Could this diabetic foot care cream have dangerous side effects? – Issue 7
By Better Health Research Team • Jul 31st, 2008 • Category: Blood Sugar, General Health, Immunity, Skin Problems, Vision
- Could this diabetic foot care cream have dangerous side effects?
- Retail health care clinics boast increased popularity!
- Which tasty tropical fruit doubles as a soothing skin remedy?
The scientists at the Food and Drug Administration certainly must stay B-U-S-Y. Not only are they actively completing research and rigorous testing procedures for new product approvals…
…they also have to find time to research and communicate what went WRONG with some of the very same products!
In today’s Thursday Edition of Health News Weekly™, I’ll tell you about new FDA product warnings issued for a popular diabetes foot cream.
You’ll also find out why many folks said they’re very satisfied with the services at local convenience health care clinics.
So let’s get right to it!
Diabetes Gel May Increase Cancer Deaths!
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning for diabetes patients who use Regranex® gel to treat dangerous foot and leg ulcers. The agency said using three or more tubes of the product may increase your risk of dying from cancer fivefold!
On June 6, 2008, the FDA announced that a boxed warning has been added to the product label. The black-box warning is the FDA’s highest warning level.
“In announcing this label change, the FDA still cautions health care professionals to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treating patients with Regranex®,” said Susan Walker, M.D., director of the FDA’s Division of Dermatological and Dental Products, in a news release. “Regranex® is not recommended for patients with known malignancies.”
In late March the FDA issued an Ongoing Safety Review Communication on Regranex® notifying the public that it was conducting a safety review. Upon completing the review—the agency concluded that the increase in the risk of cancer death in patients using three or more tubes of Regranex® was five times higher than in those patients who did not use the product.
Despite this fivefold increase in risk, the finding is based on only four excess cases of cancer, according to a news release from Ethicon—the corporation that manufactures the gel.
“We remain committed to the safety and efficacy of this product when used according to its label,” Ethicon spokeswoman Jackie Jankewicz told medical news web site WebMD.
Regranex® is a medicine that is a genetically engineered form of a human growth factor that helps wounds heal faster. People with diabetes may use the product on slow-healing leg or foot wounds that could result in amputation.
Because Regranex® makes cells grow faster, there has been concern that it will also make cancer cells grow more quickly. For this reason, Ethicon has monitored patients since the drug was approved in December 1997.
Fast Fact
Want extra help fighting free radicals in your body? Well then add the antioxidant beta-carotene to your diet! It’s essential for vision, tissue and skin integrity, protein synthesis and immune system functions. So look to add more beta-carotene through vegetable sources such as carrots, kale, spinach, squash and sweet potatoes.
Patients Satisfied with Retail Store Health Clinics
Patients who visited healthcare clinics located in drug stores or large retail stores gave a “thumbs up” to the service they received. A recent WSJ.com/Harris Interactive® health care study shows a whopping 90 percent of patients surveyed said they were satisfied with the quality of care!
The online survey of 4,937 U.S. adults was conducted by Harris Interactive® between May 2 and 6, 2008 for the Health Industry Edition of the Wall Street Journal Online.
The biggest driver of satisfaction appeared to be convenience—with 73 percent reporting they were “very satisfied.” Another 20 percent of survey respondents said they were “somewhat satisfied” with the convenience of these clinics.
Many folks visit these clinics for routine services such as vaccinations and respiratory infection treatment. But some people continue to opt for treatment at more traditional care facilities when facing more serious conditions.
The American Public Health Association estimated that there were approximately 700 retail-based healthcare clinics operating in the United States as of December 2007. These “convenience care clinics” are found in stores such as Target, Wal-Mart and Walgreens. They are usually staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Other survey findings revealed:
- Retail-based health clinic use has remained consistent over the past few years (7 percent of U.S. households in 2005, 5 percent in 2007, and 7 percent in 2008 saying they have visited these clinics).
- 30 percent of patients who use retail-based healthcare clinics do not have a primary care provider.
- 78 percent of U.S. adults believe retail-based healthcare clinics can provide low-cost basic services to people who cannot afford care.
- 81 percent of adults believe the clinics can provide care to anyone at times when regular doctors’ offices are closed.
One big change from previous years is that the percentage of adults whose health insurance covered some or all of the clinic costs increased from 42 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2008.
This reflects a growing trend in health insurance plans covering the services of retail-based clinics. It could also be related to the insured opting to use the clinics for their convenience.
Richard Millard, group president at Harris Interactive®, said, “Advocates believe retail-based clinics fill a gap in healthcare access for our nation of more than 40 million uninsured. On the other hand, organizations such as the American Medical Association are concerned that the quality of care could suffer, and that these clinics would not be held to the same standards as medical offices.”
Health E-Hints
Go Bananas for This Skin Therapy!
If you’ve got a skin irritation—you may find a surprisingly soothing remedy in your local produce aisle!
Extremely ripe bananas have enzymes and high sugar content to help kill bacteria… draw out toxins… and dry up oozing sores.
Just mash the fruit and apply it directly to the sore. Cover the area with gauze and secure it with surgical tape. Leave this in place overnight—then uncover and clean the area in the morning. You should see a noticeable improvement in your skin!
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