HEALTH

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. and BERLIN — Regeneron and Bayer HealthCare have initiated 1-of-2 late-stage clinical trials of their aflibercept ophthalmic solution in the treatment of a complication caused by diabetic retinopathy.

The drug makers said that it would evaluate the efficacy of VEGF Trap-Eye (aflibercept ophthalmic solution) in the treatment of diabetic macular edema, a prevalent cause of vision loss among diabetes patients, after promising results from its previous clinical trial.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday posted a notification to healthcare professionals and patients that the agency continues to receive reports of methemoglobinemia, a serious and potentially fatal adverse effect, associated with benzocaine products, which are available as a spray, gel and liquids sold over the counter. Benzocaine products are used to relieve pain from a variety of conditions, such as teething, canker sores, and irritation of the mouth and gums.

DALLAS — Kotex's U by Kotex line is getting stylish.

The feminine care line has ditched the bland look of typical pads and liners by now boasting color and design, adding style to its products for the first time. Three unique designs will be available in each box.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. marshals have seized more than $6 million in products distributed by Triad Group at the company’s facility in Hartland, Wis., the Food and Drug Administration reported Wednesday.

“We took this action to stop Triad from continuing to distribute products [that] may pose a risk to public health,” stated Dara Corrigan, FDA associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Wednesday recommended that DSE Healthcare Solutions, which markets both Cystex urinary pain relief tablets and Cystex liquid cranberry complex with Proantinox, modify its advertising to better distinguish the two products.

PITTSBURGH — GNC Holdings on Wednesday announced the closing of its initial public offering of 25.9 million shares of its Class A common stock at a public offering price of $16 per share. GNC's Class A common stock began trading Friday, April 1, on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GNC."

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Circuit Judge John Belz on Tuesday ruled that Illinois pharmacists could refuse to dispense the emergency contraceptive Plan B, despite a 2005 edict that required pharmacists to dispense Plan B, regardless of their religious beliefs, according to published reports.

WORCESTER, Mass. — Generex Biotechnology has revamped its corporate website to underscore the company's focus on the development and approval of its diabetes and immunotherapeutic vaccine products pipeline.

The company said that the site will provide improved descriptions of products, technologies, scientific research in progress, trial results and new corporate relationships as they unfold. Generex also will boost its social media presence through Twitter and Facebook.