Product News and Recalls

Doctor trying to spread word about diabetes drug risk

The New York Times reports on the efforts of Dr. Peter C. Butler, an internationally recognized diabetes expert described as a “crusader” for his attempts to warn about an apparent link between certain medications and potentially deadly pancreas ailments.

The report says Butler’s involvement in the issue began when he did a study on behalf of pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck, to test the effectiveness of its drug Januvia in treating diabetes.

When Butler ...

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Doctor: Januvia and Byetta problems part of pattern

In a recent issue of the journal Diabetes Care, Peter Butler, MD, of the University of California Los Angeles weighs in on recent research showing a potential link between certain diabetes drugs and an inflammation of the cancer called pancreatitis, as well as pancreatic cancer.

Butler himself was lead researcher for a study published in the journal Gastroenterology, which reported higher rates of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in patients taking the ...

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DePuy to stop making metal hip implants

DePuy Orthopaedics, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, has announced that it is phasing out production of its metal-on-metal hip implants, according to a story in the New York Times.

The all-metal implants feature both a ball and a socket coated in a combination of cobalt and chromium. They were originally marketed as more durable than hip replacements that feature ceramic or plastic. But industry-wide, manufacturers have been phasing out the ...

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Physical therapy a treatment for urinary incontinence

Treatments for urinary incontinence vary, depending on the underlying cause and the severity. But in some cases, the key to eliminating the condition may be as simple and noninvasive as physical therapy, according to the Mayo Clinic.

And while there are pros and cons to different types of treatment, one in particular has proven to be dangerous for many patients.

Transvaginal mesh implants, marketed as a treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic ...

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CDC issues guidelines for dialysis-related infections

Based on the results of a recently released study, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control are recommending specific prevention guidelines, intended to reduce kidney dialysis-related infection rates by 32 percent. According to a story on Examiner.com, the CDC estimates that about 380,000 Americans undergo kidney dialysis every year.

While dialysis patients depend on it for their lives, the procedure itself can present some potentially deadly health hazards – including some that ...

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Australian lawmakers taking action on medical devices

Australian lawmakers are considering legislation to help protect consumers from faulty medical devices, including all-metal hip implants.

Newspaper The Australian reports that there is currently no requirement in Australia that sponsors of medical devices, which are companies that don’t produce the devices but supply them for sale, have insurance in case of problems with a device. The story says at least one senator intends to introduce legislation that would all sponsors ...

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