HEALTH

MADISON, N.J. — As part of a nationwide effort to help communities fight congestion, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is partnering with the Ohio Association of Police Athletic & Activities League to create more space for the local mentorship program.

The Dayton, Ohio-based mentorship program faces literal congestion, because the facility currently only accommodates 23 students. The expanded room will help 50 additional at-risk area youth get off the waiting list and receive the support they need to stay engaged and motivated after the school day ends.

PITTSBURGH — Bayer on Friday announced that it is providing monetary support for disaster relief efforts through a $25,000 donation from the Bayer USA Foundation to the American Red Cross of southwestern Indiana. The state of Indiana was among several states affected by tornadoes on March 2, which caused extensive damage to rural communities such as Henryville, Clarksville and Newburgh.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Regulators have approved a new blood-glucose monitoring system made by Bayer HealthCare, the company said.

Bayer announced the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Contour Next EZ, which includes a meter and test strip sensors that the company said would improve accuracy.

Bayer said the system is being introduced on a market-by-market basis and will be available in the United States this summer.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Clerisy on Thursday announced its nasal delivery system Nasal SoftStrips, designed to administer over-the-counter medicants or therapeutic vapors, now will be available in 71 Wegmans stores in the grocer's Nature's Marketplace section.

According to the company, Nasal SoftStrips delivery system is a patented and FDA-approved medical device designed to deliver health-benefitting concentrated therapeutic vapors through the nasal system, without the use of sprays or powders.

MANNO, SWITZERLAND — The Council for Responsible Nutrition-International on Thursday named several new officers to its board of directors.

Herbalife's John Venardos has been elected chairman and Tyler Whitehead of Nu Skin Enterprises has been elected vice chairman. The Vitamin Shoppe's David Morrison has been named secretary; Carl Hastings of Reliv International has been named treasurer; and Mark LeDoux of Natural Alternatives International has become the immediate past chairman.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Once the season starts, nobody really remembers the number of stolen bases nabbed by Gregor Blanco (13) or the number of batters who could neither put a Francisco Liriano pitch into play nor tease out a walk (33). But ask the fans how many balls their favorite player knocked out of the park through spring training, chances are they'll be able to tell you.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Watson said Thursday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Depomed's Glumetza (metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets) in the 1,000-mg strength.

PITTSBURGH — GNC on Wednesday announced its partnership with actor/producer Mark Wahlberg on the launch of Marked, a new nutritional supplement line designed to meet the demanding lifestyles of fitness consumers.
 
"I'm excited to join forces with GNC, a brand I trust for quality and integrity, to develop the Marked products," Wahlberg said. "I attribute much of my own success to my dedication to living healthy and fit, so it is important for me to create products that will help motivate others to pursue their own personal wellness goals."