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Editorial: "Bioidentical" Drugs are Written by ALL Prescribers!

Much has been written in recent years, months, weeks, and days by inadequately educated practitioners about "bioidentical" hormones and other drugs. They often deride and criticize them, and they often seem to be spouting rhetoric from the big PHARMA companies rather than using common sense about what they really are. Actually, most healthcare practitioners "DO" prescribe bioidentical drugs, both manufactured and compounded. Let's look at some examples.

Insulin was formerly obtained from pigs or cattle and was different from human insulin, but today's insulin is "bioidentical" to human insulin.

Thyroid was formerly obtained from domesticated animals that are used for food by humans. Today, Levothyroxine and Liothyronine are "bioidentical" to what is in the body.

Testosterone is manufactured in numerous dosage forms by PHARMA companies and is "bioidentical."

Progesterone is manufactured in numerous dosage forms by PHARMA companies and is "bioidentical."

Estradiol is manufactured in numerous dosage forms by PHARMA companies and is "bioidentical."

Estrone is manufactured in numerous dosage forms by PHARMA companies and is "bioidentical."

A partial list of other "bioidentical" drugs are:

• Arginine
• Blood
• Citric acid
• Epinephrine
• Glucagon
• Glucose (dextrose)
• Hydrocortisone (cortisol)
• Lactic acid
• Norepinephrine
• Plasma
• Platelets
• Sodium chloride
• Urea
• Water

One might also consider the following that are used as being "bioidentical":

• Minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus)
• Trace minerals (chromium, cobalt, fluorine, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium, zinc)
• UltraTrace Minerals (arsenic, boron, bromine, cadmium, lead, lithium)
• Vitamins (A, D, E, K, ascorbic acid, folic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, biotin, pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin-Like compounds (bioflavonoids, biotin, L-carnitine, choline, essential fatty acids, inositol, taurine)

It might be advisable to gently remind our prescribers that they cannot practice medicine without "bioidentical" preparations and products!


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

Drug-shortage Problem Slightly Relieved
The drug-shortage crisis appears to be easing, but there are ongoing shortages of drugs used for basic care, such as propofol for anesthesia and morphine for pain relief. "Because many shortages are due to significant manufacturing problems, it's taking longer for some shortages to resolve," said Erin Fox, manager of the Drug Information Service at the University of Utah. As of August 31, there were 123 reports of new drug shortages this year; about a third lower than the number for about the same period in 2011. Last year was a record year for drug shortages in the U.S., with 267 drugs in short supply.
http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/07/13707466-drug-shortages-down-overall-but-some-linger-longer

Testosterone Marketing Frenzy Questioned
"Are you falling asleep after dinner?" "Do you have a decrease in libido?" "Have you noticed a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?" "It could be Low-T."

These are examples of the latest big marketing push by BIG PHARMA. Androgel is a billion-dollar testosterone gel used by millions of American men struggling with the symptoms of growing older that are associated with low testosterone, including poor sex drive, weight gain, and fatigue.

Androgel is only one of an increasing number of prescription gels, patches, and injections aimed at boosting the male hormone that begins to decline after about age 40. Drug companies and some physicians claim testosterone therapy can reverse some of the signs of aging.

Low testosterone is the latest example of a once-natural part of getting old that has become a target for medical treatment (and potentially third-party reimbursement). Bladder problems, brittle bones, and hot flashes have followed a similar path; from inconvenient facts of life, to ailments that can be treated with drugs. As baby boomers are living longer and looking for ways to deal with the infirmities of old age, companies have stepped up their marketing to the older crowd. Last year, global sales reached $1.9 billion.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j-wiP_1MjYvZbaxg04nVqYituOlw?docId=274baffb062c4759bb40c09cfe7f3c3b

I-Flow ON-Q Pump with Bolus Button Recall
The I-Flow ON-Q pump with ONDEMAND bolus button was manufactured from October 18, 2002 through April 30, 2012 and distributed from May 3, 2010 through May 1, 2012. The ON-Q pump with ONDEMAND bolus button is used for continuous and intermittent delivery of medicines (such as local anesthetics or narcotics) to or around surgical wound sites and/or to nearby nerves for pre-operative, during the procedure/surgery (perioperative), and for post-operative regional anesthetic and pain management.

The firm determined that the ON-Q pumps with ONDEMAND bolus button may not lock in the down position when depressed and/or the orange bolus refill indicator may stay in the lowest most position. When this occurs, the patient may receive continuous infusion at a rate greater than expected. As a result, this product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including death.
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/ListofRecalls/ucm317826.htm

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...that no two cornflakes are the same?

Since young people learn or are influenced from many different sources as they are growing up, it is incumbent upon parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends to set examples of honesty, good character, responsibility, etc., since they probably will not learn this from television, the media, or our politicians!

Cautious rider
To her reckless dear,
Let's have less bull
And lots more steer!
      Burma Shave