Oct 28 What an FDA advisory panel’s finding that oral phenylephrine is ineffective means for cold and flu meds By Lucas A. Berenbrok, Colleen Culley, Karen Steinmetz Pater, The Conversation The ramp-up to cold and flu season is a bad time for consumers to learn that some of their most trusted go-to products don’t actually work. Continue reading
Sep 29 FDA plans to regulate thousands of lab tests that have long skirted oversight By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The Food and Drug Administration says it plans to begin regulating laboratory-based medical tests. It's a multibillion-dollar industry that regulators say poses a growing risk to patients. Continue reading
Sep 24 Watch 5:17 How a lack of regulation for tattoo ink puts Americans’ health at risk By John Yang, Andrew Corkery Nearly one in three Americans surveyed this summer said they have at least one tattoo, according to the Pew Research Center. But while tattoo artists are required to have a license in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,… Continue watching
Aug 21 Watch 7:05 Study shows costly weight loss drug may also cut risks of heart attacks By William Brangham, Karina Cuevas The nation’s obesity epidemic is growing. Nearly 42 percent of all American adults are considered obese. Now, new findings about the FDA-approved weight-loss drug Wegovy may lead to even more demand for a medication that can be both life-changing and… Continue watching
Aug 04 FDA approves first postpartum depression pill By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, called Zurzuvae, for adults experiencing severe depression related to childbirth or pregnancy. It's taken once a day for 14 days. Continue reading
Jul 06 Watch 5:28 Blood test can identify risk for preeclampsia, the leading cause of maternal death By Stephanie Sy, Shoshana Dubnow, Courtney Norris The Food and Drug Administration has approved a blood test that can identify pregnant women at severe risk for preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that can develop during pregnancy and is a leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Roughly… Continue watching
Jun 22 First gene therapy for deadly form of muscular dystrophy gets FDA approval for young children By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The treatment from Sarepta Therapeutics was approved Thursday for children ages 4 and 5 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare muscle-wasting disease that causes early death. Continue reading
Jun 22 FDA warns stores to stop selling fruity disposable e-cigarettes By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press U.S. regulators have sent warning letters to dozens of retailers selling fruity disposable e-cigarettes, including the current best-selling brand, Elf Bar. Continue reading
Jun 20 Watch 6:37 New drugs show small but positive results in fight against Alzheimer’s By William Brangham, Courtney Norris After years of work, there is progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the incurable brain condition that affects more than six million Americans. Several new drugs have shown small but positive results in reducing the cognitive decline associated with… Continue watching
May 26 Watch 5:19 The best ways to protect your skin from the sun this summer By Stephanie Sy, Shoshana Dubnow Memorial Day weekend is here which means many Americans will be spending more time in the sun. Experts are using the holiday as a moment to remind people about preventing sunburns and, in more severe cases, skin cancer. Stephanie Sy… Continue watching