Weekly Roundup – 10/21/11

Autumn is definitely here now.  I can tell because I am discovering sweaters I forgot I had and my lawn looks like that of Boo Radley’s and I can just about see Scout stepping across in her ham costume – a reminder that Halloween is next weekend.   It is time for a roundup alright – a roundup of scattered leaves.

Meanwhile – a few things that caught my eye this week:

  • IOM Issues Brief on Front of Package Nutrition Labeling – For a long time there have been labels on foods that tell those of us inclined to look what the nutritional profile is of the food we may wish to purchase in the store.  Apps have even been developed that scan the bar code and tell us even more about the product.  Individual food manufacturers around the world have taken a try at developing front of package labeling that makes the information available for those not so inclined to look for it.  Now the IOM has issued a brief that examines the issue, concluding that “it is time for a fundamental shift in strategy… one that encourages healthier food choices through simplicity, visual clarity, and the ability to convey meaning without written information.”
  • Keeping Pace with Pacemakers – The FDA issued a proposed rule, open for public comment until January 17, 2012, that would lower the risk classification for external pacemakers.  According to the FDA press release, “The FDA has assessed the benefits and risks of external pacemaker pulse generators,” said Christy Foreman, director of the Office of Device Evaluation at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). “The special controls outlined in this draft guidance, along with general controls, will assure the safety and efficacy of these devices and provide manufacturers with a more predictable path to market.”
  • Abbott Announces A Division Into Two – This week Abbott announced that it would be forming two new publicly traded companies from one.  One company will retain the Abbott name, the second will be announced at a later time.  One will maintain a portfolio of diversified medical products, including branded generic pharmaceuticals, devices, diagnostic and nutritional businesses while the other will be a research-based pharmaceutical company that will maintain the company’s current proprietary drugs and biologics.

That’s it for me this week.   Have a good weekend everyone.

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1 Response to Weekly Roundup – 10/21/11

  1. I really like the concept of your weekly roundup…short and sweet…but also detailed enough to be informative. Check out my review of this post on my blog http://www.empiricallifesciencemarketing.com/blog.

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