Medical Care for Adults
When new drugs are harmful: Telavancin (VIBATIV) for skin infections
Warning about an antibiotic for serious skin infections. It is important to know the risks when getting a prescription for a new drug. In some cases, new drugs are more dangerous than old ones and should only be used as a last resort. Read More
A New TB Drug May be Less Likely to Save Lives
The FDA approved the first antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis in 40 years. However, the drug has a high risk of death and may not be useful for curing patients. Will it be useful in tackling multi-drug resistant TB? Read More
Thickeners and Other Ways to Help Older Adults with Swallowing Problems
Many people develop swallowing difficulties as they age. Adding thickening ingredients to a person’s diet may help elderly patients with swallowing difficulties. Read More
Should you Believe Online Reviews of Doctors?
Choosing a new physician can be a nerve-wracking task, but thanks to the Internet, information about the doctors you are considering is just a click away. But, are online reviews actually helpful in determining the quality of medical care you will receive? Read More
Update on ALCL Lymphoma for Women with Breast Implants
There is growing evidence that ALCL, a type of cancer of the immune system, can be caused by breast implants that are filled with either silicone or saline, and that the sooner the implants are removed, the more likely that the woman will recover. Read More
Are Breast Implants Safe?: New Questions
The FDA announced that saline and silicone gel breast implants were linked to a rare cancer of the immune system; in an unrelated scandal, tens of thousands of defective breast implants were recalled in Europe. These developments illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the safeguards intended to protect patients in different countries from unsafe breast implants and other medical devices. Read More
Testimony of Dr. Jennifer Yttri to the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA on Bedaquiline
Dr. Yttri testifies to the FDA Committee that the data on bedaquiline indicate that the benefit to patients with multi drug resistant tuberculosis is questionable. The FDA’s responsibility is to approve drugs that will help, not harm, consumers. Treatments exist for patients with multi drug resistant tuberculosis that are safer without the addition of bedaquiline. Read More
Testimony of Dr. Jennifer Yttri to the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA on telavancin (VIBATIV)
Dr. Yttri testifies to the FDA that there is not sufficient evidence to support telavancin as a safe and effective treatment for nosocomial pneumonia. The data raise questions about a high morality rate associated with telavancin. Read More
Statement by Senior Fellow Jennifer Yttri, PhD, at FDA Public Hearing on Antiseptic Preoperative Skin Preparation Products
Dr. Yttri testifies to the FDA on the serious public health issue of contamination of antiseptic products. First, we support the recommendation of the August 2009 Advisory Committee in ensuring that all antiseptic patient preoperative skin preparation products are held to current good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards. Second, the FDA should remove ineffective antiseptics from the market. Third, as extrinsic contamination accounts for the majority of contamination outbreaks, FDA should require product packaging that would reduce extrinsic manipulation. Finally, while the majority of outbreaks seem to be related to extrinsic contamination, intrinsic contamination introduced during manufacturing most likely accounts for a greater number of contaminated products. Read More
Statement from Dr. Jennifer Yttri, senior fellow, at the FDA Public Hearing Establishing a List of Qualifying Pathogens for the GAIN Act
Dr. Yttri testifies to the FDA that the growing risk of antibiotic resistant pathogens and need for development and responsible use of new antibiotics are critical public health concerns that need to be addressed. Read More