March 24, 2011 -- Two jets were forced to land without the aid of an air traffic controller yesterday morning at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. In response last night, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood  issued a statement that he had directed the FAA to put two air traffic controllers on duty at Reagan National during the midnight shift and had asked FAA Administrator, Randy Babbitt, to evaluate the need to do so at other airports. 

Mr. Babbit issued a statement today that FAA is investigating the incident and has suspended the air traffic controller in question from all operational duties while the investigation is ongoing. Babbit said that as a former pilot he was personally outraged that the controller did not help land the two planes, but noted that the back-up system kicked in to ensure the safe landing of both airplanes. 

FDA has warned that the migraine and anti-sizure medication, Topamax (Topiramate), has been linked to birth defects in children of mothers who use the drug during pregnancy. These include cleft lips and cleft palates. 

For more information on the reports see:

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm245594.htm

FDA has determined that it will not require a warning on low dose, short term use (14 days or less) over the counter (OTC) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs are used primarily to decrease acid in the stomach that can come from heartburn, ulcers or other stomach disorders. Some common PPIs include Prilosec, Protonix, Nexium and Prevacid. 

According to FDA the OTC PPIs are indicated for 14 days or less and are lower doses than at prescription level. If a consumer is taking more than the recommended low dose or is using the PPI for longer than 14 days, he or she should first discuss the risks of osteoporosis and fracture with a physician. FDA is attempting to make healthcare officials aware of the risk for fracture if they are recommending use of the OTC PPIs at higher doses or for longer periods than in the OTC PPI label.

For more information on the news release see PPIFracture at www.fda.gov 

Diving enthusiasts take note. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Ocean Technology Systems recalled the $800 Guardian Full-Face diving mask. The mask is black with blue accent colors and the Ocean Technology logo is affixed to the front of the mask.  About 1,700 were sold in the U.S. from September through November of 2010 and involve serial numbers 9051284 through 100070954.

According to the CPSC news release the purge assembly on the diving mask can disengage from the regulator, create a loss of air, and pose a drowning risk to the diver. The company has received one report of a disengaged assembly and that report prompted the recall. 

CPSC warns that consumers should immediately stop using the Guardian Full Face diving masks at issue and notify Ocean Technology for instructions on testing the regulator and returning it for a free repair. 

To see the recall notice, see the link below. 

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11180.html