Gadsden Personal Injury Lawyer - FDA & Prescription Drugs

Raptiva Withdrawn from U.S. Market

Michael Roberts — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:29:57 GMT

On April 8, the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) was the subject of an announced phased voluntary withdrawal from the United States market. Its manufacturer, Genentech, made this announcement due to potential risk to patients of developing a severe, progressive neurologic disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. This disease is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. Raptiva will be no longer available in the U.S. after June 8, 2009.

A February 19 FDA Public Health Advisory warned of PML risks in taking Raptiva, after reports were received of PML disease in patients who had been taking Raptiva.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Roberts

Chantix Linked to Suicide Risk?

Michael Roberts — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:34:49 GMT

In early 2008, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory on the smoking cessation drug Chantix. Chantix, also known as varenicline, is manufactured by Pfizer. In late 2007, the FDA issued an Early Communication to the public and healthcare providers notifying that postmarketing adverse event reports were being evaluated. These reports related to changes in patients' behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior.

In the 2008 Advisory, new safety warnings were emphasized, emphasizing concern about worsening of current psychiatric illnesses or a depressed mood, and unusual behaviors.

Chantix was only approved by the FDA in May 2006 as a smoking cessation drug. It acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Roberts

National Health Care Costs Out Of Control - The Truth!

Greg Cusimano — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:54:44 GMT

$2,900,000,000.00 ($2.9 billion) was spent on national health care in 2005 (the last year numbers are available). This sum represents:

* $6,700 for every man, woman, and child in the United States;

* 16% of the gross domestic product (expected to reach20% by 2015);

* Two times the rate of inflation

* Seven percent (7%) increase in one year; [i]

* Greater sum than any other industrialized nation including those that provide health care to all of their citizens;

* Number one cause of personal Bankruptcy in the United States—unpaid medical bills—true for the insured and uninsured.

In 2006, employer paid health insurance premiums increased 7.7%; an employer health plan averaged about $11,400 for a family off our. The yearly premium for a family exceeded the gross earnings for a minimum wage full-time worker ($10,712). The average employee contribution to company-provided health insurance has increased more than 143% since 2000 and personal out-of- pocket costs increased 115% during the same period. Over 47 million Americans remain uninsured. [ii]

Although health care costs in the U.S. account for 16% of the gross national product (GDP), health care costs result in 10.7% of the GNP in Switzerland, 10.7% in Germany, 9.7% in Canada, and 9.5% in France. [iii] Although hard to believe, at least in 2005, health care spending was 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense. [iv]

How Good Is Our Health Care Anyway?

(Watch for more information)

[i] Catlin, A,C. Cowan, S. Heffler, et al, "National Health Spending in 2005." Health Affairs 26:1 (2006): 142-153.

[ii] For general information see: The National Coalition on Health Care 1200 G Street, NW, -Suite 750 Washington, DC 20005; www.nchc.org/facts/cost

[iii] Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

[iv] California Health Care Foundation. Health Care Costs 101 -- 2005. 02 March 2005.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Greg Cusimano