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Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 12-01-2003
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Quote of the day: "You would have to be a major, major user of very expensive medications to get any kind of halfway decent benefit."- Florida Senior
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Good morning!
People who need the benefit most get it?!!! Outrageous! I may be missing something here but I thought that was the point….to make Medicare the most help to those who need it. …Click here to see what the stupid rich are saying then read on
Seniors are disappointed because this is NOT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE. (I would have still favored a "means test".) The people who are complaining that they are not getting enough are not the poor but former architects, business owners, and people who can afford to maintain two residences (one in Florida for the Winter). Another sentiment that I don't understand-"People have to pray that they get very ill. If you are in semi-bad shape, you get very little or nothing from the new Medicare bill."…. for crying out loud….people feel cheated if there is a benefit in place and they can't spend that money….This is WORSE than the entitlement mentality of days past. If you are healthy and do not require medications (or very few) then you should be offering prayers of THANKSGIVING and not asking God for a medical catastrophe! (It is just my opinion…I could be wrong!)
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1) Like dressing for the turkey… you may not want to know EVERYTHING that’s in the MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT LEGISLATION …
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Find out some of the non-health related projects that had to be included to get legislative approval…..Briggs and Stratton?…and more. Gives some insight into how legislation gets through Congress….(And who on the East Coast decided to put oysters in the dressing?????)
…Click here for full text . http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/27/politics/27LOBB.html?th
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2) Fresh off of a domestic victory…
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Pharma crosses the pond with price battle…Don't kid yourselves….this IS about the money and being able to maintain prices on drugs around the world.
…Click here for full text.
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3) Making smoking cessation more affordable?
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Generic Wellbutrin SR approved by FDA. I know you think of it as an antidepressant (because it is) but it is EXACTLY the same as ZYBAN (used for smoking cessation). The docs caught on to this early on and began prescribing Wellbutrin SR instead of Zyban in order to allow people who do not have smoking cessation drugs covered under their prescription drug plan to get the medication. They gamed the system. Now, at least, they can do it with less expensive generics. (Unless of course Welllburin SR is PA'd).
…Click here for full text.
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5) Just desserts?
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Three people who allegedly conspired to distribute the counterfeit Lipitor indicted.
Maybe their punishment should be to go on a fat-free diet until their cholesterol levels fall to the acceptable range. Sound like cruel and unusual punishment? Unusual?…yes!
…Click here for full text.
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6) What PRESCRIPTION drugs may move to OTC in the next few years? (May surprise you)
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Contraceptive, Contra-Cholesterol, CONTRA-Allergy and CONTROVERSEY. Which will make it….my bet is ALL THREE CLASSES….there is just too much money at stake. (Hint: OTC drugs are NOT part of the Medicare Prescription drug benefit)
…Click here for full text.
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Have a GREAT week! Steve
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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 and supervision of your 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 1998-2003 PHARMWORKS,LLC all rights reserved.
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