The FDA and drug companies: Must read

kingjr66

grannydukes:  please try the honey....I swear it worked for me and I had extremely bad stomach and bowels.  I told several doctors about this and they also have heard about raw/pure honey.  And it even has helped with my seasonal alergies. My ENT is a believer and recommends it to her patients that have upset stomach from meds they take.

digger

Ignorance is such bliss, ain't it Tuck?



Blessings!

Anonymous

Grannydukes, right here holding your hand 

_____ 

Drug deaths now outnumber traffic fatalities in U.S., data show

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-drugs-epidemic-20110918,0,5517691.story 

Propelled by an increase in prescription narcotic overdoses, drug deaths now outnumber traffic fatalities in the United States, a Times analysis of government data has found. Drugs exceeded motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death in 2009, killing at least 37,485 people nationwide, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most major causes of preventable death are declining, drugs are an exception. The death toll has doubled in the last decade, now claiming a life every 14 minutes. By contrast, traffic accidents have been dropping for decades because of huge investments in auto safety. Public health experts have used the comparison to draw attention to the nation's growing prescription drug problem, which they characterize as an epidemic. This is the first time that drugs have accounted for more fatalities than traffic accidents since the government started tracking drug-induced deaths in 1979. Fueling the surge in deaths are prescription pain and anxiety drugs that are potent, highly addictive and especially dangerous when combined with one another or with other drugs or alcohol. Such drugs now cause more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined.

Kaara

Maud:  That is so right on!  We have friends that are addicted to sleeping pills and anti anxiety meds, and they drink like fish daily!  I have asked them point blank why they feel this is necessary, and one of them said that his doctor told him "live a longer life through drugs"...WTH!  In the meantime, he went into a rage one evening, beat up his beautiful wife, who subsequently divorced him and sued him for damages, and now he is engaged to someone else.  Do you think he stopped the drugs and drinking?  Absolutely not!  We are now waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 This is just one story in thousands that are out there, and the doctors keep doling out these drugs like they are candy.  It absolutely has to be profit driven.  Knowing that we have these statistics, why would a doctor that had the best interests of the patient in mind, as well as the interests of society as a whole continue to participate in this dangerous practice.  I call them legal drug cartels!

Can anyone explain to me why this is acceptable practice in the medical profession? 

Anonymous

I cannot explain Kaara except for the big $$$$$$: drugs for old people, drugs for kids and everyone in between.  I was astonished when I read that Zoloft is actually ectasy, the street drug. All I know is that as I was posting, I was thinking of poor kids growing up with addicted mothers who are "diagnosed" ADD and then get medicated. 

When I told my onc that I was not going to the next Ritalin dose because it was addictive, he flatly denied it and said that he had his own two daughters taking it.... Ritalin is known on the street as 'speed' !

Painkiller 10 times stronger than Vicodin being developed - sparking addiction fears

According to the DEA, there were 19,221 emergency room visits as a result of hydrocodone abuse in 2000. The figure was 86,258 in 2009.

Between 2003 and 2007 in the state of Florida alone, hydrocodone caused 910 deaths and contributed to 1,803 others.

Andrew Kolodny, president of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing told CBS: 'You've got a person on your product for life, and a doctor's got a patient who's never going to miss an appointment, because if they did and they didn't get their prescription, they would feel very sick. 'It's a terrific business model, and that's what these companies want to get in on.'

The San Diego company Zogenix plans hopes to begin marketing its product, Zohyadro, in early 2013. ival companies Perdue Pharma, Cephalon, and Egalet are developing their own versions.
Zogenix chief executive Roger Hawley claims Zohydro will be a safer painkiller than Vicodin as Vicodin contains acetaminophen which can be dangerous to the liver. (say what?)

http://www.thepharmaceuticalexpert.com/super-painkiller-zohydro-feared-2012s-addiction-g384717072-p3 

thenewme

Re:  "The death toll has doubled in the last decade, now claiming a life every 14 minutes. By contrast, traffic accidents have been dropping for decades because of huge investments in auto safety. Public health experts have used the comparison to draw attention to the nation's growing prescription drug problem, which they characterize as an epidemic. This is the first time that drugs have accounted for more fatalities than traffic accidents since the government started tracking drug-induced deaths in 1979. Fueling the surge in deaths are prescription pain and anxiety drugs that are potent, highly addictive and especially dangerous when combined with one another or with other drugs or alcohol. Such drugs now cause more deaths than heroin and cocaine combined."

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here.  Is the FDA solely to blame?  Does anyone else (manufacturer, seller, doctor, patient) share any responsibility?  Should prescription pain and anxiety drugs be taken off the market? Should we ban cars, since they're especially dangerous when combined with drugs or alcohol?  Should car manufacturers be put out of business?  We should outlaw water too, I guess, since it's used for production of alcohol, which can cause addiction and death.  

Anonymous

If you've ever watched someone you care about struggling with pain, especially pain caused by a terminal illness over a long period of time, then you would understand that there is a need for more effective pain medication. 

That doesn't mean that it should be given out like candy.  Intense pain calls for intensive pain management.  It is far easier to prescribe the newest, strongest pill, but that is not the best way to treat most pain.  There is an array of ways to deal with pain, and the vast majority who suffer with chronic pain should be able to get relief from a combination of those things that already exist.  

For those who need more, they should not be forced to suffer because addicts are really good at getting around laws meant to protect them from themselves..   

thenewme

Maud, Re: "Painkiller 10 times stronger than Vicodin being developed - sparking addiction fears"

Again, not sure what point you're trying to make.  Are you suggesting that painkillers should not be made?  I've surely never been in so much pain that I needed anything that strong, but are you suggesting that it wouldn't benefit anyone?  Is there a better solution to the addiction concerns (of course very real) than banning the product altogether?

It's a well-known and well-documented fact that Vicodin contains acetaminophen, which can cause liver damage.  Does that mean it's of no use at all?  Or that in some cases it can be used safely and effectively?  Or that the risks outweigh the benefits?  

Anonymous

Thenewme, unlike you, I will not defend drug cos and will not embark on endless back and forth.  I am feeling bombarded by your questions on this thread and others.  11 question marks total in your posts above !!!!

thenewme

I can see how it might seem that I'm "defending" drug companies, but that's not it at all.  I don't believe that they're all good, but I do disagree with people who apparently think they're all BAD.

Sorry, Maud, if you feel bombarded by my questions.  Feel free to put me on ignore so you won't see them.   I think questions are critical to understanding and learning.

Silly me, I kinda thought that asking questions and having back-and-forth dialog was what a "discussion group" was all about. 

Anonymous

Your interpretation of dialog is evidently different than mine, and I will accept your invitation to ignore

thenewme

Evidently.

Anonymous

Jim Gottstein discussing the psychiatric drugging of children and youth and the elderly at his guest lecture at Alaska Pacific University, February 22, 2012

 http://www.scoop.it/t/health-supreme/p/1328005443/the-psychiatric-drugging-of-children-elderly

orange1

Hi Maud,

I can understand you unwillingness to deal with many questions at once... but I am curious - if you could answer one:  Do you think that stronger painkillers should not be developed?

Anonymous

Orange, I believe stronger painkillers should not be developed.

Making a Killing on Psychiatric Drugs, in Both Senses of the Term 

Video worth watching: 

http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-02-27/making-a-killing-on-psychiatric-drugs-in-both-senses-of-the-term/

orange1

Hi Maud,

Thanks for answering.  I can see your point about how prescription drug abuse is a disaster  - and should be eliminated to the extent possible.  I think that physcians that participate in pill mills should not only lose their licenses permanantly, but also be subject to very long prison terms and forfeit all the $$ they made from their vile practice.  I think may help minimize the problem in the long run.

I do think that stronger painkillers should be developed so that people in need - such as folks dealing with pain that isn't controlled by currently available meds - such as some folks dealing with terminal cancer, can have an improved quality of life and not have to suffer so much or opt for "terminal sedation" to cope -  which deprives them of their last few days or weeks with their loved ones.  I think that because some (many!) people abuse prescription pain killers, it should not interfere significantly with the right of suffering people to have their pain relieved.  This is just as I think because some (many!) people have issues with alcohol, it should not be banned either.

Anyway, I appreciate you answering my question.

Orange

orange1

Hi Maud,

I just looked at the article you posted.  I agree that way too many psychoactive drugs are prescribed - and that big pharma makes a mint from these. 

But I believe they should be available.  My first cousin is schizophrenic.  When he was younger without the drugs, he would have to have been locked up. .  Unfortunately antipsychotic drug  therapy is far, far from optimized - these drugs have way too many serious side effects and I hope my industry (I work for big pharma as a researcher) can manage to come up with something better for people with serious mental illness.  If and when this happens, big pharma will make a mint from such a drug - and I am okay with this.

Re: antidepressants - I agree they are way over-prescribed and big pharma makes a mint from it.  I am not okay with them being prescribed without much thought.  However, when I used to moonlight in a retail pharmacy - I've had patients tell me that Prozac saved their lives - and I believe it.  Therefore I do think they should be available to appropriate patients.  This would mean less profit for big pharma - and I am okay with this too.

Orange

Kaara

It's a given, stronger pain meds will be developed and they will be abused, just like current ones.

I asked a question that has not been answered.  Why is it acceptable practice in the medical profession to be able to write prescriptions for addictive medications to people who have absolutely no business taking these medications?  I could go to the doctor, say I'm depressed and anxious, and leave with a prescription.  I could go to another doctor and do the same.  Where is the accountability on the part of the doctors for their part in this scheme.  It's bad enough that there are kickbacks from the drug companies, but doctors who dispense these prescriptions to people who have no business taking them, should lose their license to practice medicine.  They have taken an oath to do no harm and they are harming people every day...innocent people who just happen to be in harms way.

thenewme:  When I see your post in response to a concern about the  irresponsible dispensing of prescription drugs, I want to laugh.  It sounds just like the responses you get from NRA members when responsible gun control is mentioned.  Guns don't kill...people do.  Cars kill....do we ban cars?  Hammers kill...do we ban hammers?  Ridiculous logic.  Nobody is talking about "banning" anything.  We're talking about putting some responsible controls in place and some severe penalties for violation of those controls.  I can't go into my local drugstore and get an over the counter cold medication without signing my life away, but I can walk into my doctors office and get a prescription for sleeping pills, no questions asked.  Innocent people are dying from the misuse of drugs (and guns) but nobody wants to do anything about it because it is all such a huge profit center.  As a result, we have an entire semi functioning society of zombies who are completely addicted to their guns and drugs, and God help you if you get in their way at the wrong time.

 Our leaders in Washington are compensated handsomely by the lobbyists and special interest groups to keep all this status quo.  You won't get solutions from them.   

orange1

Kaara -

"I asked a question that has not been answered.  Why is it acceptable practice in the medical profession to be able to write prescriptions for addictive medications to people who have absolutely no business taking these medications? "

 It is not acceptable - we need more enforcement and stricter punishments.

Kaara

orange1:  I'm glad that you agree, but how will that come about?  I don't see it happening, although they are shutting down the pill mills here in Florida, which has some of the worst abuse in the country.  I hope that's a start.

Anonymous

Orange, I'm glad you agree. I see where in extreme cases, i.e. terminal cancer, this could be used. But they are creating a need for stronger meds in the general population, they're talking 7 X stronger than Vicodin.  Plus the danger of that drug making its way onto the streets, and it will. And just watch the marketing campaign when that comes out.  You'll have every Jo out there wanting a prescription, because pain is a big issue in this society AND big business

Are we going to see Michael Jacksons on every street corner, amongst our friends and family ? Where does it end ?  Propofol pill popping ?

I know ALL ABOUT pain, believe me.  I have fibromyalgia, MPS, possibly Sjogren's, but I'm afraid of drugs.  I lost a very dear uncle in his seventies, father of 10, grandfather of dozens; he hung himself in the garage, one of my cousins found him.  He was under care for physical exhaustion - ended up on the psych ward, becoming a shadow of himself.  It was so so devastating for all of us, not to mention our very old grandmother to lose one of her sons that way.  We all carry a huge scar from that event.  Had he not been medicated, the proud person he was would never never have carried out such an action and inflict so much pain on his loved ones.

At the same time, there was an incredible number of suicides in the general area where he lived.  I would bet my shirt that all those could be traced back to the same GP greedily handing out candies.  In most cases, these drugs destroy people's lives, that video made me so sad. 

Kaara, very good post.  I cannot count the number of times when I would complain to some GP about pain and they would offer antidepressants. I never took them up on their offer. My problem was searing pain and they were trying to convince me it was psychological. More money in their pocket ?  I could never figure it out 

Anonymous

Take action now on FDA failure, deception and abuse!

http://www.lef.org/lac/  to have your say (Thanks again, Essa)

Hunter Lewis and Gretchen Dubeau run an organization called the Alliance for Natural Health-USA (ANH-USA). (The name reflects a merger of the American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF) and the Alliance for Natural Health in the UK.) The merged organization will redouble its efforts to radically reform the FDA.

Hunter and others compiled a collection of articles written by William Faloon over the years concerning the United States Food and Drug Administration. The book, entitled FDA: Failure, Deception, Abuse represents a compilation of FDA atrocities that have never appeared together in one publication. The objective is to disseminate this book, published by Praktikos Books (Praktikosbooks.com), far and wide in order to enlighten this country about the urgent need for radical FDA reform. Order this book from Life Extension

Life Extension encourages its members to obtain a copy of FDA: Failure, Deception, Abuse for themselves and to loan it out to others. The publisher will also provide a PDF highlights version of the book on a special website http://www.fdafailuredeceptionabuse.com/ that may be downloaded and either emailed or mailed to everyone you know, including your Representative and two Senators.

There may be no more efficient way to initiate a revolution against FDA tyranny while unshackling legitimate scientists whose discoveries could save countless numbers of human lives.

*Amen to that!*

tucker

Kaara

Tucker:  Excellent point!  Thanks for the reminder.  I'm a member of Life Extension and am aware of that publication.  I need to do that immediately.  I've been caught up in my own stuff and let it slip through the cracks.

leggo

Oxycontin has been removed from Canadian shelves today.

althea

grannydukes, I hope you get on an even keel again soon.  With your digestive problems, juicing should be a great way to get nutrition from a lot of fibrous food.  Sometimes our stomachs protest to any kind of sudden change, even if we're moving in a positive direction.  I hope you might try it again and actually feel good afterwards.  You also might want to look into fermented foods.  They're very beneficial to the digestive tract.  Donna Gates is an author I'd recommend for more details.

As for the drug industry, did any of you know that adverse drug reactions is a leading cause of death?  Leading as in more than 100,000 deaths in just one year?  These are deaths from drugs taken as prescribed.  

Take a look at the stats in this article by Gary Null.  It's staggering, and it's from 2004. 
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/mar2004_awsi_death_02.htm

Anonymous

Concern for public safety, or? What do you think?

http://www.naturalnews.com/035116_government_public_safety_democide.html

The article makes some very valid points.

tucker

Anonymous

Thanks althea. Interesting and believable. I wonder where all the dead bodies are from adverse vitamin reactions?!

tucker

orange1

Tucker:  From the link you posted above. 

"The government says its War on Drugs protects the public from all the danger and criminality of the underground drug market. But it's the government that forced the drug market to go underground by criminalizing it! By choosing to decriminalize all recreational drug use, the government could end the criminality, suck all the profits out of street dealing, end the drug gang violence, collapse the Mexican drug cartels and halt the DEA's drug war violence which frequently results in rogue agents breaking down the wrong guy's door in the middle of the night and then shooting the family dog.

If the government really cared about public safety, they would protect the citizens from the DEA!"

This site advocates decriminalizing recreational drug use. Oxycontin and Methamphetamine for Everyone!!!!   

Im not sure how I feel about it - it would prevent a lot of violence - but I hate to think of the additional lives ruined from methamphetamine abuse.

digger

orange,

Unfortunately, I think Tuck has you on ignore...she likes to ignore anyone who might not agree with her view of looking at the world.  I suppose that works as a good defense mechanism for certain people.

orange1

I think you are right digger.  I could tell she didn't like me after she sent me a pm nastygram threatening to "block" me if I continued to post on her thread.