HEALTH

WESTPORT, Conn. Many active diabetes managers have not changed their oral care habits since being diagnosed, despite the fact they are at higher risk for developing serious complications from poor oral hygiene, according to a study by dLife, a multimedia network serving the diabetes community, and market research firm SoundView Research.

Furthermore, more than half of active diabetes managers surveyed had not been advised by their dentists to take extra care to brush, floss or rinse daily.

CAMP HILL, Pa. Rite Aid pharmacist and regional pharmacy recruiter Donna Hazel was named the 2010 Pennsylvania Pharmacist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, Rite Aid announced Friday.

SAN FRANCISCO McKesson on Friday announced that its board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of 18 cents per share.

The dividend is payable on Jan. 3, 2011, to stockholders of record on Dec. 1, 2010, the healthcare and drug distribution company said.

Earlier this week, McKesson reported that its revenues rose nearly 1.5% to $27.5 billion for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with the year-ago period.

CRANBURY, N.J. British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline will work with U.S.-based Amicus Therapeutics to develop a drug for a rare genetic disease.

The two companies announced a deal to develop and commercialize Amigal (migalastat hydrochloride), a treatment for Fabry disease. Under the deal, GSK will pay Amicus $30 million upfront, as well as milestone payments of up to $170 million and royalties on future sales.

PORTLAND, Ore. Aisle7 on Thursday announced the launch of its Aisle7 online widget gallery, home to plug-and-play mini apps that easily can be placed on a website to inform shoppers of the latest health recommendations, provide shopping ideas and recommend products for health-and-wellness goals. The widgets also provide website content producers a cost-effective solution that automatically updates a page with the latest wellness content without extra development overhead.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. Vivus found itself foiled in its efforts to market a drug for obesity as the Food and Drug Administration turned down its regulatory approval application.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT There are many pharmacy retailers hooking their diabetes-related initiatives into the awareness generated by American Diabetes Month, but judging by a new study recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it may be time for healthcare professionals to begin piecing together initiatives that will help maintain that heightened awareness over the course of an entire year.