Canadian Study Finds Actos Raises Bladder Cancer Risk by 22 Percent
Yet another study is confirming the association between the diabetes drug, Actos, and bladder cancer. This latest research, published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that taking Actos raised the risk of bladder cancer among diabetics by about one-fifth.
Western Pennsylvania Familes File Suit Over Alleged Fracking Pollution
Three families in western Pennsylvania believe a leading hydraulic fracturing (fracking) company and two water testing labs are conspiring to produce false results that show natural gas drilling is not contaminating their private water wells.
Tentative Ohio Fracking Regulations Criticized as too Lax
Lawmakers in Ohio have tentatively passed new regulations governing hydraulic fracturing (fracking) drilling but they’ve immediately been criticized for being too favorable to the natural gas and oil industries.
First DePuy ASR Hip Implant Lawsuits Head to Trial in December, January
The first trials involving lawsuits filed against DePuy Orthopaedics by recipients of its recalled ASR Hip Implants will begin later this year, and early next year. The first is slated to start on December 3, 2012 in state court in Las Vegas, Nevada. A second DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuit ...
Actos, Avandia May Up Risk for Diabetic Macular Edema
A newly published study is raising concerns that patients who take Actos or Avandia may face an increased risk of developing diabetic macular edema, an eye disorder that can result in vision loss. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that type 2 diabetics who use thiazolidinediones, ...
Medtronic Plans Layoffs, as Infuse Bone Graft Controversy Continues to Weigh on Spinal Business
Medtronic’s spinal division continues to take a huge hit thanks to the controversy surrounding its Infuse Bone Graft product. According to a report from MassDevice.com, the company’s latest earnings report stated that the division saw Infuse sales decline 26% in the first quarter of 2012, and now Medtronic is talking ...
Canadian Study Confirms Actos Bladder Cancer Risk
A new study conducted by Canadian researchers has found that users of the type 2 diabetes drug, Actos (pioglitazone), may face a higher risk of developing bladder cancer than first thought. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that taking Actos for two years doubles the likelihood ...
Newly-Filed Plavix Lawsuits Claim Drug Caused Gastrointestinal Bleeds, Cerebral Hemorrhage, and TTP
The manufacturer of Plavix continues to be named in lawsuits alleging the blood thinner caused some patients to suffer from serious bleeding side effects. Most recently, the national law firm of Parker Waichman LLP filed nine Plavix bleeding lawsuits in state court in New York.
Johnson & Johnson Marketing of Gynecare Prolift Transvaginal Mesh Raises More Questions
Johnson & Johnson and its Ethicon unit are again coming under scrutiny for the way it marketed its Gynecare ProLift transvaginal mesh product. According to a new report from Bloomberg News, Johnson & Johnson continued marketing the Gynecare ProLift device for months after it received a warning from the ...
New York Property Owners Challenge Binghamton Fracking Ban
According to a Reuters report, the landowners believe the Binghamton, N.Y., city council and Mayor acted against proper protocol when voting to ban fracking drilling the the city. Instead, they feel the city should have consulted with the Broome County Planning Commission before approving the ban.Avon Recalls Microwave Popcorn Makers Over Burn, Fire Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced a recall issued by Avon for microwave popcorn makers.
Some 55,000 Avon Microware Popcorn Makers that were sold in the United States are being recalled over the potential for fire and burns, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The recalled Avon popcorn makers retailed for about $13 and were sold in the United States through Avon’s website and Avon sales representatives from October through February, the AP said. Continue reading
Another Ethicon Vaginal Mesh Device Lawsuit Filed Over Serious Injuries
A Mississippi woman alleges, in a recently filed lawsuit, that she suffered injuries caused by Ethicon Inc.’s transvaginal mesh device. The woman alleges the injuries are a result of Ethicon’s Prolift and TVT sling and that these products are defective.
According to this complaint, the woman was implanted with the Prolift and TVT sling on November 20, 2008. The lawsuit alleges that the device makers knew about the risks associated with Ethicon’s Proflift and TVT sling and failed to warn the woman, her doctor, and other consumers. She is suing for negligence on three counts of strict liability (design defect, manufacturing defect, and failure to warn), breach of express and implied warranty, fraudulent concealment, and punitive damages. Continue reading
Nevada Health Officials: 89 Affected in Salmonella Outbreak
According to the Southern Nevada Health District, as many as 89 people may have contracted salmonella at Firefly, a popular Las Vegas tapas restaurant.
The restaurant was shut down on April 26, following a health inspection that revealed violations including improperly stored food; employees handling food without gloves; and employees preparing food next to cleaning chemicals, according to KVVU-TV. Continue reading
Woman Undergoes Hip Implant Revision Surgery Over Cobalt Reaction
A Denver woman, allergic to a component in one of her hip implants had to undergo revision surgery to remove and replace the medical device.
The 50-year-old woman told ABC News that said she suffered from pain and itching throughout her body, but had no idea it was her hip implant that was causing the reactions that also included migraine headaches.
Two years into the symptoms, her right hip lit up on a PET scan she underwent for an unrelated issue. The hip involved was implanted in 2008 and constructed with metal, according to ABC News. “My entire body itched,” she told ABCNews.com. “A regular allergist did some testing that didn’t show anything. Not one person along the way said, ‘I wonder if you’re allergic to your hip.’” Continue reading
Tougher Drunk Driving Limits Sought
In an effort to cut alcohol-related highway deaths, a more stringent drunk driving threshold is being sought.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working to have the current blood alcohol threshold of .08 slashed down to .05, which would match a standard that has significantly cut highway deaths in other countries, according to The Associated Press (AP).
The reduced level of .05 percent amounts to about one four-ounce drink for a woman weighing under 120 pounds or two drinks for a 160-pound man, according to the AP. Continue reading
Florida Nursing Home Faces Sanctions Over Client Treatment
A Florida nursing home is facing a fine and state-mandated probation for failing to report allegations of abuse and to implement procedures to prevent abuse.
Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration has determined that three of 60 clients at Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home in Crestview were not “free of verbal or physical abuse,” according to nwfdailynews.com, an online newspaper. According to the proposed settlement agreement filed on May 10, staff members were made aware of “intentional rudeness, refusal of care and services, and rough physical treatment of residents,” but failed to take appropriate action. Continue reading
Pain Pill Use Associated with Erectile Dysfunction
A study has found that men taking prescription pain pills in high doses and over time are likelier to experience erectile dysfunction (ED).
The study, published in the journal, Spine, found that men taking high doses of prescription painkillers for more than four months were 50 percent likelier to need ED treatment when compared to men who were not taking pain killers, according to Fox News. The researchers reviewed the health records of 11,000 men who were taking prescription opioids, such as oxycodone, for chronic back pain treatment. A high dose of an opioid was considered to be the equivalent of 80 milligrams of Oxycontin daily, or 120 milligrams of morphine. Continue reading
Detergent Pods Present Significant Dangers to Children
Detergent pods or capsules have been associated with an array of adverse reactions in children, including choking and poisoning incidents. Part of the issue with these pods is that they look like candy and are very attractive to children.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers indicates that more than 6,200 young children, under five years of age, were taken to hospitals in 2012 after attempting to eat the dangerous detergent pods, according to an ABC2 News report. “The problem with these little pods is that they are very concentrated, so the detergent is a smaller amount but more concentrated. If they take it, if they chew it, take off a piece, bite into it, they get a concentrated dose of the detergent,” Dr. Kate Cronan from Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital For Children, told ABC2 News. Continue reading
Elevated Cadmium Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Liver Disease
Johns Hopkins medical researchers report that people with higher levels of cadmium in their urine appear to be nearly 3.5 times more likely to die of liver disease than people with lower levels.
Cadmium in the urine is evidence of chronic exposure to the heavy metal in industrial emissions and tobacco smoke, the researchers explain. The metal has a long chemical half-life and accumulates in the body over time, according to the Hub. The researchers say long-term exposure is known to cause kidney disease and has been linked to lung cancer. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to low levels of cadmium increases cancer mortality.
Judge Approves Class-Action Settlement in Skechers Case
On Monday a federal judge in Louisville approved a $40 million settlement in a class-action suit against Skechers USA Inc. The suit was brought by consumers who alleged the company’s ads made unfounded claims that Skechers fitness shoes would help them lose weight and strengthen muscles.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the settlement grew out of consumer complaints over a series of Skechers ads featuring celebrity endorsers such as Kim Kardashian and Brooke Burke. The ads claimed that Skecher’s shoe design requires wearers to “use more energy with every step,” thereby helping them lose weight and strengthen butt, leg, and stomach muscles. Skechers reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission that bars the company from running the ads in the future.
