Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Following FDA Warnings, Reports Of Fatalities, Company Discontinues Teething Gel
Stat: Infant Teething Medicines That Drew FDA Warning Discontinued
A homeopathic product company says it will discontinue the sale of its teething medicines, following federal warnings about their safety and unconfirmed reports linking the medicines to infant deaths. The company, Hyland’s, has manufactured teething tablets and gels — designed to relieve pain and irritability when an infant’s teeth are coming in — for more than 90 years. Hyland’s has “chosen to discontinue the distribution of our Hyland’s teething medicines in the United States,” the company wrote in an open letter published on its website. “This decision was made in light of the recent warning issued by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels. This warning has created confusion among parents and limited access to the medicines.” (Scott, 10/12)
Bloomberg: Giving Teething Babies Homeopathic Remedies Could Kill Them
More than 400 teething babies given homeopathic remedies to help ease gum pain developed serious health problems over the past six years, including seizures, shortness of breath, vomiting, and constipation, according to an investigation by U.S. regulators. At least 10 died. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and care providers about the potential dangers from the teething products, though its investigation isn’t yet complete. The agency said it hasn’t conclusively determined that homeopathic products were directly responsible for the deaths, and it didn’t identify any of the brands. (Cortez, 10/12)
