FDA approval of Rochester Medical's FemSoft insert for female stress urinary incontinence on Sept. 30, the final day of the federal government's fiscal year, apparently put the agency's total number of approved, original premarket approval applications for the year at 33, down from 42 in 1998 and 46 in 1997.

Beiersdorf and former owner Bayer are on the verge of settling a proposed class action in California’s Northern District challenging “mineral-based” claims on Coppertone sunscreens that also contain chemical UV filters. However, the parties will have to try again with their proposed terms.