HEALTH

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Eli Lilly’s and Amylin Pharmaceuticals’ Type 2 diabetes drug, Bydureon, appears to work better at promoting weight loss than drugs made by Takeda and Merck, but it could face a challenger of its own.

MEMPHIS — GlaxoSmithKline on Wednesday announced its support for the Wounded Warrior Project and Victory Junction, a camp for children with special needs, through its analgesic powder brands, BC and Goody’s.

WASHINGTON — Legislation repealing a requirement that nonprescription medicines would need an accompanying doctor’s prescription in order to qualify for reimbursement from employee-paid flexible spending accounts could be introduced to both Houses as soon as next week, according to a report published Tuesday in the political daily Politico.

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark — A collection of relatively new products helped drive up sales and profits at Novo Nordisk, the Danish drug maker said Wednesday. 

Sales increased by 22% in the North American markets when measured in local currencies, and by 29% when measured in Danish kroner, the company said. Operating profits were $3.5 billion, a 16% increase over 2009.

MEMPHIS — The words “chocolate brownie” and “dietary supplement” may seem contradictory, but one company has managed to bring the two together.

Memphis, Tenn.-based HBB is touting Lazy Cakes, a chocolate brownie packed with a blend of such herbs as passion flower, rose hip extract, valerian root extract and melatonin. Lazy Cakes are designed as a relaxation and sleep aid for people with busy, stressful lifestyles.

CINCINNATI — As an official sponsor of the National Football League, Procter & Gamble has donated $300,000 to the NFL's campaign to fight childhood obesity and promote health and wellness among kids nationwide.

Through P&G's donation, NFL Play 60 has allowed the league to create health centers, rehab playgrounds, purchase sports equipment and help thousands of children lead happier, healthier lives, according to the company.

WASHINGTON — One of the more recognizable faces of the Natural Products Association, VP global government and scientific affairs Daniel Fabricant, will be leaving association work in favor of the Food and Drug Administration, Drug Store News learned Wednesday.

A staunch advocate of natural products who has testified before Congress on behalf of the supplement industry, Fabricant will join the FDA as director of the division of dietary supplement programs by the end of February.

LAS VEGAS — While Apple’s iPad and the long line of next-generation electronic tablets hitting the market this year may have been the “sexy” items at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, it was the unprecedented number of healthcare-related consumer electronics that better served as a harbinger of what’s to come.