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Pepin’s Pharmaceutical Prattle for 05-22-2007
Quote of the day: A day's work is a day's work, neither more nor less, and the man who does it needs a day's sustenance, a night's repose and due leisure, whether he be painter or ploughman. George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)
Good morning ! Last weekend it was 2000 miles of road, some home projects for my daughter and graduation ceremonies. This weekend it will be fishing, family, more fishing, and generally a time to "recharge the old batteries". It will also be a time to reflect on the reason for the long weekend…. the brave men and women of the armed services who are now gone. Protecting our country and our freedom was a lofty ideal and one that we can all enjoy, not just this weekend, but all of the time. (see http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/memday.htm for the origins of Memorial Day) Due in large part to their efforts we are free to live, vote, pray, speak, write.... and fish! Happy Memorial day!
=================================================== ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Peachy" pps. Occasionally, some of the links require FREE registration.... I'm sure you can handle THAT slight inconvenience. ------------
1) Not so sweet news for Glaxo NEJM study showed a 64% increase in heart related deaths in patient taking the anti-diabetic drug, Avandia. Heart attacks increased by 43%, FDA is looking into this deeper. While this may not be as huge as the Vioxx debacle I'm sure that lawyers are already gathering their stable of clients. http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/070521/glaxosmithkline_avandia_fda.html?.v=7
2) Save money with evidence based medicine?!!! Medicare proposes to stop reimbursing physicians and patients for the use of drugs used to stimulate red blood cell production. The erythropoietin- like drugs appear to enhance the growth of some cancer cells too. Why does this appear in MONEY and not in NEJM?… because there is much pharmaceutical money at stake not just mere patient lives. (The cynic muse speaks) http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/14/news/companies/bc.anemia.drugs.reut/?postversion=2007051419
3) Don't hold your breath for Xopenex reimbursement. Medicare proposes to reimburse for Xopenex at the same rate as racemic albuterol. Sepracore plans to not sell to seniors to preserve its pricing structure. Wow… more of that evidence-based stuff! http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehy
4) Would you work during a pandemic? Some health care workers would refuse to expose themselves to sick patients should a bird flu pandemic break out. During lunch room discussions I have learned that many of my co-workers would not show up. One thing that they fear is being confined to the hospital under the provisions of "abandonment" laws which require them to care for patients until relived. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSHAR26607620070522
5) Ethnic preferences for depression treatment. Caucasians want antidepressant pills while black, Hispanics and Asians prefer "talk therapy" for depression. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070518/hl_nm/minoritie
6) More good news… if you are a lawyer. Exjade, used to remove excess iron from the body, associated with blood dyscrasias (low blood counts) and renal problems. The people in whom the drug is used are often compromised already so this may just turn into a stern warning and not a boquette of law suits. http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/SAFETY/2007/Exjade_DHCPL_May2007.pdf
7) Botox for your "winkie tink" not your wrinkles. It appears that Botox may be useful for urinary incontinence. It is best to make plans to address this bladder use of Botox (like you have already addressed its use against wrinkles) before it is approved, Some at talking about $500 million annual sales…. and we know the source of THAT. http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.asp
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 1998-2007 PHARMWORKS, LLC all rights reserved. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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