Facing intense pressure due to the fusarium keratitis outbreak, Bausch & Lomb has made a worldwide recall of its eye contact solution product ReNu with MoistureLoc. The crisis began more than 6 weeks ago and initially Bausch & Lomb told stores to stop selling the product. Eventually, the product was removed from store shelves.
Monthly Archives: May 2006
Bausch & Lomb Hasn’t Removed ReNu with MultiPlus
In spite of a sharp increase in fungal infections among users of ReNu with MultiPlus, Bausch & Lomb has not removed the eye contact solution product from store shelves. US health officials have now confirmed more than 120 cases of a potentially blinding eye infection that may be related to contact lens use.
Vioxx Risks Continue Even After Its Use is Discontinued
A new Merck & Co. study reveals that risk for heart attacks and strokes continues even when its use is discontinued. This risk continues for a year after use. In spite of the new study, Merck says it won’t change its litigation strategy. Oh well, why be confused with the facts.
Beijing Bausch & Lomb Stops Selling ReNu Products
Bausch & Lomb has decided to withdraw its ReNu contact lens solution from the Chinese markets. ReNu has come under intense scrutiny as well as several lawsuits for its link to a severe fungal infection called fusarium keratitis. Though rare, the fungus can cause blindness if not detected and treated promptly.
Frivolous Lawsuits a Fiction
A new research study appearing in the May 11th New England Journal of Medicine, refutes the oft-mentioned claim by some that frivolous lawsuits, especially medical malpractice claims lack merit. For this study, which appears in the May 11 New England Journal of Medicine, a panel of trained physicians reviewed 1,452 closed malpractice claims from five liability insurers to determine if a medical injury really had occurred and, if so, whether or not it was due to medical error. The physicians focused on the areas of surgery, obstetrics, medication and missed or delayed diagnosis which, together, account for about 80 percent of all malpractice claims filed in the United States
Link Between Fusarium and Bausch & Lomb Grows
According to a CDC released yesterday, the link between the eye fungus fusarium keratitis and Bausch & Lomb products continues to grow. Fungal keratitis is a painful inflammation of the cornea that can, in some cases, lead to blindness. The infection, caused by a fungus found in the environment, can appear as a result of eye injury, improper use of contact lenses or contaminated contact-lens products.
ReNu MultiPlus has been on the market since 1997 and has been used by an estimated 30 million people. ReNu with MoistureLoc, a much newer product, has about 2.3 million users, the company has said. The products are used to clean and disinfect contact lenses.
According to Bausch & Lomb, ReNu with MoistureLoc had 2005 sales of $45 million
Link Between Fusarium Fungus and Bausch & Lomb Grows Stronger According to Latest CDC Data
According to the latest CDC data, the link between ReNu with Moisture Loc and the rare but dangerous fusarium keratitis fungus continues to grow sharply. The link between another ReNu product, ReNu Moisture Plus, grew, but more modestly. Of the 98 confirmed Fusarium keratitis cases for which the CDC has complete data, 93 people wore contact lenses and 59 used MoistureLoc, an increase of 27 cases from a week ago. Bausch has pulled MoistureLoc from circulation amid concerns about the high rate of infection links.
Those using MultiPlus, a market leader that remains on retailers’ shelves, has increased by four to 19, the CDC said.
Sarasota Car Accidents
Those of us who live or work in the Sarasota area know the dangers of driving in the early morning fog and mist. This is the time of year when morning commuters face a rising sun and early morning fog. Caution is the key when driving in these situations-especially when traffic is heavy.
Fosamax-More Harm than Cure
Fosamax, manufactured by Vioxx maker Merck & Co., is an osteoporosis drug highly touted by its manufacturer. The drug garnered $3.2 billion in 2005 sales but is now linked to osteonecrosis whereby users of Fosamax experience a rotting and death of the jaw bone. Fosamax, which contains the active compound bisphosphonate, increases bone mass and reduces the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women, and also treats osteoporosis in men. Merck’s response is typically vague: “Most reported cases of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis have been in cancer patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates, but cases have occurred in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis and other diagnoses,” said a statement released by Merck.
Taser Use in Orlando Analyzed
The Orlando Sentinelran a revealing article on the Orlando Police Department’s use of tasers during the past two years. An analysis of the data on Taser use showed that Orlando police have used Tasers against 1,243 people. The computer-assisted analysis, which also tracked 765 Taser cases through the criminal courts, showed that more than half of the people tased were neither violent nor suspected of committing felonies. Instead, they were charged only with minor misdemeanors, almost always including resisting without violence, which can mean as little as refusing to immediately obey a police officer’s order.