FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Heparin Related Deaths Prompt Recall

  Scott Kappes | March 03, 2008 5:05 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Thousands of Americans depend on the popular blood thinner Heparin to help them survive, but over the past few weeks the drug has been linked to 21 deaths and hundreds of adverse reactions likely due to contamination during the manufacturing process. Nearly half of all of the raw ingredients used to make Heparin are produced in China. The main active ingredient, which is derived from pig...

• Over 200 Injured by Icy Hot Patches

  Scott Kappes | February 13, 2008 4:50 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  This week Chattem Inc., the makers of Icy Hot, announced a voluntary recall of its Icy Hot Heat Therapy patches after over 200 complaints of burns and skin irritations were reported in conjunction with the use of the patches. Some consumers experienced first, second, and third degree burns from the product. It is not yet clear whether injuries resulted from the improper or proper use of the...

• Nationwide Recall Issued on Icy Hot Therapy

  Scott Kappes | February 12, 2008 2:47 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Friday, in conjunction with the FDA, Chattem Inc. announced a voluntary recall of all sizes and lots of Icy Hot Air Activated Heat Therapy. The recall was prompted by reports of first, second, and third degree burns and skin irritation associated with the use or misuse of the product. More than 200 people claim to have been injured to varying degrees. Catherine Baker, a spokeswoman for Chattem,...

• GSK Profits Slip in Wake of Avandia Troubles

  Scott Kappes | February 11, 2008 3:11 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Last week pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, announced that sales for 2007 slipped two percent from 2006. Much of the loss can be attributed to plummeting sales of the once blockbuster diabetes medication Avandia. In May a New England Journal of Medicine article linked the drug to a 42 percent increased risk of heart attack causing worldwide concern and in turn an almost instant plunge in...

• Improper Marketing Of Enbrel Prompts Investigation

  Scott Kappes | January 22, 2008 10:52 AM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  The New Jersey attorney general has subpoenaed drug maker, Amgen, following allegations of patient privacy law and marketing violations concerning the rheumatoid arthritis drug Enbrel. Former sales reps have made claims that they were pushed make attempts at accessing patient medical information and to market directly to patients. Amgen says that the claims have no merit and that their reps have...

• US Ranks Last In Preventable Deaths

  Scott Kappes | January 10, 2008 5:18 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  A study of 19 industrialized nations ranked the United States worst in preventable death statistics. The report is published in this months issue Health Affairs and compares trends from 1997-8 and 2002-3 of people under 75 years of age whose deaths were classified as "amenable to health care," or preventable with appropriate health care. The study shows the United states falling well behind the...

• Attorneys Challenge Vioxx Settlement Provision

  Scott Kappes | January 07, 2008 9:32 AM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Lawyers for thousands of people injured by Merck's recalled painkiller Vioxx are challenging a specific provision of the $4.85 billion settlement proposed in November. The provision in dispute requires lawyers representing injured parties to advise either all of their clients to accept the settlement or none of their clients to accept the deal. This is a quite perplexing ethical situation for...

• Popular New Year's Resolution Could Be Dangerous

  Scott Kappes | January 02, 2008 11:02 AM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Many people will have made their New Year's resolution to quit smoking, but some could be getting more than they bargained for. People who want to quit smoking will try every remedy available from gum and lozenges to prescription medications like Zyban and Chantix. Most people have seen better results from prescriptions than other methods, but even these are not free from risk. Recent reports...

• Avandia Withdrawal Disparity Between U.S. and E.U.

  Scott Kappes | December 10, 2007 3:35 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  According to new research from TNS Healthcare's DiabetesDynamics American doctors have made much more significant changes in the way they prescribe Avandia when compared to doctors of Europe. Since the May article linking Avandia to a possible 42 percent increased risk of heart attack 70 percent of prescribing changes have been attributed to withdrawal, or basically doctors switching to another...

• Myfortic Birth Defect Risk Confirmed

  Scott Kappes | November 27, 2007 5:24 PM | 0 CommentsHouston, TX

  Today the FDA and drug maker Norvitas announced the transplant anti-rejection drug Myfortic has been confirmed to increase the risk of pregnancy loss and congenital malformations. Any patient that is or plans on becoming pregnant should not use Myfortic unless there is no other alternative for treatment. Myfortic has been placed in Category D, meaning there is positive evidence of fetal risk....