Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 4, 2011.  New data suggest that the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication during pregnancy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today. Before prescribing[Read More…]

Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 3, 2011.  Giving breastfeeding infants of HIV-infected mothers a daily dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine for six months halved the risk of HIV transmission to the infants at age 6 months compared with giving infants the drug daily for six weeks, according to preliminary clinical trial data[Read More…]

CHICAGO –(ENEWSPF)–March 2, 2011.  Many home structure fires occur when cooking equipment is left unattended, according to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM). For the family chef, fire prevention can be as simple as remaining in the kitchen with a watchful eye on the stove, broiler, grill[Read More…]

Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 2, 2011.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today took action against companies that manufacture, distribute, or market certain unapproved prescription oral cough, cold, and allergy products. The affected products cannot be legally marketed in the United States. Unapproved prescription cough, cold, and allergy drug products have[Read More…]

Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 2, 2011.  Pregnant women who are unaware that they have HIV miss the chance for drug treatment that can benefit not only their own health, but could also prevent them from transmitting the virus to their infants. When HIV is not diagnosed until women go into labor, their[Read More…]

Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–February 24, 2011.  Scientists are eyeing a rare genetic glitch for clues to improved treatments for some people with schizophrenia (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml) — even though they found the mutation in only one third of 1 percent of patients. In the study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health,[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–February 22, 2011. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest video in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series.  The video was submitted by friends and family of Springfield, Pennsylvania native Casey Feldman, a 21 year old who was struck and killed by a distracted driver[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 18, 2011.  The administration strongly supports provider conscience laws that protect and support the rights of health care providers, and also recognizes and supports the rights of patients. Strong conscience laws make it clear that health care providers cannot be compelled to perform or assist in an abortion.  Many[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011.  The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty of $2 million against Delta Air Lines for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. This civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–February 17, 2011.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that terbutaline administered by injection or through an infusion pump should not be used in pregnant women for prevention or prolonged (beyond 48-72 hours) treatment of preterm labor due to the potential for serious maternal heart problems and[Read More…]