On June 15, 2012, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a Staff Report, detailing the problem of drug shortages for key lifesaving drugs. According to the Report, the shortages are largely affecting the availability …
Marshals Seize Misbranded Drug Products at Maine Facility per FDA’s Request
On June 6, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced the seizure of various drug products from a Portland, Maine facility. According to the FDA, U.S. Marshals seized the drug products upon the Agency’s request after it was …
FDA Releases Draft Guidance Updating Warnings for Labeling of Albumin, Highlighting Risk of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease
On June 11, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a draft guidance document, entitled Draft Guidance for Industry: Amendment to ‘Guidance for Industry: Revised Preventive Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and …
Study Prompts OIG to Call for Further Training of FDA Medical Device Reviewers
On June 5, 2012, the Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”) published a report entitled, “Executive Summary: Scientific Disagreements Regarding Medical Device Regulatory Decisions.” The Summary, found here, details a study undertaken by the OIG, an office in the Department …
FDA Alerts Consumers of an Array of Dangers Associated with Reumofan Plus Supplement
On June 1, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued an alert to consumers on the product Reumofan Plus. Purportedly marketed as a dietary supplement, Reumofan Plus is manufactured in Mexico by the company Riger Naturals. According to …
U.S. Marshals Seize Products from California Firm upon FDA ’s Repeated Finding of Violations
On May 22, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced that U.S. Marshals, acting at the requests of the Agency, had seized certain products deemed to be unapproved new drugs. HybriSil (methylprednisolone acetate 1% in silicone gel), the …
FTC May Have Won Battle with POM Wonderful but Industry Appears to Have Won the War
On May 21, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it has prevailed in its claim against POM Wonderful LLC (“The Company”) pursuant to a recent ruling by Chief Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”), D. Michael Chappell. In an Order …
FDA Notifies Consumers of Supplement Recall after Discovery of Undeclared Drug Ingredients
On May 18, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a press release announcing the voluntary recall of certain dietary supplements marketed as male enhancements. West Coast Nutritionals, Ltd., the firm responsible for the supplements, initiated the recall …
FDA Expands Use of Device to Detect both Viral and Bacterial Causes of Respiratory Infection
On May 15, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced the clearance of expanded uses for the FilmArray Respiratory Panel, a medical device used to detect causes of respiratory infection. Manufactured by Idaho Technology, Inc., the device is …
FDA and FAAN Aim to Educate Public during Food Allergy Awareness Week
This week (May 13 – May 19, 2012) is recognized as Food Allergy Awareness Week (“FAAW”). FAAW was created by the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (“FAAN”), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness food allergies and those who suffer …