ppp 12-21-08

Quote of the day: One kind word can warm three winter months.

Japanese proverb

Before we get started.... I have been rebuilding my OUTLOOK files due to a recent computer crash. If you have not received an e-mail notification to check for the PPP then please send me an e-mail at spepin@PHARMWORKS.com and I'll put you back in. If you have received the e-mail notification but had previously asked to be removed from the list then I apologize. Send me and e-mail (same address) and I'll take you off again.

Those of you familiar with the drug industry know that there are BRAND NAME drugs and generic drugs. The FDA certifies equivalence to ensure that the generic drug provide the same effects as their BRAND NAME counterparts. Generic foods may provide the same nutritional value but often are less tasty that the brand name foods. Quite a few years ago I was surprised to receive a greeting card. It was Yellow and Black and had the words "Generic Greeting Card" on the outside. When I open it up it simply read "Whatever!" Very funny but not quite the same as "Happy Birthday!"

When I worked for a PBM I used to regularly blind cc my boss on client communications. I had added the words "Merry Christmas" to an e-mail to a client and was cautioned that this was inappropriate because the recipients may not celebrate the same holiday as I do. The client worked for the YMCA so all was cleared up when I asked my boss what the "C" stood for in the client name. When the dawn broke and a smile replaced the frown on my bosses face I was able to go about my business (I hadn't made too big a stretch on that on).

With Christmas, Chanukah, the Winter Solstice, and Kwanza all being celebrated this month it is easier to say "Happy Holidays" that to sort it all out. I just can't do that. There are a few non-Christians who read the PPP and they know that I wish them a joyous celebration of their holiday. I, too may celebrate the Festival of Lights' commemorating the time that Maccabees' oil lamps stayed lit for a miraculous 8 days. The Winter Solstice is experienced by all in the northern hemisphere and, with this weather, I take heart that the days are beginning to get longer again. I can even get behind Kwanza as a celebration of heritage. While I celebrate all of these days with you and wish you the very best I also invite you to embrace MY holiday of love as well.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "I am gettin' by but I ain't gettin' rich." (a janitor)

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.

CMS will offer rewards for those docs who dump their prescription pads in favor of electronic prescribing. Will make bonus payments now… reimburse less after 2012. Electronic prescribing does not happen overnight so start your process now if you haven’t already.

FDA to use computer simulations instead of clinical trials on humans for some of the required documentation required for drug approval. (You will have to subscribe [FREE] before reading the whole article)

One drug, 5FU, used in cancer treatment (colon cancer for one) requires that the drug be given in high enough doses to kill the tumors and then an antidote administered before the effects become lethal on the recipient. There is a threatened shortage of the antidote drug so oncologists fear that they will not be able to use 5FU against tumors.

Last week we alerted you to the new FDA requirements around phosphate containing laxatives. The company said that it can’t meet the FDA’s requirements so is pulling all product.

Ever get a prescription handed to you, in a bag, with an “information” packet stapled to it? FDA thinks that this is just not adequate. I think that this is posturing related to voluntary patient education effort (and previous goals and deadlines established) so that the FDA can take over THAT part of the industry as well. (Just my opinion… I could be wrong) I have found that MOST leaflets are just fine… IF you can get patients to ACTUALLY read them.

Parkinson’s patients with depression appear to respond better to an old antidepressant, nortriptyline… about 5 times better than the SSRIs (like Prozac). Drug affects different neurotransmitters.

21 anticonvulsants have received BLACK BOX warnings that they could increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.

Disclaimer: "Pepin's Pharmaceutical Prattle" (AKA "The Prattle") is the property of PHARMWORKS, LLC and Steven M. Pepin, Pharm. D. 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.

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