Tip #1: MED-4-HOME ALBUTEROL INHALANT CONTAMINATED BY BURKHOLDERIA CEPACIA

Tip #2: REMINGTON ANNOUNCES SAFETY MODIFICATION PROGRAM FOR BOLT ACTION FIREARMS

Tip #1:

DRUGS CONTAMINATED BY BURKHOLDERIA CEPACIA

The Missouri Board of Pharmacy has obtained a restraining order against Med 4 Home Pharmacy, a division of Lincare Holdings, Inc., halting the compounding and dispensing of Albuterol/Ipratropium and Budesonide inhalant solutions. If you or a loved one has contracted Burkholderia cepacia, it may be related to the ingestion of these contaminated drugs.

MED 4 HOME PATIENTS AT RISK

If you or a loved one suffer from asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis or any other chronic lung or respiratory disease, you may have received these drugs compounded by Med 4 Home Pharmacy. Med 4 Home is a mail order pharmacy that sells drugs nationwide and has a compounding facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The Missouri Board of Pharmacy has taken legal action to force Med 4 Home to initiate a recall of some of its respiratory drugs.

CONTAMINATED VIALS

The immediate concern is that Med 4 Home patients with lung ailments may have received potentially contaminated products. In particular, suspect vials of Budesonide solution and all vials of Albuterol 2.5mg/Ipratropium 0.5 mg/3.5 ml in lots numbered 35A121902 and 35A123102, may be contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia (formerly known as pseudomonas cepacia). Burkholderia cepacia is a bacteria that can lead to overwhelming and potentially life threatening infection in patients with chronic respiratory disorders.

ACT IMMEDIATELY!!

If you suspect you have been dispensed these drugs, DO NOT TAKE THEM AND CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY!!

If at all possible, PRESERVE THE CONTAMINATED VIAL AND DRUGS in a sealed zip-lock bag and LABEL: “DO NOT USE”. The vial may be critical evidence if you have contracted a Burkholderia cepacia infection. Drugs contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia can be FATAL if ingested.

LEGAL RIGHTS

If you or a family member have been injured or killed by drugs contaminated with Burkholderia cepacia you may have legal rights against the compounding pharmacy or others. The attorneys at Monsees, Miller, Mayer, Presley and Amick, P. C. have experience with national drug product liability. Further information on the firm can be obtained by visiting their website at www.mmmpaLaw.com. If you or a family member has been injured or killed please contact Kirk Presley immediately at kpresley@mmmpaLaw.com

Tip #2:

REMINGTON ANNOUNCES SAFETY MODIFICATION PROGRAM FOR BOLT ACTION FIREARMS

Remington Arms Company, Inc. recently announced a safety modification program for its bolt-action rifles made before 1982 which contain a bolt-lock mechanism. The following models of Remington bolt-action rifles are included in this program: 700, 721, 722, 600, Mohawk 660, 40X rifles and XP100 handgun. These models of firearms made before 1982 lock the bolt in a closed position when the safety is engaged. In order to load and unload the firearm the safety must be released, thereby arming the gun in the presence of other people around hunting camps, cabins and vehicles.

Customers who have Remington bolt-action firearms, which contain a bolt-lock may either ship them to the Remington factory or take them to local Remington Recommended Gunsmiths to have the bolt lock removed and the fire control system cleaned and inspected. While there is a $20 cost for this modification, Remington will send the customer a $20 coupon to be used for any type of safety related merchandise such as gun locks, safety goggles, ear protectors or even gun safes. If Remington or its approved gunsmiths notice any other problems with the fire control system, they will offer to repair or replace it at cost with the customer's permission. For more information see Remington's announcement and other safety messages on its website: www.remington.com

Remington has received a numerous complaints that its bolt-action guns have fired without pulling the trigger. These malfunctions occur primarily as a result of releasing the safety, although there are reports of firing upon bolt movement as well as discharges merely upon jarring the firearm. This safety modification eliminates the need to release the safety so the bolt can be cycled to load and unload the firearm entirely "on safe." Without the bolt lock, the only time the safety must be released is when the gun is ready to be fired. Then if a malfunction occurs no one should be hurt.

We sincerely hope that this safety modification program will save the lives and limbs of the hunting and shooting public. Remington Arms Company, Inc. and its principals deserve credit for making this safety improvement. Most importantly, the family of Gus Barber, age 9 when he died as a result of a Model 700 firing on safety release, deserves credit for encouraging Remington to make this change. Richard Barber, his wife Barbara and daughter Chanda have worked tirelessly since Gus's death on October 23, 2000 in conjunction with Remington and others to make this safety modification a reality. The results of their efforts stand as a monument to their son's life and demonstrate what can happen when people work together to achieve a common goal.