FDA WARNS AGAINST COMPOUNDING LYME DRUG

The FDA has called on pharmacists tostop compounding a treatment for Lymedisease that has been linked to at leastone patient death and a number of suspectedillnesses. The drug, called bismacineor chromocine, is mixed individuallyby pharmacists for use by injectionto treat the symptoms of the tick-bornebacterial disease. According to the FDA, the substancecontains high amounts of the heavy metal bismuth and isunapproved for use by humans. Agency officials said thatthe substance is sometimes prescribed by "alternativehealth doctors."