Category: Regulations
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Real-Time Alerts Reduce Unnecessary Blood Testing
An electronic message sent to physicians the moment they ordered a blood test for elderly patients reduced unnecessary use of a test that is often false-positive. Physicians received the alert in Kaiser Permanente’s electronic health record when ordering a D-dimer test for patients aged 65 and older. The D-dimer test, combined with a clinical risking…
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FDA Approves Depression Drug for Musculoskeletal Pain
Pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Indiana said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its drug Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) for the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain. FDA already approved Cymbalta to treat major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and to manage diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. The…
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FDA Designates Anthrax Treatment Candidate as Orphan Drug
Emergent BioSolutions Inc., a biotechnology company in Rockville, Maryland, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated as an orphan drug its human anthrax monoclonal antibody AVP-21D9, in development for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. FDA grants orphan status to drugs and biologics being developed to treat rare conditions, specifically those affecting fewer…
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E. Coli Found Near Plant Roots, Affects Young Crops
A study at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana shows the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) can live for weeks around the roots of produce plants and transfer to the edible portions. Researchers discovered, however, that the threat can be minimized if growers don’t harvest affected crops too soon. E. coli make up a large…
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Nanotech Initiative Seeks Comments on Strategy
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) has drafted a new strategic plan and seeks comments on the draft from the nanotech community. The comment period ends on 30 November 2010. The National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan, according to NNI, is the framework that guides the nanotechnology work of the 25 NNI member agencies. Its purpose is…
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FDA Approves Schizophrenia Drug
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Marlborough, Massachusetts says that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its drug Latuda (lurasidone HCl) for the treatment of schizophrenia. Latuda is an oral, once-daily antipsychotic in tablet form, offering a treatment for patients with schizophrenia. It is expected to be available in the U.S. during the first quarter…
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Scientists’ Statement Raises Flame Retardant Concerns
A statement signed by nearly 150 scientists from 22 countries raises concerns about use of brominated and chlorinated flame retardant chemicals (BFRs and CFRs, respectively), a major class of chemicals often found in upholstered furniture, foam carpet pads, textiles, televisions, and other consumer electronics, airplanes, and automobiles. These chemicals also were used in mattresses produced…
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Report: Large-Scale Fish Farming Increases Enviro Damage
Fish farming on an industrial scale can inflict environmental damage, even when the industry’s best practices are being applied, according to the first global assessment of marine fin fish aquaculture released today. Fin fish include species such as salmon, cod, and turbot. John Volpe, a marine ecologist, and his team at the University of Victoria…
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Study: Scented Products Stink with Unlisted Chemicals
A study by an engineering professor at University of Washington (UW) in Seattle found that 25 commonly used scented products emit an average of 17 chemicals each, including some toxic substances. Only in a few instances were the potentially dangerous chemicals disclosed on the product labels. All were widely used brands, with more than half…
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Study: Hydraulic Fracturing Can Release Uranium from Shale
University at Buffalo (UB) researchers have found indications that the process called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” to release natural gas from Marcellus shale deposits can cause naturally trapped uranium inside the shale to be released. The findings add to the environmental concerns about the process, particularly chemical contamination of the groundwater in populated regions in…