ppp 05-07-07

Quote of the day: The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years

she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.

Calvin Trillin (1935 - )

This coming Sunday will be Mother's Day. One of the few days of the year when women can expect to be pampered due to their previous experience with Pampers. While many gain their status from the simple fact that they gave birth, most earn the respect and adoration of their children (and spouses) by what they do afterwards. Simple things like dividing the last of the popsicles among the children and going without one herself. Washing dishes or cleaning after completing a full work week outside of the home and not complaining about it. Remembering EVERYONE's birthday, what time they were born, how long they were and how much they weighed… to the ounce. Being able to kiss a "boo boo" and make it stop hurting or buying Flintstone bandages when a kiss was not enough. So many little things that add up to one huge "I love my children".

When you sign your Mother's Day card this year, don't just sign it but write out the words "I love you" on the card even if it already printed on the card. Write some other "little" thing on the card to let her know you REALLY care. A little "I remember when you use to ………." (fill in the blank) will mean a lot more than ANYTHING that Hallmark or Shoebox can muster.

If your mother has passed on, you could still do something for other mothers. Cradle of Hope is a local non-profit organization that supports women in troubled pregnancies. The aid that they provide consists of anything from transportation for maternity visits, to cribs, to food and short term living expenses. They can be found at http://cradleofhope.org/coh/index.php . They rely on donations from people like you. (See the testimonials section for some hard evidence that you CAN make a difference). Help someone else to start out being a good mother. Your mother would be proud of you.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Full of Wonder… I'm wonderful!"

pps. Occasionally, some of the links require FREE registration.... I'm sure you can handle THAT slight inconvenience.

New Hampshire law banning the use of drug prescribing data was found unconstitutional. IMS (who buy and sell such data) is pleased.

Once a year injectable osteoporosis drug may be coming to the USA. Would be a boon to those who can't remember

their daily pills or have trouble with other existing therapies. While fractures are reduced there are those pesky

Sales of dark chocolate are up on purported health benefits. (as if you need a reason to buy more chocolate)

Diabetes, depression and Alzheimer's disease are linked. Better glucose control in diabetics could reduce to other two. Food for thought (pun intended!)

Children of mothers who took valproic acid during pregnancy exhibit lower IQ scores.

This is more pronounced that the other anticonvulsants tested. Untreated seizers also pose a risk to the unborn.

Better look for another anticonvulsant if you are pregnant.... and Happy Mother's Day (a little early).

Brazillian government will "invalidate" Mercks patent on AIDS drugs after the company offered a 30% reduction in price. Brazil is notorious for intellectual property crimes. One more example. I hope that Merck pushes this and international law prevails.

Potential new drug approach to an Alzheimer's like disease in mice reversed memory loss and brain dysfunction.

Present drugs appear only to slow the rate of deterioration in human…. not reverse it.

If this new approach works in humans it will likely be 15 or more years to come to market…..

just in time for me to say "Oh, I finally remember the Kreb's cycle… just before dying of 'old age'".

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 1998-2007 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved.

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