FDA NEWS DIGEST -- MAY 13, 2002 CATHETER DEVICE CAN TREAT EARLY-STAGE BREAST CANCER -- FDA has cleared a device that provides a radiation treatment option for women who have had a cancerous breast lump removed. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01150.html 'SUSIE' CANTALOUPES RECALLED AFTER SALMONELLA FOUND -- Texas-based I. Kunik Co. has begun recalling its "Susie" brand cantaloupes because of their association with outbreaks of Salmonella poona, which has infected dozens of people in the United States and Canada. Salmonella poona can cause serious, sometimes fatal, infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kunik05_02.html ALERT ISSUED ON INCORRECTLY LABELED HIV DRUG -- GlaxoSmithKline is alerting patients, pharmacists and doctors to four reports it has received that 60-tablet bottles of the HIV treatment Combivir actually contained another HIV drug, Ziagen. FDA is unaware of any adverse events associated with the incorrectly labeled product. The company and FDA are investigating. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/glaxo05_02.html LILLY SENDS NOTICE OF ZYPREXA TAMPERING -- Eli Lilly has notified healthcare professionals of a small number of incidents where U.S. pharmacists have found 10 and 15 mg. Zyprexa bottles with all the Zyprexa tablets removed and replaced with white tablets marked "aspirin." Zyprexa is a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar mania. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/safety02.htm#zyprex NEW SITE OFFERS CELL PHONE INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS -- FDA and the Federal Communications Commission have created "Cell Phone Facts," a jointly operated Website that reviews how cell phones work and answers questions about their safety. http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/2002/nret020 4.html OREGON COMPANY RECALLS CHOCOLATE CANDIES -- Moonstruck Chocolate Co. is recalling its Moonstruck Chocolatier Classic 9 pc., Classic 16 pc. and 12 pc. Spring Collection boxes because they contain a candy with undeclared egg whites, which could cause a serious allergic reaction in those sensitive to eggs. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/moonstruck05_02.html ___________________________________________________________ The May-June 2002 issue of FDA Consumer is available at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/302_toc.html, has articles on the following topics: *Helping wounds heal -- New skin coverings called cellular wound dressings decrease the risk of infection, protect against fluid loss, and speed the healing process of severe burns and chronic wounds. *Allergy relief -- Pollen allergy, also called hay fever, affects about one out of 10 Americans. For some, symptoms can be controlled with occasional over-the-counter medicine. *Fighting gum disease -- Describes how to keep your gums and teeth healthy. * Robot-assisted surgery -- This computer-aided technique can mean quicker healing and less pain for patients. *Boosting diabetes awareness for women -- FDA has joined with more than 80 organizations to launch a new campaign that focuses on early diagnosis and control of diabetes in women. *Mad cow disease prevention continues -- A recent Harvard University study gave high marks to government efforts to keep BSE out of the United States. The issue also has a commentary on the link between dental health and disorders such as heart disease and diabetes; an article about how an illegal scheme to market aloe vera "treatments" resulted in prison time for two men; and the "fda.gov" column, which reviews and previews health-related Websites. _________________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the FDA News Digest. The next posting will be sent May 20. To leave this list at any time, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV. In the body of the message, write "SIGNOFF FDA-NEWSDIGEST-L"
