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“Quid pro quo” happens in business all the time. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Usually, the exchange is relatively even and the result doesn’t really cause any harm to anyone… or at least any harm of real consequence. But, give me a million dollars for my “quo” and […]

Wow, the federal regulatory agency, Federal trade Commission (FTC), has taken a firm stand on products that promise “a better way to a better butt”. The FTC has reached a settlement with shoemaker, Reebok, over its claims concerning the popular EasyTone shoes. I must confess that until reading the article […]

Well I am neither a doctor nor a scientist; which may help explain why I am scratching my head in bewilderment after reading the latest article at msnbc.com.  The article sets forth an association between common household NSAID’S (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) with an elevated risk of miscarriages. You are familiar […]

If life weren’t difficult enough for depression sufferers, now there’s more to worry about. The FDA recently alerted psychiatrists and cardiologists that Celexa (Citalopram) has been linked to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Those taking doses more than 40mg. were at increased risk of developing Torsade de Pointes syndrome which can […]

Not a week goes by without a headline reporting on yet another settlement between a multi-national pharmaceutical company and state or federal prosecutors. Medical device manufacturers are often also frequently subject to similar prosecutions.  While it is laudable that governmental authorities are finally taking action against chronic wrongdoers, the frequency […]

According to a recent study, drivers taking certain types of prescription drugs are more likely to be involved in a traffic accident. The study, which was published in the online medical journal PLoS Medicine, was conducted in France where medical experts classify all prescription medications into one of four levels […]

Tragically, it is too late for 2-year old Harrison Kothari. Harrison died as a result of using a anit-bacterial wipe that was contaminated with life-threatening bacteria. Wipes manufactured by Triad and H&P have been linked to very serious illnesses in the cases of four patients with multiple sclerosis. A Tennessee […]

Are you taking the cholesterol lowering drugs: Zocor, Vytorin or Simcor? The Food & Drug Administration published a release recommending new safety criteria for high does simvastatin; which is a key ingredient in all these drugs: “The FDA has revised the drug labels for simvastatin and Vytorin to include the […]

The Food & Drug Administration issued a press release on March 4, 2011 to alert expectant mothers to complications of taking Topamax. The FDA indicates that a higher than acceptable number of infants were born with a condition called cleft lip and palate; when the mothers were taking Topamax (Topiramate). […]

In 2006, Stanford University took a tough and unpopular stand with its medical school professors. They banned what might be characterized as “payola”. Stanford put a stop to free lunches, trinkets with drug company names inscribed and have now barred professors from giving paid promotional speeches for pharmaceutical companies. This […]