Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 06-23-2003
	Quote of the day: To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun? Katharine Graham

Good morning! Hope you are enjoying your work... I hope you love what you do. I certainly do. If you can see results and that what you are doing actually matters then all the better. How did you just define "what you do"? I didn't say "Do for a living" but most people interpret it that way. Not wrong…but very telling about priorities. What I "do" is try to be a good husband and father. Part of that is providing for my family but not the main emphasis. Try "working to live" instead of "living to work" as a new way to view the world. Enjoy you "life" as well as your "work life". Live a reality not watch someone else's on TV. A soccer game of scout meeting; back yard BBQ or hike; having a family dinner or picnic;…. all better than ANY "REALITY" TV show.

1) Cheer up!…more people seek help for depression that ever before!
	The fact that more people are seeking treatment is great. Telling someone to "snap out of it" or "be strong" only shows a deep misunderstanding of the disease. Depression is more than "mind over matter" and willing yourself better doesn't work. It is GREAT that more people are seeking help! …Click here for full text of story. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/18/health/18DEPR.html?th

2) Drug Benefits move through Congress….
	For the first time I feel that something could actually happen: this year…this Summer. …Click here for full text of story. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/18/politics/18MEDI.html?th=&pagewanted=print&position=

3) … and more out of Congress…faster Generic approval!
	This would limit the number of patent extensions allowed and keep the exclusive marketing to the 20 years defined by law. …Click here for full text of story. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/20/national/20MEDI.html?th

4) Thumb your nose at influenza.
	FDA approves nasal administration of influenza vaccine. Now even the needle-shy can be protected from a disease that claims more lives than SARS and Monkey Pox put together.…Click here for full text of story http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=RTR&Date=20030617&ID=2640715&Symbol=US:MEDI.

5) Pharmacists Only!
	Now there is a site to report pharmacy robberies and thefts. All placed in a big data base to attempt to solve more crimes and keep the "perps" off the street. (Book 'em Danno!") …Click here for full text of story. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-18-2003/0001967796&EDATE=

6) The new-old purple pill is now PINK.

Prilosec approved for OTC use….at last. The original name was to be Prilosec-1 but the FDA wouldn't go for that…the New Pink Pill is Prilosec OTC. It is the same great strength originally brought to you as a prescription but is just a different salt. (ie…not THAT different). This new action leaves us with 3 options: 1) Brand name prescription strength Prilosec (at about $ per pill) 2) Generic but prescription strength omeprazole (at about $350 per pill), and 3) Branded OTC Prilosec-OTC (at about $1 per pill). This should make things interesting for patients trying to sort things out. May be the beginning of a game I call "Musical copays"…'round and 'round she goes…where she stops….nobody knows! …Click here for full text of story. http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030620/health_prilosec_otc_3.html

7) Xolair approved for asthma
	FDA has been busy this week….they must be getting ready for the 4th of July. …Click here for full text of story. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01236.html

8) Not "Razamatazz" but Reyataz..

Reyataz (atazanavir sulfate) also approved by the FDA. (Think we should give our hard working public servants a raise?). This is the anticipated ONCE A DAY anti-HIV drug. It has to be used in concert with other anti-HIV drugs but will simplify the daily regimen. Expect this one to make a splash as it will replace existing protease inhibitors that must be taken multiple times a day! …Click here for full text of story. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01233.html

Have a GREAT and fulfilling week! Steve Disclaimer: "Pepin's Pharmaceutical Prattle" (AKA "The Prattle") is the property of PHARMWORKS, LLC and Steven M. Pepin, Pharm. D, BCPS. The opinions expressed are those of the bald-headed author. To start or stop any drug without the advice a supervision of you physician would be stupid. So don't do anything based upon what you read here without professional advice. To be added to or removed from the distribution list please e-mail your request to spepin@pharmworks.com . All insightful comments from readers are thoughtfully considered (the rest are callously discarded). Copyright 2003 PHARMWORKS,LLC all rights reserved.