FDA

After recalling more than 100 hand sanitizers that contain methanol, the FDA introduces a new toxin (1-propanol) that can depress the central nervous system if wrongfully ingested.

Experts told Newsweek that some manufacturers substituted methanol, a toxic ingredient, in order to meet the skyrocketing demand for hand sanitizer products in the U.S.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he is hopeful a vaccine candidate will prove safe and effective "by the end of this calendar year."

Director of the Harvard Global Health Institute Ashish Jha told Newsweek that in a handful of states is the "scary" situation where cases are rising while tests are falling.

Methanol is a type of alcohol similar in chemical structure to ethanol.

"The agency is aware of adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol that has led to recent adverse events including blindness, hospitalizations and death," the FDA stated.

The sanitizers pose an increased risk to children and adults who ingest them as an alcohol substitute.

Hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a treatment and preventative measure for COVID-19 by President Donald Trump.

Fresh Express recalled all of its branded and private label salad products made at its Streamwood, Illinois, facility and containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage or carrots.

Co-author Daniel Shepshelovich of Israel's Tel Aviv Medical Center told Newsweek: "When a vaccine for COVID-19 is approved, take it. I know I will."

Contrary to what you hear, there is clear-cut medical evidence for the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine.

This hand sanitizer distributed throughout the U.S. contains methanol, or wood alcohol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin, the FDA said.

The FDA began publishing a small list in June, and it has ballooned over the last 3-4 weeks, with most of the products containing methanol.

On Tuesday, the J.M. Smucker company voluntarily issued a recall on one lot of their Natural Balance canned cat food for potentially fatal health side effects.

Another product by the same brand was included in a list of hand sanitizers that the FDA recommended against using.

There were nine "toxic" hand sanitizers announced just two weeks ago, and the FDA has just released five more.

Advocates for patients with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, called for the FDA to expedite medication for the disease.

"I've taken it for about a week and a half and I'm still here," President Trump said at a Monday briefing.

"The FDA has not raised any concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of SCAN's test, but we have been asked to pause testing until we receive that additional authorization," the statement said.

According to a press release from Abbott Laboratories, the new antibody tests will provide more efficient results, and can exclude false-positive results 99.6 percent of the time and exclude false-negative results 100 percent of the time.

Biotech Moderna received the FDA's authorization to conduct a second phase of clinical trials as it works to develop a vaccine against the virus.

A government-sponsored study showed the drug shortens patients' recovery times by 31 percent or an average of about four days.

FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn says the agency is moving at "lightning speed" on remdesivir but must look at "the totality of data" before issuing emergency use authorization of the drug.

The government agency has also urged manufacturers to steer clear of false claims as more than 1,500 companies register to develop hand sanitizers.

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration issued a drug safety warning for the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine on COVID-19 patients outside of a hospital setting.

"Close the door on China?" New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "It's closing the barn door when the horse is gone."

LabCorp's home collection test to diagnose coronavirus infection will be made available to consumers in most states over the next few weeks.

The Justice Department on Monday cited "extreme urgency" in clearing wholesale U.S. pharmaceutical distributors from legal hurdles in order to provide the controversial anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to COVID-19 patients.

The supply is potentially enough to treat up to 1.6 million patients.

A coronavirus test recently approved by the FDA only requires a patient to spit into a tube, while currently available methods are somewhat invasive.