Category Archives: Drug Safety Information Podcasts

FDA permits marketing of first test for risk of rare brain infection in some people treated with Tysabri

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the first test to help determine the risk for a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in people using the drug Tysabri (natalizumab) to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) or Crohn’s disease (CD).

FDA approves Voraxaze to treat patients with toxic methotrexate levels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Voraxaze (glucarpidase) to treat patients with toxic levels of methotrexate in their blood due to kidney failure.

Methotrexate is a commonly used cancer chemotherapy drug normally eliminated from the body by the kidneys. However, patients receiving high doses of methotrexate may develop kidney failure.

FDA completes work on three drug user fee programs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has completed its recommendations for three user fee programs that will help speed safe and effective drugs and lower-cost generic drug and biosimilar biological products to patients, FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. said today. The recommendations were transmitted to Congress today by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.