British MPs call for criminal inquiry into toxic DePuy hip implants
Posted: March 3, 2013
Pharmaceutical
British MPs have called for an investigation into DePuy Orthopaedics after testimony from a U.S. court case revealed that the medical device company continued to sell defective artificial hip implants despite knowing for at least three years they were toxic
Anemia drug for kidney patients pulled from market following deaths, hypersensitivity reactions
Posted: February 26, 2013
Recalls
Omontys (peginesatide), an injection made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals and used to treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease in patients on dialysis, is being recalled and removed from the market because of serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, some of which
Hip implant failures more likely in women than men
Posted: February 21, 2013
Pharmaceutical
Women are more likely to need revision surgery to remove and replace their artificial hips than men, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
New consortium aims to improve safety of medical devices
Posted: December 6, 2012
Pharmaceutical
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has caught much flack in the past couple years over its medical device approval process, with critics arguing that not enough effort is made to ensure the safety and efficacy of devices before they
International safety alert issued on metal hip device
Posted: November 28, 2012
Pharmaceutical
Medsafe, New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, has issued an international safety alert on the Durom Acetabular Cup, an artificial hip device that was discontinued by its manufacturer in June 2011. The device has been failing at a
Knee, hip replacement surgery puts older adults at risk for heart attack
Posted: July 25, 2012
Pharmaceutical
People who are older than 60 who undergo knee or hip replacement surgery are at risk of having a heart attack in the weeks immediately following surgery, a new study shows. One in 200 older patients experience a heart attack in
Medical experts petitioned FDA to ban transvaginal mesh
Posted: July 7, 2012
Pharmaceutical
“All too frequently, industry knowingly targets less experienced surgeons, knowing that these mesh have not, and will never be, accepted by more experienced surgeons who are fully aware of their inherent risk without benefit.”
FDA warns of potentially fatal heart rhythm abnormalities with anti-nausea drug for cancer patients
Posted: July 5, 2012
Pharmaceutical
Zofran (ondansetron), a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, may cause a potentially fatal heart rhythm, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns.
FDA advisory panel to review safety of all-metal hip implants
Posted: June 30, 2012
Pharmaceutical
The safety of metal-on-metal hip implants will come under review by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel this week. The all-metal artificial hips made by companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Zimmer Holdings have been the source
Johnson and Johnson completes merger with troubled artificial hip maker
Posted: June 15, 2012
Pharmaceutical
Johnson & Johnson has completed its acquisition of Synthes, Inc. and will integrate Synthes with its subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics to establish the DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The deal was sealed with $19.7 billion in cash and stock.
