PHARMWORKS

Quote of the day: Men Wanted for hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold,

long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.

Honor and recognition in case of success. - Ernest Shackleton

Need another summer book suggestion for your vacation or lazy evenings? The Book or Virtues by Dr. Bill Bennett is a good one. It is full of short stories, poetry, fables, sayings and quotes to inspire. From George Washington's Rules of Civility to the account of Maximilian Kolbe (a priest who volunteered to take the place of a father with children in Auschwitz) they remind me of the better human traits in a world now filled with violent conflicts. You will also find such as Aesop, Longfellow, Shackleton, Churchill, Lincoln, Kipling, Dickinson, and Babe Ruth providing inspiration and encouragement.

The Boy Scouts of America have a pretty comprehensive list of their own. Start ANY scout with the words "A good scout is…." and the scout will fill in the rest with "…trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave clean and reverent." Many will be the Lincolns, Churchills, and Tennysons of the future; men of virtue to lead a country to greatness.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, ....."

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

Last week I mentioned and article that said the pregnant women relapse when take off of antidepressants. Seems that some of the authors were taking drug company money but had not disclosed it. While the relationships were not disclosed and there COULD be some intentional or unintentional hanky panky, the research and results may still be valid. (Would anyone question the results of a study that showed that the blood glucose of diabetics rose after stopping their insulin?).

This week it was lack of disclosure on a migraine study. What part of full disclosure do authors not understand? "Are you taking any money, performing research for or on any speaking panels from anyone but your main employer?"(and who is your main employer?) Research performed for a not-for-profit could still be considered "industry supported". Expect changes at JAMA and other reputable medical, pharmaceutical, and scientific publications.

http://pharmagossip.blogspot.com/2006/07/jamas-catherine-deangelis-queen-of.html

Pfizer elects to pursue the use of torcetrapib by itself and not just in combination with Lipitor. The drug raises HDL (aka "good cholesterol") but is not considered by cardiologists as a single agent approach. When approved it will offer physicians the opportunity to combine it with other "statins" or other anticholesterol regimens… and Pfizer will make several tons of money! (just my opinion…. I could be wrong)

Bismacine, also known as Chromacine, has now approved use and has caused fatality. It is injected and cause cardiovascular collapse (not a good thing as I recall). Pharmacists are compounding the "alternative medicine" for injection. FDA says…STOP!

Another anti-smoking vaccine is being tested that blocks the cns effects of nicotine. While one may be approved any day, this new one appears to work better. Four or 5 shots over 6 months would replace the gum, the patch, and the butts. FDA has fast tracked it and studies are now taking place in Minneapolis and other major cities, This would give another alternative to those who can't take bupropion (Zyban). {pay attention Ms SUPERFANTASTIC!}

Boston Globe reporter is incensed that a drug company would promote testing for heart disease just because it sells drugs that treat heart disease. The funding was fully disclosed and the promotion of diagnosis and treatment should help patients. What doe he think that they SHOULD spend their money promoting? … pony rides at the State Fair? …NASSCAR? … Massachusetts Senators? Will they make money by selling more medications… lets hope so! Profit is not a dirty word and will fund future research and any 401k containing Pfizer stock.

Check out this site for information and links on Inflammatory Breast Cancer (rare but lethal).

Some women have been told it was an insect bite (for one symptom) or other misdiagnosis because

most physicians are unaware or just not looking for it. If you notice the changes mentioned then RUN

8) Some pictures of the fire in the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota…. spectacular pictures of the fiery monster!

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 1998-2006 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved.

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