As a member of the One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) we are pleased to be participating in the annual OVAC Lobby Day.  Join us in June as we head to the hill to ask Congress to increase funding for cancer research.

Important Dates:

• May 12, 2010 – Last day to submit scholarship application
• May 24, 2010 – Last day to register for OVAC Lobby Day
• May 24, 2010 – Last day to reserve a hotel room at the special OVAC rate
• June 16, 2010 – Lobby Day begins at 12:00 PM
• June 17, 2010 – Lobby Day ends at 5:00 PM

Location: The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel (415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC  20001)

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The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new form of pain-reliever OxyContin designed to reduce tampering and abuse.

It is difficult to cut, crush, chew, or dissolve the new pills, preserving the slow release of the active ingredient, oxycodone, over time.  If a potential abuser tries to dissolve the pills in water, they form a gummy mass that cannot be injected.

After the new formulation is on the market, the FDA will require Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, conduct a study of how well it meets the goal of reducing abuse and misuse.  Purdue also must develop a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) that includes a medication guide for patients and education for health care providers on the appropriate use of opiates to manage pain. Read the rest of this entry »

The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers against drinking raw milk.  At least 12 cases of campylobacteriosis have been reported in Michigan traced to unpasturized milk.  The milk came from the Forest Grove Dairy in Middlebury, Indiana.

Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.

The FDA points out that “the harmful bacteria in raw milk can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly, infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.” Read the rest of this entry »

Cancer patients will learn more from their doctors about the possible risks and benefits of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to manage anemia during chemotherapy under a new program just approved by the FDA.

ESAs can be given to chemotherapy patients to reduce the need for blood transfusions.  However, there can be problems with ESAs including causing some tumors to grow faster or some patients to die sooner.  They can also increase risk for blood clots, heart failure, heart attack or stroke.

ESAs, including Procrit®, Epogen®, and Aranesp®, are now covered by a REMS or Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy which requires that patient receive a Medication Guide from their health care providers that tells them how to safely use an ESA drug.

In addition, health care providers who use ESAs with their patients must be be actively enrolled in  the APPRISE (Assisting Providers and Cancer Patients with Risk Information for the Safe Use of ESAs) Oncology program and receive training in their safe use.  Read the rest of this entry »

Think that Maalox Total Relief is the same as the traditional Maalox liquids?

It isn’t, and the FDA wants you to know that.

Although both are available over the counter, they are intended to treat different medical conditions.  Maalox Total Relief contains bismuth subsalicylate, which is related to aspirin and can cause bleeding and other serious side effects. Read the rest of this entry »