Unapproved Male Enhancement Dietary Supplements Could Cause Dangerous Low Blood Pressure Levels, FDA Warns
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about male lifestyle dietary supplements containing undeclared ingredients that could interact with prescription drugs and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. FDA tests revealed that Vitalikor Fast Acting contains tadalafil and vardenafil, and counterfeit versions of ExtenZe Maximum Strength contain sildenafil. These drugs are used in FDA-approved […]
Read More ›FDA to Host Public Meeting on Medical Gas Regulations
FDA will hold a public meeting to obtain feedback on whether any changes to regulations concerning medical gas are needed. The meeting will take place on December 6, 2013, from 9 AM to 5 PM and will also be streamed online. FDA is using the public meeting as part of a review process initiated by […]
Read More ›2013 USP Chapter Compliance Survey Shows Compliance Trends Unchanged From 2012
The 2013 United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Chapter <797> Compliance Survey, the third annual report released since 2011, shows that the overall compliance rate of 77.2% remains nearly unchanged from the 2012 rate. Budgetary restrictions and physical plant limitations were among the top challenges to compliance by survey respondents. The report also details the survey’s findings […]
Read More ›Pharmacy Owners, Pharmacists Indicted for Illegal Mail-Order Prescription Painkiller Scheme
Nine defendants, including three licensed pharmacists, face federal charges related to their alleged roles in operating a prescription painkiller ring on the East Coast, NBC News reports. According to a federal indictment (PDF) obtained by NBC, the multi-million dollar mail-order scheme involved the illegal distribution of oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine sulfate, and other painkillers at a […]
Read More ›FDA to Recommend Reclassification of Hydrocodone Combination Products as Schedule II Controlled Substances
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to submit a formal recommendation to reclassify hydrocodone combination products as Schedule II controlled substances (CS) to the Department of Health and Human Services by early December 2013. FDA expects the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to concur with the recommendation, indicates a statement on the FDA Web site. […]
Read More ›Pharmacy Owner Pleads Guilty to Illegally Selling Narcotics to Patients Without a Prescription
Peter Riccio, owner of pharmacies in Hellertown and Palmer, PA, pleaded guilty to charges of illegal distribution of the drug butalbital, a Schedule II narcotic. According to a press release issued by the US Attorney’s office following the initial charges, patients answered online questionnaires that were “already marked with the correct answers to ensure that the […]
Read More ›Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Reaches Half a Million Certifications
The total number of certifications granted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) recently passed half a million, totaling 503,620 as of June 30, 2013. In 2012 alone, 39,729 candidates passed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), according to a PTCB press release. The PTCE is recognized in all 50 states and NABP contemplates that […]
Read More ›Buying Medications from Foreign Online Drug Outlets Risky, Partnership for Safe Medicines Says
An analysis on a recent report from the Group of 8 (G8) shows that rogue online drug outlets are an issue worldwide. The G8 has been collaborating to undermine counterfeit drug sellers through an agreement to exchange information according to national laws and to share best practices in combating counterfeit medication, according to the Partnership […]
Read More ›Florida Sees Continued Decreases in Prescription Drug Related Deaths
In Florida, deaths tied to prescription drugs dropped by 17.7% and deaths caused by oxycodone plunged by 41%, state officials announced in a recent report. The decrease continues the trends established in 2011, when overall drug related deaths in the state fell by 6.4%; in 2012, drug related deaths dropped another 8.8% when compared to […]
Read More ›State Senators Pressure Craigslist to Ban Illegal Prescription Drug Ads
State senators from Nevada and California are calling on Craigslist to remove ads from its site that facilitate illegal distribution and diversion of narcotics, reports the LA Times. In a letter (PDF) to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, California Senator Ted Lieu wrote, “In the interest of public safety, and to help stop needless deaths from overdoses, please consider this […]
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