FDA Requires RSV Vaccine Labels to Include Guillain-Barré Syndrome Risk
On Jan. 7, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated and approved changes to the safety labeling for the Prescribing Information of two Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines: Abrysvo (manufactured by Pfizer)1 and Arexvy (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals).2 This label change update is being required to inform both the public and health care […]
Medical Tourism Among Americans on the Rise
The number of people from the United States traveling abroad for medical care has surged in recent years. Although precise statistics are unavailable, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that millions of Americans now seek treatment in other countries.1 The phenomenon of medical tourism, where patients travel abroad for affordable or […]
Louisiana Bans State Funded Promotion of COVID-19, Influenza and Mpox Vaccines
In December 2024, Louisiana’s Department of Health issued a directive barring public health workers from promoting COVID-19, influenza, or mpox vaccines.1 This includes prohibiting staff from sending press releases, giving interviews, holding vaccine events, creating social media posts, or even displaying signs in clinics indicating that vaccines are available.2 The policy, which officials declined to […]
U.S. Government Extends Liability Shield for COVID Shot Makers
On Dec. 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) announced it would extend through Dec. 31, 2029 liability protections for pharmaceutical companies that produce COVID-19 biologics. According to Bloomberg Law, the liability shield also protects “health professionals prescribing, dispensing or administering vaccines, including state-licensed pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns.” The […]
Recall of Clonazepam Anxiety Drug After Potential Life-Threatening Labeling Error
A voluntary recall in the United States has been issued for clonazepam (the generic name for Klonopin), an anxiety-reducing drug, due to a potentially fatal labeling mistake. The recall involves 16 lots of clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets, which were found to be mislabeled with incorrect strengths and National Drug Code (NDC) numbers. The Pennsylvania-based pharmaceutical […]
BMJ Study Finds 1 in 3 Patients Harmed by Surgical Medical Errors
A 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on surgical safety has revealed that more than one-third of patients experience complications during or following surgery, with a significant proportion linked to preventable medical errors. Despite advances in patient care, the findings underscore ongoing concerns about the safety of hospital procedures and the widespread […]