Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 06-20-2005

 Good morning !

D.A.D.S.

 I saw a semi-tractor trailer the other day with the letters "D.A.D.S." emblazoned across the airfoil and along the trailer. It stands for "Day After Day Service" which I thought was quite appropriate in proximity to Father's day. What is it that father's do? Day after day service to their families!

 I have thought about Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, quit a lot lately. Some say he had a tough life (being the only sinner in the family). But I think that he had it pretty good. When the big decisions had to be made he had an angel to tell him what to do. "Wed Mary",,,"Go to Egypt"…"Leave Egypt"… etc. He did not have to worry about Jesus because He was protected "lest He dash his foot against a stone". … and the topper? He was married to the perfect woman! (I expect he did not have to listen to one cross word or bit of nagging…. not that I ever have to.) He was about day after day service to two special people.

 The rest of us may not be so fortunate. We have no wise spirit to whisper into our ear…"stocks".. or "bonds"…. "Take the new job" or "stay put!". We have to muddle along somehow. Not all dads can fix a flat tire but most can find a way to mend a broken heart. Fishing and hunting with the "kids" may be one's idea of fun but another might prefer bowling or a quite walk. Short, fat, tall, skinny, bald, or hairy they (usually) have one thing in common…. day after day service.

 I went to a "wake" last Monday for a pharmacist friend of mine who epitomized fatherhood. The 45yo father of 2 children finally completed his struggle with cancer. He was such an incredible person that the words of Jack Nicholson from the movie "As good as it gets" came to mind. He made everyone around him "want to be a better man" just by his example. He was all about service to his family, co-workers and community.

When I was growing up I always thought that the 4th Commandment,  "Honor your Father and your Mother", was for kids so that we would obey. The real test of this Commandment is when he gets older (and maybe a bit cranky). So take the time to connect with your father even if you are "on the outs"… as long as you have the opportunity. (If you have a superfantastic relationship with him then all the better!) The caring of the past and the dignity of the service provided "day after day" beg for your thanks even if the man wouldn't ask for himself.

Happy Father's day to all who serve…Day After Day.

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ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Promoted!" (My daughter was just promoted to Assistant Vice President of Affinity Mortgage) 

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1) FDA "requests" labeling changes on COX II and other NSAIDS.

I wonder what thee FDA would say if a company said "No, thank you".

http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/COX2/NSAIDRXSUPPLEMENTLTR.pdf

2) Despite recent recalls… patients recall DTC ads

You would think that all of the drug scares would put people off to drug ads. This is worth a click to see the graphics of the top ten drugs and how much the public retains.

http://www.pharmalive.com/news/index.cfm?articleID=244991&categoryid=9&newsl

3) Cancer has Managed Care worried.

Too many people are responding to therapy and turning a "terminal" illness into a "chronic" disease… I would think that this is good news but then again I am not an insurerer.

http://www.biotechnologyhealthcare.com/journal/fulltext/2/3/BH0203018.pdf

4) Governors pow-pow on Medicaid

They want rules changes and the ability to charge participants a copay.

More power desired…. Surprise…Surprise (as Gomer Pyule would say)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/15/AR2005061501765.html

5) Pharmacist sue over "right to refuse"…

I sure you haven't a guess who's side I would come down on….

The pharmacist, of course!. Story steps below:

  1) Pharmacist refuses to sell PLAN B per the State's "conscience law"

  2) Judge orders him to dispense the drug anyway

  3) Pharmacist sues State citing strong " conscience law".

Time will tell… and so will I!

http://www.handelonthelaw.com/news_details.aspx?News=999&Date=6/1/2005

6) Race-based pharmaceutical receives recommendation for approved.

FDA advisory panel felt the BiDil worked well enough in Blacks to approve it. Once approved, it can be used for anyone…. This is an interesting turn of events. If you really don't want to wait for the combination pill… you can purchase each ingredient separately as a generic. (Other than the race issue this would not be very interesting)

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=E35B2ZPI0CFUQCRBAEOCFFA?type=topNews&storyID=8817448

7) Cranky Kanooks pan US system

Canadian Government tells US to fix its own system and not rely on Canadaian Drugs. Fear is that Canadian pharmacies that service Canadians (what a concept) will have their supplies cut off.

http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=d80ce5a5-c5eb-4d4b-8d89-dbc5c81eb2fa

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