FDA News Digest for February 26, 2007

[FDA News Digest <fdanewsdigest@xxxxxxxxxx>]

FDA News Digest

February 26, 2007

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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE

 

»  News

    -- ADHD Drug Makers Directed to Alert Patients to Side Effects

    -- FDA Proposes Stronger Labeling for Asthma Drug Zolair

»  Recalls/Safety Alerts

»  Upcoming Public Meetings

»  Question of the Week

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NEWS

 

ADHD Drug Makers Directed to Alert Patients to Side Effects

FDA has directed the makers of 15 drugs approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to include information in the product labeling alerting patients about possible risks of cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse effects. ADHD -- characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity -- affects as many as 7 percent of school-age children and 4 percent of adults in this country.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01568.html

 

FDA Proposes Stronger Labeling for Asthma Drug Zolair

FDA has asked the maker of Zolair, approved in 2003 for treating allergy-related asthma, to add a boxed warning indicating that the drug may cause anaphylaxis, characterized by effects such as chest tightness, trouble breathing, dizziness and fainting. The agency also has asked Genentech, the drug's maker, to include a medication guide with the product that strengthens the existing anaphylaxis warning.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01567.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.

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

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RECALLS/SAFETY ALERTS

Food Recalls:

 

Certain lots of Wellsley Farms Green Bean Casserole, 32 oz. size

    Reason for recall: possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/americaskitchen02_07.html

 

Castle Produce cantaloupes

    Reason for recall: possible Salmonella contamination

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/castle02_07.html

 

Itomo Mame Mix, 8.8 oz. size

    Reason for recall: undeclared peanuts

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/daiei02_07.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 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

 

Is buying prescription medicines online a good idea?

 

It can be. But you should keep these tips in mind:

 

» Make sure the site requires a prescription and has a pharmacist available for questions.

» Buy only from licensed pharmacies located in the United States. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacies (http://www.nabp.net/indexvipps2.asp) has more information about licensing and its program to certify online pharmacies.

» Don't provide personal information such as credit card numbers unless you are sure the site will protect them.

 

For more tips and information about buying medicines online, see www.fda.gov/buyonline/.

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