September, 2009Philips Life-Saving Necklaces Can Choke Users, FDA Warns

They are designed to save your life in the event of a sudden medical emergency, but some personal help buttons worn around the neck can present a potentially deadly choking risk, the Food and Drug Administration and a leading manufacturer of the devices are warning users.

Kids Can Be Injured, Killed in TV and Appliance Tip-Over Accidents, CPSC Warns

Since 2006, more than 16,000 children in the United States age 5 and younger have been treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries suffered in accidents involving falling televisions, furniture, and household appliances, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

CPSC Tip-Overs Podcast 09/22/09

Inspect and secure TVs, furniture, and appliances to Prevent Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries – September 22, 2009

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FDA Bans Candy and Fruit-Flavored Cigarettes; More Tobacco Rules On the Way

The Food and Drug Administration is wasting no time in flexing its new muscle and cracking down on tobacco products. Given the authority to regulate tobacco products and advertising by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which became law in June, the FDA today announced a ban on cigarettes with fruit, candy, or clove flavors.

The Tipping Point: CPSC Urges Parents to Inspect and Secure TVs, Furniture, and Appliances to Prevent Tip-Over Deaths and Injuries

For young children, the home is a playground, and while many parents childproof to ensure that their home is a safe place, some may not be aware that unsecured TVs, furniture and appliances are hidden hazards lurking in every room. Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents once again to take simple, low-cost steps to prevent deaths and injuries associated with furniture, TV, and appliance tip-overs.

LexisNexis® Legal News Podcast for September 22, 2009

The JPMDL centralizes light cigarette class cases in Maine federal court, and a vindicated former McAfee executive sues the company for alleged false statements. Hear these and other stories from LexisNexis® Mealey’s™ Publications. Copyright© 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. For the latest litigation news headlines, visit www.lexisnexis.com/mealeys.

Glaxo Slashes Funding for Doctor-Educational Programs; Is More Change Needed?

In a move seen as an effort to distance itself from the ongoing controversy over drug company financial support of medical research, GlaxoSmithKline PLC said today it plans to reduce the amount of money it pays to support physician education programs.

FDA Meetings to Discuss Internet Marketing of Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to hold two public hearings next month to gather ideas from the public and the drug industry about how to better regulate the use of the Internet and social-networking sites by drug companies to promote prescription drugs and medical devices.

Dannon to Refund $35 Million to Consumers for Misleading Ads for Activia and DanActive Yogurts

If you are among the millions of consumers who bought Dannon Co.-brand yogurts Activia and DanActive, you may be eligible to receive some of the $35 million the company has agreed to pay to consumers because of false advertising that boasted of non-existent health benefits of the products.

Zicam Lawsuits May be Lumped Together Before Trials

About a dozen personal-injury lawsuits filed against the makers of Zicam Cold Remedy products for causing users to lose their sense of smell may be bundled together as they prepare for, officials said.