FDA News Digest for October 9, 2007

[FDA News Digest <fdanewsdigest@xxxxxxxxxx>]

FDA News Digest

October 9, 2007

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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE

 

»  News

    --  Initiative Aims to Boost Number, Variety of Generic Drugs

    --  FDA Acts to Ensure That Thyroid Drugs Don't Lose Potency

»  Congressional Testimony

»  Safety Alerts/Recalls

»  Upcoming Public Meetings

»  Consumer Health Information

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NEWS

 

Initiative Aims to Boost Number, Variety of Generic Drugs

FDA has launched the Generic Initiative for Value and Efficiency (GIVE), a program aimed at increasing the number and variety of generic drug products available to consumers and health care providers. Generic drugs generally cost less than brand-name counterparts, and competition among generics has been a key factor in lowering drug prices.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01719.html

 

FDA Acts to Ensure That Thyroid Drugs Don't Lose Potency

In response to concerns that the thyroid drug levothyroxine sodium may lose potency before its expiration date, FDA is tightening the drug's specifications to ensure that it retains full potency over its shelf life. More than 13 million patients use levothyroxine sodium drug products to treat underactive thyroid glands and other thyroid conditions.

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01717.html

 

To view an archive of past FDA news releases, go to

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpnews.html.

   

To access the RSS feed of FDA news releases, go to

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/rssPress.xml.

[What is an RSS feed? See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/newsfeeds.html.]

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CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

 

Oct. 4 -- FDA Deputy Director of Regional Operations Steven M. Solomon, D.V.M., appeared before the House Subcommittee on Trade

    Subject: the safety of FDA-regulated imported products

http://www.fda.gov/ola/2007/importsafety100407.html

 

Oct. 3 -- FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., appeared before the House Subcommittee on Health

    Subject: the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

http://www.fda.gov/ola/2007/tobacco100307.html

 

To view an archive of past testimony by FDA officials, go to

http://www.fda.gov/ola/listing.html

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SAFETY ALERTS/RECALLS

Food Recalls:

 

›  Certain lots of Bakers Premium White Chocolate Baking Squares, 6-oz. size

Reason for recall: possible Salmonella contamination

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kraft10_07.html