Benzene Can Form in Acne Treatments, Lab Finds
Benzene, a known human carcinogen that has been detected in consumer products like hand sanitizers, sunscreens, spray deodorants, and dry shampoos, has now been found in commonly used acne treatments. The presence of benzene in those consumer products was the result of contamination. But in the case of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) acne treatments — both […]
What Is Tianeptine and Why Is It in Demand?
An uptick in adverse events connected to unregulated tianeptine products — often referred to as “gas station heroin” — along with the voluntary recall of a popular product have brought renewed attention to the atypical tricyclic antidepressant. Earlier this week, the company that makes a product called Neptune’s Fix issued a voluntary recall of several […]
Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer
Trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a long-chain fatty acid found in meat and dairy products from grazing animals such as cows and sheep, improves the ability of CD8+ T cells to infiltrate tumors and kill cancer cells, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Chicago. The research, published this week in Nature, also […]
Regulation Gap Persists in OTC Eye Care Products
It’s been a bad year for over-the counter (OTC) eye care products and their consumers, with serial government warnings and company recalls of ocular washes, drops, tears, and ointment. And the current state of the OTC industry has U.S. ophthalmologists worried on two fronts, according to a viewpoint overview in JAMA Ophthalmology. “On one side, […]
Probiotics for Preterm Infants Could Pose Serious Danger, FDA Warns
The FDA warned the public Thursday that certain probiotic products given to preterm infants in hospital settings are potentially dangerous. The agency also sent warning letters to Abbott Nutrition and Infinant Health, two makers of probiotic products that the FDA said violate federal laws. “Preterm infants who are administered a probiotic product are at risk […]
DOJ Goes After PA for Amniotic Fluid Injections
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has turned its attention to birth tissue products, charging a Texas-based physician assistant with healthcare fraud for allegedly injecting patients with amniotic fluid in a “dubious attempt at pain management,” announced the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Ray Anthony Shoulders, PA, allegedly submitted $788,000 in fraudulent claims […]
Be Wary of Amniotic Fluid Eye Drops, FDA Says
In its ongoing battle against companies selling unapproved stem cell products, the FDA issued a safety communication earlier this month about amniotic fluid eye drops being improperly marketed for dry eye disease. The communication links to earlier letters to two manufacturers — makers of Regener-Eyes and StimulEyes — warning that the products would need an […]
Why Does Insulin Cost So Much? Big Pharma Isn’t the Only Player Driving Prices
Eli Lilly & Co.’s announcement that it is slashing prices for its major insulin products could make life easier for some diabetes patients while easing pressure on Big Pharma. It also casts light on the profiteering methods of the drug industry’s price mediators — the pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — at a time when Congress […]
Fiber discovery could shape better gut health
Changing the structure of a dietary fibre commonly found in a range of food products has been found to promote healthy gut bacteria and reduce gas formation, a finding that could help people with intolerances to fibre and irritable bowel conditions. A team of scientists from the University of Nottingham, Quadram Institute Biosciences and the […]
Milk’s packaging influences its flavor: Paperboard cartons do not preserve milk freshness as well as other containers
The dairy industry strives to preserve the quality and safety of milk products while maintaining the freshest possible taste for consumers. To date, the industry has largely focused on packaging milk in light-blocking containers to preserve freshness, but little has been understood about how the packaging itself influences milk flavor. However, a new study in […]