FDA probing hundreds of complaints with J&J meds

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Federal health regulators are investigating hundreds of consumer complaints involving children's medicines recalled by Johnson & Johnson last month, according to a congressional memo.

<snip>

FDA is investigating whether the problems are linked to flaws in J&J products, which include infant Tylenol, Benadryl and Motrin.

"At this time, FDA is not aware of any child being harmed by taking one of the recalled products," states the congressional memo.

FDA deputy commissioner Joshua Sharfstein is scheduled to testify. Sharfstein is expected to provide new detail on problems uncovered at J&J's Fort Washington, Penn. plant.

FDA inspectors found that J&J failed to investigate medications that had potentially unsafe potency levels, according to FDA documents cited in the memo. While J&J rejected three batches of Infant Tylenol found to be overly potent, the company failed to check seven other batches at risk for the problem.

In another instance, FDA found that J&J did not recall a batch of products potentially infected with bacteria. The products were in distribution last fall and could still be on store shelves, according to FDA.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100526/ap_on_he_me/us_j_j_recall_congress;_ylt=ArswPL6wSWRWqYq1t6NfjQhvzwcF;_ylu=X3oDMTJyYTcwb2xyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNTI2L3VzX2pfal9yZWNhbGxfY29uZ3Jlc3MEcG9zAzEEc2VjA3luX2FydGljbGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNmZGFwcm9iaW5naHU-

[Lorien]

1. Ah, but in the Health forum we're always told that VITAMINS and "alternative medicine"

are the only "unsafe" treatments out there. Medications from major corporations are ALWAYS 100% safe and effective. :eyes:

[leftofcool]

2. Of course.....

The FDA though, would love to get their paws on alternative medicines and herbal supplements then they could fine health food stores for hawking vitimin C

[Lorien]

5. Yep. If they can't patent it they'll find another means of controlling it

just as Monsanto does with our food supply. x(

[TZ]

9. Ummm

So you are okay buying stuff that could be rat shit or sugar because there are NO REGULATIONS ON IT? Why do you whine and scream about Pharmaceutical companies not having enough REGULATION. BUT YOU DON'T WANT ANY REGULATION OF YOUR GODDAMN SNAKE OIL?
The hypocrisy of you types is just stunning.

[HuckleB]

15. Many Supplements Said to Contain Toxins, Make False Health Claims

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/policy/articles/2010/05/26/many-supplements-said-to-contain-toxins-make-false-health-claims.html

It's time for regulation.

[ejpoeta]

3. i think there'd be a better chance of safety if the FDA was actually indenpendent of the drug compan

ies. it seems that any agency seems to be coopted by the people they are supposed to be regulating and overseeing.

[Lorien]

4. There's too many former executives and lobbists from major corporations

in every regulatory agency. They've truly become a cancer within our government.

[TZ]

7. Ummm- the FDA is made up mostly of career SCIENTISTS

who weigh scientific data. NOT "drug company executives". GEEZUS FUCKING CHRIST. Would people actually take some time TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
*I deal with the FDA on almost a daily basis for the last 15 years so I DO KNOW WHAT THE BLEEP I'M TALKING ABOUT!

[closeupready]

10. Not when you claim that the government has little to no power to recall harmful products.

No, you don't sound like you know what you're talking about.

[TZ]

12. Read my post below

The government can do something by writing a law... I did not say they couldn't recall a product- I said unregulated supplements are HARD to recall. The Ephedra ban took some doing. And even now court challenges to the governments authority undermine their power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedra

[TZ]

6. BULLSHIT

I've never said that. YOU HOWEVER, seem to think that if something isn't 100% safe it shouldn't be on the market. BTW, you know that your precious vitamins and supplements could kill and poison THOUSANDS and THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE LITTLE TO NO POWER TO RECALL THEM. THEY AREN'T effing regulated!

[closeupready]

8. Oh BULLSHIT!

The government absolutely has the right to force recalls of defective products that harm consumers. You are so full of it. :mad:

[TZ]

11. It has no right to regulate what are in VItamins and Supplements

No, they have to write a law banning supplements. Or did you miss how many people DIED from Ephedra? Congress wrote a law EXPLICITLY banning it. The companies VOLUNTARILY recalled them
You did notice also that Toyota was fined AFTER the fact for not recalling their products fast enough? That was because the government HAD NO LEGAL WAY to force a recall.
There are things the government can do, but ONLY regulated products like OTC meds, foods, and other pharmaceuticals can be FORCED on recall.
As I said, I work in an FDA regulated environment. Whats your credentials? You shop in GNC?
BTW, did you know that the Supplement industry makes as much money OR MORE than the pharmaceuticals because they don't have to waste time on silly things like clinical trials to illustrate that their product is safe and effective?
Vitamin makes could literally put ground up rat shit in a can and tell you its a cancer fighter and all they would have to do is put a phrase "the FDA has not evaluated this statement" and they CAN LEGALLY SELL IT as a cancer fighter.
Can a pharmaceutical do that?Nope

[HuckleB]

13. +1

[HuckleB]

14. When your only defense against legitimate calls for legitimate regulation...

... is to put words in the mouths of others, you might think that you'd realize your arguments aren't passing muster.