ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9609030044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
The Food and Drug Administration issued a nationwide alert Friday, warning of severe infection risk from an unapproved drug from the adrenal glands of cattle, sheep and pigs.
The FDA said that at least 54 people have contracted serious bacterial infections after receiving injections of a substance called adrenal cortex extract. The preparation is distributed by Phyne Pharmaceuticals of Scottsdale, Ariz., and is labeled Hallmark Labs Inc., the agency said.
A call to Phyne Pharmaceuticals was taken by an answering service whose operator said no company officials would be available until Tuesday.
Brad Stone, an FDA spokesman, said the preparation is not approved for any use. Yet, it is being promoted as a drug for weight loss, burn treatment and for lessening drug addictions.
The preparation has been linked to serious bacterial abscesses at the injection sites.
``It can be life-threatening'' said Stone.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 30 linesby CNB