The pharmaceutical company McNeil has not had a good year, and November marked multiple recalls by this manufacturing giant. Earlier this month, McNeil recalled one product lot of ROLAIDS Extra Strength Softchews (cherry flavor). The affected lot number is 0053AG2, which is found on the back of the package. The reason: consumer complaint of an […]
Multiple Recalls by McNeil Consumer Healthcare Read More »
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to companies that market malt alcohol beverages with added caffeine that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is “unsafe,” and that the government may take further action…possibly including seizure of their products. The targeted products include: Core High Gravity HG Core High Gravity HG
Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages "Unsafe" Read More »
You have the opportunity to shape the way cigarette packaging will look after September 12, 2012. By that date, all cigarette packages and advertisements must carry stronger warnings and color images. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put together samples of proposed warnings and images, and they want the public to weigh-in on
FDA Wants Your Opinion on New Cigarette Warnings Read More »
Pharmaceutical medications have changed the world. Think about it: Less than 100 years ago, people regularly died of pneumonia because antibiotics weren’t available as a treatment. But what happens when drug companies decide that they are willing to push profits ahead of patient safety? Well, Lauren Stevens of Durham, North Carolina, just discovered at least
Federal Prosecutors Charge Former GSK Lawyer with Obstruction Read More »
For the past few years there has been a push by pharmaceutical companies to get women to take drugs to counteract the effects of osteoporosis. It sounds like a good idea–osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become more brittle, and are therefore more likely to fracture. Preventing fractures is a good thing, right? Sure.
Possible Fracture Risk with Osteoporosis Drugs Read More »
The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has announced a recall of more than 190,000 bottles of the popular cholesterol-control medication LIPITOR (atorvastatin). Only 40 mg pills in specific bottles are included in this recall. The reason for the concern is that there have been reports of an uncharacteristic odor in the bottles. According to an FDA press
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that Abbott Laboratories has agreed to voluntarily withdraw its obesity drug Meridia (sibutramine) because scientific research has shown that the drug increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to John Jenkins, MD, director of the Office of New Drugs in the FDA’s Center for
Obesity Drug Meridia Withdrawn from Market Read More »
Avandia has been banned in Europe, and restricted (but not banned) in the United States. Thousands of innocent people hurt or even killed by the drug’s side effects. We all weigh risks and benefits daily, but it is a tragedy to be harmed by a medication known to be dangerous, especially if those dangers aren’t clearly, completely, and loudly disclosed.
Sale of Dangerous Drug Avandia to Continue in United States Read More »
A large study of young teenagers found that taking acetaminophen–the drug found in fever-reducing Tylenol–increases the risk of asthma. Doctors note that acetaminophen is still the best choice for treating a child’s fever, but parents of children known to have asthma symptoms should talk with their pediatrician about when and how to use the drug
Fever Down, Asthma Up Read More »
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning people who use the anti-seizure medication Lamictal (lamotrigine) to be aware of the potential for aseptic meningitis. This side effect has put dozens of people in the hospital. Lamictal is a medication commonly used for seizures in children age 2 and older, and in adults
FDA Warning About Seizure Drug Read More »