News tagged with 'Defective Drugs'

Botox and similar anti-wrinkle drugs will be required to carry stringent warning labels, prompted by reports of serious adverse events. Botulinum toxins may spread from the injection area to other areas of the body causing symptoms similar to those of botulism, including trouble of breathing and swallowing.

Pfizer has paid $750 million to resolve 35,000 claims over its diabetes drug Rezulin which was withdrawn in 2000 after it was linked to 63 or more deaths from liver damage.

FDA Commissioner, Dr. Andrew Eschenbach will resign his post January 20 to make way for a new FDA head, yet unnamed. On the short list are a vocal critics of child cold medications and a critic of the pharmaceutical industry.  Eschanbach had made some progress in beefing up the agency in his last year there.

An experimental drug, Qnexa, helped obese patieints lose an average of 9.2 percent of their weight during a 28-week trial. Drug maker Vivus Inc, says the drug is well-tolerated. One component is the other half of the drug fen-Phen that has not been taken off the market.  

The producer of the science radio program, "The Infinite Mind," says he had no idea his host had a consulting arrangement with the pharmaceutical industry he occasionally reported on. That is a violation of his contract, which the producer has posted for everyone to see.

U.S. Marshals seized 11 lots of Heparin from Celsus Laboratories Inc. The FDA found the products, manufactured from material imported from China, to be contaminated with OSCS, a substance that imitates heparin’s blood thinning activity.

When Vioxx was pulled from the market in 2004, due to concerns that it increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and death – many assumed that discontinuing use would end the associated health risks. But, now, a new study suggests that the risks increased nearly twofold, and persisted for a year or more after stopping use.

A lawsuit was filed against Pfizer alleging the company suppressed medical studies that did not support the company's campaign to boost sales of its epilepsy drug, Neurontin.

Manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) pediatric cough and cold medicines are voluntarily transitioning the labeling to state “do not use in children four years of age and under." Medications baring new warning labels will begin appearing in pharmacies and stores immediately, although, experts are still debating at what age they may be safe and effective.

Injuryboard asks: Is health care a right or a privilege?  Consider the IB Talking Points - More health care is delivered in developed countries for less, while more Americans are going without insurance. Given the realities of today- what direction should we go in? 

What Does FDA Approval Mean?  While that promise has traditionally meant an assurance of safety, the FDA is having a difficult time keeping up with its responsibilities. At the same time, "FDA approved" is increasingly being used to strip consumers of their right to take defective products to court.

Eight states including Florida are suing drugmaker Merck & Co alleging deceptive marketing of the recalled painkiller Vioxx. The state wants to recover $80 million it reimbursed consumers under federal health plans. Olympians Dorothy Hamill and Bruce Jenner once fronted ads for Merck, though there is no indication they knew about the downside of the drug.

The FDA held hearings today on whether children's medications for colds and cough should remain over-the-counter, and at what doseage. Physicians remain divided with many saying they should be recalled and made available by prescription only because they are untested.  

Federal health officials are investigating a higher rate of deaths among patients treated with a Johnson & Johnson anemia drug, Eprex, in a German study of stroke patients.

Energy drinks are loaded with caffeine, yet because they fall under the category of "dietary supplement" they are unregulated and their caffeine content is not required to be limited or listed.  Marketers have turned the lax regulations into a $5.4 billion industry targeting young men. This study concludes labels are needed.