HEALTH

RARITAN, N.J. — A drug made by Johnson & Johnson may be effective in reducing pain in patients with a complication of diabetes, according to a late-stage clinical study.

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. — The international marketer behind Absorbine and Absorbine Jr. has appointed a new director of marketing.

Steve Gootzeit, who brings 30 years of experience in marketing and product development to W. F. Young, will be responsible for all aspects of marketing within the company — which markets consumer healthcare products and animal healthcare products — including strategic and brand planning, advertising and managing daily marketing functions within the department.

DALLAS — Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggested that taking away the actions of a certain hormone can alter Type 1 diabetes into "an asymptomatic, noninsulin-dependent disorder."

When testing mice, the researchers found that insulin is not depended on when the body's hormone, glucagon, is suppressed.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Spouses of older patients with diabetes tend to experience distress if the diabetic patient has symptoms of depression, according to a new study.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Supermarket and retail pharmacy chain Hy-Vee is marking American Heart Month in February with a special ad circular.

The chain announced Friday that the circular would contain nutrition information, shopping tips and heart-healthy recipes from Hy-Vee chefs.

McHENRY, Ill. — Looking to provide breast-feeding mothers with helpful information and advice, Medela has launched a free mobile application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Medela's iBreastfeed app features a locator to find breast-feeding and breast pumping-friendly places, a breast-feeding resource guide and a baby activity log, where moms and caregivers can manage babies' daily activities.

For more information about the app from Medela, visit MedelaBreastfeedingUS.com.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday postponed its plans to begin folding many of its recalled products, including several pediatric formulations, back onto retail shelves until later this fall.

However, when those products are ready to occupy the brand blocks McNeil has carved out for Tylenol and others, J&J will be placing a significant emphasis on reacquainting those products with quality in the consumer’s mind.

SAN DIEGO — Amylin Pharmaceuticals continued to experience losses in sales and profits during fourth quarter 2010 and for the year as a whole, but losses were lower than in 2009, according to financial results released by the drug maker Wednesday.