Free Republic

Drugmaker MedImmune is recalling nearly 5 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine because the nasal spray appears to lose strength over time, federal health officials announced Tuesday. The vaccine recall is the second this month caused by declining potency and comes as public health officials urge millions of Americans to get vaccinated against swine flu. The action affects more than 4.6 million doses, but the vast majority have already been used, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Agency officials said the vaccine was strong enough when it was distributed in October and November.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline Plc said Thursday US regulators had approved an over-the-counter nicotine lozenge designed to help people quit smoking. (Who wants to QUIT!!) The Commit Lozenge helps relieve craving and nicotine withdrawal symptoms by providing a temporary alternative source of nicotine, the company said in a statement. The product also gives smokers a way to determine the appropriate strength of nicotine they need, based on how quickly they need to smoke after waking, the company said. The lozenges have been shown effective in helping people quit, including smokers who have tried quitting before, the company said....