News tagged with 'Public Citizen'

Transparency is defined as a lack of hidden agenda and conditions and the public has an opportunity to tell the FDA just how transparent it wants the agency to be in publishing data and disclosing information about drug and device makers. So far 1,500 have commented.

Halt the drug trial of Avandia says Public Citizen because it puts the public at risk for heart attacks. GlaxoSmithKline is recruiting 16,000 patients from 14 countries to compare diabetes drug, Avandia with rival Actos.

A storm is brewing over the diabetes medication, Avandia, and how much GlaxoSmithKline knew about its link to heart attacks. Some FDA reviewers say it should be pulled from the market.

437,000 Prius and some models of Lexus worldwide are being recalled because of a braking problem. Toyota's executives apologize, but say the recall is unecessary because the vehicles are safe.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, a man who doesn't own a car, blames a lack of U.S. leadership, full disclosure by Toyota, and computer electronics for the problems plaguing the world's largest car company, and ultimately consumers.

The 'Loser pays" proposal is just the latest in a long line of tort reform proposals, part of health care reform, that further erode an injured persons ability to seek a remedy in the court after medical malpractice.

Alli and Xenical, the same drug with different strengths, are available to help people fight weight gain. The benefit may not offset liver damage, which the FDA is investigating.

For the third straight year, 2008 saw the lowest number of medical malpractice payments. The decline, however, is likely because less injured patients have received compensation, not improved health safety.

With medical costs soaring at an unsustainable level, President Obama told doctors at an annual AMA meeting that cutting down on practicing defensive medicine to avoid lawsuits will be necessary.  The president does not support medical malpractice caps on awards.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) final ruling on seat belts could actually prevent you from taking an action to court if you are injured. Essentially the language says if an auto design is approved by the federal NHTSA, an injured consumer cannot challenge that authority in a state court lawsuit. 

Airline pilots who smoke and want to kick the habit are forbidden from using the smoking cessation drug, Chantix. That decision was made Wednesday by the Federal Aviation Administration citing psychiatric side effects that make flying unsafe.