Government

Updates from the FDA, CDC and other agencies.

Government

Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report: Hidden Costs of Health Care (PR)

HHS released “Hidden Costs of Health Care,” reporting that someone with employer coverage paid an average $1,522 out of pocket in 2006, up from $1,260 in 2001. Counting premiums, costs rose 30 percent to $3,744, and the average family plan cost $12,680 in 2008.

Government

Obama Announces Medicare, Medicaid Savings Proposals

President Obama used his weekly address to press for action on health care, proposing Medicare and Medicaid changes he says would cut costs by an estimated $313 billion, and noting America spends nearly 50 percent more per person on health care than any other country.

Jun 13, 2009

Government

Judge orders Cannabis Dispenser to Prison

Despite Attorney General Eric Holder's 2009 remarks on federal medical marijuana enforcement, federal raids on California dispensaries continued, and a judge sentenced dispensary operator Charles Lynch to a year and a day. A US attorney says Lynch broke state and federal law.

Jun 13, 2009

Government

FDA Panel Says Yes to Seroquel, Zyprexa and Geodon for Kids

The FDA's Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approving Seroquel, Zyprexa and Geodon for schizophrenia and bipolar mania in children and adolescents. The hearings also aired risks: seven or eight extra heartbeats a minute in children, cataracts and a prolonged QT interval.

Jun 13, 2009

Government

FTC Challenges Biotech Industry’s Plea for 12-Year Protection from Generics

The Federal Trade Commission has challenged the biotech industry's case for 12 to 14 years of protection before generic competition. The FTC accepts biotech drugs cost more to make and estimates generic versions would discount only about 30 percent, against 90 percent for synthetics.

Jun 12, 2009

Government

FDA requires boxed warning for all botulinum toxin products (PR)

The agency acted on reports that the toxin can spread from the injection site and cause botulism-like symptoms, including muscle weakness and trouble breathing or swallowing. Most reports involved children treated off-label for cerebral palsy spasticity.

Jun 9, 2009

Government

Group sues FDA for inaction over its petition to ban risky painkiller

Public Citizen sued the FDA for failing to rule within six months on its petition to pull propoxyphene, sold as Darvon and Darvocet, from the market. The group says the painkiller has caused more than 2,000 accidental deaths since 1981 and that ibuprofen works better for most pain.

Jun 20, 2008

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