Legal Updates
Trial Reports of FDA Medications Frequently Unpublished
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
On September 23, 2008, University of California, San Francisco researchers stated that more than half of all supporting clinical trials for U.S. FDA approved drugs remain unpublished five years after permission has been given to sell the drugs in the United States. They combed the medical literature to determine the…
VA Ineffective In Protecting Veterans
Sunday, September 21, 2008
On September 19, 2008, an internal review found that the Veterans Affairs Department was responsible for numerous "unacceptable failures" in ensuring safeguards for soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder who were enrolled in a medical experiment to help them quit smoking. Despite the stinging report, the agency has decided to proceed…
Train Hits Bus In Downtown Los Angeles
Friday, September 19, 2008
During the morning of September 19, 2008, a Metro Blue Line train collided with a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles, causing minor injuries to 13 people, authorities said. The accident, which occurred near Washington Boulevard and Griffith Avenue, was reported around 6:15 a.m., said Officer Ana Aguirre of the…
Engineer Failed To Break Before Accident
Thursday, September 18, 2008
As the investigation of last week’s deadly railroad accident, authorities announced that the engineer of the commuter train ran through a red light and never hit his brakes in the final moments before the collision with an oncoming freight train. As they sort through the many possible reasons why, investigators…
Patient Contracts Hepatitis C
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
New York Health Department officials announced on September 17, 2008, that a New York City dialysis center was shut down after one patient tested positive for hepatitis C. As a result, an estimated 700 patients of the Life Care Dialysis Center in Manhattan are being urged to get tested for…
Capitol Hill Critiques Medical Device Ads
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
On September 17, 2008, medical experts informed lawmakers that new television advertisements for medical devices pose even greater risks to patients than ads for drugs, which have been scrutinized for years. The Senate Aging Committee hearing was focused on whether new restrictions are needed on consumer-directed advertisements for artificial knees,…
