A new study has revealed that an experimental stimulant drug, phenpromethamine, which was never approved for oral use, is part of weight loss and sports supplements being sold today. The stimulant, also called Vonedrine, dates back to World War II, when it was sold as a nasal inhaler. It was later withdrawn from the market. [...]
Technology produces some pretty amazing devices for the medical field that enhance treatment and recovery options. Companies that design these gadgets often rush their products to market by cutting corners such as using subpar materials or not testing as thoroughly as they should to ensure safety. Streamlining medical treatment is big business, but patients shouldn’t [...]
New parents can so easily become overwhelmed with trying to do everything the right way for their baby. It’s certainly crucial to get the important things right when it comes to health and safety for your newborn or infant. There are so many of these areas to stay on top of that it can be [...]
Beyond issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, medical device recalls have had their fair share of headlines this year. In the second quarter of 2020, the number of medical device recalls increased by over 30 percent. Here’s what you should know. Stericycle Expert Solutions issues annual quarterly reports detailing recalls encompassing the consumer products, pharmaceutical, food [...]
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating incidents of severe pulmonary disease among individuals who have used e-cigarettes in a number of different states. As of this month, the state of Wisconsin has the most cases, with 16 confirmed and 15 additional under investigation. The respiratory symptoms suffered by patients as [...]
In 2015, a Miami woman with macular degeneration, an incurable disease leading to permanent vision loss, visited a clinic which promised the extraordinary: a treatment designed to slow down, or even stop, the progression of the disease. The treatment would use stem cells from the patient’s own belly fat. Instead of gaining her vision back, [...]
Most doctors and the public think that the FDA’s database on defective medical devices should be current and complete. If a product malfunctions, the reasonable expectation is that the doctor can research the device to learn what complaints have been filed and whether it is safe for future surgeries. What doctors also expect is that [...]
Product recalls are an unfortunately common occurrence. You've probably seen some lately: tainted romaine lettuce, certain model cars with defective airbags, or perhaps a child's toy recalled for choking hazards. Typically, local or national news or authorized websites provide consumers with serial numbers to check against your product to see if it's affected, and what [...]
Essure birth control went on the market in 2002, and since then the implantable permanent birth control device has been the focus of much controversy. Thousands of women, on their own or organized in support groups, have reported that the device has caused them chronic pain, internal bleeding, miscarriages, and stillbirths. This past April, the [...]
When medical devices that have been implanted into a human body (like a pacemaker or an IUD, for example) fail, Medicare often covers the surgery to replace them. The Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a report that said Medicare has paid at least $1.5 billion over a decade [...]
