FDA News Digest October 6, 2003 ______________________________________________________________ FDA, Customs 'Blitz' Uncovers Potentially Dangerous Imported Medicines A recent series of spot inspections of foreign drugs mailed to consumers revealed that these shipments often contain unapproved or counterfeit products that pose potentially serious safety problems. The inspection "blitz," conducted by FDA and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, took place in July and August in Miami, New York City, San Francisco, and Carson, Calif. Shipments were selected based on country of origin and historical experience. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00948.html ______________________________________________________________ Report Suggests Ways to Combat Counterfeit Drugs In an interim report that examines the growing problem of sophisticated drug counterfeiting, FDA's Counterfeit Drugs Task Force has recommended a "multi-pronged" approach to combat the problem that would be more difficult for counterfeiters to overcome than any single method. Options suggested in the report are in five areas: technology, regulatory requirements, alert and response systems, education and public awareness, and international collaboration. A public meeting on the subject will be held Oct. 15, and the task force will issue a final report in early 2004. Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00949.html Questions and answers: http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/report/qa.html Public meeting notice (Federal Register): http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/03-22789.htm ______________________________________________________________ FDA OK's First New Drug to Treat Two Types of Radiation Exposure As part of its efforts to provide the public with medical treatments in the event of a terrorist attack, FDA has approved Radiogardese, or Prussian Blue, a treatment for exposure to harmful levels of the radioactive elements cesium 137 and thallium. Radiogardese works by speeding the elimination of these substances from the body. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00950.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Warns That Traditional Remedy 'Litargirio' Has High Lead Levels FDA is advising consumers not to use Litargirio for health-related or personal purposes because it contains high amounts of lead. Produced in the Dominican Republic by at least two laboratories, Litargirio is a yellow or peach-colored powder that has been used as a deodorant, foot fungicide, and burn treatment. The product contains up to 79 percent lead, a highly toxic substance that can cause permanent neurological damage in children. Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01253.html Spanish version: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01253sp.html ______________________________________________________________ RECALLS The following product is being recalled for the reason shown. Go to the linked page for more information. Bingham Hill Cheese Co. Rustic Blue Cheese (possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/binghamhill09_03.html ______________________________________________________________ PUBLIC MEETINGS For a list of upcoming FDA meetings, seminars, and other public events, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html. ______________________________________________________________ HOW'S YOUR KNOWLEDGE of health-related topics such as generic drugs, the flu, and dietary fats? Find out by taking our 10-question quiz at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/quiz/onlinequiz13_js.html. ______________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be October 14. 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
