HEALTH

REUS, Spain New research has found a Mediterranean diet can cut the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50% in nondiabetics with high cardiovascular risk.

The study was conducted by Jordi Salas-Salvado and colleagues and published online in the Oct. 7 edition of Diabetes Care. This is the first randomized clinical trial to look specifically at use of the Mediterranean diet for the prevention of diabetes, the investigators said.

BOSTON When a patient isn’t showing a response to a medication, a common tactic the doctor might use is to increase the dosage. According to a new study, however, the ineffectiveness might be happening because the patient isn’t properly taking the medication.

STOCKHOLM The Food and Drug Administration has given orphan drug designation to a treatment for a rare kidney disease under mid-stage clinical development by privately owned Swedish drug maker PharmaLink, the company said.

The FDA granted the designation to Nefecon (PL-56), a treatment for IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger’s disease, a disorder that leads to end-stage kidney disease. The FDA gives orphan drug designation to incentivize development of treatments for rare and serious disorders.

PITTSBURGH The Food and Drug Administration has approved two generic drugs by Mylan for treating hypertension, Mylan said Friday.

The company announced the approval of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in the 50/12.5-mg and 100/25-mg strengths, and losartan potassium tablets in the 25-mg, 50-mg and 100-mg strengths, generic versions of Merck’s Hyzaar and Cozaar, respectively. Mylan began marketing its version of Hyzaar in the 100/12.5-mg strength in April.

BETHESDA, Md. The American Podiatric Medical Association recently issued a series of recommendations for runners, including the use of a self-massager designed for post-athletic activities. Specifically, the association recommended Health Enterprises’ therapeutic hot-and-cold foot massager, a product that carries the APMA seal of approval.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT A plan by health insurer Humana and Walmart to offer a cheap prescription drug plan to seniors who shop at the mass merchandiser may be a little off the mark, if results of the survey of Medicare beneficiaries is to be believed.

(THE NEWS: Many seniors are satisfied with Medicare Rx benefit, survey shows. For the full story, click here)

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. A local Blue Cross chapter has gained national recognition for its pilot diabetes program.

Anthem Blue Cross' health equities pilot is 1-of-7 programs recognized this year with a Best of Blue Clinical Distinction Award, an award developed by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and the Harvard Medical School department of healthcare policy, Anthem Blue Cross said.