Monthly Archives: May 2015
Study Linking Z-Pak to Increased Death Risk Being Reviewed by FDA
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing a new study that reported an increased risk of sudden, heart-related deaths among people using the antibiotic Zithromax (azithromycin), known popularly as Z-Pak. In a statement issued late yesterday, the FDA said patients being treated with Zithromax should not stop taking ...
Another Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Filed in DePuy ASR Hip Implant Litigation
A vital food safety program was saved from budget cuts this week, enabling the country’s largest—although considered by experts to be far too small—produce-safety testing program to continue.
Fracking Releasing Hazardous Chemicals into Local Waterways
Study shows two hazardous chemicals—ammonium & iodide—are being released & spilled into Pennsylvania and W.Virginia waterways from fracking operations in Marcellus shale.
64 More Plavix Patients File Suit Over Bleeding Side Effects
Another Plavix lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 64 Plavix patients who allege bleeding side effects. Plavix (clopidogrel) is a blood thinner prescribed for the prevention of blood clots and heart attacks, and has been linked to serious side effects, such as the heart attacks and strokes it is ...
Three Injured When Long Island Railroad Train Hits Car on Tracks
3 people, injured on Wednesday at 1:20 p.m. when a LIRR train hit a livery cab on the tracks west of Wyandanch station. The train engineer, who suffered a shoulder injury.
Conspiracy Claims in Talcum Powder Case Survive Motion to Dismiss
E. District of Missouri denied motion to dismiss conspiracy claims. Lawsuit alleges the defendants conspired to misrepresent true dangers with use of talcum powder.
Zadroga Act Cancer Decision Expected This Week
The federal official tasked with determining what ailments should be covered by the federal Zadroga Act is expected to decide by Saturday if certain cancers will be eligible for compensation. The decision is being eagerly awaited by thousands of first responders who believe they developed cancer due to exposure ...
Crash Involving MTA Bus and Two Cars Injures 23
Police are investigating an accident in Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon that injured 23 people, 3 of them critically, when a car was knocked into the path of an MTA bus.
FDA Advisors Set to Examine Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Safety Concerns
Thousands of people with metal-on-metal hip implant devices could soon get some answers from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) about the dangers they face. Tomorrow, the agency will convene a panel of outside medical experts to examine the safety record of metal-on-metal hip replacements, and recommend the ...
Two Men Found Dead of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Long Island, New York Auto Shop
Two men were found dead of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in a Holbrook, New York, auto-detailing shop Thursday night, Suffolk County police say.FDA Inspection Results in Warning Letter to Smith & Nephew
A March inspection of the Andover, Massachusetts manufacturing facilities of medical device maker Smith & Nephew has resulted in a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter to the company based on problems uncovered the inspection. The inspection took place … Continue reading
Update on CareFusion Recall of AVEA Ventilators
This week, medical device maker CareFusion provided an update on a global voluntary recall that was initiated on April 21, 2015 to address an issue with certain units of AVEA ventilators. The AVEA ventilator is used in hospitals and health … Continue reading
$15 Million in Damages Awarded to Child for Birth Defects Linked to Depakote
This week a St. Louis jury found that a Minnesota girl’s birth defects were caused by the epilepsy medication Depakote her mother took during pregnancy and the jury awarded the child $15 million in damages. The jury returned the unanimous … Continue reading
Research Links Tylenol Use during Pregnancy to Increased Risk of Male Sterility
New research suggests that males may have a higher risk of infertility if their mothers took Tylenol for extended periods during pregnancy. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine … Continue reading
UMass Epidemiologist to Lead Study of Possible Link Between Phthalates and Breast Cancer Risk
An epidemiologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study whether phthalates affect human breast cancer risk. Prof. Katherine Reeves of the UMass School of Public … Continue reading
Health Authorities Investigate Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Possibly Linked to Raw Tuna in Sushi
The Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) infections, possibly linked to sushi made from raw tuna. … Continue reading
Acetaminophen Use in Pregnancy Could Affect Son’s Fertility
New research in mice suggests that long-term exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy could lower a male’s production of testosterone, possibly affecting his fertility. The results suggest that if a pregnant woman takes acetaminophen for several days it could affect her … Continue reading
Emails Show FDA Was Warned of Duodenoscope Infection Risks Six Years Ago
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received warnings nearly six years ago about the risk of “superbug” infection from specialized medical scopes. The devices have been tied to a series of deadly superbug outbreaks. In 2009, after duodenoscopes were linked … Continue reading
Lumber Liquidators CEO Unexpectedly Resigns Amid Product Safety Concerns
Lumber Liquidators CEO Robert Lynch unexpectedly resigned Thursday following weeks of struggles over safety concerns related to its flooring products. The Toano, Va.-based company will search nationally for a replacement, the company said. Thomas Sullivan, Lumber Liquidators founder, will serve … Continue reading
Indian Food Inspectors Order Instant Noodle Recall over Dangerous Levels of Lead
Food inspectors in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have ordered Nestle India to recall a batch of Maggi instant noodles from stores across the country because the product contained dangerous levels of lead. India’s Food Safety and Drug … Continue reading
