FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Jury Awards $5 Million in Death of Infant

  Staff Writer | August 11, 2006 11:31 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  A jury in Philadelphia ruled against McNeil Pharmaceuticals as they awarded $5 million USD to parents whose 1 year-old boy died when he was given Infants' Tylenol. The parents gave their boy a Children's Tylenol dose of Infant's Tylenol, unaware that Infant's Tylenol has three times the concentration of acetaminophen. The family's attorney said that McNeil should not only add an additional...

• WellPatch Cough & Cold Soothing Vapor Pads

  Staff Writer | August 10, 2006 11:27 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  In an urgent announcement, WebMD reports that the Mentholatum Company has recalled the WellPatch Cough & Cold Soothing Vapor Pads because children who take off the pad and chew on it could get seriously ill and may even experience seizures. The FDA advises anyone in possession of the pads to discard or return them to the purchase place and receive a full refund. The label on the Vapor Pads...

• FDA Bans Lindane from Pesticides

  Staff Writer | August 09, 2006 11:23 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  The Los Angeles Times reported that the EPA, in a long anticipated move, has banned Lindane for use in pesticides. Lindane is a pesticide similar to DDT and over 52 different countries have limited its use. Lindane can cause significant damage to the environment as it does not break down naturally and can contaminate food chains and oceans. In addition, Lindanes can cause severe damage to humans...

• Painkillers Could Increase Heart Attack Risk

  Staff Writer | August 07, 2006 11:35 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to a report by Reuters Health, certain types of painkillers could increase the risk of heart attack. A study in Finland not only examined the effects of painkillers such as Celebrex, but also other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. The study concluded that the use of any type of NSAIDs, may increase risk of heart attacks by 40%. This...

• Lipitor: Pfizer Patent May Be Cut Short

  Staff Writer | August 03, 2006 11:11 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to Reuters, a federal appeals court may cut short the patent expiration date for Pfizer's blockbuster drug, Lipitor. The U.S. Appeals Court cancelled one of the two patents in the case, which may result in Lipitor's patent expiration date moving up from June 2011 to March 2010.A brand name drug will usually lose 80% of the market when generic drugs become available. Pfizer stands to...

• FDA Reports Eli Lilly Used Misleading Marketing

  Staff Writer | August 02, 2006 10:59 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  The FDA accused Eli Lilly and Co. of "misleading" marketing, issued a formal warning letter, and asked them to stop publishing and distributing a brochure about the drug Alimta. If Lilly does not resolve the issue the FDA may decide to impose various penalties on the company. Federal officials reported that Lilly "omits material facts and risk information essential to the safe and effective use"...

• Study: Heart Damage a Result of Cancer Drug Gleevec

  Staff Writer | August 02, 2006 10:41 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to the AP, a study indicates that the popular drug Gleevec (Glivec) may cause severe heart problems, including congestive heart failure. While the report, by Dr. Thomas Force a professor at a Medical College in Philadelphia, indicates significant heart damage can occur while using Gleevec, Force contends that this study is only a warning to doctors and consumers of the potential...

• Jaw Disease Possibly Related To Fosamax

  Staff Writer | August 02, 2006 8:53 AM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to a report in the Dallas Morning News, medical specialists met to determine the effect of Fosamax and other osteoporosis medication on the jaw bone. In 2003, doctors first began seeing patients develop osteonecrosis of the jaw while using Fosamax and other similar drugs. Since then, over 400 other instances have been reported to medical journals. Osteonecrosis in the jaw is very...

• Taskforce Advises Caution Following Drug Trial Disaster

  Staff Writer | August 01, 2006 10:39 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to a report by ABC News, a joint taskforce, set up by the British Pharmaceutical Industry and BioIndustry Association, advised on new procedure to protect patients during drug trials, following a devastating trial that injured six people. The drug trial of TGN 1412, manufactured by the company TeGenero, shocked the community and pharmaceutical industry when it left six men critically...

• "Unconventional" Lyme Disease Treatment May Be Fatal

  Staff Writer | July 31, 2006 10:37 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to the AP, the FDA warned July 21, that an unconventional treatment for Lyme disease could cause serious injury and even death. Alternative health physicians and others purporting to be doctors prepare and inject into patients a mixture known as bismacine or chromocine, which contains large amounts of heavy metal bismuth. At least one person died while using this product and others...