Product related deaths

Noted (AI summary) Byron has rectified the lack of records kept of on-job training immediately and each employee will now have records kept, and are investing in a market leading training system called "Flow" which is launched in the business from November where every employee will have their own personal training modules and records. BSACI will write to the chair of the FSA to advocate for funding for the UK Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry (UKFAR), which they are exploring closer working with to ensure its sustainability. National Trading Standards states that food safety and allergen regulation is outside their remit, which focuses on regional or national issues like complex consumer fraud. They note the Food Standards Agency is responsible for allergen legislation and policy. The FSA plans to develop an online reporting system and improve data sharing for allergic reactions, including those not resulting in death, to enable timely identification of trends and action by local authorities. DHSC will work to increase information prevalence on anaphylactic deaths and will support the FSA's reporting platform.

Noted (AI summary) The Department has passed concerns about a nursing pillow lacking proper safety warnings to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) for investigation and potential action with Local Authority Trading Standards. The Department clarifies that nursing pillows aren't medical devices and directs safety regulation concerns to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. They highlight existing guidance and resources from health visitors, midwives, Public Health England, the Lullaby Trust, Start4Life, and NHS Choices regarding safe sleeping and SIDS prevention.

Noted (AI summary) The Department highlights the launch of a new Code of Practice on product recalls (PAS 7100) and the development of a comprehensive digital service for consumer product safety information. They also support the 'Register My Appliance' site and are meeting with Whirlpool UK regarding their recall processes. Whirlpool outlines its product safety processes, including senior leadership oversight, and highlights the existence of a freephone number and prominent stickers on new products encouraging registration. They are also leading discussions within the industry on improving consumer awareness of the 'Register My Appliance' site. The CTSI states it is a professional body without powers to investigate and the matter is for local authority trading standards departments. They also highlight a workforce survey showing cuts to trading standards services.

Noted (AI summary) The MHRA reviewed the SUSAR report and determined that the symptoms were in line with the known safety profile for nivolumab, and no further action is required for participants in nivolumab clinical trials. They also stated that conflict of interest lies outside the remit of MHRA for clinical trials.

Noted (AI summary) Imperial College London's Toxicology Unit acknowledges the difficulties in accurately analyzing and detecting NPSs due to their changing nature, lack of standards and pharmacological data, and states that no action is proposed. Alere Forensics describes its ongoing efforts to improve the analysis and detection of new psychoactive substances (NPS), including developing novel screening techniques, working with universities to obtain reference materials, and providing training to stakeholders. The Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit at the University of Hertfordshire is engaged in research to identify NPS and provide updated clinical guidelines, including using computational models to identify potential compounds before they appear on the market.

Noted (AI summary) M&S expresses condolences and states that the Gown was compliant with all legal requirements. M&S goes significantly beyond the legal requirements in its flammability testing of adult dressing gowns.