FDA News Digest for September 24, 2007

[FDA News Digest <fdanewsdigest@xxxxxxxxxx>]

FDA News Digest

September 24, 2007

__________________________________________

 

IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE

 

»  News

    --  Phasing Out CFCs in Metered-Dose Epinephrine Inhalers Proposed

    --  Genetic Test Cleared to Show Sensitivity to Blood-Thinner Warfarin

    --  Rapid Screening Test for Harmful Bacteria in Blood Platelets OK'd

»  Safety Alerts/Recalls

»  Upcoming Public Meetings

»  Consumer Health Information

__________________________________________

NEWS

 

Phasing Out CFCs in Metered-Dose Epinephrine Inhalers Proposed

FDA is proposing a rule that would phase out the use of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in metered-dose epinephrine inhalers, which are used for temporary relief of mild asthma. Under the rule, epinephrine metered-dose inhalers containing CFCs would be removed from the market by the end of 2010.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01706.html

 

Genetic Test Cleared to Show Sensitivity to Blood-Thinner Warfarin

FDA has cleared for marketing a new genetic test that can help doctors gauge whether a patient may be sensitive to the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin), which is used to prevent clots in blood vessels.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01701.html

 

Rapid Screening Test for Harmful Bacteria in Blood Platelets OK'd

FDA has approved the Platelet Pan Genera Detection system, the first rapid test to detect bacterial contamination in blood platelets before transfusion. Platelets are used to prevent or treat bleeding in patients following, for example, major trauma or surgery. Patients who receive platelets contaminated with bacteria are at risk of a potentially life-threatening infection called blood poisoning.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01702.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.]

___________________________________________

 

SAFETY ALERTS/RECALLS

Safety Alerts:

 

FDA is warning consumers not to use --

 

›  Baby's Bliss Gripe Water (apple flavor), with a code of 26952V and an expiration date of 10/08. Laboratory tests have shown the presence of cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause intestinal infections.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01707.html

›  Organic Pastures Grade A Raw Cream, in one-pint plastic bottles coded "SEP 14" through "SEP 21." The product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01709.html

 

Food Recalls:

 

›  Dole Hearts Delight packaged salad, with "best if used by" date of Sept. 19, 2007 and production code of A24924A or A24924B

    Reason for recall: random sample was found to contain E. coli O157:H7

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/dole09_07.html

›  Certain types of Soy Deli and Quong Hop brand tofu

    Reason for recall: potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/quonghop09_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.]

_____________________________________________

 

UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS

Oct. 1 -- Interagency Working Group on Import Safety

    Under discussion: key challenges/actions for industry, consumers, and governments to ensure the safety of imported products

    Location: Washington, D.C.

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E7-17305.htm

   

For a complete list of FDA meetings, seminars, and other public events, go to

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html.

 

 

CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATION

 

FDA's Web site features a page with information for consumers. Each week in FDA News Digest, we will spotlight material from that page by offering links to timely articles about FDA activities and products the agency regulates.

 

Here's what's in the spotlight this week:

 

›  How FDA Advances Personalized Medicine

http://www.fda.gov/consumer/features/personalmed090607.html

›  Special Risks of Pharmacy Compounding

http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/compounding053107.html

›  Benefits and Risks of Pain Relievers: Q & A on NSAIDS with Sharon Hertz, M.D.

http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/pain042507.html

 

FDA offers a free e-newsletter for consumers that contains information posted on the consumer health Web page. To subscribe, go to http://www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.

 

For those who are members of the press or who manage Web sites, we encourage you to link to this information or incorporate it into your online or printed publications. (We'd appreciate a credit to "FDA Consumer Health Information.")

Questions or comments about our consumer stories or the consumer health e-newsletter? Send an e-mail to fdaconsumerlist@xxxxxxxxxx.  

 

 

Thanks for subscribing to FDA News Digest.

Our next issue will be sent October 1.

 

Comments about FDA News Digest?

Send an e-mail to fdanewsdigest@xxxxxxxxxv.

 

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this list, go to

http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=fda-newsdigest-l&A=1.