Feds: GlaxoSmithKline to Pay $3B for Illegally Marketing Drugs
GLAXOSMITHKLINE/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Heathcare giant GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to an unprecedented $3 billion settlement with the U.S. government over allegations that the company advertised drugs for uses not approved by the Food and Drug …
FDA Approves Weight Loss Drug Belviq
George Doyle/Stockbyte/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the weight loss drug Belviq for people who are overweight or obese and have one or more weight-related health problems, the agency announced today. “Obesity…
Prescriptions for ADHD Drugs Increasing, Says New FDA Research
Comstock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The number of children who received prescriptions for drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased over an eight-year period while the number of antibiotic prescriptions declined, acco…
Sour Lemons: Consumer Group Accuses 4 Brands of Watered-Down Juice
Top Photo Group/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Bottled lemon juice is a $100 million business but the National Consumers League is asking the Food and Drug Administration to put the squeeze on four brands that the group says are passing off a watered-down pro…
FDA Approves Meningitis Vaccine for Infants
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday approved an infant vaccine that experts say will protect small children from two potentially fatal bacterial diseases.Menhibrix, manufactured by the Belgium-based comp…
US Has Drug Recall Problem, Study Says
Comstock/Thinkstock(BOSTON) — Drug recalls in the U.S. happen frequently — about once every month — according to researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In a new study published Monday in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the r…
FDA Slaps J&J for Tampon, KY Trouble
Cristina Arias/Getty Images(SKILLMAN, N.J.) — The beleaguered consumer product giant Johnson & Johnson has had its hand slapped again by the FDA, this time for problems with tampons and other popular personal care products.In a warning letter rele…
Fake Adderall Sold Online Gets FDA’s Attention
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Beware of fake versions of ADHD medication Adderall that are being sold on the Internet, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned.The agency issued the warning Tuesday after receiving complaints from the ma…
Chinese Pet Treats Linked to 900 Dog Deaths, Illnesses
Sampson, a 9-year-old fox terrier, died of kidney failure in January. His owners blame his death on Chinese jerky treats. (Courtesy Terry Safranek)(NEW YORK) — Just six months after issuing its latest warning about chicken jerky dog treats made in Chi…
Juice Maker’s Health Benefit Claims ‘Deceptive,’ Says Judge
PRNewsFoto/Roll Global(WASHINGTON) — A federal judge ruled that the makers of Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice and supplements must stop making claims that its products can treat or prevent heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction pendin…
Listeria Scare Prompts Salad Recall
iStockphotoThinkstock(NEW YORK) — Fresh concerns over possible Listeria contamination has prompted producer River Ranch Fresh Foods to issue a voluntary nation-wide recall for its bagged salad.The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious, pot…
FDA Investigating Z-Pak Antibiotic Linked to Heart Risks
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the antibiotic azithromycin, commonly known as Z-Pak, after a study linked the drug to an increased risk of death.The study, published Wednesday in the New Eng…
FDA Issues Warning About Experimental Therapy
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning about the potential risks of an experimental therapy used to treat a condition — chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI — often linked to m…
FDA Still Cautious About Bone Drugs
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says doctors need to reassess which women are likely to benefit from popular bone-building drugs, given the lack of evidence showing that taking them for the long term really…
FDA Takes Steps to Lower Kids’ Radiation Exposure
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — In an effort to make sure that kids don’t get too much radiation during medical tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed guidelines for manufacturers of medical imaging devices to make new equipm…
FDA Regulation of Cosmetics Nears Despite Industry Objections
Goodshoot/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The average woman applies 12 beauty products to her body daily. For men, it’s six daily.Yet few consumers know the chemicals that go into those everyday cosmetics.“Shame on me,” said Bette-Lee Hanson,…
FDA Approves New Drug for Erectile Dysfunction
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Stendra, a new pill in the same drug class as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis, which reportedly offers men with erectile dysfunction the possibility of achieving an …
Company Approves Drug for Dying Mother
Photodisc/Thinkstock(TAMPA BAY, Florida) — Social media proved to be one powerful tool for a mother dying of breast cancer and desperate to get a drug that has yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In a self-made video, Darle…
FDA Warns of Infection Risks from Contaminated Ultrasound Gel
Hemera/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors, hospitals and clinics that contaminated ultrasound gel produced by a New Jersey company infected 16 cardiac patients and could pose serious risks to pregnant women an…
FDA Will Require Tobacco Companies to List Harmful Ingredients
David De Lossy/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that it will require the tobacco industry to disclose a number of harmful chemical ingredients and also to back up claims for tobacco products marketed as “less…