Defibrillators are electrical devices used to treat heart conditions like arrhythmia, which is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. A defibrillator’s job is to deliver an electric shock to the heart, effectively jolting it back to its normal rhythm. When we hear the word “defibrillator,” many of us think about the big, portable ones they use in ambulances or hospitals – the ones that send strong electrical currents from [...]

In July 2018, several drug companies started recalling dozens of lots of heart and blood medications – specifically valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan – after tests found the drugs had trace amounts of impurities and carcinogens. These recalls have been ongoing into early 2019. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the underlying causes of the contamination with carcinogenic substances. The FDA’s inspection is not complete, but past inspections at companies in [...]

(This is part of a series, presented by McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC, titled “Life on The Bleeding Edge: How the FDA Won’t Keep You Safe.” To learn more, please read Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.) In July 2018, the medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer released a statement that they would pull the Essure® System for Permanent Birth Control out of American markets after December 31, 2018. The company claimed [...]