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Editorial: Lack of Discipline or Circumstances: What is the Cause?
One cannot help but be interested, confused, enraged, amused, and frustrated at the "bail-outs" in our government. It seems that if you are at the top of the food chain you can get government support (bail-outs) and if you are at the bottom of the food chain you can get government support (welfare). How about the rest of us?
Even though there seems to be valid arguments on both sides of the question, one cannot help but believe that much of the rhetoric consists of misrepresentations, exaggerations, and even lies to support the position of the one speaking or writing. Watching and listening to those involved, it is amazing that numbers can be tossed around as "fact" when there is nothing really presented to substantiate their truthfulness. Consequently, actions are taken based on misrepresentations, exaggerations, and lies. This is irresponsible!
It is also amazing that tens of billions of dollars are being allocated for certain activities, yet, no one really knows where it goes! Today, with computerization and data tracking abilities, we should be able to track all the money that is being spent. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you kept your books the way the government keeps theirs? If they overspend, they either raise taxes or print new money; if you overspend, you may lose your job or business or even may get sent to prison.
Many blame the current situation on "circumstances" and the downturn of the economy. I disagree�the current situation is upon us as a result of probably 10 to 20 years of lack of discipline in corporations and in the government; the economic downturn is just convenient for laying the blame. Poor spending habits, lack of proper planning in the marketplace, high union labor costs, pet projects, inadequate/incorrect information in decision making, and inept Boards, government officials, and elected individuals have contributed to where we are now.
Inefficiency often results from growth because of diffused personnel responsibilities and accountability. Remember when you only had 1 or 2 employees and you knew exactly what, when, and how they were working? Now that you (may) have 25 or 50 employees, are they still working at the same level of intensity or is there some loss of efficiency? Multiply this several hundred-fold or thousand-fold and you can seemingly see why the 8-hour workday results in only about 5 or 6 hours of actual work being performed. Large organizations tend, by nature, to become inefficient.
Much of the problem today boils down to a lack of discipline in the workplace at the top levels of decision-making. Another observation is that we, the taxpayers and consumers, will be stuck with paying the bill for something we did not create. A 100 billion dollars here�a 100 billion dollars there�before long we are going to be talking about a lot of money!
We have many freedoms in our country. We have the freedom to be responsible and good citizens, but, unfortunately, we also have the freedom to act irresponsibly, unethically, and improperly. It's time individuals become responsible for their own actions. You cannot have freedom without responsibility!
Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief
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Generic Drugs Work Just as Well, Despite Editorials
In a study where researchers searched for articles from 1984 through 2008, they found that all of the studies involving beta blockers, antiplatelet agents, statins, ACE inhibitors, and alpha-blockers showed clinical equivalence, while 91% of diuretics and 71% of calcium-channel blockers showed clinical equivalence. However, these researchers also noted that 53% of editorials and commentaries addressing generic substitution expressed a negative view. This discrepancy may be related to financial interests in a company selling a brand-name drug that may influence their opinions.
(ASHP Daily Briefing, December 3, 2008.)
Overseas Studies a Source of Concern Resulting from Deaths and Complications
Ensuring the safety of clinical trails conducted in developing countries is a concern to western drug makers and regulators. This follows reports of death and complications in participants, and some are concerned about possible violations of clinical-testing rules. Other concerns involve taking advantage of individuals desperate to join studies for numerous reasons.
(FDLI SmartBrief, December 2, 2008.)
Stevia-based Sweeteners May be Approved by FDA
No-calorie sweeteners may soon be approved by the FDA. These sweeteners are derived from the stevia shrub. Native to South America and already used as a sweetener there, Japan developed stevia-based sweeteners several decades ago, and Australia has recently approved it.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/11/30/FDA_may_approve_stevia-based_sweeteners/UPI-19251228079924/
FDA Approves Conjugated Estrogens Vaginal Cream (Plant-Derived)
Barr Pharmaceuticals announced this week that the FDA has approved its new SCE-A Vaginal Cream for treatment of moderate to severe vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse.
http://www.ashp.org/import/news/HealthSystemPharmacyNews/newsarticle.aspx?id=2980
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