Content about Medical emergencies

April 17, 2013
Hearing focuses on FDA response to meningitis outbreak

Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

March 11, 2013
'60 Minutes' report explores fungal meningitis outbreak

A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

February 20, 2013
Mylan distributes EpiPens to thousands of schools

A division of drug maker Mylan has distributed auto-injectors of an emergency drug used for severe allergic reactions to schools nationwide.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — A division of drug maker Mylan has distributed autoinjectors of an emergency drug used for severe allergic reactions to schools nationwide.

Mylan Specialty said Wednesday that since its August 2012 launch of the EpiPen4Schools program, thousands of schools around the country had elected to participate and receive free EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) auto-injectors. The program was launched to help schools have improved access to epinephrine in the event that a person experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis.

January 29, 2013
Sanofi's Auvi-Q epinephrine injection now available

Sanofi announced today that Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is now available in U.S. retail pharmacies nationwide with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Sanofi announced today that Auvi-Q (epinephrine injection, USP) is now available in U.S. retail pharmacies nationwide with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

 

December 6, 2012
FDA grants orphan drug designation to Biodel drug for rare insulin disease

The Food and Drug Administration has given special designation to a treatment made by Biodel for patients with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare disorder that affects children.

DANBURY, Conn. — The Food and Drug Administration has given special designation to a treatment made by Biodel for patients with congenital hyperinsulinism, a rare disorder that affects children.

Biodel announced that it had received orphan drug designation for glucagon to prevent hypoglycemia, or abnormally low blood sugar, in patients with CHI.

September 26, 2012
Mylan Specialty hires 'Modern Family' star for anaphylaxis campaign

Mylan Specialty has hired a star of a popular TV series as a celebrity spokeswoman for a campaign designed to draw attention to severe allergic reactions.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Mylan Specialty has hired a star of a popular TV series as a celebrity spokeswoman for a campaign designed to draw attention to severe allergic reactions.

September 10, 2012
Study: Topical antibiotics prevent infection from small cuts, abrasions

Minor, uncomplicated wounds, such as the typical cuts and scrapes of childhood, are less likely to become infected when kept clean and moist and treated with topical antibiotics, according to a literature review published online Friday in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, the peer-reviewed scientific journal for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

WASHINGTON — Minor, uncomplicated wounds, such as the typical cuts and scrapes of childhood, are less likely to become infected when kept clean and moist and treated with topical antibiotics, according to a literature review published online Friday in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, the peer-reviewed scientific journal for the American College of Emergency Physicians.

July 11, 2012
BioRx receives distribution rights to bleeding disorder drug

Days after its acquisition of Coagulife, specialty pharmacy provider BioRx has received limited distribution rights to a treatment for a bleeding disorder described as one of the rarest in the world.

CINCINNATI — Days after its acquisition of Coagulife, specialty pharmacy provider BioRx has received limited distribution rights to a treatment for a bleeding disorder described as one of the rarest in the world.

The company, which specializes in treating bleeding disorders, said Wednesday that it had received the rights for Corifact (factor XIII concentrate [human]), a treatment made by CSL Behring for congenital Factor XIII deficiency. The drug received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in February 2011.

April 26, 2012
Study: Walgreens home infusion service may deliver services faster than an ER visit

Patients with a rare, life-threatening genetic immune system disorder can receive treatment for sudden episodes more quickly and cost-effectively at home than if they go to the emergency room, according to a Walgreens Infusion Services study being presented Wednesday at the National Home Infusion Association Annual Conference and Exposition here.

PHOENIX — Patients with a rare, life-threatening genetic immune system disorder can receive treatment for sudden episodes more quickly and cost-effectively at home than if they go to the emergency room, according to a Walgreens Infusion Services study being presented Wednesday at the National Home Infusion Association Annual Conference and Exposition here.

December 7, 2011
Despite bleeding risk, aspirin may be beneficial before cardiac surgery

Aspirin taken within five days before cardiac surgery is associated with a significant decrease in the risk of major postoperative complications, including renal failure, an intensive care unit stay, and even early death (30-day mortality), according to findings from an observational cohort study by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of California Davis Medical Center that are set to appear in the journal Annals of Surgery.

PHILADELPHIA — Aspirin taken within five days before cardiac surgery is associated with a significant decrease in the risk of major postoperative complications, including renal failure, an intensive care unit stay, and even early death (30-day mortality), according to findings from an observational cohort study by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of California Davis Medical Center that are set to appear in the journal Annals of Surgery.

October 25, 2011
Lilly removes Xigris from market

Eli Lilly is withdrawing one of its drugs from the market after clinical trials showed it to be ineffective.

INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly is withdrawing one of its drugs from the market after clinical trials showed it to be ineffective.

The drug maker announced Tuesday the withdrawal of Xigris (drotrecogin alfa [activated]) from all markets following results of the "PROWESS-SHOCK" study, which found that it did not produce a statistically significant reduction in 28-day, all-cause death in patients with septic shock. The company said there were no new findings regarding the drug's safety profile.

July 21, 2011
Brilinta receives FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by AstraZeneca to reduce the rate of heart attacks in patients with acute coronary syndrome, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker said.

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by AstraZeneca to reduce the rate of heart attacks in patients with acute coronary syndrome, the Anglo-Swedish drug maker said.

AstraZeneca announced the approval of Brilinta (ticagrelor), a blood-thinning drug, on Wednesday. The drug maker is touting the drug as an alternative to Plavix (clopidogrel), made by Sanofi and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

February 14, 2011
Study: Bristol's apixaban effective among atrial fibrillation patients

An investigational drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb works better than aspirin in reducing the risk of complications in certain patients with heart rhythm problems, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

NEW YORK — An investigational drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb works better than aspirin in reducing the risk of complications in certain patients with heart rhythm problems, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Bristol said results of the phase-3 study comparing apixaban with aspirin showed that in patients with atrial fibrillation who were not suited to take the drug warfarin, apixaban was more effective than aspirin in reducing stroke and systemic embolism.

January 10, 2010
BloodSTOP enters Kerr’s first aid set

Kerr Drug recently folded the bleeding control solution BloodSTOP hemostatic gauze, manufactured by LifeScience PLUS,...