In the past week I’ve been surprised to learn that there is a surprising number of choices available to the prescribing pharmacist.  I’ve been watching a discussion thread on Kids with Food Allergies, and hadn’t heard enough yet (or done enough legwork yet) to pass along any meaningful information.  However a recent post on our yahoo forum and FB page prompted me to spend some time researching the issue at hand.  I will try to annotate sources as I go so you can read further if desired....
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FAAN holds an annual fundraiser to fund its ongoing support, advocacy and grant programs.

August 28, 2010 is the 2nd Annual Portland/Vancouver area "Moving towards a Cure" walk. 

Please go to the website, sign up to walk, and share the opportunity to improve your little one's life with those that love and care for your food allergic family member.   

There is a team for OFAN, we're not competitive, we just want to see you in August, and it's a starting place.  Join our team and create a person...
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Links to these videos have been all over the net, but just in case they've missed you.  Here are some great ways to share with family, friends, and acquaintances a view into life with food allergies.

From FAAN,  Respect Every Bite, 1 minute sound bite by Trace Adkins, Honary National Chair for the 2010 FAAN Walks.  Don't forget to vote for Trace in the CMT Music Awards, he had designated FAAN as his beneficiary.  \

Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) has 3 videos on YouTube,
 Kids Living with Food All...
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Did you know that the State of Oregon has officially recognized Food Allergy Awareness Week ?  If you sent a letter to the governor, please pate yourself on the back!

How about entering a coloring contest?

You might even suggest it to your child's teacher as an activity in honor of FAAW.
Both Blue Bear Aware and FAAN are presently running coloring contests, entry deadlines are May 31 and June 11, respectively.  Both are open to children 12 and under.
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As health care professionals, we haven't received any additional information other than what the FDA has posted.

It is unlikely that any serious side effects would occur from ingesting the affected medications, but as with any recalled medications, people are being encouraged to return the affected medications. Lists and lot numbers available on FDA ( www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm210443.htm) and McNeil- (www.mcnealproductrecall.com) websites along with numbers to call with questions. If peopl...
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Please check your medicine cabinets, emergency med bags, and meds stored at school.

McNeill PPC and the FDA have issued a voluntary recall of brand name only Zyrtec, Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin.  The recall is referencing "NDC #s" not individual lot #s and expiry dates.  The NDC #s can be found on the upper right of the product label, just above the product name. 

The FDA and McNeill PPC are stating that these products "may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; ...
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Do you like baseball? 

Our neighbors to the north, WA-FEAST in particular Michael San Soucie, have developed a great relationship with the Seattle Mariners leading to 4, yes FOUR games at which the Mariners will have a designated peanut-free seating area.  This area will be cleaned prior to the game and during the game no peanuts will be served, the nearest concession stand will not be selling peanuts, and there will be posted signage to alert other fans.  See the Mariners website for further...
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Have you been wavering on purchasing a medic alert bracelet? 

Just wanted to share that a few colors of the basic logo bracelet and a few of the beaded bracelets are currently on sale through May 15 at MedicAlert. 

Wearing the bracelet often sparks conversation (why do you have that?), empowers kids (they can show the bracelet in lieu of talking if they are uncertain), and often emphasizes the seriousness of the condition to other caregivers.  All in addition to the main benefit of having tha...
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Hello OFAN Members and Visitors, we've just gone live with our website, facebook page, and this blog. I hope this will provide you pertinent information regarding resources, products, and events which you can receive in your preferred format (email, facebook, rss feed) via a single post.

I welcome input from those of you who are web, blog & FB veterans, I certainly could use it! 

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