HEALTH

NEW YORK — A diabetes treatment made by Novo Nordisk is safe for pregnant women, according to a recent decision by the Food and Drug Administration.

Novo Nordisk said Monday the FDA had approved Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin]) for a pregnancy category B classification, meaning that when used by pregnant women, the insulin did not increase the risk of harm to fetuses. The agency's decision was based on results of a clinical trial involving 310 women that compared Levemir to another insulin product.

The insulin is used to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

NEW YORK — A medication commonly prescribed for patients with Type 2 diabetes also may play a critical role in patients at risk of developing certain cancers.

In three separate studies published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, findings showed how metformin may protect against oral cancer and liver cancer, as well as slow the growth rate of prostate cancer among men prior to prostatectomy.

SALT LAKE CITY — A leading provider of immune support products has become part of Schiff Nutrition.

Schiff announced that it acquired Friday the Airborne brand GF Capital Private Equity Fund LP in an all-cash transaction valued at $150 million, subject to certain adjustments. The company said the acquisition positions Schiff as a leader in the immune support segment.

SAN FRANCISCO — With allergy season in full swing, Health Mart, a network of more than 2,900 independently owned pharmacies, on Monday announced the expansion of its Health Mart private-label line of over-the-counter healthcare products with the introduction of upper respiratory products.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals said they signed a research and licensing agreement to develop treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The drugs would work by reviving beta cells, the decline of which contributes to the disease.

DERRY, N.H. — MegaFood announced its launch of a collection of certified vegan dietary supplements that's designed to address the unique nutritional needs of someone following a plant-based diet.

The line, which includes Vegan Daily, Vegan-Ease, Vegan B12 and Vegan Protect, was certified as animal-free by The Vegan Society and also was recognized at Natural Products Expo West as one of this year's best new lines of dietary supplements.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare strongly supported efforts to inform smokers of the impact tobacco use has on the body, as well as effective ways to quit, during a congressional briefing Friday that was sponsored by Reps. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Tim Murphy, R-Pa.

The briefing, entitled "Understanding Smoking Addiction and How to Accelerate Quitting," addressed how to improve the nation's policies and programs to help smokers become tobacco free.

NEW YORK — A commonly prescribed diabetes drug also may have the capability of protecting the heart, according to a Swedish study.