Lundy Law Blog

Personal Injury Lawyers

Archive for March, 2010

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24
Mar

Hurled bricks, threats surround health overhaul

The Associated Press reports that Bricks have been hurled through Democrats’ windows, a propane line was cut at the home of a congressman’s brother and lawmakers who voted for a federal health care bill have received obscenity-laced phone threats in the days before and after passage of the sweeping legislation.

Popularity: 7% [?]

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24
Mar

FDA to reevaluate ReGen knee repair device

The AP (3/19, Perrone) reported that ReGen Biologics, the medical device maker “at the center of a highly controversial Food and Drug Administration approval, is pushing back against the agency’s plan to reevaluate” its Menaflex knee repair implant. The company’s “implant spent more than three contentious years under review at the FDA before gaining approval in 2008.” But “when newly appointed Obama administration officials re-examined the approval last year, they concluded that FDA’s decision was influenced by intense lobbying by lawmakers from Regen’s home state of New Jersey.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

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24
Mar

LATimes examines suspected risks of bisphosphonates

If you take drugs for osteoporosis, read this…

The Los Angeles Times (3/22, Adams) reports, “Long-term use of osteoporosis drugs seems to change bones in a way that could lead to unusual leg fractures, according to two reports presented earlier this month at a meeting of orthopedic surgeons. Doctors have reported seeing the unusual fractures in some patients on bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax [alendronate sodium].” The Times examines what’s known about the safety and effectiveness of bisphosphonates, concluding that “in spite of the known or suspected risks, doctors say the benefits of bisphosphonate drugs — reducing fractures in people with osteoporosis — far outweigh the low risk of the potential adverse events.”

Popularity: 14% [?]

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24
Mar

FDA says highest available dose of Zocor may cause muscle damage

If you take a high dose of Zocor, 80 mg., then you should talk to your doctor about this…

The AP (3/19) reported that the FDA “said Friday the highest available dose of Zocor [simvastatin]…can cause muscle damage as well as severe and potentially lethal kidney damage.”

Reuters (3/20) reported that the FDA, in a statement, said, “Although muscle injury … is a known side effect with all statins, the warning highlights the greater risk of developing muscle injury, including rhabdomyolysis, for patients when they are prescribed and use higher doses of this drug.”

TheLos Angeles Times (3/19, Maugh) “Booster Shots” blog reported that “the risk is highest in patients of Chinese descent and is also high when Zocor…is combined with certain other medications, including amiodarone, niacin, and diltiazem.” One study “comparing 6,031 patients taking 80 mg daily with 6,033 patients taking 20 mg. found 52 cases of myopathy in the 80-mg group and only one in the 20-mg group.”

Popularity: 14% [?]

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19
Mar

Highway Deaths At Lowest Levels Since 1950s

FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS. The Transportation Department has found that highway deaths are their lowest levels since the 1950s. Much of this is due to increased use of seat belts and crackdowns on drunken driving. The Caveat is that the economic downturn may have made a significant contribution as fewer people are on the road. See the full article in the Washington Post. 



Popularity: 15% [?]