Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced another recall of a children's product for excess levels of lead. The grand total for 2007 is now 99 recalls totaling more than 16 million products, based on CPSC data compiled by OMB Watch. That is nearly six times more than the number of product recalled in 2006. While a feckless and under-funded CPSC continues to struggle with its mission to ensure product safety, another group has decided to pick up CPSC's slack. Yesterday, the Ecology Center launched a new database at HealthyToys.org.

The New York Times has a recap of the oral arguments heard yesterday by the Supreme Court in Riegel v. Medtronic. As Reg•Watch blogged yesterday, the issue is whether federal regulation preempts state common law claims against medical device manufacturers.

A case being argued before the Supreme Court today could affect the way consumers seek redress from companies when harmed by faulty drugs or medical devices. The case, Riegel v. Medtronic, "was brought by the family of a New York man who suffered severe medical complications when a balloon catheter burst during a procedure to clear his arteries," according to The Los Angeles Times. Medtronic is arguing federal regulations serve as a shield which protects it from tort claims. Since FDA approved the medical device, Medtronic believes it bears no responsibility for injuries caused by its use.

An investigation by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee shows that FDA is considering a new policy (which would take the form of a draft guidance document) that would allow drug companies to market unapproved use of pharmaceuticals by distributing journal articles. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) explains the problem: