Schnuck Markets, Inc. of St. Louis, Mo. is recalling its Chef’s Express California Pasta Salad sold in its Deli/Chef’s Express departments April 2 – April 14, 2015 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting in the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms, endocarditis and arthritis.
Counterfeit BOTOX
FDA is alerting health care practitioners and the public that a counterfeit version of Botox was found in the United States and may have been sold to doctors’ offices and medical clinics nationwide. The product was sold by an unlicensed supplier who is not authorized to ship or distribute drug products in the United States.
The counterfeit products are considered unsafe and should not be used. FDA cannot confirm that the manufacture, quality, storage, and handling of these suspect products follow U.S. standards.
There are some similarities between the counterfeit Botox products and the FDA-approved Botox for injection (100 units/vial), manufactured by Allergan. The FDA-approved Botox displays the active ingredient as “OnabotulinumtoxinA” on the outer carton and vial. Currently, there is no indication that Allergan’s FDA-approved version is at risk, and the genuine product should be considered safe and effective for its intended and approved uses.
Painkiller Deaths Increased in New York State: Injury Center News
Overdose deaths involving prescription opioid painkillers in New York State increased from 2003 through 2012, according to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released by CDC this month. Vital statistics and Medicaid claims reveal that opioid overdose death rates were highest among males, whites, people aged 45-64 years, those residing outside of New York City, and among Medicaid patients.
In 2012, about 70% of prescription opioid overdose deaths in the state involved other drugs, often benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax, etc. New York implemented I-STOP, a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), in August 2013. PDMPs enable providers to check whether patients obtain prescriptions from other prescribers or take drugs that might interact dangerously with those being prescribed. PDMPs are a valuable strategy to reduce prescription drug misuse, abuse, addiction, and overdose death.
Smiths Food and Drug Stores said today it is recalling select Smiths Bakery Fresh Carrot Cake sold in 7 states because the product contains walnuts that may not be listed on the label.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
