Alison Young Investigates

States want to require prescriptions for Sudafed

With meth labs on the rise, several communities and states want to require that consumers get a doctor's prescription to buy Sudafed and other decongestants containing pseudoephedrine. The drug is a key ingredient in methamphetamine. States mull Rx rule for meth ingredients

Many children lack second dose of H1N1 flu vaccine

As many as 80% of children in some states who received a first dose of H1N1 vaccine haven't received a booster dose that's necessary to fully protect them from swine flu, according to a USA TODAY review of immunization registry data from 10 states. State health officials are worried growing public complacency could put these children at risk if a third wave of disease hits this winter. Thousands of high risk kids missing 2nd H1N1 flu doses

Food safety violations common at airport restaurants

Many airport restaurants that will feed thousands of holiday travelers this week have been cited for food safety violations on recent inspections, according to a USA TODAY review of records for nearly 800 restaurants at 10 airports. Among the violations: food being held at temperatures that can allow dangerous pathogens to grow, rat droppings and sinks lacking soap or hot water for workers to wash hands. Safety of food at airports spotty

Pharmacies drop Tamiflu prices after USA Today report

Walgreens has reduced its prices by nearly 20% and CVS nealry 10% for a scarce liquid form of Tamiflu, which is used to treat swine flu in children. The reductions follow a USA TODAY report that found some pharmacies charge triple the prices of others for the liquid H1N1 drug, which is in short supply. At least three states' attorneys general are investigating potential price gouging. Some pharmacies cut liquid Tamiflu cost

Prices triple for children's liquid Tamiflu at some pharmacies

Faced with a shortage of a liquid form of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu, some pharmacies are making their own and charging prices that vary widely, a USA TODAY survey has found. At least two states' attorneys general are investigating. Prices for H1N1 drug Tamiflu vary widely for same dose

Children sick with swine flu cause shortages of liquid Tamiflu

Pharmacies are scrambling to make their own version of liquid Tamiflu because of shortages of the manufacturer-made product. Experts are cautioning doctors to write prescriptions carefully to avoid dosing errors. Demand up for liquid Tamiflu

EPA to probe forgotten lead smelter in Atlanta

For decades beginning in 1934 an Atlanta lead smelter spewed toxic dust from its two smokestacks. Although the smelter is gone, the lead fallout likely remains in soil in the surrounding area. But local residents and state and federal environmental regulators were unaware of the old smelter site until contacted by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The EPA has opened an investigation into the old Evans Metal Co. site near I-85 and Piedmont Road. The site is one of hundreds of forgotten smelters nationwide that pose potential health risks caused by lead poisoning, some experts say.                 EPA investigation into Atlanta lead smelter

Most Georgia doctors violate vaccine reporting law

Every vaccination given in Georgia is supposed to be recorded in a state immunization registry. But only 26 percent of private health care providers are following the law, state data show. Nationally just 37 percent of private providers record immunizations in registries, which are supposed to make it easier to keep children current on their shots. Georgia's registry will play a critical role in monitoring the safety of the new H1N1 flu vaccine, and state officials are refusing to give the vaccine to doctors who don't participate. Vaccination reporting spotty

Pharmacy mistakes can injure, kill

An estimated 3 percent of prescriptions filled by pharmacies have potentially harmful errors: The wrong drug, wrong dosage or wrong directions. In Georgia, state regulators investigate dozens of prescription misfills each year. Patients have been given the blood thinner warfarin, instead of their prescribed diabetes drug; an Alzheimer's treatment instead of sleeping pills; an antidepressant instead of an allergy medication, according to a review of pharmacy board disciplinary records.    The harm in pharmacy misfills

Swimmers at risk in public pools that lack chlorine

Does your neighborhood or apartment swimming pool contain germ-killing chlorine? It's supposed to, but many don't when inspectors test the water, inspection records obtained under the Georgia Open Records Act show. With waterborne disease outbreaks on the rise, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends swimmers test the water themselves before diving in. Local pool might be hazardous to your health