HEALTH

WASHINGTON — With the number of Americans with diabetes set to rise to 50 million by 2025, educating people is one of the most important steps for heading off the epidemic.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — Visine is looking to help consumers that experience eye irritation and redness during the summer months.

Designed for use by those ages 6 years and older, new Visine Summer Spectrum Relief is designed to treat symptoms and protect eyes from further irritation by helping to supplement the natural tear film.

Visine Summer Spectrum Relief exclusively is available at CVS/pharmacy in the sun care aisle for $3.99 for a 0.5-fl.-oz. bottle.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Walgreens announced that it has partnered with NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products to launch an exclusive line of “The Biggest Loser”-branded meal alternative bars and shakes.

According to a company press release, the line of products, named for the popular NBC weight-loss reality show, will be offered in all of the more than 7,600 Walgreens stores nationwide beginning in May.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic version of Rogaine made by Perrigo, the drug maker said.

Perrigo announced the FDA approval of over-the-counter minoxidil foam, a generic version of men’s Rogaine foam.

Stiefel Research Australia, part of GlaxoSmithKline, sued Perrigo for patent infringement when the latter submitted its regulatory approval application. Under a settlement between the companies reached in February, Perrigo can launch its generic version of men’s Rogaine foam in March 2012.

DENVER — MusclePharm's MuscleGel product this summer will receive premier placement in GNC stores, MusclePharm announced.

The company's MuscleGel nutritional supplement, which is a gel-based formula that touts 22 g of protein and 96 calories in each pack, will be showcased in an L-box placement at each GNC location. L-box placement is reserved for top-selling companies and products, MusclePharm said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for Type 2 diabetes, the agency said Monday.

The FDA announced the approval of Tradjenta (linagliptin), made by Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and German drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim.

“This approval provides another treatment option for the millions of Americans with Type 2 diabetes,” FDA Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products director Mary Parks said. “It is effective when used alone or when added to existing treatment regimens.”

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is expanding its scope of preventive healthcare services by offering daily testing for total cholesterol, blood glucose and A1C levels at more than 1,400 pharmacies across 33 states and Washington, D.C.

MADISON, N.J. — Multivitamin brand Centrum has teamed up with 5 Factor Diet creator and celebrity personal trainer Harley Pasternak to offer consumers ways to keep their summer resolutions.