The Red Brick Times

Remember how the drug companies squealed like weasels when Americans started filling their prescriptions through Canadian pharmacies (at a 30 to 80 percent discount)? Unsafe! Unsafe! Yeah, right. Here's what's unsafe, a drug called heparin, that I take three times a week in dialysis. So far there are four dead and hundreds made sick by a drug whose ingredients are imported from an unlicensed and uninspected Chinese plant.

Karen Riley, a spokeswoman for the United States Food and Drug Administration, said inspectors from that agency would be visiting the Changzhou plant soon. Ms. Riley said she could not be more specific. Earlier in the week she described her agency's failure to inspect the plant as a "glitch."

Some glitch.
Posted 6:48 AM by whatley (2) comments

       Comments:

Right below that story in the NY Times this morning was this headline F.D.A. Seeks to Broaden Range of Use for Drugs, where, in their infinite wisdom, they will allow drug companies, those paragons of public concern, to market drugs to doctors for unapproved uses. We actually pay these guys to come up with this lunacy.

I have never been in the Libertarian all-taxes-are-evil camp since taxes are the only currently acceptable way to fund our common business. So for me its not whether or not you pay taxes its what you get for the taxes you pay. I'd prefer good bridges, clean air and water, and guaranteed health care. Maybe someday . . .

# posted by  A. O. : February 16, 2008 9:48 AM
 
One common off label use is brethine (tm terbutaline), approved for asthma but also used to prevent preterm labor. I have administered this drug to many women, giving their babies a chance at a healthy beginning of live.
In the end, it comes down to money. Takes money to get FDA approval - and if there is not enough to be gained - you can bet the drug companies will not spend it! Furthermore, FDA approval does not guarantee safety. My advise is to educate yourself.
off label uses

# posted by  Terri S : February 18, 2008 8:51 AM
 
Post a Comment


---