PHARMWORKS, LLC
Search this site
Pepin's
Pharmaceutical Prattle for 12-07-2009Quote of the day:
Having once decided to achieve a certain task,
achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste.
The gain in self-confidence of having
accomplished a tiresome labor is immense.
Arnold Bennett
Good Morning!
Get 'er Done
Larry the cable guy uses this term all the time. The urban dictionary defines this as “A redneck term used to prod a fellow to complete a task; ie finish a beer.” There is a homey truth contained in the phrase; end procrastination in order to enjoy the satisfaction from completing a task. (Just doesn’t fit on a t-shirt as well).
This weekend I was able to finish a staining and varnishing project and allow the house to be put back in order in time for Christmas decorations. My eldest boy ordered a 20 yard dumpster last Friday and needed some help filling it from his ongoing remodeling project as well as cleaning out his garage. We didn’t just throw things out; we demolished everything before placing it into the dumpster so it would all fit. There were, for example, 2 complete sets of kitchen cabinets that needed to be rendered smaller. I felt a little like the guys participating in a piano smashing contest (pass a full sized piano through a 9 in hole as fast as you can.) http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=smashed+piano&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NHwcS5-iDcnTnAfLibzlAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBcQqwQwAw#hl=en&q=smashed+piano&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=NHwcS5-iDcnTnAfLibzlAw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBcQqwQwAw&qvid=smashed+piano&vid=-2062978757042681036 We filled it up to the top; a full 20 yards (including the proverbial kitchen sink). When we were finished we were both exhausted but had an empty 2 car garage and a clean basement to show for our work. We felt good!
Sometimes working in healthcare seems like a piano smashing contest; a lot of hard work at a rapid pace with nothing physical to show for it at the end of the day. Sure patients are taken care of and get better but very little to point to at the end of the day. I’ve noticed that many who produce such “soft” results at work take up hobbies that are creative and lasting. It may be knitting, woodwork or fly tying but for the effort they have something physical to show for their efforts. I have also noted that many who work with their hands to create automobiles, furniture, or anything else that can be inventoried and pointed to at the end of the day seem to enjoy hobbies that produce activity but no tangible results (bowing, baseball, etc). It could be that both the creative and the “non productive” sides of our nature both need an outlet.
Each week I feel a sense of accomplishment when the final e-mail is sent out announcing yet another issue of Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle. Sometimes its a smashed piano and sometimes it is even better. Larry would be proud!
Have a GREAT week!
Steve
===================================================
ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "I'm FABULOUS!!!! "
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.
------------
1) New Jersey, part of the old “Pill alley” where Pharma could do no wrong, wants crack down on money to docs.
Secretary of State wants all doctors to report gifts (samples do not count) of over a TOTAL of $200 within the last 2 years. (ps Great to see Pharmalot back in service again after a brief hiatus).
http://www.pharmalot.com/2009/12/nj-ag-clampdown-on-pharma-influence-on-docs/#more-20248
2) More birth defect news on anticonvulsant
Nerve, head, facial, and cardiovascular defects in babies whose mothers took Valproate . FDA ads to the list. Women who have a seizure disorder and are taking ANY anticonvulsant should enroll in North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry should they become pregnant.
3) Boomer Big Bucks? Bust?
Young whipper snapper studies demographics and projects health care investment woes. Tom Tobin noticed that heath-care spending rises steadily from age 37 through 55 but then flattens out until age 80. Those betting on big boomer health bucks (drug and device stocks) are likely to be disappointed per our young friend’s analysis.
Click picture to learn about
Hook or Crook
Upscale, one-of-a-kind handbags accessories
4) FDA approved drug for rare allergic condition
Less than 10,000 people have hereditary angioedema (HAE). The FDA just approved injectable Kalbitor for treatment of this acute allergic syndrome. Trouble with the treatment is that it can cause anaphylactic reactions. Seems very strange. Read for yourself.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm192687.htm
5) Zegerid (omeprazole and sodium bicarb) to be available in OTC form
Hard to understand this one because Prilosec OTC has been available for a long time. I guess SOMEBODY wants a piece of the heartburn pie.
6) Surprise surprise… Public Citizen wants Meridia banned again...
Meridia, the weight loss drug, is the present target of watchdog group. This is the second attempt. Maybe this will work… maybe the third time will be the charm.
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=3011
7) Slim Fast can make you move faster.
National Slim-Fast (liquid form) recall due to bacterial contamination. While nausea and vomiting is a problem the added speed comes from “the runs”.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091204/hl_afp/ushealthfoodrecall_20091204214956
Have a SUPER-FANTASTIC week.
Steve
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1998-2009 PHARMWORKS,LLC all rights reserved.
Copyright 1998-2009 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved