Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 12/15/2003
	Quote of the day: In giving advice, seek to help, not please, your friend. Solon

Good morning! SO you didn't heed the gentle reminders in the Prattle about getting that FLU SHOT? …Click here for text of FLU in All 50.. And now the country is out of vaccine. Now what? You can think through this…. Didn't you hear about a new form of the flu vaccine that wasn't selling very well because it was more that 5 times the cost of the injection? That might be an option for you if you are older than 5 but less than 50, not immunocompromised (chemo therapy or HIV) and don't know anyone to visit at the Mayo Clinic (where you would be banned). Let's just say that you can't be immunized this year (did you learn anything for next year?) Here are some things that could rest your mind and maybe keep you from a flu disaster.

It appears that you have to rely on the 12 days of influenza season:

On the first day of flu season my true love gave to me : ONE HERD IMMUNITY (the fact that fewer people will be infected because so many were vaccinated that your chance of infection is reduced) TWO HAND WASHINGS (wash twice as often as you normally during the day with soap and water) THREE SQUARE MEALS (Get enough to eat and don’t skip meals) FOUR FACIAL TISSUES (try to keep your hands away from your nose) "FIVE A DAY" (Wash your fruits and veggies and other produce) SIX FEET APART (Avoid crowds) SEVEN HAND WAVES (Don’t shake hands if you can help it……if you must then wash your hands afterward) EIGHT HOURS SLEEP (Get enough rest to keep up your immune system) NINE TABLETS (but no more) of 325mg acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) and ONLY If you DO get a fever (with or without vomiting or diarrhea.) and get in bed. TEN MONTHS until you get you flu vaccine (next year you will do it!) ELEVEN TEE TOTALERS (skip the Hot Toddy- Alcohol will reduce your immunity and may interact with the acetaminophen to produce liver problems) TWELVE DRINKS OF WATER…. be sure to keep yourself hydrated if you get a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Ok everybody…. now lets sing it!…all together now…. or not.

1) FDA goes paperless?
	Well at least the new drug applications that the drug companies must submit. I saw a picture of the paperwork submitted for one drug approval (I can't find it now but it was a cube of paper 10 feet on each side). Now there will be more wrapping paper for the holidays! …Click here for full text .

2) Medicare is going to start monitoring prices.
	START?!!! This is something that should have been done all along…at least knowing how you are spending your money. …Click here for full text .

3) OTC Morning After pill

This pertains to Plan B and Preven which prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. I believe that this will only encourage irresponsible behavior. They wouldn't just be sold in pharmacies but could be found in vending machine next to condoms. Probably will have a tag line of "For those who plan to be irresponsible". Expect to see a lot of debate. I, for one, hope that the FDA commissioner does NOT approve this. …Click here for full text.

4) North Caroline opens the purse to PHARMA…
	While other states are illegally trying to import drugs from Canada.. NC to give a tax break to a pharmaceutical company. They are trading present tax dollars for future tax revenue. Sounds like they will make out in the long run….just doesn't sound very good right now. …Click here for full text.

5) LAST TIME I CHECKED, MORE AMERICAN EAT WHEAT THAN TAKE RX DRUGS!
	Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) votes to import drugs from Canada but wants to block importation of wheat. Does this seem like a dichotomy of thinking? The author may be even more sarcastic that the PPP-meister. (GOOD STUFF…although I'm not sure I agree with his free-trade ideas) …Click here for full text.

6) Lots of links to what is happening TO the PHARM industry
	Mergers, patent busting, litigation….. and a partridge in a pear tree. …Click here for full text.

7) What do astronauts get if the wear their moon boots too long?
	Mistletoe! Why kiss? This will give you the history of the parasitic plant…mistletoe. …Click here for full text.

Have a GREAT 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 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.