food and drug administration

FDA wants to yank an opioid painkiller over concerns about abuse

By Ed Silverman, STAT

The Food and Drug Administration has asked Endo Pharmaceuticals to withdraw its Opana ER painkiller over concerns that the drug is too easily abused, the first time the agency has made such a move.

FDA: Codeine cough syrup should not be given to kids

By Kate Sheridan, STAT

The FDA issued its strongest level of drug warnings Thursday concerning opioid pain-reliever use in children.

Lawmakers seek to help e-cigarette makers escape new regulations

By Sheila Kaplan, STAT

Congressional supporters of the tobacco industry have proposed legislation to help e-cigarette companies escape rules adopted under Obama.

What happens if kratom becomes illegal?

By PBS News Hour

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has received thousands of comments on whether it should make kratom, a popular painkiller, illegal.

Major health bill would fund medical research, hasten FDA approvals

By PBS News Hour

In Congress, lawmakers are close to passing a major bill that would increase funding for the FDA, the NIH and the effort to fight opioid abuse. The measure would also introduce more flexible standards for drug approvals, reducing the need…

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Using Ecstasy to treat PTSD: ‘I felt like my soul snapped back into place’

By Caleb Hellerman, Global Health Reporting Center

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration gave an important boost to a therapy that uses MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, to treat PTSD, clearing the way for one or more large-scale research studies. Since 2004, more than 100 patients…

House to vote on bill aimed at speeding approval of drugs

By Associated Press

The House plans to vote Wednesday on a $6.3 billion bill aimed at speeding federal approval of drugs and medical devices and boosting biomedical research.

FDA to America: How much Nutella do you eat?

By Megan Thielking, STAT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is gathering information on the amount of Nutella that constitutes a reasonable serving size.

FDA expresses concern over widely used ovarian cancer screening test

By Sheila Kaplan, STAT

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday warned women and their doctors that current screening tests for ovarian cancer are unreliable.

Have you been affected by the blood donation ban for men who have sex with men?

By PBS News Hour

The blood donation ban for MSM dates back to the 1980s, as the introduction of HIV/AIDS within the gay community developed into a public health crisis.