Pharm giants shift internet ad tactics

“The online marketing wake-up call that the Food and Drug Administration sent in early April to 14 pharmaceutical companies — in the form of letters ordering them to change how they approach search-engine advertising — has altered how, and even whether, pharma companies use Google and Yahoo to reach potential customers. It has also shifted at least some pharma ad dollars over to specialty health portals where ad formats can more readily comply with the FDA’s strictures.”

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Attorneys appointed in consolidated drywall litigation

“U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon has appointed 14 different Chinese drywall lawyers to serve in leadership roles in the consolidated litigation over defective drywall imported from China, which has been centralized in the Eastern District of Louisiana…

According to an order issued last week, Arnold Levin was appointed to serve as Lead Counsel for the plaintiffs, Russ Herman was appointed as Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel and twelve other lawyers were appointed to serve on a Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.”

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Chinese drywall homeowners qualify for tax credit

“Florida homeowners who suffered property damage from drywall imported from China are eligible to receive thousands of dollars on their tax return, according to an announcement by the Internal Revenue Service.”

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Lawyers eye on suits against Hydroxycut

Two days after the FDA warning against dietary supplement Hydroxycut, here comes the lawyers:

“A group of lawyers are seeking to sue the manufacturer of Hydroxycut after the FDA issued a warning against use of the popular weight loss supplements.

The FDA issued a statement on May 1 advising consumers to immediately stop using 14 Hydroxycut products, manufactured by Canadian company Iovate Health Sciences Inc., after receiving 23 reports of health problems which include potential liver injury and one death.”

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Jumbo snow globe catches fire

Just in time for Christmas, Hallmark Cards is pulling 7,000 of giant snow globes from retailer shelves.  When the snowglobe is exposed to sunlight it acts as a magnifying glass and can ignite nearby combustibles.  Um, I’d say for many places, the sunlight problem would be welcomed.

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HealthToys.org: A better Xmas and beyond

I’ve mentioned before, here, about how the Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations will not take place until after this Christmas session is over so here is a place to go to now if you want to make sure you buy safe toys.

HealthyToys.org which is sponsored by the Ecology Center.

Not only do they allow you to search on toys for health and safety concerns but they make it easy for you to communicate with the government and manufacturers about the importance of making toys safer.