Thursday, December 23, 2004

FDA bigwigs are on crack

Really that is the only explanation that I can think of for this retarded lunacy:

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday ordered a review of all prevention studies involving drugs such as Celebrex and Bextra, which have been associated with increased risk of heart problems. The agency also urged the public to limit use of over-the-counter pain medications.

"Consumers are advised that all over-the-counter pain medications ... should be used in strict accordance with the label directions," said Dr. John K. Jenkins, FDA director of new drugs.

That means the drugs - including such popular products as Aleve, ibuprofen and even aspirin - should not be used longer than 10 days without consulting a doctor, Jenkins said....
[for those of you who mistake your bowl of aspirin by your lazyboy with the bowl of M&Ms]

...The agency is "advising physicians to be very thoughtful as they are prescribing" painkillers, Jenkins said. "We are clearly suggesting that doctors take into account the new information that's become available."

Nah. Just prescribe whatever you want willy-nilly around the neighborhood.

Has the role of the government really become that of a nanny who's there to coddle us, make sure we pick up after ourselves, wipe our noses and asses, and generally treating us like two year olds? It's the same with the Social Security situation. The government is not responsible for us; we are. No wonder we're the fattest nation on earth, we probably expect the government to exercise us, or give us free liposuction, whatever's easier. As for the prescription meds, do we really expect the pill that we're prescribed to do exactly what it is supposed to with zero side effects? If one pill eliminated all symptoms with no side effects, would there really be a dozen types of medications for each illness?

Sit down with a microscope sometime and read all the side effects on whatever medication you happen to be taking sometime. The FDA requires the drug companies list all side effects patients in the trials reported. All of them. If that new allergy medication made someone drowsy or caused insomnia or both they'll be listed. If that blood pressure medication gave someone a headache or made them temporarily speak like a Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, that will be on there. If that new pain medication made one guy in a million grow sprouts out of his ass like a Chia Pet, they are required to list it. It's in these situations going to a doctor you trust counts (as well as not being a complete moron). You need to be able to weigh the costs and benefits of the drug's actions and the side effects. For those liberal moonbats suffering from P.E.S.T., that new anti-depressant will make you feel better, but maybe it will make you nauseous. Is that a trade off you can live with? That new pain medication for the heartbreak you've been enduring since the elections and the headaches from the uncontrollable rage you feel every time you hear Dubya speak will alleviate the pain, but maybe it will make you impotent. Can you live with that? (works for me then you couldn't hatch more little liberal hippie wing-nuts)