FDA Policy/General

FDA OKs Canine Levothyroxine, Warns 6 Firms

FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine 1/29 simultaneously announced the approval of the first animal drug (levothyroxine) to treat canine hypothyroidism and its issuance of Warning Letters to six manufacturers of unapproved veterinary levothyroxine products for this condition. The newly approved product, Thyro Tabs Canine, is made by Shenandoah, IA-based Lloyd, Inc.

Warning Letters were sent to Intervet/Merck Animal Health, Madison, NJ; Neogen Corp., Lansing, MI; Quality Care Mfg., Lincoln, NE; Verbac Animal Health, Fort Worth, TX; Dechra Veterinary Products, Overland Park, KS; and Diamond Animal Health, De Moines, IA. FDA told the companies their levothyroxine products for dogs are unsafe and adulterated, and gave them 15 days to respond stating “the steps you have taken to bring your firm into compliance with the law.”

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton’s responses on vaccines, contraception and abortion medication during her 9/24 Senate confirmation hearing raise concerns that ideology could influence her decision-making if she takes over the agency, MSNBC senior medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Friday. Gupta was particularly critical of Overton’

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA commissioner nominee Heidi Overton emerged from her Senate confirmation hearing Thursday (see earlier story) without resolving questions about whether she has enough Republican support to advance — and with a rapidly narrowing window for confirmation before the midterm elections. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing provided few

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA has classified Boston Scientific's recall of its Imager II Angiographic Catheters as Class I because a manufacturing problem could cause catheter tips to degrade and detach, potentially resulting in life-threatening complications. The agency announced the Class I classification 9/25, updating an Early Alert it issued

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

FDA has approved Roche’s Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for reducing the risk of relapse in adults and children aged 2 and older with frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent, childhood-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome who are in remission. The expanded approval covers the use of the CD20-directed antibody beyond its existing

Read more

Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome