Listeria-Laden Onions Spur Recalls throughout United States

FDA , , , ,
On July 28, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a press release notifying consumers of a voluntary recall initiated by GH Foods CA, LLC. The recall covers a variety of products containing certain onions distributed by Gills Onions and shipped to various packagers and retail supermarkets throughout the United States. According to the California-based manufacturer, the recall was initiated because the onions have the potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. The recall of Gills Onions initially commenced on July 18, 2012 but has since been expanded and prompted several other recalls of its kind. Because the…
Read More

FDA Proposes New Unique Identifier System for Medical Devices

FDA , , ,
On July 3, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced its intention to require most medical devices in the United States to bear a Unique Device Identifier (“UDI”). According to the FDA, this UDI system could potentially improve availability and quality of information in medical device adverse event reporting and in the event of product recalls. Under the text of the Proposed Rule, published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2012, a UDI will include a unique numeric or alphanumeric code identifying the specific device model and a production identifier, containing the current production information for the…
Read More

FDA Approves First At-Home HIV Test

FDA , , , ,
On July 3, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved the first over-the-counter (“OTC”) at-home test kit used to detect human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”). According to the FDA’s announcement, the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test allows the user to collect an oral fluid sample by first swabbing the gums. Thereafter, the sample is placed in a vial where the results will be displayed within 20 to 40 minutes. Of course, like most other at-home tests, the FDA warns that the results of the test are not definitive in nature and that additional testing in a clinical setting should be…
Read More

GlaxoSmithKline to Pay $3 Billion in Settlement with Government

FDA , , , , , ,
On July 2, 2012, GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”) announced its intention to plead guilty in its ongoing healthcare fraud case in what will result in the largest settlement of its kind in the United States. In particular, the pharmaceutical giant will be pleading guilty to marketing two of its drugs, Paxil and Wellbutrin, for unapproved uses and for failing to report post-marketing safety issues associated with its diabetes drug Avandia. In addition to the hefty fine, totaling some $3 billion dollars, GlaxoSmithKline will be subject to continued monitoring by the government for the next five (5) years. GSK's( GlaxoSmithKline ) Press Release discussing…
Read More