SimplyThick, an additive used to thicken formula and breast milk for babies, may increase the risk of infants’ developing life-threatening intestinal problems, the Food and Drug Administration warns. SimplyThick is a brand of thickening agent sold to consumers and medical centers used to manage infants’ swallowing difficulties. It is added to breast milk and infants’ […]
Year: 2012
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a new safety announcement on Nov. 2 about the risk of serious bleeding associated with Pradaxa, a blood thinner prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm abnormality. Since the approval of Pradaxa in October 2010, […]
Ameridose, a major supplier of sterile injectable medications to hospital pharmacies across the United States, is voluntarily recalling all of its unexpired products after an inspection by federal drug regulators raised concerns about potential contamination of the company’s products, the Food and Drug Administration said in a release. Most products distributed by Ameridose such as […]
Two studies published this year in highly respected medical journals add to the concerns about the contraceptive NuvaRing. A flexible plastic ring, NuvaRing is available by prescription and is inserted into the vagina. It prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into the body over a three-week period that prevent ovulation. NuvaRing is known as a combination […]
An unprecedented $3 billion settlement with a pharmaceutical manufacturer ranks as the largest health care fraud case in U.S. history. For people injured by unsafe drugs, it’s a strong reminder that drug manufacturers should be held accountable. According to the U.S. Justice Department release, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline LLC agreed recently to plead guilty and pay […]
A recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine raises concerns about how long women at risk of osteoporosis should take bone-building drugs such as Fosamax. Fosamax is among a group of drugs known as bisphosphonates that are widely prescribed for osteoporosis, a disease characterized by increasing bone fragility and low bone density. The […]
The pharmaceutical manufacturer Abbott Laboratories, Inc., was ordered this month to pay a $500 million criminal fine after pleading guilty to unlawful promotion of the prescription drug Depakote for uses not approved as safe and effective, the U.S. Justice Department announced in a press release. It’s the second largest criminal fine for a single drug. […]
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports that five people may have died over the past three years after consuming Monster Energy drinks, a high-caffeine beverage, according to a report in The New York Times. Monster Energy is among a number of high-caffeine beverages that companies are aggressively marketing to teenagers and young adults. […]