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Health Highlights: Aug. 30, 2012
Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay: Drug Maker Recalls Chemo Medication More than 31,000 units of a chemotherapy drug are being recalled due to the potential risk of patient overdose, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. says. The recall affects 10 lots of BiCNU, an injection of the drug carmustine, used to treat multiple myeloma, brain tumors, Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the Associated Press reported. The recall was announced after one overfilled vial was discovered. Taking too much of the drug can lead to lung or kidney toxicity, according to Bristol-Myers. There have been no reports of patients suffering harm. The recall covers products sold in the U.S., Canada, Asia, Europe and Latin America, the AP reported. For more information, consumers and health care professionals can call 1-888-896-4564. ----- Patient Receives 'World First' Bionic Eye A "world first" bionic eye prototype has been successfully transplanted into a woman with hereditary sight loss, Australian scientists said Thursday. The robotic eye was surgically attached to patient Dianne Ashworth's retina. The tiny device contains 24 electrodes that send electrical impulses to stimulate her eye's nerve cells, Agence France-Presse reported. After Ashworth had recovered from the surgery, the researchers switched on the device in their laboratory. "I didn't know what to expect, but all of a sudden, I could see a little flash -- it was amazing," Ashworth said in a statement, AFP reported. "Every time there was stimulation there was a different shape that appeared in front of my eye." Ashworth's vision loss was caused by degenerative retinitis pigmentosa. Her device only works when it is connected inside the lab and will be used to investigate how images are created by the brain and eyes. ----- Energy Drink Makers Under Investigation Three large makers of energy drinks have been subpoenaed as part of the New York attorney general's investigation into the marketing of the drinks. Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman is trying to determine whether the companies -- Monster Beverage, PepsiCo and Living Essentials -- are deceiving consumers about how much caffeine is in their drinks and the health risks the drinks could pose, The New York Times reported. The investigation is also trying to determine whether the companies violated federal law in promoting the beverages as dietary supplements rather than as foods, which are subject to tighter regulation. Other concerns cited by state officials include whether all of the ingredients used in the drinks are properly disclosed, and whether certain additives such as black tea extract and guarana may contain additional caffeine that is not reflected on the drinks' labels, The Times reported. The drinks that are the focus of the investigation include Monster's beverage, AMP from PepsiCo, and 5-hour Energy drink from Living Essentials. All three companies declined to comment on the investigation. In a statement, the American Beverage Association said that ingredients and labeling for energy drinks were regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and that caffeine levels from additives were fully disclosed, The Times reported. -----
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