FDA faulted over unapproved uses of medications
(AP)
<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/health/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080727/ap_on_go_co/fda_off_label_drugs"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080727/capt.nyol51907270939.fda_off_label_drugs_nyol519.jpg?x=104&y=130&q=85&sig=.tiTBntag7jHy1nsMaiXdQ--" align="left" height="130" width="104" alt="FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach speaks at the National Press Club in Washington in this Feb. 29, 2008 file photo. Drug companies are forbidden to promote medications for uses that have not been validated by the FDA on evidence from clinical trials. Doctors, however, can use their own independent judgment in prescribing medicines. The Government Accountability Office has delved into this practice, known as 'off-label' prescribing. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)" border="0" /></a>AP - When federal regulators catch a drug company peddling prescription medications for an unapproved use, it takes them an average of seven months to issue a warning, according to a draft report by congressional investigators.</p><br clear="all"/>

Read more...