I think what should be included is the risky, and often dangerous symptoms many experience when they stop taking certain medications. It is the doctor's responsibility to fully educate their patients prior to prescribing medications. It's the drug companies responsibility to fully educate doctors. Patients need to know upfront what will happen to them not only when they start taking new medications, but also when they stop. In writing. When you're sitting on the table in the exam room and your doctor is telling you that you need to take medication[s] to treat you're new-found illness/disorder/condition or that your existing meds are no longer working, you're in a fog trying to absorb and cope with all of the new information. It's hard to completely understand at that moment what the new med will do to you while taking it, let alone when you stop. Patients need to have time to understand before filling the Rx.

Risky Safeguards. Now thats an oxymoron.

The problem with ANY prescription drug is that it is not designed to help the patient, but rather to support the pharmaceutical industry! This is proven by the fact that doctors seldom investigate the root cause of a condition, preferring to treat the ever-growing list of symptoms.

I am shocked at the number of times I have been to the doctor, and been given a prescription for a drug that made me feel worse! Sure, the drug may have overcome the initial pain or discomfort, however in most cases I developed other issues. Reporting these issues to the doctor, just resulted in another prescription for THAT problem.

What is the point? All they are doing is masking the initial problem and then prescribing MORE drugs for the side effects!

I am also shocked that behavioral changes that are sparked by prescription drugs are not linked to more crimes: for example, a drug that makes a person irritable, can so easily lead to domestic violence.

Read about my own experience with Liptior at:
http://ocdreamhometeam.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/lipitor-and-insomnia/

Big Pharma is requesting a 'lighter regulatory touch' for risky drugs?

I'm shocked. Shocked!

I'm fed up with the FDA, and it's limited mandate (and limited funding). Drugs are pulled after being on the market for years (Vioxx, anyone?). Food recalls happen almost daily. Yesterday, the NRDC sued the FDA for failure to regulate toxic chemicals in anti-microbial soaps. And 'food supplements' and vitamins aren't regulated at all.

One recent study found unacceptably high levels of lead in One A Day for Women 50+. And it wasn't the only vitamin with such high levels.

I don't think the FDA should be backing down on oversight of risky drugs, or ANY drugs. Or food. Or supplements. I think they should be doing their job. And I think Big Pharma has WAY too much influence over government.

I'm curious - who will define "riskiest" vs "risky" vs "safe" and based upon what criteria?

Live With Intention

DrBillToth.com/blog

Big Pharma has too much paperwork! Should I get out the violin and cry them a river?

Not in this lifetime!!!

They just want to eliminate some paperwork so they can eliminate a job and increase tehir bottom line a bit more!!

FDA doesn't do enough as it is and Big Pharma just keeps taking more from consumers. Politicians are in the pockets of big pharma and therefore big pharma sets the policies and not the politicians.