by April Fulton

Good morning.

As part of its efforts to give the public a window into the complexities FDA faces when regulating food, drugs and medical devices, the agency announced the formation of a task force on transparency yesterday.

Releasing more information about products under agency review won't be easy, former general counsel to the agency Peter Barton Hutt tells The New York Times:

Still, the goal is to open up a system in which the agency failed to inform the public that a widely prescribed heartburn drug was especially toxic to babies; that a diabetes medicine and a painkiller increased heart attack risks; and that antidepressants increased suicidal thoughts and behavior in children and teenagers.

Pot Still Hot

Los Angeles has battled with the legalities of medical marijuana clinics for years, but the crop keeps finding ways to grow.

Although the city imposed a two-year moratorium, pot shops in Los Angeles have expanded, thanks to a loophole allowing them to apply for a hardship exemption.

AP:

Enterprising marijuana distributors learned after the 2007 moratorium that the city attorney's office was not taking action against pot shops that had applied for the exemption, and were waiting instead for the City Council. But the City Council has yet to rule on any of the hardships.

More than 500 dispensaries applied for the exemption, which the council is now looking to withdraw.

October Overhaul?

President Obama rallied the troops yesterday, urging Senate Democrats not to delay in passing a health system overhaul as soon as possible, preferably ready for his signature by October. WSJ:

"'We can't afford to put this off,' Obama said at the start of a meeting with 24 Senate Democrats. 'This window between now and the [Senate's] August recess I think is going to be the make-or-break period. This is the time where we've got to get this running.'"

It's going to be a long, hot summer.

categories: FDA, Health Overhaul, Latest headlines

8:05 - June 3, 2009

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