Forums >Healthcare-in-the-News >Hot Topics> FDA and Rx Drugs

Saw this article on MSNBC about the FDA planning on keeping closer tabs on Rx drugs after they're approved. A excerpt from the story:

The action is the FDA’s latest move to address charges that the agency has been slow to respond to potential side effects that emerge after a medicine reaches the market.

The agency was sharply criticized for its handling of Merck & Co Inc’s arthritis pill Vioxx, which the company withdrew in 2004 after research found it doubled heart attack and stroke risk.

The new plan will grant some new powers to the office that monitors the safety of medicines after their approval. Critics have said concerns from the safety office frequently get overruled by the office that grants approval to new drugs.

The pre-market review office may have a bias in favor of a medicine it previously deemed safe enough to be sold, critics say.

The drug safety office “will be playing an expanded role in the resolution of certain drug-related safety issues,” FDA Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock wrote in an e-mail to staff that was provided to Reuters.

The safety group also will take the lead on epidemiological studies and medication error prevention, Woodcock said.

Read the rest here.  How do you think this is going to effect your business?  or do you think it will even effect your workplace? 

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Continuing Education Units 411 (CEU 411).   The primary goals are to provide nurses with a tax deductable vacation, obtain contact hours, enriched with multicultural and travel experiences.
To provide you with an idea of the available educational services, please visit the website. 
 
The next nursing seminar will be held in November, 2008 “Nursing Care of Patients with Anxiety, Panic, and Anxiety Disorders” in Paris France.  Registered Nurses will receive ten (10) contact hours for their attendance of the seminar.  Interested nurses may visit at www.ceu411.com for details. Please share this information provided with your co-workers. 
Sincerely,
Sharon