FDA News Digest for February 20, 2007

[FDA News Digest <fdanewsdigest@xxxxxxxxxx>]

FDA News Digest

February 20, 2007

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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE

 

»  News

    -- FDA Clears First Suture That Uses DNA Technology

    -- FDA Warns of Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Online

»  Recalls/Safety Alerts

»  Upcoming Public Meetings

»  Question of the Week

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NEWS

 

FDA Clears First Suture That Uses DNA Technology

FDA has cleared for marketing the TephaFLEX Absorbable Suture, the first suture to be made from material created by a form of DNA technology. The product, used to hold soft tissue together for healing, is made of materials that break down in the body after a short time.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01560.html 

 

FDA Warns of Unsafe, Misrepresented Drugs Online

FDA has learned of cases where consumers ordered the drugs Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan online but received a product that contained, on preliminary analysis, haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug. As a result, several consumers who took the suspect drugs have undergone emergency treatment for symptoms such as muscle spasms and stiffness, which can be side effects of haloperidol.

-- Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01564.html

-- Photos of suspect drugs: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/photos/haloperidol.html

-- Information on buying medicines online: http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/

 

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.

[What is an RSS feed? See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/newsfeeds.html.]

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RECALLS/SAFETY ALERTS

Food Recalls:

 

Jars of Peter Pan peanut butter and Great Value brand peanut butter with product code 2111 

    Reason for recall: possible Salmonella contamination

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01565.html

 

Certain lots of Earth's Best baby food (Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast, 4.5 oz. size; Organic 2 Wholesome Breakfast Variety Pack, 12 pack; Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley, 4.5 oz. within 12 pack)

    Reason for recall: possible Clostridium botulinum contamination

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01566.html 

 

Cantaloupes distributed by Dole Fresh Fruit Company to the eastern United States and Quebec

    Reason for recall: possible Salmonella contamination

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/dole02_07.html

 

Certain lots of various wing, barbeque and basting sauces made by Vita Specialty Foods Inc.

    Reason for recall: undeclared milk

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/vita02_07.html

 

Pet Food Recall:

 

Various Wild Kitty brand cat food products (Chicken with Clam Recipe, 3.5 oz. and 16 oz. size; Raw Duck with Clam Recipe, 3.5 oz. and 16 oz.; and Raw Tuna with Conch Recipe 3.5 oz.)

    Reason for recall: possible Salmonella contamination

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01562.html

 

Safety Alert:

 

FDA is notifying health professionals and consumers of 28 post-marketing reports of intussusception (a serious and potentially life-threatening blocking or twisting of the intestine) following administration of RotaTeq, a vaccine for infants to prevent rotavirus gastroenteritis.

http://www.fda.gov/cber/safety/phnrota021307.htm

 

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

 

Feb. 22 -- Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee

    Under discussion: pending application for approval of a hip resurfacing system

    Location: Gaithersburg, Md.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E7-946.htm

 

March 7-8 -- Public meeting to discuss formation of a "sentinel network," which would link public and private sector postmarket medical product safety efforts

    Location: Rockville, Md.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/07-141.htm

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

 

Can I drive safely if I am taking medications?

Yes, most people can. However, it depends on the effect those medicines -- both prescription and over-the-counter -- have on your driving. In many instances, your doctor can help minimize the negative impact of your medicines on your driving in several ways.

 

Your doctor may be able to:

• adjust the dose
• adjust the timing of doses or when you use the medicine
• add an exercise or nutrition program to lessen the need for medicine
• change the medicine to one that causes less drowsiness.

For more information, go to http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/driving_taking_meds.htm.

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