FDA

FDA WARNS CONSUMERS NOT TO BUY OR USE EYE DROPS FROM SEVERAL MAJOR BRANDS DUE TO RISK OF EYE INFECTION, POTENTIAL BLINDNESS

Source: U.S. .Food and Drug Administration

Photo:  Public domain image via Bing

October 31,2023 (Washington D.C.)  --The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products sold at major retailers and online, due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. These products are marketed under the following brands:

  • CVS Health
  • Leader (Cardinal Health)
  • Rugby (Cardinal Health)
  • Rite Aid
  • Target Up & Up
  • Velocity Pharma

See full list of product names at the bottom of this article.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES FIRST COVID-19 VACCINE FOLLOWING EIGHT MONTHS OF EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 25, 2021 (Washington, D.C.) - On Monday, August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine, which was previously authorized under emergency use authorization standards since December 2020. Listen to FDA media call regarding the announcement.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES FIRST INTRAOCULAR LENS WITH EXTENDED RANGE OF VISION FOR CATARACT PATIENTS

 

Source:  FDA news release

July 16, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved the first intraocular lens (IOL) that provides cataract patients with an extended depth-of-focus, which helps improve their sharpness of vision (visual acuity) at near, intermediate and far distances.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES VACCINE TO PREVENT CHOLERA FOR TRAVELERS

 

Source: FDA News Release

Photo: bacteria cholera, Youtube screenshot

June 12, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Vaxchora, a vaccine for the prevention of cholera caused by serogroup O1 in adults 18 through 64 years of age traveling to cholera-affected areas. Vaxchora is the only FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of cholera.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA ADVISES RESTRICTING FLUOROQUINOLONE ANTIBIOTIC USE FOR CERTAIN INFECTIONS; WARNS ABOUT DISABLING SIDE EFFECTS

 

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolone should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LOCAL PISTACHIO COMPANY RECALLS PRODUCTS DUE TO SALMONELLA CONCERNS

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2016 (San Diego) – American Gourmet’s roasted and salted pistachios are made locally in Vista and sold at stores countywide, including Trader Joe’s. Now the company has announced a recall due to possible salmonella contamination.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA COMMISSIONER’S APPOINTMENT IN LIMBO OVER BIG PHARMA TIES

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2016 (Washington D.C.) - A battle is looming on Capitol Hill over who will be the next commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA OVERTURNS BAN ON BLOOD DONATIONS FROM GAY MEN

"Gay flag" by Guanaco and subsequent editors.  Uploaded to Wikipedia by Sarang
 
 
December 22, 2015 - On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration lightened air-tight restrictions on a 30-year ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men.  

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LOCAL EXPERT COMMENTS ON FDA APPROVAL OF FIRST DRUG FOR WOMEN WITH LOW LIBIDO

 

Nationally Recognized Sexual Medicine Expert, Dr. Irwin Goldstein of San Diego, Discusses Flibanserin and Lack of Libido Drugs for Women

East County News Service

August 24, 2015 (San Diego) – Although there are 26 drugs approved to treat male sexual dysfunction, there are no drugs specifically approved to increase women’s libido. On August 18,  the FDA approved the first drug, flibanserin—nicknamed “female Viagra.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA: ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS CAN CAUSE STROKES, BLINDNESS OR DEATH

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 30, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – There’s a new wrinkle to consider before signing up for those wrinkle-plumping injections of soft tissue fillers, also called derma fillers or injectible face implants. The substances that have gained popularity with cosmetic surgeons and other healthcare providers to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face or to augment lips and cheeks.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SENATOR FEINSTEIN ASKS FDA TO INVESTIGATE DOG FOOD ILLNESS CLAIMS

 

By Miriam Raftery

March 12, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – California Senator Dianne Feinstein wants to know why the FDA has not taken action to halt the sale of Purina Beneful dog food. The products remain on the market despite numerous complaints and now a lawsuit claiming that thousands of dogs were sickened or died after eating the dry kibble food.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PETCO PULLS PET TREATS FROM CHINA OFF SHELVES DUE TO ILLNESSES, DEATHS OF PETS

 

East County News Service

January 7, 2015 (San Diego) – San Diego-based Petco, the nation’s largest pet product retailer, announced this week that it has removed all dog treats and cat treats made in China off its store shelves nationwide, as well as from its website.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SETTLEMENT IN DOG JERKY CLASS ACTION SUIT

 

By Jaden Jimenez

June 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Waggin' Train LLC reached an agreement with pet owners in several states to create a $6.5 million fund to compensate dog owners who believe their animals were harmed by eating chicken and other jerky treats sold by the companies.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR MEDICATION SAFETY FOR SENIORS

 

By Jaden Jimenez

June 13, 2014 - The FDA has put out a consumer update to ensure safety among older adults when taking medication. The FDA strongly advises adults on medication to not prescribe your own doses, each person is different and should be dosed appropriate to the person by your healthcare provider. The FDA has also posted other safety tips when taking medication:


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EARTHTALK(R): FOOD SAFETY

 

E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo Credit: Heather Buttrum, courtesy FlicKer

May 4, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Dear EarthTalk: What would you consider to be the key areas we need to improve to make our food safer for our health and easier on our environment?

 -- Billy A., Oakland, CA

Although we have come a long way in recent years with regard to the safety and sustainability of our food supply, we still have a long way to go. Toxic pesticides are still used on the vast majority of U.S. grown crops, while other hormone-disrupting chemicals are omnipresent in our food packaging. And excessive use of antibiotics in animal agriculture threatens to render many human drugs ineffective. Environmental leaders would like to see the federal government step up and institute regulations banning such substances in our food supply, but for now it’s still up to individual consumers to make the right choices.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

WHY ARE JERKY TREATS MAKING PETS SICK? FDA ASKS HELP FROM VETERINARIANS AND PUBLIC

October 23, 2013 (Washington D.C.) -- If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.

The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.

To date, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has conducted more than 1,200 tests, visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China and collaborated with colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments. Yet the exact cause of the illnesses remains elusive.

To gather even more information, FDA is reaching out to licensed veterinarians and pet owners across the country.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BUMBLEBEE RECALLS TUNA DUE TO LOOSE SEALS, RISK OF BOTULISM

March 8, 2013 (San Diego)- Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, has issued a voluntary recall on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the company’s standards for seal tightness.

Loose seals or seams could result in product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens and lead to illness if consumed.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA'S MEDWATCH SAFETY ALERTS: JANUARY 2013

March 2, 2013 (Washington, D.C.) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued alerts or other safety information about a number of products, including metal-on-metal hip implants, which release metal particles into the bloodstream, sleep drugs that reduce morning alertness—especially in women, and a motion sickness drug packaged in error as an iron supplem


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DRUG AND DEVICE MAKERS MUST DISCLOSE PAYMENTS TO DOCS

 

Lori Abbott, California News Service

February 11, 2013 (Washington D.C.) --The Food and Drug Administration has just announced it's looking for dozens of doctors to serve on advisory committees that evaluate new medical devices before they hit the market. But the agency is also operating under new rules that could make it harder to fill those vacancies. The Affordable Care Act requires drug companies and medical device makers to publicly disclose payments they make to doctors and hospitals. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES THREE NEW DRUG TREATMENTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

 

January 29, 2013 (San Diego)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved three new related products for use with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes: Nesina (alogliptin) tablets, Kazano (alogliptin and metformin hydrochloride) tablets, and Oseni (alogliptin and pioglitazone) tablets.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

RENO DISPATCH: REPORT - CANCER VACCINE SAVES LIVES, BUT FDA DOESN'T CARE

December 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Many lives have been saved by a personalized vaccine for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer called BioVax ID. But inexcusably, BioVax ID, which has been around since 1994, remains unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is unavailable to many patients.

The FDA says it denied a request for accelerated approval for this vaccine from the company, Biovest, because the vaccine does not fill an unmet need. But patients and patient advocates I've spoken to across the nation strongly disagree.

http://therenodispatch.blogspot.com/2012/12/cancer-vaccine-saves-lives-b...


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES PUMP FOR HEART FAILURE PATIENTS AWAITING HEART TRANSPLANT

November 24, 2012 (San Diego) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), to support heart function and blood flow in patients with end-stage heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

MASSIVE MEDICATION RECALL: FDA REPORTS VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL AMERIDOSE DRUG PRODUCTS

Hundreds of drugs recalled, ranging from antibiotics to blood thinners, pain prescriptions to pediatric medications recalled

Update:  “Sharp Grossmont Hospital and any other entity of Sharp HealthCare does not purchase products from Ameridose, the pharmaceutical company that is linked to the drug recall,” spokesman Bruce Hartman has informed ECM.

October 31, 2012 (Washington D.C.)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Ameridose, LLC, based in Westborough, Mass., is voluntarily recalling all of its unexpired products due to serious sterility concerns. The move follows 54 cases of fungal meningitis linked to steroid injections.

However, the drug recall is much broader, including hundreds of drugs in oral and inhalable forms as well as injectibles. The list includes many commonly used medications such as Ibuprofin, Acetaminophen, Lidocaine, Penicillin, Vancomycin, Oxytocin, Morphine, Vancomycin and Heparin, to name just a few.

View a complete list of all products subject to this recall here with more information at www.ameridose.com. Products from Ameridose can be identified by markings that indicate Ameridose by name or by its company logo. Despite the recall, doctors and healthcare professional have NOT been urged by the FDA to followup with patients who received these drugs, so check the list carefully to see if medications you have received may be on the list. Scroll down for more information.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EARTHTALK®: HOW HEALTHY ARE PERFUMES?

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

September 29, 2012 -- Dear EarthTalk: I’ve always suspected that perfumes and colognes must not be too healthy simply because of the way the smell of most of them bothers me. Am I correct? Is there information available on this issue?                                                        -- Lucinda Barry, Minneapolis, MN


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA ISSUES SAFETY ALERT ON INTESTINOMICINA, DRUG PRODUCT MARKETED AS TREATMENT FOR INFECTIOUS DIARRHEA

September 22, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Intestinomicina, a drug product manufactured in El Salvador and marketed as a treatment for infectious diarrhea and acute gastrointestinal infections. Consumers who have purchased this product should immediately stop taking it and consult with a health care provider.

Intestinominica contains the prescription drug ingredient, chloramphenicol. Oral forms of chloramphenicol were formally withdrawn from the United States market in July 2012 due to the risk of serious and life threatening injuries.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PET JERKY TREATS LINKED TO 2,200 ILLNESSES, 361 DEATHS: DOGS AND CATS AFFECTED

Chinese imports suspected; FDA advises avoiding jerky treats

September 15, 2012 (Washington D.C)—The FDA has issued a report revealing that thousands of pet illnesses since 2007 have been linked to consumption of jerky pet treats.  Most complaints involve chicken jerky (treats, tenders, and strips), but others include duck, sweet potato, and treats where chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruits, sweet potatoes, or yams.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA APPROVES PRODUCTION OF IMAGING AGENT THAT HELPS DETECT PROSTATE CANCER

Mayo Clinic is the first facility approved to manufacture Choline C 11 Injection
 
September 18, 2012  (Washington, D.C.) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the production and use of Choline C 11 Injection, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent used to help detect recurrent prostate cancer.
 
Choline C 11 Injection is administered intravenously to produce an image that helps to locate specific body sites for follow-up tissue sampling and testing in men with recurrent prostate cancer.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FDA ANNOUNCES RECALL OF CANTELOUPES LINKED TO SALMONELLA OUTBREAK IN 21 STATES

 

 
August 23, 2012 (Washington D.C.)--The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing a recall of cantaloupe by Chamberlain Farms in Indiana because of possible contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat and to discard cantaloupe from this farm, which shipped products to many states.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

FOOD SAFETY GUIDES FOR GROUPS MOST VULNERABLE TO FOODBORNE ILLNESS NOW AVAILABLE

 
USDA and FDA partner on food safety booklets to help those with compromised immune systems prevent food borne illness 
 
August 5, 2012  (Washington) —The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have partnered to create six booklets with food safety advice for populations that are most susceptible to food borne illness. The booklets in this “at-risk series” are tailored to help older adults, transplant recipients, pregnant women, and people with cancer, diabetes or HIV/AIDS reduce their risk for food borne illness.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER’S EDITORIAL: THE SQUAWK OVER BACKYARD CHICKENS

 
By Gretchen Anderson
 
June 29, 2012 (El Cajon )--Three cheers to the El Cajon City Council for its recent decision to give backyard hen keeping a try. El Cajon residents spoke and the city listened. The fight to keep backyard chickens began in 2004, when the people of Madison, Wisconsin took on the city for the right to legally keep hens.
 
So what’s the big deal? Why are so many people keen on backyard hen keeping? Aside from the superior eggs, natural pest control and nitrogen rich fertilizer, people keep backyard poultry for three main reasons: economics, property rights and food security.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages