WASHINGTON (AP) — The insurance industry says it won't fight President Barack Obama over fixing a coverage gap for kids in the new health care law.
In a letter Monday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the industry's top lobbyist says insurers will accept new regulations to dispel uncertainty over a much publicized guarantee that children with pre-existing medical problems can get coverage starting this year.
The president of America's Health Insurance Plans said the industry will "fully comply" with the regulations, expected within weeks.
The law was signed last week, but the fine print was not clear on whether kids with health problems were guaranteed coverage starting this year, or if they might have to wait until 2014.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Question And Answer Slim-Fast Recall By Unilever United States, Inc.
What is Bacillus cereus?
Bacillus cereus is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness.
What are the symptoms of illness caused by Bacillus cereus?
Bacillus cereus can cause two types of foodborne illness -- a diarrheal illness and a vomiting illness.
- Symptoms of Bacillus cereus diarrheal illness include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and pain beginning six to 15 hours after consumption of contaminated food. Nausea may accompany these symptoms, but vomiting rarely occurs. Symptoms for the diarrheal illness typically persist for 24 hours.
- Symptoms of Bacillus cereus vomiting type of illness include nausea and vomiting within 30 minutes to six hours after consumption of contaminated foods. Occasionally, abdominal cramps and/or diarrhea may also occur. Duration of the symptoms for the vomiting type of illness is generally less than 24 hours.
- More information on Bacillus cereus and the illness it causes is available at this link to FDA's Bad Bug Book1.
The recalled products are packaged in paperboard cartons and contain 4, 6 or 12 steel cans that are labeled as containing 11 FL OZ (325 mL) each. Individual cans are also sold in certain retail outlets. The recall involves all Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans, regardless of flavor, Best-By date, lot code, or UPC number. A listing of all recalled Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans and a photograph of a recalled product are attached to the firm's press release, which is available on the FDA's Safety Alerts Page2.
Are all Slim-Fast products affected by this recall?
No. Only Slim-Fast ready-to-drink products in cans are affected by this recall.
I recently drank some of the recalled product and feel sick. What should I do?
If you are experiencing symptoms described above and have recently ingested some of the recalled product, FDA advises that you see a doctor.
I have some of the recalled product in my home. What should I do with it?
Consumers who have any of the recalled products on hand should throw them away immediately.
I drank some of the recalled product but did not get sick. Can I continue to drink the product I have on hand?
No. The product is under voluntary recall and consumers should not drink any of the recalled Slim-Fast products.
I feel sick but haven't drunk any of the recalled product for several days. Could it be the product that made me sick?
Highly unlikely. The onset of symptoms of Bacillus cereus illness normally occurs within a 1/2 hour to 15 hours after a contaminated food product has been consumed, but, if you are unsure, then you should see a doctor.
What is the FDA doing about this recall?
FDA is investigating at the processing plant where the recalled products were manufactured, and working directly with the company to ensure that all suspect products are removed from the marketplace and that the public and the media are informed about this product recall and the potential risk to consumers.
Can I get my money back for recalled product I have already purchased?
Unilever has advised customers to call 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund.
Increased risk of muscle injury with high doses of Zocor (simvastatin).
Simvastatin is sold as a single-ingredient generic medication and as the brand-name, Zocor. It is also sold in combination with ezetimibe as Vytorin; and niacin as Simcor.
Audience: Primary care providers, patients[Posted 03/19/2010] FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that, based on review of data from a large clinical trial and other sources, there is an increased risk of muscle injury in patients taking the highest approved dose of the cholesterol-lowering medication, Zocor (simvastatin) 80 mg, compared to patients taking lower doses of simvastatin and possibly other drugs in the "statin" class. FDA is also reviewing data from other clinical trials, observational studies, adverse event reports, and data on prescription use of simvastatin to better understand the relationship between high-dose simvastatin use and muscle injury.
Recommendations for healthcare professionals, recommendations for patients and a data summary of information used in this ongoing review are provided in the Drug Safety Communication.
[03/19/2010 - Drug Safety Communication1 - FDA]
[03/2010 - Prescribing Information: Zocor2 - Merck]
Drug Safety Labeling Changes February 2010
Drug products with safety labeling changes to the BOXED WARNING, CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS, or PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT/MEDICATION GUIDE sections during February 2010.
Key to Label Section Acronyms:
BW=BOXED WARNING, C=CONTRAINDICATIONS, W=WARNINGS, P=PRECAUTIONS
AR=ADVERSE REACTIONS, PPI/MG=PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT/MEDICATION GUIDE
AR=ADVERSE REACTIONS, PPI/MG=PATIENT PACKAGE INSERT/MEDICATION GUIDE
Medical Device Recalls For 2010
Following medical devices have been recalled in 2010, and we will continue to report the same in the future. | |
|---|---|
| Baylis Medical Company Inc., Torflex Transseptal Guiding Sheath7 | 02/08/10 |
| Thomas Medical Products Inc., Transseptal Sheath Introducer Kits8 | 02/01/10 |
| StatSpin, Inc., doing business as IRIS Sample Processing, StatSpin Express 4 Centrifuges, Model #5109 | 01/27/10 |
| Gyrus ACMI, Inc. Micron Bobbin Vent Tube T, 1.27 mm10 | 01/08/10 |
| Baxter HomeChoice and HomeChoice PRO11 | 01/08/10 |
| Beckman Coulter Inc., UniCel DxC Synchron Clinical System - Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) Flow Cell12 | 01/04/10 |
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Withdraws Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA From Market
DATE NOTIFICATON INITIATED:
February 26, 2010
PRODUCT / LOT NUMBER / EXPIRATION DATE:
Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA
Product Code: 930600
MANUFACTURER:
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics
Emeryville, CA
REASON:
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. (Novartis Diagnostics) received complaints from customers reporting false positive assay results when using the Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA (Strip Immunoblot Assay).
Novartis Diagnostics initiated an investigation including a review of all batch records for the lots listed above and determined that all lots were manufactured according to established procedures and met all performance specifications. In addition, the kits lots were retested as part of this investigation and confirmed all lot-release specifications continue to be met. However, as part of the investigational testing performed to date, Novartis Diagnostics reproduced discordant results with specimens returned from customers on certain lots of Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA. The etiology of these discordant results is undetermined, and testing evidence supports that an increase in false positive results is possible with the lots listed above. Internal testing of known positive specimens on retained lots yielded accurate results; therefore, Novartis has no evidence that true positive specimen results are impacted. Customers have been asked to contact the manufacturer to arrange for product return.
February 26, 2010
PRODUCT / LOT NUMBER / EXPIRATION DATE:
Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA
Product Code: 930600
| Lot Numbers | Expiration Date |
| YA1209 | June 22, 2009 |
| YA1691 | August 31, 2009 |
| YA1758 | September 22, 2009 |
| YA1804 | September 29, 2009 |
| 98290 | May 17, 2010 |
| 98743 | May 31, 2010 |
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics
Emeryville, CA
REASON:
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. (Novartis Diagnostics) received complaints from customers reporting false positive assay results when using the Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA (Strip Immunoblot Assay).
Novartis Diagnostics initiated an investigation including a review of all batch records for the lots listed above and determined that all lots were manufactured according to established procedures and met all performance specifications. In addition, the kits lots were retested as part of this investigation and confirmed all lot-release specifications continue to be met. However, as part of the investigational testing performed to date, Novartis Diagnostics reproduced discordant results with specimens returned from customers on certain lots of Chiron RIBA HCV 3.0 SIA. The etiology of these discordant results is undetermined, and testing evidence supports that an increase in false positive results is possible with the lots listed above. Internal testing of known positive specimens on retained lots yielded accurate results; therefore, Novartis has no evidence that true positive specimen results are impacted. Customers have been asked to contact the manufacturer to arrange for product return.
C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. Recalls pepper products due to Possible salmonella contamination
C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. Recalls
If you have pepper products on your shelves and if they are from C.H. Guenther & Son please verify the products at Recallr. The might be under different brand names.
Recallr: C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. Recalls several products that contain pepper due to Possible salmonella contamination,
If you have pepper products on your shelves and if they are from C.H. Guenther & Son please verify the products at Recallr. The might be under different brand names.
Recallr: C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. Recalls several products that contain pepper due to Possible salmonella contamination,
Sunday, March 21, 2010
House Passes Health Care Reform Bill 219 to 212
The health care reform bill has passed the house and awaits the next hurdle in the senate. If the senete passes, the bill will be written in to law by the President Obama.
According to the polls, many Americans did not like the bill. I think it is because they did not understand much about the bill, I had to laugh when people told that they did not like to control their health. But they seem to have forgotten that Medicare takes care of the elderly all over and run by the goernment.
What really do not understand is why 56% of the country want to get ripped by insurance companies, no matter they are rich or poor. I love this country. One cannot be poor, unless one really try hard.
According to the polls, many Americans did not like the bill. I think it is because they did not understand much about the bill, I had to laugh when people told that they did not like to control their health. But they seem to have forgotten that Medicare takes care of the elderly all over and run by the goernment.
What really do not understand is why 56% of the country want to get ripped by insurance companies, no matter they are rich or poor. I love this country. One cannot be poor, unless one really try hard.
Monday, March 08, 2010
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Free HIV Test For Women Offered Snohomish Health District
Snohomish Health District, is supporting National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, by offering free HIV tests today, Tuesday and Wednesday. It is your chance to get tested. Usually this will cost $89.
Following is the press release;
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. ---
Snohomish Health District will support National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by offering prevention information and free anonymous or confidential HIV tests on three days in March to qualifying women and girls age 14 years and older who are at risk for HIV infection. The rapid HIV antibody test, adopted in 2004 by the Health District, requires only a drop of blood pricked from a finger. Test results are available within 20 minutes. No appointment necessary; no ID required.
Health educators will offer rapid HIV antibody testing at these sites and times:
�� March 8, 5 to 7 p.m. – Lynnwood: Snohomish Health District, 6101 200th SW, Ste 100
�� March 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Everett: Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave, Ste 106
�� March 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Everett: Snohomish Health District, 3020 Rucker Ave, Ste 106
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is a nationwide initiative celebrated on March 10 every year to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. About one-third of all newly detected HIV cases progress to full-blown AIDS within 12 months of initial HIV diagnosis. This indicates that individuals are not getting tested regularly as a part of their normal health care. Instead they are waiting until they experience health problems, by which time the disease can be more difficult to treat. The awareness campaign is an effort to help women and girls know their HIV status.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington State Department of Health report:
�� Every 35 minutes a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.
�� About 40 people test positive for HIV/AIDS every year in Snohomish County.
�� More than 640 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Snohomish County.
�� Having unprotected sex is the main way HIV spreads. It also spreads through injection drug use or from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
�� Today, about one in four Americans living with HIV is a woman.
�� HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African American women age 25 to 34.
During a standard week, the Health District offers rapid tests, oral swab, and standard blood draw tests by appointment Monday through Friday. Tests cost $89 for everyone except high-risk persons—they are tested for free. Appointments: 425.339.5298. High-risk individuals include men who have sex with men (MSM), IV drug users (IDU), and persons who have sex with MSM or IDU.
The Health District also offers walk-in (no appointment) rapid HIV antibody testing routinely at these sites:
• All Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Everett: Snohomish Health District 3020 Rucker Ave, Ste 106
• 1st Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Everett: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2624 Rockefeller Ave
• 2nd and 4th Mondays, 5 to 7 p.m. – Lynnwood: Snohomish Health District, 6101 200th SW, Ste 100
Incorporated in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health District at www.snohd.org.
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