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This section offers news briefs on health issues as of April 2011. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its approval for the preparation of hydroxyprogesterone caproate compound as a cheaper alternative of Makena. The discovery of Sipuleucel-T as a new treatment for prostate cancer raises doubts about the ability of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to subsidize high-priced medicine. The British General Medical Council (GMC) has released for comment and consultation its draft guidance for medicine prescription.

Presents an update on pharmaceutical-related issues in the U.S. as of October 2005. Information on the resignation of Dr. Lester Crawford, commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration; Skepticism on a new influenza virus vaccine.

The article reports on the proposed amendments issued by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for mandatory electronic adverse event (AE) reporting. It relates the benefits of the electronic AE reporting. It presents remarks of Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology Director Gerald Dal Pan on the issue. The options for the electronic submission of reports are also cited.

The article reports on the disapproval made by a joint U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee to the over-the-counter sale of the emergency contraceptive Plan B, in 2006. According to physicians and members of the committee Frank Davidoff and James Trussell, Plan B does not prevent pregnancy by interfering with post-fertilization events. The delay in the FDA approval is said to stem from the possibility that Plan B can be considered a form of abortion.

Announces the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's addition of a boxed warning to the labelling for Bextra regarding severe skin reactions. Example of skin reactions in patients receiving Bextra; Number of severe skin reaction cases received by the agency which is associated with Bextra; Highlights of a study on the cardiovascular risks of Bextra.

The article reports on a request by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change the labelling for the entire thiazolidinedione class of antihyperglycaemic drugs to include a stronger warning on the risk of heart failure (HF). The agency is concerned that these drugs are still being prescribed without careful monitoring of patients for signs of HF.

Presents news briefs on drug approvals in the U.S. as of August 7, 2004. Endorsement of pemetrexed from Eli Lilly and Co. by the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Issuance of an approvable letter to ALZA Corp. for its Ionsys transdermal analgesic; Decision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to grant orphan drug status to drug candidate PYM 50018 from Phytopharm PLC.