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FDA issues warning about Cardiac Science defibrillators

NBC Nightly News (4/27, story 11, 0:20, Williams) reported, “According to the FDA, defibrillators made by the Cardiac Science Corporation and sold under the label Power Heart could fail because of faulty software contained inside.”The Seattle Times (4/27) reported, “The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued an unusual public warning about 280,000 external defibrillators … Read more

Ask Marvin Lundy…About How to Buy Motorcycle Insurance

It’s spring. You’re looking forward to getting on the road. But, what happens if you’re in an accident? You may be the safest rider in the world, but what about the other guy? Who will pay your bills if you get hurt? Buying motorcycle insurance can be tricky. The rules are different state to state … Read more

Program assesses when disciplined physicians can resume practicing medicine

The Wall Street Journal (4/13, R5, Landro) reports on the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program (PACE) at the University of California-San Diego, which is designed to assess when doctors who have been disciplined can resume practicing medicine. PACE faculty and staff evaluate physicians’ abilities and offer remedial courses, as well as a brief mini-residency. … Read more

Evenflo recalls 150K baby gates

The AP (3/25) reported, “Evenflo is recalling 150,000 wooden gates that block stairways from young children. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the slats on Evenflo Top-of-Stair Plus gates can break or detach, allowing children to access the stairs. The company has received 142 reports of broken or detached slats, including three reports of children … Read more

FDA to reevaluate ReGen knee repair device

The AP (3/19, Perrone) reported that ReGen Biologics, the medical device maker “at the center of a highly controversial Food and Drug Administration approval, is pushing back against the agency’s plan to reevaluate” its Menaflex knee repair implant. The company’s “implant spent more than three contentious years under review at the FDA before gaining approval … Read more

Drug companies turning to private physicians to promote products

  Drug companies are finding ways to circumvent the rules and get more off-label uses for medications… The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/14, Fauber) reported, “For years, drug companies sought out influential university doctors with impressive credentials to bring their message to other doctors and persuade them to write prescriptions for their products.” But as “the … Read more

Similar drug names, bottles cause thousands of mistakes annually

ABC World News (3/5, story 6, 2:55, Sawyer) reported on how some drug bottles look alike and how the FDA “said it gets thousands of reports of such mix-ups every year.” The FDA’s Dr. Gerald Pan said, “Today’s near-miss, today’s medication error that doesn’t cause harm to somebody could cause harm to someone tomorrow.” ABC … Read more