The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Sutent (sunitinib) to treat patients with progressive neuroendocrine cancerous tumors located in the pancreas that cannot be removed by surgery or that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

The United States Attorney’s Office, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, filed a verified complaint on May 13, 2011, requesting that the U.S. Marshals seize cheese products distributed by Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin Inc., after FDA inspections found evidence of rodent infestation. The U.S. District Court unsealed the case today, and documents show that the U.S. Marshals seized certain cheese products at the facility on May 17, and May 18, 2011.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Edurant (rilpivirine) in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults who have never taken HIV therapy (treatment-naïve).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared the first nucleic acid amplification test to diagnose the early stages of Q fever infections in military personnel serving overseas. The Chemical Biological Medical System Joint Project Management Office within the U.S. Department of Defense funded the development of this test, which identifies and detects the bacteria that cause Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) within four hours. The test was developed by Idaho Technology Inc.

On May 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first test to help determine whether a pregnant woman or a person with swollen lymph nodes testing positive for toxoplasmosis, sometimes known as cat scratch disease, developed the infection within the past four months.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Victrelis (boceprevir) to treat certain adults with chronic hepatitis C. Victrelis is used for patients who still have some liver function, and who either have not been previously treated with drug therapy for their hepatitis C or who have failed such treatment. Victrelis is approved for use in combination with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about a counterfeit product represented as “ExtenZe,” which is the name of an authentic dietary supplement for male sexual enhancement.

The FDA is warning consumers not to use products marketed as dietary supplements that also claim to be antimicrobial (antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral) drugs. These illegal products are falsely promoted with claims to treat illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and the common cold

La Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos (FDA por sus siglas en inglés) les está advirtiendo a los consumidores que no usen productos comercializados como suplementos nutricionales que también afirman ser medicamentos antimicrobianos (antibióticos, antifúngicos o antivirales). Estos productos ilegales se promueven falsamente con afirmaciones de que curan enfermedades como infecciones del sistema respiratorio superior, sinusitis, pulmonía, bronquitis y resfrío común.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today requested a permanent injunction against American Mercantile Corp., Ingredients Corporation of America, and Damon S. Arney, owner and president of the companies. The companies receive, process, manufacture, prepare, pack, label, hold, and distribute a wide variety of food products and ingredients, including spices, herbs, and sauces.