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Company Recalls 1 Million Cribs
A Canadian-based crib manufacturer has recalled more than 1 million cribs because of defective support brackets that could cause children to suffocate or become trapped. The recall applies to about 500,000 Stork Craft baby cribs sold in the United States at retailers including J.C. Penney, Kmart and Wal-Mart. The remaining cribs covered by the recall were sold in Canada. AP, Seattle Times 01/14/2009
Study: Anti-Psychotics Linked to Heart Problems
People taking popular anti-psychotic drugs produced by Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and others were twice as likely to suffer heart attacks, a new study has found. According to the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the drugs are no safer than older drugs for treating diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Among the drugs included in the study were Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zyprexa and Johnson & Johnson’s Risperdal. Rob Waters, Bloomberg 01/15/2009
Dell Settles Class Action Over Financing
Computer manufacturer Dell Inc. will pay $3.35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over allegations that it engaged in deceptive practices in regard to financing, warranties and rebates. At the heart of the suit, brought by 34 state attorneys general, were allegations that the computer maker had offered misleading financing options to customers. Consumers affected by the settlement will have 90 days to submit claims. Reuters, Reuters 01/12/2009
Report Faults FDA Oversight of Financial Conflicts
A government watchdog report released Monday was critical of the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts to police financial conflicts of interests among doctors involved in pharmaceutical and medical device testing. According to the report by the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general, the FDA failed to acquire financial information for 42 percent of research applications. The agency needs to take additional steps to check conflicts of interest for doctors participating in human testing, the report urged. Reuters, Reuters 01/12/2009
Study: Many C-Sections Performed Too Early
A new study has found that about a third of newborns may be at risk for respiratory distress and other problems because an elective C-section was performed too early. According to the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 36 percent of 13,258 elective repeat C-sections from 1999 to 2002 were performed sooner than the 39 full weeks of gestation recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Researchers note that babies delivered by C-section prior to 39 weeks are about twice as likely to have at least one birth-related problem. Rita Rubin, USA Today 01/07/2009
Blue Shield Settles Coverage Rescission Suit
California will drop a $12.6 million lawsuit against Blue Shield after the insurer agreed to reinstate coverage for about 700 residents whose coverage was wrongly rescinded. Under the settlement, Blue Shield will also reimburse policyholders for medical expenses incurred after their coverage was dropped. Last year, California insurance regulators reached a similar deal with Health Net Inc. that restored coverage for more than 900 Californians. Lisa Girion, LA Times 01/07/2009
Regulators Expand Crib Recall
A Taiwan-based crib manufacturer and consumer safety regulators have expanded a recall of cribs tied to injuries in children. The latest recall adds about 56,000 cribs, made by Jardine Enterprises, to the 320,000 cribs recalled by the company last June. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, they have received 19 additional reports from consumers of broken wood slats that could entrap or strangle a child. AP, Chicago Tribune 01/07/2009
Court: Red-Light Camera Use OK
A national purveyor of red-light camera systems is heralding a recent court decision upholding Chicago's use of the cameras as "ground-breaking." "This decision effectively settles the issue of the constitutionality of photo-enforcement programs ...," the president of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based American Traffic Solutions, Inc. said in a news release. Lawyers fighting a local battle over Springfield's use of red-light cameras, meanwhile, aren't as breathless over the development, reports the Springfield News Leader. 1/7/2009
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