Musty odors, bugs in baby formula make headlines, shake public's confidence
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comTop-name drug recalls a bitter pill for consumers
Seeded on Wed Nov 10, 2010 5:42 PM EST (msnbc.com)
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I have a great campaign going on my blog for recalls and take a look every one is in favor of being able to use their cell phones to scan for recall notices. Was written up in Microsoft gov and have consumers tweeting it too. I can be used for over the counter, prescription drugs and medical devices.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2010/05/microsoft-tags-microsoft-msdn-posts.html
J and J is aware of it as well as a couple other drug companies that have told me on social networks that they would be elevating to their corporate offices.
As far as the pallets, worked in logitics for years and that's another topic of it's own and common carriers and manufactures have on going wars over that as you get the 'haves' and "have nots" there, depending on how much comes in and how much goes out, a balance situation and some have to buy more pallets than others and all the drug companies treat their pallets but in the winter the activity can get moved in doors at times and thus the odors get captured if too close to the factory area.
Look at how a heat map could find drugs and devices, neat stuff and have written the FDA and DEA on this as it would help with counterfeit drugs and both agencies could maintain a synchronized data base to help enforce compliance.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2010/10/lipitor-stinksrecall-of-musty-odor.html
Time for folks to get with some technology that the consumers want and is very doable. Now on China, we might look forward to more drugs from there as shown in this one example, an insurance company has purchased a company in China that has a line of communication already with the US FDA and their marketing is to bring more Chinese drugs and devices to the US and globally. One needs to know what company subsidiaries are doing today to be in the know as if not, this all goes on behind the scenes.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2010/05/unitedhealth-subsidiary-ingenix.html
Ironically, these cost cutting measures are ending up costing the companies more. The same thing happened with Boeing when they thought they could save a bundle by outsourcing many components of their new 787 Dreamliner. The end result manifested itself in massive cost overruns and numerous delays resulting in lost business.
Simple foods like garlic and cinnamon will control things like cholesterol and blood sugar in mild cases, without destroying your liver. The drug war should be directed at the pharmaceutical industry, whose toxic products kill multitudes every year.
Lets correct that a little. I DO take cinnamon to help control my blood sugar. It helps, a little. Not enough by itself though. I require insulin AND medication in addition.
Sadly, garlic and cinnamon have a minimal effect, if any at all, whether on cholesterol or blood sugar. In terms of cholesterol, the best way for most of us is to severely limit our intake of foods which contribute to high cholesterol. But how many among us want to trade stopping to pick up pizza or a Big Mac and fries on the way home rather than cooking, say, a pot of beans (two hours plus, and we've lost our taste for beans anyway).
That doesn't mean I fully embrace cholesterol lowering drugs. I am taking them -- for the moment -- but every time I pop a pill, I think about the previous generation of my family, almost every one of who lived into their eighties and and some far beyond. Some were pretty hefty too and when we younger ones talked about dieting, they either laughed or harumphed.
Probably dramatically lowering cholesterol may be necessary and helpful for some, for instance those whose family history includes early heart attacks or strokes. The rest of us? I'm not so sure.
Robin, You make a good point there are a lot of natural remedies that mother earth gave us. Since I've been on prescriptions, I've never felt worse. The side effects seem to be worse than the original ailment. Guess it's different for everyone. However, when I read that these companies have outsourced their manufacturing to unreliable, unregulated countries and sold this cheap junk back to us at high prices, I feel sick. Can't have it both ways. If they are going to charge us such big prices their products better be the best (made in America quality).
One of the factors which contributes to blood health issues is the chemicals in many foods. Whole, natural foods which were the norm 40 years ago are what you really want to make yourself feel better. I just began a diet which includes as well as the above ingredients whole grains, fresh meats and fish, fresh pasta, oatmeal etc. I feel a lot more energy, instantly which lasts all day. Please note that using super foods alone I don't recommend in advanced cases, but as maintenance. If you have type 1 diabetes, Don't rely on cinnamon! But if you have type 2, you might be able to ultimately resolve it with weight loss and a proper diet. One point is for sure. The drug companies and the food additive companies are killing you for profit. The health care bill may at the moment force you to buy services, but use your judgment. If your medication makes you feel worse, get a second opinion. Your doctor is paid a commission on prescriptions. I have a friend who is on 6 medicines, 5 of them alleviate the discomfort caused by the first, a pain reliever which, with weight loss would be unnecessary. The chemicals they put in food stay in the body. This is why the country is obese. This is why health care is being allowed to bankrupt the country.
And we reel in horror when we read reports of contaminated milk and other products in China . . .
Ans all we have to do is look no further than our own backyards . . .
cigarette is a drug and needs to be recalled..It kills millions...Oh wait the Government needs the tax off a pack of smokes...I guess there wont be a recall...haha
@Smead
alcohol is a drug, and in fact does more harm than heroin (google it, it's recent)...oh wait, too many people drink, guess there won't be a recall...haha...
Robin----These are the same companies along with the FDA who want to remove many herbs from the market. lol Grow your own will have a whole new meaning.
Speaking of herbs, all these recalls are yet another good reason for marijuana legalization.
Suddenly I want cookies....lots and lots of cookies.....
I've been organically growing and using medicinal herbs since 1997. A great reference is "The Green Pharmacy" by James Duke.
People, wake up. The drug company lobbyist have so much money to spend, this will be forgotten and swept under the rug before you get your first Christmas credit card bill. If you really want to have an impact, don't by any of their products, Boycott the entire brand. Hurt the drug companies in their wallets.
This gets downright scary! Most of the drugs that I saw named here are mostly over the counter drugs and the first thing to suffer in a downturned economy will be Quality Control. The FDA is supposed to be proactive here and it is obvious that they are reactive and slowly at that! That would lead to questioning their ability to perform their mandated operations in a world market where one manufacturer outsources an item only to have the company that he outsourced to outsource it once again without his knowledge!
The problem with the FDA is that they seem to be in bed with Big Pharma. How many FDA employees have left the agency to become employees/lobbyists for Big Pharma? How much money does Big Pharma sneak under the table to influence the bureaucrats at FDA? Sounds like an interesting subject for a journalistic investigation.
IMHO, people take too much medicine (both OTC and prescription). Doctors are too free with the prescription pad and really overdose seniors with unnecessary medicine. Don't get me wrong, I think certain medicines are essential like insulin for diabetes and antibiotics to cure bacterial infections, for example.
Also IMHO, I think the FDA is a waste of taxpayer money and should be the first government agency to be eliminated by the 112th congress. I do not need them to protect me; I can do that myself using common sense. And by the way, the FDA does not montior the manufacture of generic drugs according to my pharma friends.
Please dont be too quick to dismiss the agency, they do provide value in helping to provide oversight in industry and keeping the manufactures frosty.
Have you ever heard of thalidomide? The FDA is one of the best organizations in the world at controlling drugs to market. The European markets are often open to drugs that the FDA declines to approve. The FDA is here to protect us. It is severely undermanned and underfunded. To do away with the FDA as a cost cutting measure is foolhardy at best.
Bet you voted for tea party candidates that will keep the tax cuts in place for the richest 10% of Americans at the expense of our deficit. The deficit which has been mainly driven up by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the tax cuts, not Obama as the right would have you believe.
FYI your pharma friends most likely work for the larger companies like Pfizer, who hate the generic manufacturers for taking money from their pockets. The FDA does indeed have oversight with regard to generic drug manufacture.
If you want to fix the deficit the only way is to raise taxes. Those that tell you differently are misleading you for your vote. This is an unfortunate reality if the post-Bush world we live in.
I know, I know, Obama did everything. The TARP, the deficit, the war in Afghanistan, all Obama’s fault, right?
Protect yourself? Perish the thought! You must be protected from Happy Meals, trans-fats, and....well, the list goes on, doesn't it? Freedom to choose? Nah, who needs it. Oh yeah, and salt. The Mayor of New York is mounting an anti-salt campaign. Like I said, the list goes on. Personal freedom of choice is being eroded folks, and nobody seems to care - or care enough. Native Americans on the Rez call toilet paper "Treaty paper". Pretty soon, we'll be calling it "Constitution paper".
None of us can oversee the drug manufacturing process ourselves; therefore the FDA is our proxy in this effort. This has nothing to do with choice. It has to do with companies cutting corners and putting people at risk. Your analogy is not germane to the conversation.
We're all entitled to our opinions; and in my opinion, it has everything to do with choice - if you look beneath the surface - and is, therefore, germane to the conversation. My comment admittedly had more to do with the idea of "protecting oneself" than with the FDA per se. But still, I stand by what I said.
I agree we are all entitled to our choices. However; those that are heavy, and have adult onset diabetes due to being way over their BMI should pay more for health care. So too should those who smoke, and intake large amounts of salt (thus making themselves hypertensive).
If you want the freedom to make choices you also must be willing to accept the consequences of your choices. The government does have a responsibility to protect its citizens, even if from themselves. It is the community’s responsibility to try and teach our children how to live a healthy lifestyle, and to warn people about the dangers of certain behaviors, and the consumption of certain foods. Obviously parents in this country aren’t doing the job at home in this regard.
What you must remember is that Americans as a whole are fat, out of shape and eat terribly. I am not for telling people what they can and cannot eat. But if you choose to eat your happy meals, intake unlimited amounts of fats and simple carbs, then you should pay the price not only with your body, but with your wallet. Diabetes, renal failure, lung cancer, heart disease etc. can all be directly linked to your choices. These diseases are also the main drivers of our high healthcare costs in this country.
From your post you must not have any kind of bad ailment like myself and so many other Seniors have. Only when you are screaming in pain daily or not able to do even 10% of the things that make life bearable only then do you have right to say that drugs are unnecessary in most cases. The old adage comes to mind "walk a mile in my shoes" before you criticize what the doctor do to help.
LOL!! TRUST LOL!!!
Why would I trust a industry that has robbed me for 30 years on every purchase, and then Claim they had NO IDEA why the break down occurs...
The Break Down is OUT SOurcing to a Country which has NO Quality Controls... Their Quality Assurance Program ONLY Guarentees Profits off CHEAP LABOR
Anytime there is a large amount of money to be made (or saved in production), there will be corruption of both the people involved and often products as well. Especially if outsourcing goes to places like China, -most of Africa, etc. , - where money trumps human rights concerns in the absence of a free press. (It can happen here in America too ...but there is at least some accountability and caution on the part of companies under the scrutiny of the press and Federal regulators ...but they can be "persuaded" too sometimes, -or just kept out of the loop.)
This all makes a good argument for having a healthy natural diet with adequate exercise (and/or physical work).
remember, not so long ago, when we were told the reason we couldn't get drugs from CANADA because the drugs might not be safe, they have different standards (I certainly hope so), etc. etc.
Does that mean that the chemicals in those vials were breaking down the material or that the materials were already breaking down before the meds were packaged away?
What a crock!
Are we supposed to feel pity for these drug companies because they are having a tough sell pushing their 2nd-rate garbage on consumers? Oh yes, the first thing to cut is quality control...but don't even think about dipping into that profit margin to protect consumers and your own reputation! Sorry, but playing stupid "we didn't know we got product from Africa" isn't going to win any sympathy.
It's shameful, too, that the FDA - paid for by taxpayers - has to run around the globe to 'police' the manufacture of pharmaceuticals because the big, greedy drug companies care more about profit than our health! The public subsidizes these companies in more ways than one.
I agree with Raleigh. We need to stop getting sucked in by these drug companies. I'm only 52. Growing up I NEVER remember anyone in my family (which is huge) taking prescription drugs. I made it thru menopause without anything, too. I get aches and pains from arthritis and I take good old aspirin. I get depressed from time to time because I'm sad........then I get up and do something. I'm not saying that people with serious mental or physical problems should not take Rxs, but I just think this country needs to stop thinking there's a pill for everything (which there just might be, but do we need them?). Ever watch daytime TV? All that's on there are TV shows about suing people, class-action lawsuits being advertised on everyone from heart meds to denture cream, prescription drug advertisements for everything. And I love it when they run thru the side effects like an Olympic sprinter. What did they say? May cause you to do weird sex acts and gamble like Pete Rose??? Golly jee-whiz, I think I'll run right out and pay an arm and a leg for some of those pills. What people in this country need are less lawyers, less lobbyists, less TV, less prescription drugs, a few good hobbies and one or two good friends!
Po Folk, you are so right. I think a lot of the overprescribing has to do with kickbacks that doctors get from drug companies. I once got a letter from Blue Cross saying that they had talked with my doctor (a lie) and they both decided that I should change the medicine that I was taking for my high blood pressure. I called my doctor's office and they said that they had never spoken to Blue Cross about my pills. I spoke with the pharmacist who said that the pill that I was originally taking was actually cheaper than the one that Blue Cross wanted me to take. Can you say "Kickback"? As luck would have it, I had to change doctors shortly after that incident, and my new doctor got me off almost all my meds.
Big Pharma needs to "get it." They are legalized drug pushers and only care about their bottom line. If a doctor wants you to take a drug, don't until you have read the bad and the good about that drug. Investigate thoroughly, then make an informed decision. Don't just take a drug because you're told you must. Doctors don't like their clients (patients) to be too informed about anything. I have news for them: the inmates aren't as uninformed as they once were.
There have been cases lately where doctors have prescribed drugs for patients because of the kickbacks the pharmaceutical companies give them. Talk about a conflict of interest. My better half recently went in for her yearly physical. The doctor (of which she has now changed) told her she is not taking nearly enough prescription medication. I mean, how does a medical professional legitimize any such comment. If you complain to the medical licensing board they have no course of action over hearsay evidence, and cannot act until some form of malpractice is found.
Actually, Xtiman, a study was just completed which indicated nearly 80% of the drug-prescribing physicians received compensation, in some form, from big pharma. The really scary part is that 20% of all doctors are paid directly by manufacturers - when those doctors are conducting an experimental drug - and the physician uses the 'experimental' drug of said manuacturer. Why don't doctors have to publicize a resume for the consuming public? One can't be treated until the doctor knows if you're working and if you have insurance... why not demand a physician list her/his sources of income, you know, so the consumer can make a more 'informed decision'?
A lot of Doctors are pushing (dig intended) Chantix as a stop-smoking aid. I found this warning:
WARNING: SERIOUS NEUROPSYCHIATRIC EVENTS
Serious neuropsychiatric events including, but not limited to, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and completed suicide have been reported in patients taking CHANTIX.
Anyone shuddering yet?
Your right. So just keep smoking. That's way safer than a 3 month drug that will free you from the $4.00 + per pack of cancer causing, heart stopping, copd inducing smokes.
Missing the point, I think you might be missing the point. There are many was to quit smoking that don't include psychiatric melt downs or suicides, or aggressive behavior. Sure if you commit suicide you won't smoke anymore, but is that really the best way to go about it? Ok so that was sarcasm but I think you get my point.
Once upon a time....a long long time ago, 'Made in the USA' held connotations of high quality products made by craftsmen. Then came outsourcing, followed by moving of production offshore. The reason is plain and simple - PROFITS. I understand that 10% of the drugs on the market are counterfeit. Couple that with manufacturing facilities in third world nations acquiring cheap ingredients for use in top dollar pharmaceuticals. Now add in no oversight on production and you arrive at where we are today. Is high time that US Companies are mandated to return to the US where they can be monitored by the respective agencies, or give up the rights to be considered a US Company.
Nothing but GREED is driving ALL THESE SYMPTOMS WE ARE HAVING THESE DAYS. Drugs made in India, China, and God knows where are sold here every day with the makers KNOWING they are delivering false, ineffective medications. People are dieing and nothing is said. Now we will HAVE MORE INJUSTICES when the "do goodies" DEREGULATE more and more industry's in DREAMS OF GETTING THE MOST AND LAST DOLLAR OUT THERE. All these people's ideas may be great in theory, but none of them will be implemented UNLESS IT MAKES CORPORATIONS MONEY, THE PUBLIC GOOD IS NOT IN REPUBLICRAP THINKING. After this all boils down everyone that works for a living will really understand how bad they have been DUPED, AND YOU HAVE BEEN SEVERLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.
raleigh dolly, are you going to protect yourself when you get dementia, or do you believe people like this should just be given a pill. The FDA should be made stronger and with laws prohibiting contact by lobbyists.
This is the key to most of the major problems that we face in this country today-- laws prohibiting contact by lobbyists.
Lobbyists are give free access to every level of our country and in particular the Congress including the Preidency and that should be outlawed.
With their deep pockets it is no wonder that we have the best government that money can buy!
Could not agree with you guys more! Corporate lobbyists are running this country. And now they can buy elections in the name of free speech according to the Supreme Court.
I presume that the regulations requiring drugs that we take to be safe will be one of the regulations on business that the new majority in the House will be attempting to do away with. Are there unreasonable regulations - of course! But to make a wholesale assault on the regulation of business is to leave the public unprotected and at the tender mercy of the drug executives whose sole concern is the profit of the company and could care less about the health of the American people.
Oh grow up, people. It is all about the money. Big Pharm doesn't give two hoots about you and me. Nobody in government give two hoots either. Can't anyone out there hear us peons? Hello, Hello...
Yep. The answer to most questions can be found if you:
Follow the money.
Repeat after me:
Follow the money.
Way to go with the honest Dr. I would trust him.What an upstanding human being.Honesty.Very simple!!!!!!.....As far as the greedy pharmeceutical companys go.I am horrified to learn that most of our medicine is manufactured out of the USA.That needs to change ASAP.We have pride( I thought) and stricter guidelines here,we have a lot of empty buildings, and people need jobs.Sure would solve a lot of problems.STOP THE GREED and bring it back to USA.!!!...I and all of my family, and friends will be checking their meds....they will tell 2 friends and so on and so on.We americans should have been told from the beginning.GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!!!!!
...and it wasn't that long ago that Bush/Republicans pushed through the drug bill - adding it to Medicare... and the bill did NOT allow using foreign based pharmas because their quality was circumspect AND not allowing the gov't to negotiate prices - a big government tax subsidy to the drug companies! Oh yeah, I was forced to participate in a mail-order prescription program (or none of the costs would be covered). Guess what, I tracked down a manufacturer of one of the mail-order pills... comes from a foreign pharma and this paticular drug hasen't even been approved by the FDA. So, we are overpaying (one hundred billion a year) and giving it to domestic pharmas while our insurance companies are exploiting the cost difference (v foreign manufacurers), pocketing this hugh margin while continuing to hike medical rates - all the while telling us 'this' or 'that' isn't covered... yes, I know, free-markets should be allowed to prosper.
Pfizer was fined 1 billion dollars about a year ago, for pushing off label uses of drugs and it barely made the news. The reason for this is that drug advertising was made legal and all of these media people are afraid of losing their ad contracts if they make too big a fuss about drug company wrong doing. Keep writing your reps and anyone who might listen and be AWARE !!! Oh, by the way they also tried to get Johns Hopkins researches to falsify research. BAD BAD BAD !!!
Just another consequence of our free market 'anything-goes-as-long-as-it-increases-profits-and-the-stock-price' economy.
@lexiwords-1
I believe the FDA actually wants to regulate the labeling and control of supplements. They don't want them banned, they want them quality controlled; and they want the labeling to be honest so consumers are not cheated.
Often herbal supplements contain little, if none of the component they purport to contain. The FDA has pulled random supplement batches, and found many to be counterfeit, or to contain far less of the ingredient that the bottle states.
Don't get me wrong, I believe in the value of supplements and homeopathic medicines. However; when the glucosamine level of a tablet is say 1/10 what it states on the label, the manufacturer is cheating you and I out of a supplement that actually works in the correct dosage.
The FDA is right to regulate supplements; it is not a conspiracy to support the drug manufacturers as many would believe.
Jammer
Healthy food choices and good hydration, including exercise daily, are encountered diseases. Agreed with other tweeters about usages of garlics, gingers, and onions, and also egg and fruits.