Editorial: I Remember When�The American Dream

My frame of reference is during the time since I was born in 1943 here in the U.S. I am a "baby-boomer" and feel that I have probably experienced the best that the U.S. has had, or will ever have, to offer. Things are not the same as they were back in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

During and right after WW II, there was probably the largest increase in innovation, manufacturing, working, work ethic, and patriotism that has ever been experienced by any country in the world. True, we weren't rich; but, we had what we needed and worked hard. Faith, family, friends, and patriotism were strong as America was on the move. People worked for what they got and shared with others when the need arose, and America excelled and the standard of living soared! The American Dream was born.

However, it seems that somewhere, starting possibly in the 1970s or 1980s, things began to slowly change. The "work hard" mentality was not shared by everyone; greed entered and began to expand; morals began to decline; single-parent homes became commonplace, mergers of the big corporations started; jobs began shifting overseas; mechanization and automation became commonplace; skilled laborers often became "unionized" and employers had to deal with unions and the government instead of concentrating on their business (consequently, many of the manufacturing jobs have shipped out of the U.S.); the lifestyles of some of the "rich and famous" have become deplorable but some look to that as the "norm"; life-saving drugs have given way to life-style drugs as the goal of many pharmaceutical companies; corporate greed, mergers, and egos have ruined large businesses and financial institutions.

We have been enjoying a time of prosperity based upon the efforts of those that have worked so hard post-WWII. We have experienced a very large influx of people into the U.S. to take advantage of this prosperity and to live what they perceive is the American Dream.

However, all this is changing. We have 9.5% unemployment, a large percentage of citizens on welfare and government handouts, and a debt that will not be repaid in our lifetime. The influx of large numbers of people simply adds to the problem of unemployment, more welfare, and increased debt. The number of people working to pay taxes to support this is not increasing at a sufficient rate and government spending continues to increase. This is not fair to any one�the taxpayers or the new immigrants.

Something has to change�and very soon. Otherwise, the U.S. will be a broken and corrupt country, just like the ones from which so many are trying to escape. Most third-world countries do not have problems that couldn't be changed with honest, good leadership and the opportunities for their own citizens to work and grow and keep the fruit of their labors. By doing so, those countries could prosper and grow in their own lands and cultures. We have had that opportunity for so many years�but we are losing it. The American Dream comes from faith and hard work, not from a government handout.


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

Abuse with Jazz Fibromyalgia Drug Worries the FDA
FDA drug reviewers have stated it is unclear whether Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) plan could fully mitigate the risks of misuse, abuse, and overdose of its sodium oxybate drug to treat fibromyalgia. The drug, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB (known as the illicit "date rape drug") is already sold in another formulation under the brand name Xyrem as a treatment to reduce daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. Jazz has proposed selling a lower dose under the name Rekinla for fibromyalgia, which regulators said could lead to dual prescriptions, resulting in overdose or death.

Jazz argues that the narcolepsy and fibromyalgia patient populations do not overlap. However, the FDA said the company failed to provide data to back up that claim. The FDA is scheduled to make a decision by October 11.
http://www.therapeuticsdaily.com/news/article.cfm?contentValue=724290&contentType=newsarchive&channelID=26

Food-Safety Bill Gets Boost by Egg Recall
"We need a food safety bill now!" is the cry from consumer advocates and Obama administration officials. The FDA chiefs have missed few opportunities to talk up the Food Safety Modernization Act, which passed the House last year.

While the FDA can request that recalls be made for both food and drugs, it is still up to the companies to implement the recalls. The FDA is seeking the power to implement recalls themselves. Regarding foods, small farmers say they are concerned that the recall power and other new regulations will raise costs and slice profits.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/23/egg-recall-gives-boost-to-food-safety-bill/

8.3 Percent Increase this year for Brand-name Drugs
Retail prices for brand-name drugs went up 8.3 percent last year, according to the AARP study of the 217 products most used by older Americans. This is the largest increase in years and outpaced the 2.7 percent rise in the Consumer Price Index in 2009. Drug industry officials were quick to criticize the study, though, because about 75 percent of people use generic drugs. The AARP says the price of generics is meaningless to someone who needs a name drug for which there is no generic equivalent yet.

According to the AARP report released Wednesday, the retail prices for the most popular brand-name drugs rose 41.5 percent, versus the Consumer Price Index's overall increase of 13.3 percent, over the past 5 years.

From 2005 through 2009, here are some examples (Generics are now available for Flomax and Fosamax, but not the others here): Flomax, up 92 percent; Advair Diskus and Aricept, up 40 percent; Nexium, up 28 percent; Lipitor, up 24 percent; and Fosamax, up 20 percent).
http://www.pharmacistelink.com/index.php/drugs-and-treatment/22178

Case Study on DEA Decision and Unintended Consequences
After discussing drug shortages recently, I received an e-mail about the shortages on pain medications that are caused by the DEA. Two years ago, a particular hospital couldn't get oxycodone. Why? Because all the manufacturers had met their yearly DEA assigned quotas and were not allowed to produce anymore unit doses of oxycodone. That was in November; they could not get a regular shipment of oxycodone 5-mg IR tablets until well into March of the next year. Generic Percocet ran out in January; patients were getting more acetaminophen than they should have or they stayed on IV narcotics for days long after they should have been switched to oral. The DEA was penny-wise and pound-foolish and compromised their basic mission. Just think about it, these are the people to whom we have just given away the administration of healthcare in the U.S.

Huber Needles: Recall - Risk of Coring
FDA notified healthcare professionals of the Class I Recall of certain Huber needles that were determined by FDA testing to produce cores when inserted into ports. Coring may lead to infection, damage, or death of tissue, swelling, or other serious adverse health consequences, occurring as a result of the core travelling through blood vessels into the patient's lungs. These issues may potentially cause death. Clinicians should immediately discontinue use of the recalled products. If you must use the kit, consider using an alternative, unaffected non-coring needle if possible. Those involved include:

• Multi-Med, Inc., 22 Gauge � 1 inch Straight and Right Angle Huber Needles
• Navilyst Medical Inc., Vaxcel Implantable Vascular Access Systems Containing Huber Needles
• Manufactured by Nipro for Exelint, Infusion Set Needles

�the Midwest has been so dry and hot that the birds are using potholders to pull the worms out of the ground; trees are whistling for the dogs; hot water comes from both taps; you discover that it only takes two fingers to steer your car; and potatoes cook underground so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter?

Government Watch
Increase your efforts related to "micro-management" activities imposed by the federal government while we still can. Support local, state, and national politicians that wish to minimize governmental control over your business and practice. Our profession and businesses depend upon all our efforts.