Sarasota Personal Injury Lawyer

Diabetes' Drugs Avandia and Actos

Joe Saunders — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:45:45 GMT

A panel of outside FDA advisers will be asked what types of studies should be conducted in order to evaluate the safety of diabetes' drugs Avandia and Actos, both of which have been linked to cardiac problems. Just last year, the FDA suggested the drugs should carry the highest possible warning labels.

``Questions have been raised as to whether long-term cardiovascular trials should be part of the approval process for pharmacological therapies developed for the treatment of diabetes,'' according to the FDA briefing document, prepared for the panel's meeting. "

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Glaxo AIDS Drug Doubles Heart Attack Risk

Joe Saunders — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:44:39 GMT

In a study published in the Lancet medical journal, Glaxo SmithKline's AIDS drug Ziagen doubles the risk of heart attack. In the wake of the published study, AIDS doctors are urging caution before abandoning the drug. These antiretrovirals are wonderful and lifesaving, but they do have toxicity problems," said Charlie Gilks, director of AIDS treatment and prevention at the World Health Organization.

Not surprisingly, Glaxo's spokesperson argued that internal company research does not support the Lancet findings.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Contaminated Beef Used in Hundreds of Food Products

Joe Saunders — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:44:14 GMT

The California slaughterhouse at the center of last month's massive beef recall now say that the contaminated beef has been used in 486 food products ranging from Slim Jim jerky to Jenny Craig meat loaf. The list of food products touched by the beef recall is expected to grow in the coming weeks. The list includes California restuarants, retailers and other purveyors of food stuffs. The complete list is located on the California Department of Public Health's website

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Chattem Icy Hot Heat Therapy Recalled

Joe Saunders — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:47:48 GMT

Icy Hot heat therapy products manufactured by Chattem, Inc. have been recalled due to consumer reports of first, second, and third degree skin burns, irritation and skin removal. The affected products were manufactured from October 1, 2006 through July 31, 2007 and distributed from December 4, 2006 through February 4, 2008. All lots and all sizes of the following Icy Hot Heat Therapy products are affected by this recall:

Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Back
Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg
Icy Hot Heat Therapy Air Activated Heat- Arm, Neck, and Leg single consumer use "samples" included on a limited promotional basis in cartons of 3 oz. Aspercreme Pain Relieving Crème.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Allstate Can't Sell New Auto Insurance Policies in Florida

Joe Saunders — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:20:04 GMT

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has suspended the license of Allstate Insurance Company from selling new auto insurance policies in the state of Florida because of their relationship with rating organizations such as AM Best and Hurricane modeling companies and industry trade groups. This is an unprecedented move in Florida and sends a clear warning to other auto insurance companies that the State is willing to act if companies fail to comply with the Office's investigation. The investigation began after the Florida Legislature passed legislation last year directing insurance companies to lower homeowners' policy premiums. The Office asked for documents from Allstate and the large insurance company refused to supply them. The suspension applies to Allstate Insurance Co., Allstate Indemnity Co. and Allstate Property and Casualty Co., all of which sell auto insurance policies.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Lakeland Wildfire on I-4 Causes 50 Car Crash

Joe Saunders — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:16:57 GMT

A combination of dense fog and a wildfire from a controlled burn led to a 50 car crash on I-4 near Lakeland, Florida early this morning. There have been 3 reported deaths and a slew of injuries. As I mentioned in my tampabay.injuryboard.com blog, I wonder why the highway was not closed if the weather was so inclement that visibility was zero.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Congress Starts Asking Questions About Dr. Jarvik

Joe Saunders — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:36:11 GMT

Dr. Robert Jarvik became known as the maker of the world's first artificial heart in the 1980's. Most recently, his face and name are splashed in tv and print media ads pitching Pfizer's cholesterol drug Lipitor. The marketing campaign is so often used that Congress has started asking Pfizer questions about Dr. Jarvik's qualifications to pitch a cholesterol drug. The Wall St. Journal published an article about the inquiry and stated that Jarvik doesn't hold a license to practice medicine. When NBC's Robert Bazell did an investigative piece last year, he reported that Jarvik has never done a medical internship and has never practiced medicine! Yet, he's pitching a cholesterol drug that millions of patients are using. Congressman John Dingell has stated that Jarvik appears to be giving medical advice in the marketing pieces. Pfizer has made millions of dollars with the drug using Jarvik as the celebrity endorsee. That doesn't seem accurate marketing to me!

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

FDA Warns About Botulism in Canned Green Beans

Joe Saunders — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:01:56 GMT

The FDA is warning consumers about the potential for botulism in GFS Fancy Blue Lake Cut Green Beans manufactured by New Era Canning Company. Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin that can be life threatening. The green beans were distributed with lot numbers 19H7FL and UPC code 93901 11873, in large institutional-sized, 6 pound 5 ounce (#10) cans. New Era Canning Company has issued a voluntary recall of these products. The FDA is advising consumers to discard the green beans immediately by double bagging them and placing them in non-recyclable trash containers. The botulism can affect those who come into contact with the strain either through ingestion, inhalation, or contact with the skin.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Older Patients Who Take Avandia Have Higher Risk of Heart Attacks

Joe Saunders — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:33:53 GMT

According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association older people who suffer from diabetes and take Avandia as part of their treatment regimen are 60% increased risk of heart failure, a 40% increased risk of heart attack, and a 30% increased risk of death. This is obviously not good news for Glaxo Smith Kline, the manufacturer of Avandia. Avandia is a controversial drug designed to treat Type II diabetes but has faced stiff criticism concerning its links to cardiac issues.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders

Genentech's Move to Restrict Use of Cheaper Avastin Leads to Probe

Joe Saunders — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:30:23 GMT

Genentech, the maker of Avastin, has sought to restrict access to its cheaper drug Avastin so that health officials will use a more expensive brand has lead to Congressional criticism. The restriction on the eye disease drug has led one US senator to write letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the FDA inquiring as to the propriety of Genentech's actions. Senator Kohl of Wisconsin also sent a letter to Genentech informing them that he will investigate these restrictions.
This seems to be another instance where pharmaceutical companies are seeking higher profits at the expense of the consumer. While every company has a right and a duty to make a profit for its shareholders, it crosses the line when that company restricts access to cheaper drugs that work.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Saunders