Florida's Population Continues to Decline -- Once among the fastest growing states, Florida is now experiencing a population decline. According to an article that appeared in the Sarasota Herald Tribune this week, the biggest losses between 2008 and 2009 occurred in Cape Coral, St. Petersburg, Deltona, Fort Walton Beach, Sunrise, North Port, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, and Punta Gorda. The article pointed out that according to the latest census population estimates "no Florida City with more than 100,000 people ranked in the country's top 75 for growth last year."  For a state that depends on population growth for revenue, the news is not good. Economists speculate that the recession and high employment rate are reasons for the shift. Retirees in particular are staying put because of the housing market. This has affected not only migration of retirees to Florida but also retirees living in Florida who are considering downsizing or moving to a retirement community. 

Tamiflu: Counterfeit Product Sold on Internet -- FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals about a potentially harmful product represented as "Generic Tamiflu" sold over the Internet. FDA tests revealed that the fraudulent product does not contain Tamiflu's active ingredient, oseltamivir, but cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same class of antibiotics as penicillin. Patients who are allergic to penicillin products are at risk of experiencing similar reactions from cloxacillin. This includes a sudden, potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, with symptoms that include difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or a rapid or weak pulse.

The FDA advises anyone possessing or encountering any of these fraudulent Tamiflu drugs not to use them and to contact the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations by visiting the OCI website.