Editorial: Looking At or Looking Up To!

There's a big difference in being "looked at" and being "looked up to"! I'm not sure everyone knows the difference. For example, we "look at" entertainers a lot, but we certainly don't "look up" to them. However, sometimes I get the feeling they think that we do "look up" to them and value their opinions when we are only "looking at" them.

However, it may not just be entertainers that fit into this category. It may be a lot of different people in different walks of life, including politicians, bureaucrats, media personalities, professionals, and others.

What does it take to be "looked at"? Not much really. Be a good actor and entertainer. Be "different" from those around you. Cause problems! Be ridiculous and demanding! Does this remind you of some individuals that have been in the news during the last few months?

What does it take to be "looked up to"? We look up to and respect those that have something meaningful in life to share and are willing to help others; those individuals that give up something in order to help others. This can include parents, teachers, clergy, political leaders, friends, and others. Those individuals that go out of their way to help others and lead lives that are dedicated to making this a better world are the ones we can "look up to."

It's sad when those that are "looked at" get the impression that they are being "looked up to" and that we can't live without their opinions. Get ready! With elections coming up this next year, we will have a lot of "looked at" individuals wanting to be "looked up to"!

One last word�for all those politicians and bureaucrats that want to be respected, do something that will encourage us to "look up to" you instead of "looking at" you in wonder and bewilderment!


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

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MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program

FDA warns consumers and healthcare professionals to avoid using Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, sold by Swanson Healthcare Products, Inc. and manufactured by Nature's Value Inc. and Kabco Inc., respectively; and Cholestrix, sold by Sunburst Biorganics. The products may contain an unauthorized drug that could be harmful to their health. The products, promoted and sold over the Internet as treatments for high cholesterol, contain lovastatin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved for high cholesterol.

Lovastatin can cause severe muscle problems leading to kidney impairment. The risk is greater in patients who take higher doses of lovastatin or who take lovastatin and other medicines that increase the risk of muscle adverse reactions such as nefazodone (an antidepressant), certain antibiotics, drugs used to treat fungal infections and HIV infections, and other cholesterol-lowering agents. Consumers who use any Red Yeast Rice products should consult their healthcare provider if they experience any problems they think may be due to these products.

Read the complete MedWatch 2007 safety summary including a link to FDA News Release at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#redyeast .

Less is more!
How do you feel when you walk into a store whose aisles are filled with displays, and it is difficult to move around and shop? Some marketers in the past have promoted that concept for years where customer paths are almost blocked so they are forced to see the product. This may work up to a point. However, when it gets to the point that you cannot easily walk down the aisle without running into something, or you can't pass someone in the aisle without turning sideways, something needs to be reconsidered.

One noteworthy thing about the layout of many newer stores is the "openness" and feeling of "roominess." These stores may not be much bigger, but they are less cluttered and "feel bigger" to the customer. Instead of a lot of displays up for several weeks at a time, why not consider rotating the displays with fewer displays on the floors. If something is not moving, discontinue the display.