Healthcare Compliance

Honey Bee Venom Immunotherapy Randomised Safety Study, Victoria

The Royal Melbourne Hospital has registered a Phase 0 randomised controlled pilot study comparing two honey bee venom immunotherapy (HBV-VIT) initiation strategies in adults sensitised to honey bee venom. The trial will enrol 24 participants at The Royal Women's Hospital (Parkville) and Monash Medical Centre (Clayton), Victoria, with anticipated first enrolment on 30 April 2026 and final data collection by 30 July 2027. Participants will be randomised to either direct 100-µg maintenance-dose initiation (weeks 0, 4, 8, 12) or ultrarush up-dosing (escalating doses over six weeks), with safety monitoring for systemic and local reactions across the 12-week induction period. The study aims to quantify immunologic changes (HBV-specific sIgE/sIgG4), blood tryptase, late-phase symptoms, and quality-of-life outcomes.

Osteopathy Versus Physiotherapy for Chronic Low Back Pain, Warsaw Poland

ANZCTR registration ACTRN12626000521325 for a completed comparative effectiveness trial conducted entirely in Warsaw, Poland, comparing osteopathic manual therapy versus conventional physiotherapy for non-specific chronic lumbosacral pain. The trial enrolled 84 participants (target 102), was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw on 15/04/2014, and was retrospectively registered on 28/04/2026 after data collection concluded on 25/02/2022. No individual participant data will be shared as the survey was conducted anonymously.

Deadly Fit Mums Exercise Program for Indigenous Mothers

The Deadly Fit Mums (DFM) program is an Aboriginal community-led exercise and nutrition education program registered as a clinical trial on ANZCTR (ACTRN12626000522314). The program serves pregnant and post-partum women birthing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander baby through the Birthing in Our Community (BiOC) service across four sites in South East Queensland. The primary sponsor is Federica Barzi at the University of Queensland, with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health as a collaborator and funding from the Australian Government Department of Health Medical Research Future Fund. Ethics approval was granted by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (2025/HE000966) on 18/06/2025. The trial is registered retrospectively with enrollment of 1,300 participants completed between January 2023 and June 2025, and final data collection anticipated by June 2026.

Stone Bridge Boil Water Notice Lifted in Tiverton

The Rhode Island Department of Health has announced that the boil water notice previously issued for the Stone Bridge area in Tiverton has been officially lifted. Residents and businesses in the affected area may now use water for normal consumption purposes without boiling.

DNREC, DPH Urge Tick Awareness Amid Rising Disease Risks Including First Powassan Virus Detection

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Division of Public Health (DPH) are urging Delawareans to take precautions against tick bites this spring and summer following the state's first confirmed detection of Powassan virus in a tick. The agencies report that more than 350 Lyme disease cases were reported in 2025 and more than 200 cases of alpha-gal syndrome have been reported since 2024. Prevention recommendations include using EPA-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, performing thorough tick checks after outdoor activities, and keeping yards mowed and leaf-free.

VALERI System and Title Requirements for Conveyance of Real Property

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has submitted a revision to OMB Control No. 2900-0021 for the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface (VALERI) System and Title Requirements for Conveyance of Real Property to the Secretary. The revision implements new statutory authorities under Public Law 119-31, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act of July 30, 2025, expanding loss mitigation and partial claim data collection requirements. The estimated annual burden hours increased from 3,027 to 43,751 hours, with respondents increasing from 16,509 to 39,744 and average burden per response rising from 11 minutes to 66 minutes. Veterans Assistance Servicing Purchase (VASP) and COVID-19-related collection elements were removed due to program wind-down and authority expiration. Public comments are due by May 27, 2026.

Phase I Trial QSC303820, Not Yet Recruiting

A Phase I clinical trial with identifier QSC303820 has been registered on the ISRCTN UK Trials registry. The trial is currently listed as 'Not Yet Recruiting', indicating it has been registered but participant enrollment has not commenced. This is a standard clinical trial registration entry providing public visibility into planned research.

FatigueBraIn: Fatigue Phenotypes in CYP After Brain Injury

University of Birmingham registered the FatigueBraIn observational case-control study (ISRCTN97876700) with the HRA ISRCTN registry on 27 April 2026. The study will recruit 60 participants (40 children and young people with acquired brain injury aged 10-18, plus 20 typically developing controls) at Birmingham Children's Hospital to characterise fatigue phenotypes and their neural underpinnings using MRI, cognitive assessments, and sleep questionnaires. The study runs from May 2026 to March 2029, funded by the Wellcome Trust, and was ethics-approved by Essex Research Ethics Committee on 3 March 2026 (ref: 26/EE/0026).

PYCES2 Randomised Trial of Trauma-Focused CBT for PTSD in Children Aged 3-8 Years

The PYCES2 study (ISRCTN79860495) is a multi-centre, two-arm randomised controlled efficacy trial comparing CBT-3M (trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy) against care-as-usual (CAU) for post-traumatic stress disorder in children aged 3-8 years. The trial will enrol 80 participants across NHS sites in Cambridge, Norwich, and South-East London over approximately three years (June 2025 to March 2028). CBT-3M consists of 12 structured weekly sessions involving both the child and parent/caregiver, including psychoeducation, coping skills, graduated exposure, trauma narrative, and cognitive restructuring. The primary outcome is PTSD diagnostic status at 3-month follow-up. The study received ethics approval on 23/03/2026 from the East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee.

NVG-222 Phase I/IIa Trial for Solid Tumours

Cancer Research UK has registered a Phase I/IIa clinical trial (ISRCTN13633989) for NVG-222, a bispecific T-cell engager targeting ROR1 and CD3 proteins, in participants with advanced solid tumours. The trial will run from January 2027 to January 2032 at Guy's Hospital, London, enrolling up to 60 patients aged 18 and over with refractory solid tumours including non-small cell lung cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, malignant melanoma, and ovarian cancer. NVG-222 is administered as an intravenous infusion every two weeks, with a built-in safety mechanism ('off switch') to mitigate side effects. The dose escalation phase begins at 6 μg with Bayesian optimal interval modelling to determine the maximum tolerated dose and/or optimal biological dose within a target DLT rate of 20-33%.

DRAGON Trial Reusable vs Disposable Surgical Drapes Gowns

The DRAGON trial (ISRCTN13801317) is a cluster-randomised controlled trial comparing reusable versus disposable surgical drapes and gowns in NHS operating theatres across 32 UK hospitals. The study aims to enrol 6,400 patients undergoing surgery with incisions of at least 5cm, measuring the primary outcome of Days Alive and At Home at 30 days (DAH30), alongside secondary outcomes including surgical site infection, length of stay, and environmental impact. The trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and sponsored by the University of Birmingham, runs from April 2025 to May 2027 and is currently recruiting participants.

VR Café Feasibility Trial for Eating Disorders, Ages 14-25

The University of Bristol, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), has registered a feasibility trial (ISRCTN37191564) evaluating a virtual reality (VR) café intervention for people aged 14-25 with eating disorders. Participants will attend up to six 1-hour VR sessions in addition to their usual NHS eating disorder treatment, practising social eating scenarios such as ordering food and interacting with café staff in a safe and controlled environment. The trial will recruit 30 participants across Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust from June 2026 through October 2027, assessing recruitment, retention, and acceptability as primary outcomes.

iMAPS Trial: Machine Perfusion Methods for DCD Donor Livers

The iMAPS trial (ISRCTN15444108) is a Phase II randomized clinical trial evaluating three liver preservation strategies—static cold storage (SCS), normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), and hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE)—in donation after circulatory death liver transplantation. The study plans to enrol 36 DCD livers across four UK NHS Foundation Trust sites (King's College Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Royal Free London, and University Hospitals Birmingham) over an 18-month recruitment period, with 12-month patient follow-up and up to 5-year post-transplant outcome data collection. The primary objectives are to determine the effect of different preservation strategies on mitochondrial damage following reperfusion and to assess clinical outcomes up to 12 months post-transplant.

MANIFEST Study: Multiomic Analysis of Cancer Immunotherapy Response and Toxicity

The MANIFEST (Multiomic ANalysis of Immunotherapy Features Evidencing Success and Toxicity) study is a newly registered observational cancer immunotherapy research trial in the UK. The study will recruit approximately 3,000 adult patients with solid organ malignancies receiving immunotherapy across NHS hospitals to understand why some patients respond well to treatment while others develop side effects. Researchers will collect and analyse biological samples (blood, tumour tissue, stool, urine) and clinical data to identify patterns predicting treatment response and immune-related adverse events.

Cluster RCT Evaluating Steps Programme for Boys in Key Stage 3 to Prevent Gender-Based Violence, Greater Manchester

ISRCTN94229099 is a prospectively registered cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating the Steps programme, a universal school-based gender-based violence prevention intervention for boys in Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9, ages 11–14) across Greater Manchester secondary schools. The two-arm parallel RCT will allocate 27 of 54 school year groups to receive the Steps intervention (six weekly 60-minute sessions covering gender stereotypes, misogyny, online harms, healthy relationships, consent, and active bystander behaviour) and 27 to a control group continuing normal lessons. The primary outcome is boys' perceptions about harmful gender norms and traditional stereotypes measured at baseline, 6-week follow-up, and 6-month follow-up using the Global Early Adolescent Study Gender Stereotypical Traits questionnaire. The trial targets 4,860 male participants across approximately 18 schools, with first enrolment on 4 May 2026 and completion on 28 February 2029. The independent evaluation is conducted by Cordis Bright; the intervention is delivered by Salford Foundation; and the study is funded by the Youth Endowment Fund. Ethics approval was granted on 20 March 2026 by the University of Portsmouth Research Ethics Committee.

SURVIVE-MI Trial Evaluates SCD Risk Post-Myocardial Infarction

The SURVIVE-MI trial (ISRCTN17193826) was registered by the Health Research Authority on 23 April 2026. This observational cohort study will evaluate sudden cardiac death risk in post-myocardial infarction patients using non-invasive LifeMap electrophysiological measures combined with autonomic and mental health assessments. The three-year study, conducted at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester, aims to improve risk prediction for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator device decisions and runs from April 2026 to September 2029 with 57 participants.

Maryland DOH Launches Medically Tailored Meals Program Serving 3,000 Participants with 1M Meals

The Maryland Department of Health has launched its Medically Tailored Meals program in partnership with Moveable Feast and Food & Friends, targeting more than 3,000 eligible participants across six Maryland counties with approximately 1 million meals over a six-month period. The program provides freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced frozen meals tailored to individual dietary needs, along with oral nutrition supplements, nutritional counseling, and home delivery services. This initiative is the first major effort under the Population Health Improvement Fund, a requirement of the AHEAD model addressing non-clinical drivers of health such as food insecurity.

Bayer HealthCare Patent Extension US Patent 10428063

FDA granted a patent term extension for US Patent 10428063 assigned to Bayer HealthCare. The document was filed under docket FDA-2026-E-4532-0003 on regulations.gov. Patent term extensions compensate for regulatory review time and can extend market exclusivity for approved pharmaceutical products. Bayer HealthCare is the patent holder receiving the extension.

CDER Request for Information Docket FDA-2026-E-4491

The FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) issued a Request for Information under Docket FDA-2026-E-4491, soliciting public comments on matters within CDER's regulatory purview. The document was posted on regulations.gov with an attached PDF containing the full RFI text. No other documents were available for viewing or download at time of access.

Bayer HealthCare Patent Term Extension Exhibits D-G

Bayer HealthCare submitted exhibits D-G to FDA in connection with a patent term extension application under docket FDA-2026-E-4532. The exhibits constitute supporting documentation for the extension request and have been filed in the regulatory docket for public access. No FDA action or determination is reflected in this filing.

Alston and Bird Patent Extension for Ascendis Pharma Growth Disorders

Alston and Bird LLP filed a Patent Term Extension application with the FDA on behalf of Ascendis Pharma Growth Disorders A/S. The filing, assigned docket FDA-2026-E-4539-0002, has been logged in the regulations.gov system. The application seeks to extend the patent term for a product related to growth disorders, a process available under the Hatch-Waxman Act to compensate for regulatory review time. The document record references an attachment containing the full application materials.

Patent Extension Application for Ascendis Pharma Growth Disorders A/S

Alston & Bird LLP filed a patent term extension application with the FDA on behalf of Ascendis Pharma Growth Disorders A/S. The application was submitted to CDER for review and is accessible via Regulations.gov docket FDA-2026-E-4540-0002. No substantive regulatory changes are associated with this procedural filing.

FDA Renews Anesthetic and Analgesic Advisory Committee

The FDA has announced the renewal of the Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee (AADPAC) for an additional two years beyond its charter expiration date, with the new charter in effect until May 1, 2028. The Commissioner determined that renewal is in the public interest based on the committee's essential role in providing independent expert advice on complex scientific and regulatory matters related to anesthesiology, analgesics, and opioid abuse. The committee's annual budget is $126,950, and it comprises at least six voting members selected from authorities in anesthesiology, analgesics, epidemiology, and related specialties.

HSML P.C. Files Patent Extension for SAN-EI GEN F.F.I. Inc.

HSML P.C. submitted a patent term extension application to the FDA on behalf of SAN-EI GEN F.F.I. Inc. The filing is associated with docket FDA-2026-E-4491-0004 and has been logged in the CDER document system. The source page indicates no documents are currently available for public viewing or download; the underlying patent extension application is accessible only as an attachment to this docket entry.

Sughrue Mion Files Patent Term Extension Application for Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Sughrue Mion, PLLC filed a patent term extension application with FDA on behalf of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The application was submitted under the FDA-2026-E-4490-0002 docket and is associated with CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research). No documents are currently available for public viewing or download on the regulations.gov docket page.

Sughrue Mion Patent Term Extension Application for Otsuka Pharmaceutical

FDA received a patent term extension application from Sughrue Mion, PLLC on behalf of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. The application was filed with CDER (Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) and is accessible via regulations.gov under docket FDA-2026-E-4457-0002. Patent term extensions compensate for regulatory review periods under the Hatch-Waxman Act.

Vincent Roehr and Douglas McMillan Join Rural Health Transformation Program

North Dakota Health and Human Services announced that Vincent Roehr and Douglas A. McMillan have joined the agency to guide the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year statewide investment to strengthen rural health care. Roehr, an enrolled citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, will serve as tribal liaison, integrating tribal perspectives and helping tribal nations access funding opportunities. McMillan, a health care executive with over 40 years of experience including 28 years as CEO of Cody, Wyoming Regional Health, will serve as RHTP advisor, working with rural critical access hospitals to improve fiscal operations, workforce recruitment and retention, technology use, and health outcomes.

North Carolina Reports Record Low Infant Mortality and 34% Drop in Overdose Deaths

North Carolina's infant mortality rate declined 8.7% to 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, the lowest in state history, driven by a 14.9% decline in neonatal deaths. Overdose deaths fell 34% from 4,442 in 2023 to 2,934 in 2024, the first decline since 2019, with opioid-related deaths down 38.3%. More than 700,000 people have gained health coverage since Medicaid expansion, and NCDHHS distributed over 150,000 naloxone doses in 2024.

HHS OIG Audit Finds Medicare PAP Device Payments Mostly Compliant, $15.2M in Improper Payments Identified

HHS OIG audited 110 sampled Medicare claims for positive airway pressure (PAP) devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, finding that 97 claims (approximately 88%) complied with Medicare billing requirements while 13 did not. The 13 non-compliant claims involved missing or insufficient documentation to support services billed, and some suppliers failed to respond to OIG documentation requests. OIG estimates approximately $15.2 million in improper payments were made during the audit period. OIG recommended that CMS establish internal controls to prevent improper payments for replacement PAP devices and provide outreach and education to suppliers on documentation requirements.

CMS Seeks Comments on CAHPS for MIPS Survey Revision Through June 26, 2026

CMS is seeking public comments through June 26, 2026 on a revision to the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for Merit-based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) Survey information collection (Form CMS-10450, OMB Control No. 0938-1222). The revision adds two new items and one new item related to cost and web survey administration to the vendor participation form, plus revises 12 existing items for web administration. Survey vendors will face an estimated additional hour of burden per application, increasing from 10 to 11 hours. The collection supports quality reporting for approximately 26,976 respondents and 6,139 total annual hours.

CMS PRA Notice - Quality Reporting Programs Information Collection OMB Review

CMS published a PRA notice announcing opportunity for public comment on a new information collection request for administrative procedures related to quality reporting programs (QRPs) and value-based purchasing (VBP) programs. The collection covers home health, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation facility, long-term acute care hospital, and skilled nursing facility settings. Comments must be submitted to OMB by May 27, 2026. An estimated 33,340 respondents will be affected with approximately 18 total annual hours burden.

MANIFEST Study: 3,000 UK Cancer Patients, Immunotherapy Response Research

The MANIFEST study (Multiomic ANalysis of Immunotherapy Features Evidencing Success and Toxicity) has been registered as an observational cohort study coordinated by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. The study aims to recruit approximately 3,000 adult cancer patients receiving immunotherapy to understand why some patients respond well while others experience treatment-related side effects. Researchers will collect blood, tumour tissue, stool, and urine samples alongside clinical data over a multi-year follow-up period, with results expected by 31 July 2029.

Digital Twin System for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Screening

Jinan University registered a prospective cohort study (ISRCTN42747002) evaluating a digital twin system combined with Epstein-Barr virus serological screening for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China. The study plans to recruit 10,000 adults aged 30–69 years from April 2026 to December 2028, measuring sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value as primary outcomes. Ethics approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Jinan University on 1 April 2026.

PRIMED Study: Cluster Randomized Trial of Cancer Diagnosis Delay Interventions in Nigeria and Kenya, 2026-2028

The PRIMED (PRImary care Management to Enhance early cancer Diagnosis) study is a prospectively registered cluster randomized controlled trial testing a multicomponent intervention to reduce delays in cancer diagnosis across 225 primary care facilities in Nigeria and Kenya over a 55-week trial period (April 2026–April 2028). The intervention comprises three components: provider education, clinic strengthening, and peer navigation support. Twenty-five facilities per arm will receive the intervention, crossover, or control conditions at each of three sites. The trial's primary outcome is delivery of correct and appropriate care to patients presenting with potential cancer symptoms, with secondary outcomes including clinician knowledge and time to diagnosis within four months of referral. Ethics approvals were obtained from five Nigerian ethics committees and three Kenyan ethics committees were reviewing the protocol as of April 2026.

JNJ-79635322 vs Teclistamab RRMM Phase III Trial (Trilogy-4)

Janssen-Cilag International NV has registered a Phase III randomized trial (ISRCTN80147609, Trilogy-4) comparing investigational drug JNJ-79635322 against approved bispecific antibody teclistamab (TECVAYLI) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior lines of therapy. The trial, approved by the West Midlands Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee, is actively recruiting with a target enrollment of 22 participants across the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, and Spain. First enrollment began March 3, 2026, with an estimated completion date of September 30, 2031.

TROPICCANA Trial, HPV Blood Test, Cervical Cancer, Royal Marsden

The TROPICCANA clinical trial has been registered with ISRCTN, evaluating whether an HPV-detect blood test can confirm no disease remains after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervix cancer and detect relapse sooner than standard imaging. The observational cohort study will enroll 131 patients aged 18+ at Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, collecting blood samples before, during, and after treatment over a 4.5-year period from January 2026 to July 2030. The trial received ethics approval from South Central - Oxford A REC on 26 January 2026 and is currently recruiting participants who will receive standard-of-care treatment with no alterations based on HPV-detect results.

NVG-222 Solid Tumours Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial

A Phase I/IIa clinical trial for NVG-222 in solid tumours has been registered in the ISRCTN clinical trial registry. The trial is identified by ISRCTN13633989 and falls under the cancer condition category. This registration entry provides protocol metadata for the investigational treatment study without establishing new compliance obligations.

Respiratory-Swallow Training in Head and Neck Cancer (ReST-HN)

The University of Liverpool has registered ISRCTN12055450, a feasibility study evaluating respiratory-swallow training (ReST) with biofeedback for patients with head and neck cancer experiencing dysphagia. The randomised controlled trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), aims to recruit 40 participants in Merseyside and Cheshire, with first enrolment on 6 May 2026 and completion anticipated by August 2028. Participants will receive up to 6 weekly training sessions with speech and language therapists, with follow-up assessments at one week and three months post-intervention.

Maryland State Plan Private Sector Federal Land Jurisdiction Clarification

OSHA issued a notice approving a clarification to the Maryland State Plan (MOSH), specifying that private-sector employment on land leased or held by the United States in Maryland is not covered by the state plan and falls under federal OSHA jurisdiction instead. The clarification covers employment on federal land where federal employees are regularly present, at federal government-owned contractor-operated sites, and on federal property under construction. This clarification is effective April 27, 2026. Affected parties include private employers and contractors operating on federal land or property in Maryland, who should ensure their occupational safety compliance programs align with federal OSHA standards.

OSHA Gear Certification OMB Supporting Statement, Apr

OSHA submitted an OMB Supporting Statement for information collection requirements related to gear certification under OSHA regulations. The document, associated with docket OSHA-2010-0042, provides OMB with the agency's justification for paperwork burden hours and cost estimates for employers required to certify personal protective equipment and safety gear. The supporting statement is part of OSHA's compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act for certification-related recordkeeping requirements.

Board Briefs #104, Virginia Board of Medicine Newsletter, March 2026

The Virginia Board of Medicine Board Briefs #104 reports on multiple 2026 legislative updates affecting healthcare providers, including a fourth extension of telemedicine flexibilities through December 31, 2026 allowing prescribing of controlled medications without a prior in-person visit, new laws on bias reduction training, therapeutic interchange, and licensure compacts, and multiple active regulatory comment periods ending March 25, April 8, and May 8, 2026. The newsletter also covers Virginia Birth Injury Fund compliance requirements, SCRA licensing updates for servicemembers, and summarizes board decisions including reprimands, suspensions, and license revocations.

Dear Healthcare Professional Letters - Medicine Safety Alerts

Medsafe NZ publishes a comprehensive index of Dear Healthcare Professional Letters sent by the therapeutic products industry since January 2025, covering 38 distinct safety communications for medicines including Alecensa (alectinib – hypertriglyceridaemia), Columvi (glofitamab – haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), Epilim (valproate – pregnancy risk), Paxlovid (renal impairment), Topiramate Actavis (pregnancy restrictions), and Risperdal (paediatric overdoses). Entries include product name, date sent, linked PDF document, and reason for communication. Letters are published voluntarily on Medsafe's behalf and may not represent a complete record of all safety communications issued.

Medsafe Safety Communications: NZ Medicine Monitoring and Alerts

Medsafe, New Zealand's medicines regulator, publishes its updated Safety Communications index listing recent monitoring and alert communications from April 2026 back to January 2025. The communications cover both medicines and medical devices, with recent items including monitoring on Estradot transdermal patches, GLP-1 receptor agonists, atomoxetine, and topiramate, plus an alert on amended driving-impairment legislation. One medical device recall is noted: Euky Bear Warm Steam Vaporiser. The page explains the distinction between monitoring communications (potential safety concerns under investigation) and alert communications (completed reviews with specific advice).

Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory: All LA County Beaches Through April 29

LA County Department of Public Health has issued a rain advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches, in effect until Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 5:00am. Beach users are advised to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers, due to potentially higher bacteria levels in these areas after rainfall. The advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Ocean Water Warning for 9 LA County Beaches

LA County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water use warnings for 9 beach areas due to bacterial levels exceeding state health standards. Affected locations include Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach, Herondo Street storm drain in Hermosa Beach, Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain, Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu, Ballona Creek at Dockweiler State Beach, Topanga Canyon Beach, Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey. Two beach areas — Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Pier — have been cleared. A 24-hour beach hotline is available at 1-800-525-5662.

Ocean Water Use Warning for LA County Beaches Due to Elevated Bacteria

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a beach water use warning on April 23, 2026, advising the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters at six specified beach locations due to bacterial levels exceeding state health standards. The affected areas include Santa Monica Pier, Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain, Castlerock Storm Drain, Latigo Shore Drive, and Topanga Canyon Beach. The department simultaneously cleared five previously warned beach areas where water samples returned to acceptable standards.

Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

LA County Dept. of Public Health issued water contact advisories for five ocean beach areas on April 24, 2026, due to bacterial levels exceeding California health standards. Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach, Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach, and Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu are all under warning. Two previously affected areas—Sweetwater Canyon Storm Drain at Carbon Canyon Beach and Latigo Shore Drive in Malibu—have been cleared after water samples returned to acceptable levels.

USDA Awards Record $20M Farm to School Grants to 52 Projects

USDA awarded the first cohort of FY 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, distributing nearly $20 million across 52 projects — the largest investment in the program's history since its 2013 launch. The grants, which connect farmers to schoolchildren through local food procurement, will fund projects in multiple states including a partnership with Foundation for Food and Farm Connections targeting 10 school districts in Missouri. USDA simultaneously opened applications for a separate $20 million NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant program to help schools modernize kitchen infrastructure, with applications accepted through May 28, 2026.