PHARMWORKS

Quote of the day:

Clarity of mind means clarity

   of passion, too;

this is why a great and clear mind

   loves ardently

and sees distinctly what it loves. 
Blaise Pascal (1623 - 1662)

2009 is now over. We have seen more than our share of tragedies this year. People felt pain at the loss of the billionaire, Carl Polad ( the former owner of the Minnesota Twins) at age 93. Richardo Mantalban (Fantasy Island) age 88, James Whitmore (Shawshank) age 87, Dom Deluise (age 75), Walter Cronkite, Les Paul, Karl Malden, Ed McMahon (Tonight) age 86 and David Carradine (Kung Fu) at age 72 who were all loved in there own way. We mourn the loss of their wisdom, knowledge and experiences. We can no longer learn from them except by any legacy works that remains.

Many corporations went away in 2009 and the pharmaceutical industry was not untouched. Wyeth, Schering-Plough and other companies did not see the end of 2009. Wyeth was folded into Pfizer and Schering into Merck so the combined corporate experience was preserved. Unfortunate casualties were jobs.

Why is the death of a child at the hands of a pedophile, soldiers cut down in the prime of their lives, or the crash of a plane load of college kids on their way to Spring Break, or the death of any young athlete to drugs or accident give us a gut wrenching reaction? I believe that it is because we feel the loss of potential; the living that had yet to be done. The parties, proms, graduation, ball games and birthdays; all not experienced. The firsts: kiss, car, house, child and love… never to be.

We also feel the passing of Michael Jackson, Nick Andenhart (pitcher for Los Angeles Angels), Billy (OxyClean) Mays, Brittany Murphy, and Patrick Swayze but experience emotions in a different way. For these we mourn not only our loss as the loss of potential but also the experience. What new songs, no-hitters, power commercials, or performances could we have witnessed?

These two separate and distinct types of loss contribute to my belief that we should protect the potential of the unborn as well as the experiences of all of the living. Those of you who read this are in the middle group; still full of potential with a wealth of experience yet to share. I hope that you all make it through 2010 and beyond so we can enjoy your experience as you display your potential. This year will contain its share of tragedies. When you experience the next one... think about what you mourn... the loss of potential, experience or both.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Escaped 2009...looking forward to 2010."

pps. Please note that some of the links may not be up for very long and that

Type II diabetes increased in women who experienced higher levels of stress in the workplace. I suppose that stress eating is the cause of the extra weight that leads to diabetes. When you feel stressed try a drink of nice cool water instead of a twinkie.

Although it has been claimed for 10 years that autism was related to the MMR vaccine here is yet another study debunking that theory.

Antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures in patients who have had major joint replacement was recently recommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. A new study questions this practice; reserving antibiotics for infections could just preserve their usefulness into the future.

Men with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) were 16% more likely to have ED than their matched controls. Expect some enterprising young medicinal chemist to attempt the combination of sildenafil and ropinirole.

5) I’m (not) from the government and I’m here to help (liberate your money from) you.

Extortionists are posing as FDA and DEA agents and bilking many people who ordered and received drugs from “Canadian” pharmacies.

Texas authoritoes are warning against an African home remedy for morning sickness is called Nzu. It is also called Calabash clay, Calabar stone, Mabele, Argile and La Craie. Athorities have found that it contains lead and arsenic; neither of which are good for anyone…let alone a pregnant women.

Denim appears to have some protective effects against rattlesnake bites. Venom delivery is reduced by two-thirds when denim is between the snake and the leg. Hike in shorts in snake country? I think not! (ps It is too cold for either snakes or shorts in Minnesota right now)

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