Enclosed beds manufactured by Vail Products were seized by U.S. marshalls Tuesday after the FDA found that 30 people had been trapped in the beds, seven of whom died. Not to call light of the tragedy, but this sounds all too reminescent of a horror-movie-script cum advice-your-mamma-told-you: Man eats in bed, Bed eats man.
I chatted with other docs in the office and neither they nor I had any idea that U.S. marshalls enforced FDA edicts. We had some vague image of them riding around like mounted police, chasing fugitives and hiding whistleblowers needing new identities…
The FDA said it directed U.S. marshals to seize all finished Vail 500, 1000, and 2000 enclosed beds as well as components, labeling and promotional materials for those models.
The agency said the beds are misbranded because they are dangerous when used as recommended in the labeling. They also lack adequate warnings and directions for use…”
UPDATE (3/23/05): FDA Talk Paper announcement today provides more details
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