| PHARMWORKS | ||
 Home
|
Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 05-28-2007
Quote of the day: Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up. Anne Lamott
Good morning ! The Zen of Fishing I went fishing last weekend with my four sibling, mother, and 2 sons. The fishing was great! The catching declined as the weekend progressed but the fishing was great. What makes for great fishing? 1) A good companion with which to share memories and make new ones. 2) bait, 3) gear (rod, reel, a boat would be nice) 4) the expectation of a bite from ANY SORT of FISH. Notice that there was no "if" or "when" mentioned. Presence of hope and absence of time pressure are what makes fishing so relaxing. Professionals in tournaments impose time limits and goal oriented production which kills all of the fun. With a lake about only 20 rods from my house, I chose to travel to a lake near the headwaters of the Mississippi (about 200 miles) to fish. The mower was far away as well as the list of "honey do's", my computer, and TV. We had cards, dominoes, books, and tales of the past to keep us entertained. The batteries are once again charged and maybe next week I'll be able to release the PPP "on-time". =================================================== ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Double that!" (in response to my "SUPERFANTASTIC") pps. Occasionally, some of the links require FREE registration.... I'm sure you can handle THAT slight inconvenience. ------------
1) I'm sure the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms will object. Some are calling for the FDA to regulate tobacco. With alcohol causing a significant amount of health problems, maybe they should also regulate alcohol. I can't think of any reason for the FDA to take over firearms… until the sad day when euthanasia becomes the law of the land. I harken back to a 1974 National Lampoon spoof drug ad from the DownJohn company for "Termalin: now available in 0.22, 0.38, 0.44, and 0.45 cal." http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070524/hl_nm/tobacco_fda_dc;_ylt=AsEj4_qMyz0ddUsLtEXYLnzMWM0F
2) More generics… lower drug expense Growth rate in drug spend held to 2.8% in 2006. Who'd a thunk it?
3) FDA plays catch up on Avandia The FDA issued a warning about use of Avandia. Guidance includes a promise to further evaluate data. In the last week many experts have called into question the NEJM analysis that started it all. Although meta-analysis can be a powerful tool in some cases I have never been a great fan of that type of "research" when one large study can usually provide the answer. I expect Avandia to whether the storm if they are allowed to complete ongoing studies. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01636.html
4) Little know drug Tindamax (tinidazole) gets new indication to treat bacterial vaginosis (BV), Drug only on the market since 2004 but may get a boost from this use.
5) Paxil settlement approved by judge Did the company mislead about side effects? Out of pocket expenses may be reimbursed to parents who can prove they bought the drug up to a cumulative $64million approved settlement. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=AP&Date=20070524&ID=6953603
6) Are you feelin' lucky? Only 25% of the WORLD'S population would receive the "bird flu" vaccine if the virus jumps species en mass and become contagious within the next 5 years. My best guess is that the pandemic will hold off for another 8 years or so but having family isolation plans in place is not a bad idea.
7) Chinese deterrent to white collar crime….death! Head of China's State FDA took bribes totaling just under $1 million. Looses face and sentenced to death, Is there anything to be learned from this? http://english.people.com.cn/200705/29/eng20070529_378842.html
Have a SUPER-FANTASTIC 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 1998-2007 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1998-2007 PHARMWORKS.LLC all rights reserved |
