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Nature 446, 358-359 (22 March 2007) | doi:10.1038/446358b; Published online 21 March 2007

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Experts call for active surveillance of drug safety

Meredith Wadman

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Drug agency urged to use latest technology to spot side effects early.

Earlier this month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned Americans that two classes of drugs in widespread use have serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects that warrant new label warnings.On 9 March, the agency announced that three erythropoietin-type drugs for treating anaemia increase the risk of death, blood clots, strokes and heart attacks, and accelerate the growth of some cancers.