NIH Database Provides Information on Drugs Associated With Liver Injury
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a free searchable database with information on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbals, and dietary supplements associated with liver injury. The LiverTox database is a free resource for health care providers and researchers studying liver injury associated with these products. The database provides up-to-date, accurate, and easily accessed […]
Read More ›US House Committee Examining Documents Related to Meningitis Outbreak and NECC
The United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce is examining the facts related to the meningitis outbreak that has been linked to intrathecal methylprednisolone injections compounded by NECC and has requested additional documentation from FDA. The committee has reviewed an FDA warning letter sent to the company in December 2006 and other […]
Read More ›Experts at FTC Meeting Affirm Role of Pharmacist in Dispensing Veterinary Drugs
In a meeting coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on October 2, 2012, veterinary and pharmacy experts affirmed the practice of pharmacists dispensing veterinary prescriptions. NABP staff provided an overview of the Vet-VIPPS® (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice SitesCM) accreditation program for online pharmacies that dispense veterinary drugs and highlighted the Association’s role in helping […]
Read More ›USP Releases First Universal Standards for Content and Appearance of Prescription Labels to Promote Patient Understanding
New United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) standards for a universal approach to the format, appearance, content, and instructions for medicines in containers dispensed by pharmacists have been released. “Wide variability in prescription container labels exists today across individual prescriptions, pharmacies, retail chains and states. The USP standards provide specific direction on how to organize labels […]
Read More ›New Law Increases Penalties on Medical Cargo Theft
New legislation signed into law by President Obama on October 5, 2012, increases penalties for medical product cargo theft, a significant problem that threatens patient safety when these stolen products are reintroduced into the legitimate supply chain. The Strengthening and Focusing Enforcement to Deter Organized Stealing and Enhance Safety Act of 2012 (SAFE DOSES Act) […]
Read More ›Outbreak of Meningitis Associated With Contaminated Intrathecal Steroid Injection
At least 231 cases of fungal meningitis, including 15 deaths, have been reported to be caused by intrathecal methylprednisolone injections compounded by the New England Compounding Center (NECC). Of the 231 cases reported as of October 16, 2012, a total of 59 have occurred in Tennessee, 35 in Virginia, 47 in Michigan, and 30 in […]
Read More ›Operation Pangea Shut Down Over 18,000 Internet Drug Outlets Through International Efforts
Operation Pangea V, with participation from the FDA and international law enforcement and regulatory agencies, brought about the shutdown of more than 18,000 Web sites illegally marketing and distributing drug products. As part of Operation Pangea V, FDA sent warning letters to 4,100 Internet drug outlets, including Canada Drugs, peddling unapproved and potentially dangerous drug […]
Read More ›Prescription Drug Abuse Rates Fell in 2011, Still Second Only to Marijuana Use
The number of people abusing prescription medications fell by 13% from 7 million in 2010 to 6.1 million in 2011, as indicated in the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This annual report, provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also indicates, however, that rates of prescription drug abuse are […]
Read More ›Puerto Rican Man Convicted for Distributing Counterfeit Drug Products
Francis Ortiz Gonzalez of Puerto Rico has been convicted of federal charges relating to his involvement in the large scale distribution of counterfeit drugs throughout the United States and worldwide. Ortiz Gonzalez was convicted on one count of conspiracy and seven counts of trafficking in counterfeit pharmaceuticals following a six-day trial. An investigation by special […]
Read More ›Rare Cases of Burns Associated with OTC Topical Muscle and Joint Pain Relievers, FDA Warns
FDA alerts the public that certain over-the-counter (OTC) products that are applied to the skin for the relief of mild muscle and joint pain have been reported to cause rare cases of serious skin injuries. These OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers are available as single- or combination-ingredient products that contain menthol, methyl salicylate, […]
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