Data Dose January 2025 #2

Vanessa’s Law and the Fight for Safer Medications.

The tragic story of 15-year-old Vanessa Young, who died in 2000 from a cardiac arrhythmia caused by the prescription drug cisapride, underscores the devastating consequences of preventable medical errors. Cisapride was later withdrawn from the market, but Vanessa’s untimely death became a catalyst for change. Driven by her father’s relentless advocacy, Canada introduced Vanessa’s Law in 2014. Read more...

Centre raises alarm on adverse reaction caused by widely used life-saving beta blocker drugs.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued an alert highlighting concerns over adverse drug reactions (ADRs) linked to widely used beta blockers, raising important safety considerations for these life-saving medications. Beta blockers, including metoprolol, propranolol, and atenolol, are commonly prescribed to manage abnormal heart rhythms, prevent heart attacks, and treat migraines. Read more...

How the Science of ‘Exposomics’ Could Improve Drug Safety.

Each year, medication-related harm sends over 700,000 people to emergency rooms and causes thousands of deaths in the U.S., highlighting a critical challenge in healthcare: preventing these adverse drug reactions. While analyzing patients’ DNA before prescribing medications can reduce risks, genetics alone doesn’t tell the full story. Environmental and behavioral factors also play a significant role in how our bodies respond to drugs. Read more...

Oxbryta Lawsuit: What It Means for Patients and the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Oxbryta, hailed as a groundbreaking treatment for sickle cell disease upon its FDA approval in 2019, brought new hope to patients by improving hemoglobin levels and reducing painful complications. However, recent legal claims regarding its safety and efficacy have cast a shadow over its promise, sparking a wave of lawsuits that could reshape the future of sickle cell treatments. Read more...