ppp 12-01-08

Quote of the day: The real distinction is between those who adapt their purposes to reality

and those who seek to mold reality in the light of their purposes.

Henry Kissinger (1923 - )

Jesse Ventura, “professional” wrestler and former governor of Minnesota was born James George Jannas. Marion Robert Morrison was the son of an Iowa pharmacist but was better known as “The Duke”, John Wayne. Everyone knew Norma Jeanne Mortenson as Marilyn Monroe. Each name change was done for marketing purposes.

The same sort of thing actually happens with drugs. Prilosec was originally called Losec but confusion with Lasix caused many prescribing/dispensing errors. Even generic names have been changed. Diphenylhydantoin was the original generic name of phenytoin (brand name Dilantin). Something that is even more disturbing happens with OTC preparations… the ingredients can change while preserving the Brand name. Preparation H used to contain shark skin oil but not now. SOMINEX is now the equivalent of a Benadryl (Diphenhydramine).

I found out at Thanksgiving that my Grandmother who I knew only as “Marie” was actually baptized Mary Anne Efferts. When her mother died her father remarried to a woman with 3 daughters. She claimed to have been the original CINDERELLA because that is what her life became. The 3 step-sisters treated her as their personal servant. One of the girls was named Mary so my grandmother was forced to change her name. When grandpa Mathew came into her life he was her Prince Charming.

My Grandpa Pepin’s mother wanted him named William but his godmother liked another name and had him baptized Francis. He lived his life as William or Bill. It wasn’t until he was to be married that he obtained a copy of his baptismal certificate with his real name. Instead of legally changing his name to William he started using his “new” name… “because that is my name”. If only drug companies could follow his example.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Thankfull" (Mr. Obvious)

pps. Please note that some of the links may not be up for very long and that you should capture or print anything that you may wish to keep.

FDA is debating whether to ask patients to report all side effects they experience from drugs to the FDA. All healthcare professionals are already supposed to report side effects, whether new or already known, via MEDWATCH.

While mothers all over the country are gripped by panic (except those who are nursing) the FDA has analyzed the product and found only traces of melamine and has assured everyone that this is not a health threat. Earlier this year thousands of Chinese babies became ill and some died from a major baby formula melamine contamination.

Imitrex is now available in generic form. Patents are good for only 20 years from the time of discovery. Seems like only a couple of years ago that I was designing drug utilization review programs in anticipation of the release of Imitrex. I just remembered: Motrin was released when I was a pharmacy intern. http://www.drreddys.com/newsroom/popups/nov24_2008.htm

A study of long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids found no increase in mortality at 1 year but did find a 34% increase in pneumonia risk.

While the FDA is approaching off-label use in a kinder, gentler way expect some Congressional “watch dogs” to propose not pating for the off-label use. Article count $200 million since 2004. It would probably cost more that $50 million a year to police this.

The use of Dilantin and similar compounds are a concern for certain patients with a genetic marker called HLA-B1502 which predisposes these patients to serious skin reactions. This preliminary data could cause genetic screening of ethnic Asians before treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide solution contains bacterial contamination and prompts company recall. Isn’t ANYTHING safe anymore?

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