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Question of the
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-- FDA statement: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01340.html
To
view an archive of past FDA news releases, go to
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpnews.html.
To
access the RSS feed of FDA news releases, go to
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/rssPress.xml.
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Food Recalls:
Sam's Choice Belgian Milk Chocolate Bars; 7-oz. size
Reason for recall: undeclared almonds
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/brach03_06.html
Certain lots of North Country Spring Water Ltd. bottled water products (distributed under various brand names)
Reason for recall: possible bacterial contamination
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/northcountry03_06.html
For a
list of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts involving
FDA-regulated
products
from the past 60 days, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html.
To
access the RSS feed of FDA recalls information, go to
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rssRecalls.xml.
[What is
an RSS feed? See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/newsfeeds.html.]
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UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
March 27-28 -- Obstetrics and Gynecology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee
Under discussion: pending application for a device to prevent post-surgical adhesion
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/advisory/accalendar/2006/cdrh12524dd03272806.html
March 29 -- Workshop on hand-held, Doppler ultrasound prenatal listening devices
Under discussion: risks and benefits of selling these devices over the counter
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E5-7643.htm
April 5 -- Workshop on food labeling
Under discussion: FDA food-labeling regulations; especially of interest to small businesses
Location: Fayetteville, Ark.
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E5-8225.htm
April 18-20 -- 2006 FDA Science Forum; includes sessions on drug safety, obesity, avian flu, and non-invasive medical devices. Also planned is a free public session April 18 called "Ask FDA," in which agency scientists will answer questions from consumers about products FDA oversees.
Location:
http://www.fda.gov/scienceforum
For a list of FDA meetings, seminars, and other
public events, go to
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html.
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
I've heard that antibiotics shouldn't be used to treat viral illnesses like
colds and the flu. What should they be used for?
Antibiotics
are used to treat illnesses caused by bacteria. Examples include strep throat,
tuberculosis and many types of pneumonia.
Taking antibiotics when they aren't needed contributes to
the serious problem of antibiotic resistance.
This is when bacteria have become resistant and cannot be killed by
antibiotics. If the antibiotic
misuse continues, some recurring infections ultimately may have to be treated with different
and stronger antibiotics, leading to
the possibility that eventually no antibiotic will be effective in
killing the bacteria.
There are many over-the-counter products available to treat the
symptoms of viral infections. These
include cough suppressants to help control
coughing and decongestants to help relieve a stuffy nose. Read the label and ask
your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about which will work best
for you.
To learn more about antibiotic resistance, see http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/anti_resist.html.
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