Access To Justice

News developments that we’re watching at Sokolove Law:

Cancer-causing sunscreens: Planning on sunning yourself on the beach during Memorial Day? Think again: many sunscreens made with Vitamin A or its derivatives may actually increase your risk of skin cancer, according to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit advocacy organization. EWG researchers base their claim on the initial findings of an FDA study linking a form of vitamin A used in sunscreens to accelerated growth of skin tumors and lesions. The EWG’s annual study examined 500 beach and sport sunscreens and found just 39 products it considered safe and effective to use. The study said most lotions overstated performance claims or used oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound that penetrates the skin and enters the bloodstream.

Rapamune Whistleblower Suit: An amended whistleblower lawsuit claims that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals illegally promoted its kidney transplant drug Rapamune for unapproved use in other non-kidney transplant operations, writes Law360 (subscription required). The complaint alleges that Wyeth (now part of Pfizer Inc.) had its sales reps push Rapamune for use in heart, lung, liver, pancreas, and islet cell transplants although it is only FDA-approved for use in kidney transplants, according to the story. Law 360 reports that the suit alleges that Rapamune, which is used to prevent organ rejection, may worsen or cause certain transplant surgery side effects including liver failure, anemia, and edema. Two Wyeth transplant account managers originally filed the suit in 2005.

Actor Sues Heparin Drug maker: Baxter Healthcare Corp., the maker of the blood thinner Heparin, is the target of a lawsuit filed by Hollywood star Dennis Quaid on behalf of his children, reports Reuters. The suit alleges that Quiad’s newborn twins were given an accidental overdose of Heparin in 2007 due to confusion caused by similar label on different dose of the drug.

Salmonella Spurs Recalls: First it was alfalfa sprouts. Now Romaine lettuce has been linked to possible salmonella contamination. Fresh Express, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, is recalling its ready-to-eat salads with expired use-by dates of May 13-16 and an “S” in the product code after a package confirmed positive for salmonella. Salmonella can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It can also cause fatal infections in young children and the elderly. The recall extends to California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Nebraska, Montana, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Last week, a salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts sickened more than 20 people in 10 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The outbreak prompted an urgent nationwide recall of alfalfa products made by Caldwell Fresh Foods and sold under that name as well the Nature’s Choice and California Fresh Exotics brands.

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