FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts Produced by Sweetwater Farms

The FDA, CDC, state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen illnesses linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Sweetwater Farms LLC, Inman, Kansas.

The CDC reports that 13 people were infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Muenchen in four states: Kansas (5), Missouri (3), Oklahoma (3), and Pennsylvania (2). Five people have been hospitalized. Reported illness onset dates range from December 1, 2015 through January 21, 2016.

FDA issues recommendations to reduce the risk of Zika virus transmission by human cell and tissue products

As an additional safety measure against the emerging Zika virus outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued new guidance for immediate implementation providing recommendations to reduce the potential transmission risk of Zika virus from human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). The guidance addresses donation of HCT/Ps from both living and deceased donors, including donors of umbilical cord blood, placenta, or other gestational tissues.

FDA takes additional action to better understand safety of Essure, inform patients of potential risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today two actions to provide important information about the risks of using Essure and to help women and their doctors be better informed of the potential complications associated with implantable forms of sterilization. These actions include a new, mandatory clinical study for Essure to determine heightened risks for particular women and draft guidance with labeling recommendations including a boxed warning label and a checklist for doctors to discuss potential risks of implanted permanent birth control devices with patients. Since Essure’s approval in 2002, the agency has continued to monitor Essure’s safety and effectiveness by reviewing the medical literature, clinical trial information, post-approval study data and medical device reports submitted to the agency. The new actions announced today take additional steps and follow the agency’s careful evaluation of available information.

FDA takes additional action to better understand safety of Essure, inform patients of potential risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today two actions to provide important information about the risks of using Essure and to help women and their doctors be better informed of the potential complications associated with implantable forms of sterilization. These actions include a new, mandatory clinical study for Essure to determine heightened risks for particular women and draft guidance with labeling recommendations including a boxed warning label and a checklist for doctors to discuss potential risks of implanted permanent birth control devices with patients. Since Essure’s approval in 2002, the agency has continued to monitor Essure’s safety and effectiveness by reviewing the medical literature, clinical trial information, post-approval study data and medical device reports submitted to the agency. The new actions announced today take additional steps and follow the agency’s careful evaluation of available information.

FDA providing $2 million in new grants for natural history studies in rare diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the availability of $2 million in research grants to fund natural history studies in rare diseases. The aim is to collect data on how specific rare diseases progress in individuals over time so that knowledge can inform and support product development and approval. This will be the first time the FDA will provide funding through its Orphan Products Grants to conduct these types of studies for rare diseases.

FDA providing $2 million in new grants for natural history studies in rare diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the availability of $2 million in research grants to fund natural history studies in rare diseases. The aim is to collect data on how specific rare diseases progress in individuals over time so that knowledge can inform and support product development and approval. This will be the first time the FDA will provide funding through its Orphan Products Grants to conduct these types of studies for rare diseases.

Abbott Issues Voluntary Safety Notice on MitraClip® Delivery System Deployment Process

Abbott has initiated a voluntary safety notice regarding the MitraClip Delivery System to reinforce the proper procedures used to operate and deploy the device. The company received a small number of reports involving MitraClip Delivery Systems where the user was unable to separate the implantable Clip from the delivery system. Presently, there are 3,534 devices on the market (1,288 in the United States and 2,246 outside the United States). Abbott has received nine Medical Device Reports of malfunction.

Maytag Dairy Farms Expands Voluntary Recall Of Blue Cheese Products Due To Possible Health Risk

Maytag Dairy Farms is expanding its voluntary recall of Maytag Blue blue cheese wedges, wheels and crumbles because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
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