FDA NEWS DIGEST -- JULY 15, 2002 MEETING TO DISCUSS BAR CODE LABELING FOR DRUGS -- To help reduce the number of adverse drug events, including deaths, from medication errors, FDA is developing a regulation requiring bar code labeling for human drug and biologic products. The agency is holding a public meeting July 26 to solicit comments on the regulation. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2002/NEW00821.html NEW FDA EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR NAMED -- Linda Arey Skladany has been appointed senior associate commissioner in charge of FDA's Office of External Affairs. Coming to FDA with an extensive background in government service and public policy, she will oversee several agency offices, including those of Executive Secretariat, Ombudsman, Public Affairs, and Special Health Issues. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2002/NEW00820.html SNACK CAKES RECALLED DUE TO UNLISTED SOY FLOUR -- Interstate Bakeries Corporation is recalling all Drake's Sunny Doodles snack cakes marked with "Best Before" or "Sell By" dates of July 22 through August 2, because soy flour used in the product was not listed on the label. Soy can cause serious reactions in those sensitive or allergic to it. The product was distributed in 16 Eastern states. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/drakes07_02.html ____________________________________ ARTICLES IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF FDA CONSUMER MAGAZINE The July-August 2002 issue of FDA Consumer, available at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/402_toc.html, has articles on the following topics: * Fighting antibiotic resistance -- The public, health professionals, industry, and regulators all have a role in preserving the value of antibiotic drugs. * Botox Cosmetic -- The approval of Botox has cleared the way for use of this paralyzing toxin to temporarily smooth furrowed brows. * Bottled water -- What are consumers really getting when they take a gulp from those ever-present bottles? * "Six-pack abs" -- Makers of some electrical muscle stimulators promise "rock-hard abs" without exercise. Here are the facts. * Sunglasses -- Tips on protecting your eyes from the sun's rays this summer and year-round. * New over-the counter drug facts label -- Easier-to- read labels are now required for OTC medicines. * Dietary supplements and animals -- Vitamins and other supplements are showing up in many pet foods. * FDA's drug review process -- How FDA and drug sponsors make sure that new drug therapies are safe and that they do what they are supposed to. * 100 years of biologics regulation -- An overview of public protection and research advances, from the first diphtheria antitoxins to today's complex world of tissue transplants and gene therapies. The issue also has a commentary on the value of vaccines; a report on how a Florida couple, having admitted to treating patients with a phony magnetic device, was ordered to repay nearly three times the amount they received; and the "fda.gov" column, which reviews and previews health-related Websites. _______________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be sent July 22. 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
