What is YouTube?

For anyone who hasn’t yet discovered YouTube, it’s a website that allows anyone to post a video about almost anything. That’s a pretty broad description, but accurate. The site has been around for over two years now and many believe that it’s the best thing to happen since sliced bread.

FDA gets in on the action

The FDA likely realized the power of YouTube and has been creating and posting videos on the site for the past 11 months. At the present time, it has 76 videos on its page (www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=USFoodandDrugAdmin) ranging from consumer drug warnings to information on medical device recalls.

The videos are generally concise, informative, show photos of the drugs or medical devices, explain safety issues for which consumers should be aware, provide resources for additional information and written text about the issue.

Example: Ortho Evra Patch

The FDA recently posted the following video concerning the high risk of blood clots to women who use the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal Patch. In addition to the video (available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkp3l6D74wE) which describes the drug’s dangers, the following text appears in the informational box:

The prescribing information for the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Transdermal Patch is being updated with results of a new study on the risk of venous thromboembolism (a blood clot). This study found that women aged 15-44 who used the birth control patch were at higher risk of developing venous thromboembolism than women using birth control pills.

These findings support an earlier study that also concluded that women in this group were at higher risk of venous thromboembolism. Another earlier study found that women using the patch did not have a greater risk.

However, the results from the two positive studies support concerns that the patch could increase the risk of blood clots in some women. The label continues to recommend that women with concerns or risk factors for thromboembolic events talk with their healthcare provider about using Ortho Evra versus other contraceptives.

YouTube is just another avenue for consumers to obtain important information about dangerous drugs and defective medical devices. However, if you’ve been injured due to a dangerous drug or defective medical device, make sure to contact an experienced attorney to discuss your situation by clicking here. As always, consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential.