Every few days I read the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) news to see if there is anything relevant to eldercare that I should be aware of. Recently, I came across an extremely eye-opening item.
Fecal transplants to treat C. diff now need FDA approval
By
McKnight's Staff
May 17, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration is moving to tighten regulations around fecal transplants, which research has shown to be an effective treatment for Clostridium difficile infection.
FDA approves new oral drug to relieve constipation from opioid painkillers
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 24, 2013
Long-term care residents who experience constipation from taking opioids to manage chronic pain may benefit from Amitiza, an oral drug recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Court upholds $142 million Neurontin verdict
Apr 10, 2013
Pfizer must pay $142 million for the marketing and prescribing of epilepsy drug Neurontin for unapproved uses, a federal appeals court has ruled.
Feds should tighten access to common painkillers, legislators say
Feb 27, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration should “act without delay” in tightening access to hydrocodone painkillers such as Vicodin, Congressional lawmakers urged in a recent letter. The letter was...
Becoming wide awake about the dangers of sleeping pills
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 15, 2013
There are some people who are able to fall asleep as their head is hitting the pillow. Then there are the rest of us. And if you don’t think you know any of us, you’re probably wrong.
FDA orders recommended dosages of sleeping pills to be halved
Jan 14, 2013
The Food and Drug Administration is requiring manufacturers of certain sleeping pills, including the widely prescribed Ambien, to reduce current recommended dosages.
Invacare signs consent decree to correct wheelchair manufacturing problems
Jan 02, 2013
Invacare has signed a consent decree in which the company will fix wheelchair manufacturing problems, the Food and Drug Administration announced.
Unapproved marketing of pressure ulcer drug brings settlement worth up to $48 million
By
McKnight's Staff
Dec 10, 2012
The unapproved bed sore drug Xenaderm, which was marketed to nursing homes as “Medicaid reimbursed,” is the source of a settlement that could reach $48 million for Healthpoint Ltd. and DFB...
GSK agrees to pay $90 million to settle diabetes drug allegations
By
McKnight's Staff
Nov 19, 2012
GlaxoSmithKline will pay a $90 million settlement to 38 states that claimed it unlawfully promoted its diabetes treatment Avandia (rosiglitazone). The attorneys general of several states confirmed the...