May 28 Doctors sue to block FDA abortion pill rule during pandemic By Michael Kunzelman, Associated Press Requiring patients to visit a hospital, clinic or medical office to get an abortion pill is needlessly risking their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of physicians allege in a lawsuit that seeks to suspend the federal rule. Continue reading
May 09 US approves new coronavirus antigen test with fast results By Tom Krisher, Associated Press The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday announced emergency authorization for antigen tests developed by Quidel Corp. of San Diego. The test can rapidly detect fragments of virus proteins in samples collected from swabs swiped inside the nasal cavity, the… Continue reading
May 08 U.S. approves at-home saliva-based virus test By Associated Press U.S. health regulators approved the first saliva-based coronavirus test that allows people to collect their own sample at home. Continue reading
May 01 FDA allows emergency use of drug for coronavirus By Associated Press U.S. regulators will allow emergency use of an experimental drug that appears to help some coronavirus patients recover faster. Continue reading
Apr 24 FDA warns of heart risks with Trump-promoted malaria drug By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press, Marilynn Marchione, AP Chief Medical Writer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning doctors against prescribing a malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus outside of hospitals or research settings. Continue reading
Mar 25 Amid criticism, drugmaker waives specialty status for COVID-19 drug By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Facing public criticism, the maker of a promising coronavirus drug said Wednesday it will waive a special regulatory designation that could have allowed it to block competition and boost profits for its treatment. Continue reading
Mar 21 AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s breathless takes on drugs for virus By Calvin Woodward, Hope Yen, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press “Could be a game changer.” “Very exciting.” “The way they acted with this kind of speed is an incredible thing.” “Very powerful.” “This could be a tremendous breakthrough. Tremendous breakthrough.” “We’re going to be able to make that drug available… Continue reading
Mar 04 FDA bans shock device used on mentally disabled patients By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Only one facility in the U.S. still uses the shock treatment — a residential school in Massachusetts. The school's administrators have said the shocks help control violent behaviors that endanger patients and those around them. But most experts say the… Continue reading
Feb 19 Analysis: Some natural supplements can be dangerously contaminated By C. Michael White, The Conversation Consumers take real risks if they use diet supplements not independently verified by reputable outside labs. Continue reading
Nov 15 U.S. approves new drug to manage sickle cell disease, costs $85,000 to $113,000 By Linda A. Johnson, Associated PRess The monthly infusion, which halves occurrences of sickle cell pain episodes, will carry a list price of roughly $85,000 to $113,000 per year, depending on dosing. Insured patients generally will pay less. Continue reading