Re: How Independent is the FDA?

April 9, 2004

The power of money....it is sad that our doctors are influenced by

the drug companies and our regulating people are too....but then

again it is BIG buisness....but at least they do a fair job on

getting word out on recall, shortages,and new drug release

dates....Kathi in OK

> PBS Frontline: Dangerous Prescription

> " How Independent is the FDA? " :

>

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/prescription/hazard/ind

ependent.html

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

>

> s Hopkins Medicine

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

April 9, 2004

: I agree with you 100%, but until doctors and patients alike

say NO MORE I don't think it is going to change. What aggravates me

even more is that our country develops all or most of these life

saving meds...we through our drug prices pay for all or most of the

research and devolpment, and other countries don't pay anywhere near

the prices we pay for the meds, or because our folks can't afford

medical insurance don't even have the opportunity of these drugs. It

is a subject I am sure we could rant and rave about

forever.......Kathi in OK

> Kathi, my main beef about the whole situation is that doctors

should

> step back and see this situation for what it is and prescribe more

> responsibly. They hold the prescription pad and pen. I know they

have a

> lot of pressure on them from pharmaceutical companies and

patients, but

> they should know better. The trend before us is disturbing.

>

> One example: it is mind-boggling how many people are being

prescribed

> the costly COX-2s when ibuprofen would be appropriate. And the COX-

2s

> seem to be developing side-effect profiles that were unexpected.

>

> Expect the unexpected, I say! Just because a drug has been

approved by

> the FDA does not necessarily mean it's safe or better than

alternative

> medications, especially if it's been on the market for a short

time. The

> first few years on the market is the real test.

>

> I'll tell you where to go!

>

> Mayo Clinic in Rochester

> http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester