FDA & Prescription Drugs

• Diseases caused by drugs

  Staff Writer | December 05, 2006 12:52 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Many consumers are unaware of the many disturbing statistics about diseases caused by drugs. Worstpills.org offers an article detailing some of the statistics and drug-induced diseases. They say that more than 9.6 million adverse drug reactions in older Americans happen each year, and many are unreported to doctors.The following national estimates are based on well-conducted studies, mainly in...

• Antibiotics ineffective in beating bronchitis

  Staff Writer | November 24, 2006 9:21 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  An interesting article on Healthday.com discusses a study out of Virginia Commonwealth University in which two physicians looked at research studies, clinical trials and other information related to bronchitis, and determined that antibiotics don't actually help these patients. "Physicians should be encouraged to avoid antibiotics in most cases," said Dr. Richard P. Wenzel, chairman of the...

• Antibiotics associated with tendon rupture

  Staff Writer | November 23, 2006 9:10 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  A group called Public Citizen filed a petition to the FDA in August 2006, urging them to issue a warning about the risks of tendon rupture associated with certain antibiotics called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. One example of this type of drug is ciproflaxacin (Cipro). An article on worstpills.org provides the details:Between November 1997 and the end of December 2005, 794 cases of...

• Merck Seeks to Block FDA Whistle Blower's Testimony

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 10:40 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Dr. David Graham's testimony for federal Vioxx trials "goes beyond anything he has said previously and shouldn't be heard by jurors," said Merck's attorneys. Graham alleged that the drug maker dragged its feet about adding a warning label and that Vioxx should not have even been approved when it was. A hearing is scheduled for later this week to decide what part of his depositions will be...

• New study links drugs to liver damage

  Staff Writer | November 22, 2006 8:22 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  According to the Parmaceutical Business Review online, a study out of Washington University School of Medicine shows that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can increase liver damage in patients. Here are some details of the study:Using an experimental mouse model of the disorder, the researchers investigated the effects of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) on liver...

• Acetaminophen recall causes concern

  Staff Writer | November 13, 2006 3:14 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Last week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 11 million bottles of acetaminophen, sold as store brands at CVS Pharmacy, Wal-Mart and more than 120 other retailers nationwide. The 500 mg caplets made by Perrigo Corp. of Michigan were pulled from the shelves because of the possibility that they might contain metal fragments. A story out of the Montgomery Advertiser reports further...

• Osteoporosis drugs linked to jaw disease

  Staff Writer | October 25, 2006 10:39 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  A number of drugs which are often used to treat osteoporosis and cancer patients are believed to cause a terrible jaw disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw or "dead jaw." Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Skelid, Adedia, Bonefos, Didronel and Zometa are part of a drug category called bisphosphonates. These drugs have been increasingly linked to osteonecrosis, a serious disorder in which the bone...

• Latest Study On Celebrex Confirms Cardiovascular Risk

  Tom Methvin | October 25, 2006 10:29 AM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom is the equivalent of the FDA in the U.S. A new study was reported by MHRA on March 1, 2006, regarding Celebrex. It lists a new study by several authors, including Dr. Brent Caldwell, citing a medical journal. The website summarized, stating the new study is based on data already assessed by regulatory agencies...

• Merck's 18-Month Myth Is Now Totally Deflated

  Tom Methvin | October 24, 2006 8:28 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  Merck & Co. has been playing fast and loose with the truth for years relating to its testing and marketing of Vioxx. Finally, in an admission that undermines its core defense in Vioxx-related lawsuits, Merck has finally decided to tell the truth. Merck now says it erred when it reported in early 2005 that a crucial statistical test showed that Vioxx caused heart problems only after 18 months of...

• Alabama state court in Vioxx spotlight

  Staff Writer | October 24, 2006 1:17 PM | 0 CommentsMobile, AL

  One of today's top Reuters headlines talks of a new barrage of Vioxx litigation over this defective drug that has been proven to cause strokes and heart attacks. Though a case in Texas was recently dropped by a plaintiff just two weeks before trial, several others move forward and will soon go to trial, including one in an Alabama state court. Drug manufacturer Merck & Co. is facing more than...