Florida updates in category: FDA & Prescription Drugs

A review of Pfizer’s most recent 10-K filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission leads to concerns about whether Pfizer’s legal woes are quickly growing out of control. The list...

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On April 9, 2008, the FDA announced new safety risks perhaps associated with Pfizer’s diabetes drug, Exubera. Exubera is an inhaled insulin product that was approved for use in the United ...

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On March 31, 2008, a study funded by the National Cancer Institute, was published in the medical journal Circulation and analyzed data from six separate studies involving nearly 8,000 patients...

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In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Glaxo SmithKline's AIDS drug Ziagen doubles the risk of heart attack. In the wake of the published study, AIDS doctors are urging caution before...

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A new detection mechanism for harmful or incorrect use of medicines in hospitals has shown that 1 in 15 hospitalized children are the victims of mix-ups, overdoses, and harmful reactions to drugs...

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The FDA is telling consumers not to use Total Body Formula in Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar, or Total Body Mega Formula in the Orange/Tangerine flavor because the dietary supplement can cause adverse reactions such as hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain and fatigue. The Total Body Formula products come in eight-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles and has been voluntarily recalled...

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The FDA is looking into whether Boehringer Ingelheim' respiratory inhaler poses a greater risk of stroke. According to the FDA, the data submitted by the German drug manufacturer, shows that its Spiriva Handihaler poses a greater risk of stroke compared with a placebo. FDA said it has not yet analyzed the figures, which were compiled from 29 patient studies. The FDA has asked doctors to report...

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Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension is an often prescribed childrens cough suppressant that contains hydrocodone and the extened release antihistamine chlorpheniramine. The Food and Drug Administration has issued this warning because the medication is improperly being used on patients younger than 6 years old, and is being prescribed and administered more frequently than the...

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Heparin sodium is medication used to thin the blood. It is often administered intravenously. It is used with patients that need kidney dialysis, many types of cardiac surgery, and many other conditions often those involving risk of blood clots. Severe injuries have been reported with this drug recently. The adverse events usually started within minutes of the administration of the ...

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The FDA issued an emergency alert today warning consumers of drugs being sold on the Internet falsely claiming that they can prevent or treat sexually transmitted diseases. The products are sold under the names of Tetrasil, Genisil, Aviralex, OXi-MED, Imulux, Beta-mannan, Micronutrient, Qina, and SlicPlus and make claims such as:"Treatment Kills all Herpes Viruses WITHOUT having to use...

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The idea of drug companies advertising the prescription medicines they manufacture on TV and in other consumer directed media has always been offensive to me. I have often wondered if other consumers like me consider the fact that the drug products these companies advertise are for conditions that never go away. In other words, with few exceptions the products do not heal anything, they just...

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The FDA reported today it is performing a "safety review" of Botox and Botox Cosmetic. The review is a result of adverse reactions reported when both A and B types of botulinum toxins were used for injections approved by the FDA and one that has not been approved by the FDA. The FDA has approved Botox to treat spasms in the neck or eyelids and to reduce excess sweating; Botox Cosmetic to...

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There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal this weekend regarding the problem of patients injured by new drugs during clinical trials having little to no recourse. The article blames the problem on several factors including: 1. Confusing and vague consent forms; 2. Lack of clarity as to which research entity is responsible for subsequent care; 3. Uncertainty as to how much...

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On February 1, 2008, the FDA issued a public heath advisory (http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01788.html) regarding new safety warnings regarding the smoking-cessation drug Chantix (varenicline) indicating, "It appears increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms." Chantix, a non-nicotine prescription medication...

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Democrats have now subpoenaed workers in the FDA to determine how in the world they approved Ketek despite scientific concerns over its safety. The new antibiotic ended up killing people from liver damage. Turns out the clinical trials were falsified and at least one doctor has gone to prison. Still no one at Aventis or the FDA has yet to be punished, so well intentioned lawmakers are at least...

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