to-access dental care in local communities. This year's program solely focused on expanding dental clinics in the field so they can bring "goodness on the go" to those unable to afford an exam or coverage.

CHICAGO — The American Association of Diabetes Educators supported new legislation that was passed in the state of Kentucky that required licensure for all diabetes educators.

The licensing requirement, AADE said, will demonstrate and communicate a standard of care and ensure that people have an appropriate comfort level and respect for the discipline.

The bill was signed by Kentucky state governor Steve Beshear on Wednesday.

ST. LOUIS — To help promote the third annual St. Louis Undy 5000 5K run on March 26, the Colon Cancer Alliance is introducing the “Parade of Undies” fashion show, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of Dulcolax products.

Rather than wear race-day t-shirts, participants will wear specially designed boxer-style shorts, providing a fun way to bring attention to a serious disease. American fashion designer and colon cancer survivor Carmen Marc Valvo will serve as one of the judges.