BC

http://www.123numerology.com/ go ahead... TCBS BC

Most patients with implantable heart defibrillators are buried with the devices still inside them, stymieing efforts by doctors and companies to retrieve and check the devices for evidence of malfunction, researchers said on Sunday.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or ICDs, are stopwatch-sized devices that detect and deliver a shock to the heart to correct dangerous rhythms.

High-profile recalls of defective devices have raised awareness of ICD safety, but researchers said they do not know the true rate of malfunction because the devices are not routinely checked after death.

"Implantable pacemakers and defibrillators are rarely analyzed or returned to the manufacturer after a patient dies," said Dr. James Kirkpatrick of the University of Pennsylvania, who presented his study results at the American Heart Association meeting in Chicago.

Kirkpatrick said most devices now are buried with patients. Of those that are removed, 44 percent are disposed of as medical waste, while 22 percent are donated for animal use or for human use in developing nations.

The survey found that most of the 100 morticians surveyed (87 percent) would be willing to return the devices to manufacturers for analysis. Of the 160 ICD patients questioned, 82 percent said they would give their consent.

Recalls of defective devices have depressed ICD sales and dampened profits of device makers St. Jude Medical Inc.(NYSE:STJ - news), Boston Scientific Corp.(NYSE:BSX - news) and Medtronic Inc.(NYSE:MDT - news)

In August, JP Morgan analyst Michael Weinstein said the ICD market has fallen 12 percent in the United States and about 6.5 percent globally on weak demand for the devices.

The Heart Failure Society issued guidelines last month calling for the devices to be returned for analysis. All three companies said they would comply.

Kirkpatrick advocated the use of "Device Living Wills," in which patients would specify the destiny of their devices after death, as a means of helping to overcome barriers to routine device removal and analysis.

"Perhaps that would shed light on recalls and safety," he said.

Yeah that's the ticket, use the things for thorough research! What a concept!Ford Motor Company has beter R & D... DOH!! TCBS BC

Perrigo recalls 11 mln bottles of acetaminophen
Thu Nov 9, 2006 11:24 AM ET
By Lisa Richwine

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Perrigo Co. is recalling 11 million bottles of over-the-counter, store-brand acetaminophen caplets after traces of metal were found in some of the products, federal health officials said on Thursday.

Various size bottles of 500-milligram caplets were distributed to stores such as Wal-Mart, Safeway, CVS and Food Lion.

Perrigo and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said no injuries or illness had been linked to the products.

Perrigo shares fell nearly 4 percent to $17.32 in morning trade on Nasdaq.

"Based on information currently available, the FDA believes the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote," the agency said in a statement.

"However, if a consumer were to swallow an affected caplet, it could result in minor stomach discomfort and/or possible cuts to the mouth or throat," the FDA said.

Consumers should stop using the recalled caplets and consult a doctor if they think they have been harmed, the agency added.

Perrigo discovered the problem by passing the pills through a metal detector during quality-control checks, the FDA said.

"The frequency of occurrence is very low," said John Hendrickson, executive vice president and general manager of Perrigo Consumer Healthcare.

The Allegan, Michigan, company -- the world's largest manufacturer of store-brand pharmaceutical and nutritional products -- said the total cost of the recall is expected to be $2.9 million.

Perrigo said its recently reported fiscal first-quarter results will now include an after-tax charge of $667,000, or 1 cent a share, related to the recall, reducing its quarterly earnings to 18 cents a share. The company also reaffirmed its full-year earnings outlook.

A list of stores that carry brands potentially affected by the recall can be found at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/perrigo/perrigocustlist.html.

The FDA said consumers can determine which bottles are included in the recall by checking batch numbers at http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/perrigo/perrigobatchlist.html.

Sorry, but I am waxing apolitical for the next long while since silly people think changing the players changes the game.Its GOVERNMENT! not a blackjack table!people are corrupt and suck..smell the coffee!
and if you do take acetominophen, drink LOTS of water/fluids too!!or it will strafe yer livvers mateys...TCBS BC

Regardless of the election results which issues do you think the new Congress should tackle first?

What shoud be the new Congress's top priority?

The Iraq War 2,611
Illegal Immigration 834
Health Care 625
Jobs and the Economy 582
The Environment 361

Total Vote: 5,013
Not a scientific survey...nope, just a poll GTFO of Iraq!!! BC