Features

Decreasing the Chance of Birth Defects
Though many birth defects may not be preventable, there are ways expectant mothers can reduce the risk. Important steps include seeing a doctor even before becoming pregnant, and knowing the relevance of nutrition, medications, and alcohol consumption.

Controlling Asthma
Asthma can be a mild condition or a deadly disease, with much depending on the care a person with asthma gets. Though there is no known cure, most asthma can be controlled and new information is changing the way health experts view the role of drugs.

Rabies on the Rise
Rabies is on the rise again in America, after years of decline. Vaccines are the only line of defense for humans exposed to the disease. The biggest challenge in this country is controlling the disease in wild animals.

Inside FDA: Agency Changes Include Medical Device Review
Quicker availability of medical devices is one of the aims of a pilot program in which private organizations may be allowed to participate in evaluating the products.

Departments

Updates

The latest information on FDA-related issues, gathered from FDA Press Releases, Talk Papers, and other sources.

Notebook

A potpourri of items of interest gathered from the Federal Register and other sources.

Investigators' Reports

Selected cases illustrating regulatory and administrative actions--such as inspections, recalls, seizures, and court proceedings--by FDA's regional and district offices across the country

Summaries of Court Actions will not appear in this issue of FDA Consumer magazine. This department will return in the December issue.