U.S.A.'s interesting update..

FTC Providing Full Refunds to Mercola Brand Tanning System Purchasers The Federal Trade Commission is mailing refunds that total $2.59 million to more than 1,300 people who bought Mercola indoor tanning systems. These refunds are the result of a 2016 settlement between the FTC and Dr. Joseph Mercola and his companies. According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants claimed that their Mercola brand D-Lite, SunSplash, and Vitality indoor tanning systems are safe, that research proves indoor tanning does not increase the risk of melanoma skin cancer, and that its systems can reverse the appearance of aging. The FTC’s complaint alleged that these claims are false and not supported by science. As part of the settlement, the defendants are banned from selling indoor tanning systems and agreed to provide refunds to people who bought tanning systems after January 1, 2012, and submitted a completed a claim form by October 31, 2016. Customers will receive an average refund of $1,897. Recipients should deposit or cash checks within 60 days. The FTC never requires people to pay money or provide account information to cash refund checks. If you have questions about the case, contact the FTC’s refund administrator, Rust Consulting, Inc., at 1-877-418-8082. For more information about the FTC’s refund program, visit www.ftc.gov/refunds. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook , follow us on Twitter , read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. FTC Announces Departure of Consumer Protection Bureau Director Jessica Rich Federal Trade Commission Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen announced today that Jessica Rich, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, is leaving the agency on February 17 after 26 years of service. “We are grateful to Jessica for her many years of service to the FTC and the public,” said Ohlhausen. “She is a pioneer in consumer protection who spearheaded major initiatives regarding consumers’ privacy, data security, and financial transactions. Many of the FTC’s programs bear her indelible mark.” As Bureau Director, Rich managed eight consumer protection divisions and eight regional offices charged with stopping consumer fraud and deception and protecting consumers’ privacy. Under her tenure, the Bureau brought a series of major law enforcement actions that returned billions of dollars to consumers, including cases against Western Union, Volkswagen, Herbalife, Apple, Google, and Amazon. She was appointed Bureau Director by former Chairwoman Edith Ramirez in 2013. Prior to that, she served in a number of senior roles at the FTC, including Deputy Director of the Bureau, Associate Director of the Division of Financial Practices, and Acting Associate Director and Assistant Director of the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. During her tenure, Rich also led the FTC’s efforts to expand its technological expertise. She created the FTC’s Office of Technology Research and Investigations (OTech) to train staff and assist with tech-related investigations, reports, and public workshops.  She hired technologists and attorneys with tech backgrounds to bolster the FTC’s understanding of the evolving marketplace and perform original research. She developed influential FTC policy reports, including reports on the Internet of Things, Big Data, data brokers, mobile apps, and cross-device tracking. And she oversaw public fora on a range of tech-related matters, including ransomware, Smart TVs, drones, and crowdfunding. As a division manager earlier in her career, Rich spearheaded the FTC’s privacy and data security program, building it from a small team to one of the agency’s signature programs. Among other things, Rich led development of the FTC rules protecting children’s online privacy (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule) and sensitive financial information (Safeguards Rule), and brought precedent-setting enforcement actions to address the privacy and data security practices of Microsoft, BJ’s Warehouse, DSW, TJX, and ChoicePoint. Rich, who joined the agency in 1991, is a recipient of the FTC Chairman’s Award, the agency’s highest award for meritorious service, and a graduate of Harvard University and New York University Law School. The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources. What's New on the FDA Drugs Site February 6, 2017 FDA Drug Shortages Penicillin G Benzathine (Bicillin L-A) Injection (Updated - Currently in Shortage) Penicillin G Procaine Injection (Updated - Currently in Shortage)  Ranitidine Injection, USP (Updated - Currently in Shortage) New and Generic Drug Approvals February 3, 2017 Drug Name and Application Number Active Ingredient Dosage Form/ Route Submission Company Submission Classification Submission Status Advil  NDA #018989 Ibuprofen Tablet; Oral SUPPL-87 Pfizer MANUF (CMC) Approved Axiron  NDA #022504 Testosterone Solution, Metered; Transdermal SUPPL-13 Eli Lilly and Co LABELING Approved Demadex  NDA #020136 Torsemide Tablet; Oral SUPPL-27 Meda Pharms LABELING Approved Diclofenac Sodium  ANDA #208098 Diclofenac Sodium Solution; Topical ORIG-1 Taro   Tentative Approval Diovan  NDA #020665 Valsartan Capsule; Oral SUPPL-39 Novartis LABELING Approved Diovan  NDA #021283 Valsartan Tablet; Oral SUPPL-50 Novartis LABELING Approved Nexium 24hr  NDA #204655 Esomeprazole Magnesium Capsule, Delayed Release; Oral SUPPL-7 Astrazeneca Lp LABELING Approved Nexium 24hr  NDA #207920 Esomeprazole Magnesium Tablet, Delayed Release; Oral SUPPL-1 Astrazeneca Lp LABELING Approved Pitavastatin Calcium  ANDA #205932 Pitavastatin Calcium Tablet; Oral ORIG-1 Orient Pharma Co Ltd   Approved Pitavastatin Calcium  ANDA #205955 Pitavastatin Calcium Tablet; Oral ORIG-1 Sawai Usa   Approved