U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The Philadelphia Chromosome

Joe Donahue — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:12:00 +0000

In The Philadelphia Chromosome, journalist Jessica Wapner tells the story of the breakthrough cancer drug Gleevec, which has saved the lives of thousands of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and other cancers since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2001.

FDA: Genetically Engineered Fish Won't Harm Environment

Lucas Willard — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Federal health regulators say a genetically engineered salmon that grows twice as fast as normal salmon is unlikely to harm the environment, clearing the way for the first approval of a genetically engineered animal for human consumption.

The Food and Drug Administration has released its environmental assessment of the AquaAdvantage salmon, a faster-growing fish which has been subject to a contentious, yearslong debate at the agency. The document concludes that the fish is unlikely to harm the environment, including natural salmon.

Group Calls on FDA to Re-Inspect Compounding Pharmacies

Lucas Willard — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 01:00:00 +0000

A government watchdog group is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to re-inspect more than a dozen specialty pharmacies with prior records of violations, in light of a recent deadly outbreak tied to compounded drugs.

Contaminated pain injections from a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy have been blamed for fungal meningitis that has killed 36 people and sickened more than 500, according to federal health officials.

Health Officials Give Update on Meningitis Outbreak Investigation While Others Call for More Action

Lucas Willard — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:29:22 +0000

The outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated drugs manufactured by a Massachusetts company has claimed the lives of at least 14 people. Now federal and state officials are investigating but groups are calling for more action. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

Vox Pop : Open Forum – Graphic Labels on Cigarette Packs : 4/10/12

Patrick Donges — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

A federal appeals court is considering the constitutionality of requiring large graphic photos on cigarette packs to show that smoking can harm or kill smokers. Today we want your take on the labels. WAMC’s Alan Chartock hosts along with WAMC’s Ray Graf.