FDA News Digest August 25, 2003 ______________________________________________________________ FDA Strategic Plan Aims to 'Protect and Advance America's Health' FDA has released a strategic plan that sets priorities and performance measures for the agency in five key areas: risk management, patient and consumer safety, consumer information, counterterrorism, and the agency's workforce. The plan will "set the tone and provide direction for our public health work in the months and years to come," said FDA Commissioner Mark B. McClellan, M.D. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00934.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Approves Second Drug, Levitra, to Treat Impotence FDA has approved Levitra (vardenafil) to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It is the second oral drug approved for this purpose. Levitra acts by relaxing muscles in the penis and blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow, which produces an erection. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01249.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Deems Lactoferrin Safe for Treating Dangerous E. Coli on Beef After examining scientific data showing that the antimicrobial protein lactoferrin is safe, FDA has informed aLF Ventures that the company is free to market the protein as part of a spray designed to treat uncooked beef carcasses against potentially dangerous E. coli 0157:H7. Lactoferrin is found naturally in cow's milk and beef, and the company noted that the amount remaining on beef after spraying is comparable to the amount naturally occurring. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00935.html ______________________________________________________________ RECALLS The following products are being recalled for the reasons shown. Go to the linked page for more information. ProbeTec ET Instrument, a diagnostic device used to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea (incorrectly installed component) http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-072103.html South Mill Gourmet Slices -- mushrooms (possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/southmill08_03.html To view a list of recalls and safety alerts from the past 60 days, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html ______________________________________________________________ PUBLIC MEETINGS Sept. 23-24 -- "FDA Animal Feed Safety System," Herndon, Va. http://www.fda.gov/cvm/index/conferences/AFSSPubMtg.htm For a list of other upcoming FDA meetings and public events, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html ______________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be September 2. To leave this list at any time, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxx In the body of the message, write SIGNOFF FDA-NEWSDIGEST-L
