Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 06-27-2005

 Good morning !

Shotgun

Last Friday I played my one game of golf for the year. It was a shot-gun start, best ball tournament. One hole we had to use our 6 iron for every shot. Another time we had to use our putter for the drive. It was a grand outing and loads of fun. I did take a few lessons away through all of the fun:

1) Use the right tool for the right job. A putter makes a lousy driver and a 6 iron a poor putter. When faced with a problem at work do you always go for the putter… or for the 6 iron because the club feels most familiar?

2) Using the "best ball" allowed 4 below average player to shoot a round of 2 over PAR golf. Teams can accomplish more that the same number of people working independently. It took the best effort of each individual but the teamwork made for success.

I'm sure I'd learn a lot more if I played more…. but who wants to learn THAT much?

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ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Fantabulous!"

pps A short note to say that BiDil was APPROVED this week (the drug approved for Blacks only)  http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=8881453 

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1) Sort of like the O'Dooles for hippies

Marijuana flavored candy for sale. Just the flavor…no illegal substances involved but is only being sold to those over the age of 18. . I wonder if it gives you false munchies….

http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/06/21/marijuana_flavored_candy_blasted/

 2) 76% of all physicians believe in God

90% attend religious services at least sometimes. Interesting survey that had and initial bias of the expectation that very few would believe and do something about it. (To which group does your doctor belong?)

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-06-24T183134Z_01_B39035_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-DOCTORS-GOD-DC.XML

 3) .. you don't think that they started on Heroine candy do you?

Heroine users show signs that look a lot like Alzheimer's

… right down to the "tangels"…  Just say no Mick!

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2005-06-24T183222Z_01_B38905_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-HEROIN-ALZ-DC.XML

 4) Phlushed Pills Perfectly palatable

Worried that discarded birth-control pills might cause and unnatural reduction in fish fertility, state legislators as up in arms. When the Potomoc river is mentioned you know that Congress is likely to knee jerk as well. "Everyone" is worried that discarded pharmaceuticals will find their way into to water supply. If there were any scientists in the bunch they would realize that ALL pharmaceuticals will eventually end up in the water supply. When people take drugs there are (essentially) two route of eliminationL the kidney which clears the drug and any metabolites into the urine, and the liver which may metabolize the drug  with the drug eliminated in the bile (which ends up in the feces). SO whether the drugs are flushed before they are taken or after they are taken…. it all gets flushed and ens up in the water supply. The only solution is to stop manufacturing altogether… which is very unlikely given the nations thirst for drugs. (pun intended).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/22/AR2005062201988.html

 5) Orphan Super-hero?

New oral drug in the works that would remove excess iron buildup in the blood (usually caused by frequent red cell transfusions). It has orphan drug status. This could be an improvement over the intravenous form. I love the new, super-hero-like name too…. Exjade!

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8867679

 6) Botox-not for migraines anymore?

Recent study shows no greater effect that placebo after 6 months. So what is the logical thing to do? ,,, Start another clinical trial….

 http://www.thestreet.com/stocks/biotech/10229421.html

 7) Tipsy tax taunted to trump

AMA wants all alcoholic beverages taxed by alcohol content. Further discussion of taxing soda, pop, soft drinks per the sugar content. To see a map of the terms for carbonated beverages by geography click this site. http://www.popvssoda.com/stats/USA.html

 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/507179?src=nldne

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