But a proliferation of do-it-yourself health-care products has changed all that, transforming millions of homes into virtual laboratories.

Henry Schein distributes health-care products in North America and Europe.

Upjohn said worldwide sales of its human health-care products increased 3 percent in the quarter and 7 percent for the year.

A growth market for Grace's health-care products is in the treatment of Chinese people afflicted with kidney disease.

Yet images of maturity appear mostly at the margins, in ads for retirement accounts and embarrassing health-care products.

Today Tyco has operations in fire and security services, health-care products and electronic components.

A quarter of its operating income comes from health-care products.

They would be convertible into common stock of the company, which develops and makes diagnostic and therapeutic health-care products.

Lilly is the third large pharmaceutical concern in a year to decide to sell its cosmetics unit in order to focus on health-care products.

Johnson & Johnson, the world's largest maker of diversified health-care products, said its net income rose by 11 percent in the first quarter.