FDA News Digest January 26, 2004 ______________________________________________________________ FDA Takes Action Against Illegal Drug Import Operations FDA has sent a warning letter to three Texas-based companies notifying them that their program to import prescription medicines from Canada for employees and retirees of Montgomery, Ala., is illegal and a risk to public health. The companies -- Expedite-Rx, a pharmacy benefits manager; SPC Global Technologies Ltd., an insurance claims processor; and Employer Health Options, Inc., an insurance company -- have 15 working days to respond. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2004/ANS01277.html ______________________________________________________________ Campaign Promotes Safe Use of Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers FDA has launched a national educational campaign designed to advise consumers on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief products. Included are products that contain acetaminophen, along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen. The campaign emphasizes the importance of following dosing and other label directions carefully. Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2004/NEW01008.html Educational campaign materials: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/analgesics/default.htm ______________________________________________________________ FDA Broadens Requirements for Tissue Bank Registration As part of FDA's implementation of three new regulations, the agency is expanding the scope of tissue banks required to register with FDA and list each cell or tissue produced. These include establishments that deal with reproductive tissue and other human cellular products such as stem cells derived from blood sources. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2004/NEW01007.html ______________________________________________________________ RECALLS/MARKET WITHDRAWALS The following products are being recalled for the reasons shown. Go to the linked page for more information. Chelten House Products Fifty 50 Apricot Spread; 12-oz. glass containers (undeclared sulfites) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/chelten01_04.html Various dessert products made by Bindi North America (undeclared soy) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/bindi01_04.html Arnold Foods Dutch Country Soft Potato Bread (undeclared dairy ingredients and soy) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/arnold01_04.html _____________________________________________________________ Is it a good idea to get an ultrasound image to add to your baby's scrapbook? Can you catch an illness from your pet? Find out how much you know about these and other health-related topics by taking our 10-question FDA Consumer quiz at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/quiz/onlinequiz15_js.html. _____________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be February 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
