FDA to detain food shipments from China
Federal health officials Thursday slapped a sweeping detention order on dozens of imported foods from China, from snacks and drinks to chocolates and candies. It’s unusual for the Food and Drug Administration to put such a broad hold on goods from an entire country, not just a few rogue manufacturers. The agency said the action was needed as a precaution to keep out foods contaminated with the... Read more
FDA staff cite abuse concern with Alpharma drug
Alpharma Inc’s powerful painkiller Embeda may not thwart drug abusers despite design features aimed at curbing misuse, U.S. regulatory staff said in documents released on Wednesday. The drugmaker tested the effects of the design features only when the pill was misused orally, but addicts tend to crush such morphine-based drugs and then inject them, U.S. Food and Drug Administration staff said. “It... Read more
Avapro Blood pressure drug fails heart failure trial
The blood pressure medicine Avapro, sold by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co and Sanofi-Aventis, was no better than usual care in treating a type of heart failure that primarily affects women and the elderly, according to results of a large study. Researchers had hoped to show that Avapro could reduce the incidence of death and serious heart problems better than medicines currently used in this patient population... Read more
Philips develops “intelligent pill”
Dutch group Philips has developed an “intelligent pill” that contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a drug reservoir to release medication in a specific area in the body. Philips, one of the world’s biggest hospital equipment makers, said Tuesday that the “iPill” capsule, measures acidity with a sensor to determine its location in the gut, and can... Read more
When It Comes to Prescription Drugs, Get Smart
Getting a prescription filled is such a routine task, most people do it without thinking about it. And that’s potentially a big mistake, according to medical experts — one that could hamper your treatment or, in some cases, do real harm. Pharmacists and health-care advocates are urging people to make themselves “medicine smart” by asking questions, keeping track of what medications... Read more