Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

            Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

When you greet or are greeted by someone during the day how many times are the words "How are you? " exchanged? How many people listen for the answer? Most people say "fine" and move on. For the next week try an experiment…. come up with a different, positive affirmation that every day is better-than-fine!

Some of my favorite replies are:

•  "If I were a dog, my tail would be wagging!" - Keith Harrel
•  "Super-Fantastic!"- Keith Harrel
• "If I were any better then Heaven would be a lateral move!" - Luke Johnson

 Send me some of your best  replies to "how are you?" and I'll add them to the site in the "How are you?" answer to use this week:  feature. (I'll give you credit after the quote unless you wish to remain anonymous )

Try it....You will be surprised by two things:

 1) the positive response you receive and

 2) how good it feels to say something positive in the morning.

1) Who am I? Who are you? Who do we think we are?

Risperdal is an immensely popular drug for thought disorders (no it's not…yes it is!…who asked you?) Anti-schizophrenia drug maker has to revise the package insert and promotional materials due to misleading claims and less-safe-than-promoted data. Did you know that drugs receive a new NDC whenever the package insert is revised? NDC's are not recycled. The first few numbers designate the manufacturer, the next few tell which product, and the final 2 digits tell the package size. At the rate that changes are occurring in the industry I expect that additional digits will be needed in the not too distant future. (or re-use of old numbers allowed).

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/nation/9236251.htm?1c

2) No sweat!

Botox receives another indication from the FDA…. profuse underarm sweating can be alleviated with Botox.  This does not sound like cosmetic use to me…. although it would be wise to use antiperspirants before allowing a physician to perform numerous injections....

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/answers/2004/ANS01301.html

3) Money for nothing…drugs for free….

Computer mistake caused Minnesota seniors in one plan to receive their generic drugs for free. That little problem has been fixed after the "Minnesota Nice/ honesty gene" kicked in and the recipients reported it.

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/9181845.htm

4) Generic manufacturers sued by States over pricing…

Last time I checked, the manufacturers sold their products to wholesalers. Pharmacies ordered the drugs they wanted, often the manufacturer was selected based upon price. (If there was price fixing that would be different but in general the generic houses fall all over themselves to slash their prices to become the low cost provider.) I don't see this suit going anywhere…. but then again that would be logical.

5) Drugs appear to be free of suicide increase..

Previously it was thought that the antidepressants trigger suicidal action but this study suggests that the underlying depression is the cause. This is important as lawsuits are brought against the manufacturers of antidepressants.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040720/health_antidepressants_1.html?printer=1

6) Food allergy-

FDA labeling by 2006 of top food allergens. Bill to go to the President soon.

If you have a peanut, tree-nut, milk, shellfish, wheat,  soy, fish or egg allergy you will find those ingredients listed. This should help alleviate those unpleasant "surprises" while dinning.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/483914?src=mp

7) Hunter's syndrome….. not gatherer's syndrome

New drug fast tracked for this hereditary disease….

 Article on new drug http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040715/health_transkaryotictherapies_1.html

8) SWAT team news

Some people are mosquito magnets (present and accounted for sir!)

This explains attraction and various repellants (chemical and "natural")

http://webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/Article/90/100719.htm?printing=true