FDA Patient Safety News (PSN) is a monthly video news show for healthcare professionals. It covers significant safety alerts, recalls, new product approvals, and offers important tips on protecting patients. Read the complete stories and watch or download the video program at http://www.fda.gov/psn. You may have already received notification of some of these safety issues through the MedWatch list serve. However, many of these PSN stories contain video footage and demonstrations that may be especially useful to educators in healthcare facilities and academic institutions.

Stories in the August 2008 edition include:

Warning Added to Regranex (becaplermin) Label

Use caution when treating diabetic foot and leg ulcers with Regranex in patients who have known malignancies…

 

Cellcept and Myfortic Linked to Birth Defects and Fetal Loss

Before prescribing these drugs, healthcare professionals should ensure that women are not pregnant and are using two effective forms of birth control…

Possible Association between TNF Blockers and Cancer

Ongoing safety reviews of Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, and Cimzia…

Danger Giving Topical Thrombin Intravascularly

ISMP recommends ways to reduce the risk of errors that can lead to extensive intravascular clotting and death…

Potential Problems with Insulin Pens in Hospitals

Insulin pen design and usage issues can present safety concerns…

Nonoxynol 9 (N9) Contraceptives: No Protection against HIV and Other STDs

Labeling warns that using nonoxynol 9 may increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS from an infected partner