The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related

A Wonderful Day at Emerald Glen Farm

2008-06-08T18:42:00.001-07:00

This farm in Monroe Washington belongs to a good friend. I had a wonderful morning with her and her family. Please enjoy.

Candle Light Vigil for the Herb School

2008-03-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

BC 3 Extradition Court Hearing 1-22-08

2008-01-29T01:44:00.000-08:00

Fuel of the Future? - Hemp Ethanol Saves Will Save the World

2008-01-21T05:02:00.001-08:00

The Economics, History and Politics of Hemp Fuels is an informative article by David Malmo - Levine, the globally recognized hemp activist. In this well referenced essay, Malmo-Levine gives strong support for the role of hemp in our past and in the future. Discussion is encouraged on how to spread the message about this great renewable fuel.

read more | digg story

ABORT Presents a NIght at the Herb Museum

2008-01-18T10:11:00.001-08:00

Weight Loss Supplement Provides Unexpected Side Effect

2008-01-18T10:09:00.001-08:00

Oops, I crapped my pants! A new, FDA approved weight loss supplement has a very surprising side effect. And even more surprising, the dieters don't care. This is another example of PHARMA praying on the low self esteem of us who are overweight. People are so eager to get thin, that they remove part of their guts, band their guts, wire their mouths, and now shit all day long explosively. What is wrong with just restricting calories and increasing exercise?

read more | digg story

The World Famous Herb Museum Opens in Vancouver BC -

2007-12-21T20:16:00.001-08:00

This video is an introduction by David Malmo-Levine to The Herb Museum located at 343 East Hastings, Vancouver B.C. This newly opened attraction shows the history and medical uses of herbs including marijuana (pot, weed), opium (heroin, morphine), cocaine, and aphrodisiacs. See the Lilly Heroin Bottle and experience the Drug History Tour!

read more | digg story

Its Time to Move: Golden Earring - I am Living in the Twilight Zone

2007-11-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

This song makes me want to do an interdiction.

Lilly's Cymbalta Promotion Misleading Says FDA

2007-10-08T07:05:00.001-07:00

Here is a video that tells first hand one individual's experience with Cymbalta and how terrible the effects of the drug were. It has a long lead in, so please wait, it is worth it IF you ever consider taking Cymbalta.

Important Video: Black and Brown Dog tells you His Opinion about Cymbalta. It is a MUST WATCH! Listen to the DOG!

A Lovely Woman tells her story about how Cymbalta had so negatively influenced her life and her experiences with withdrawal and dosages. PLEASE watch if you are considering taking this drug!!

I tried Cymbalta for my Neurophathic Pain, and guess what boys and girls?

Not only did it NOT help me at ALL, Cymbalta made me VERY ILL. I wonder how many other people have been poisoned by this drug. In my humble Kitty Opinion, it is not a good drug. Because it IS an ANTIDEPRESSANT (SSNRI), it can cause serious side effects in people who run towards hypomania. The fact that there is NO WARNING TO PRESCRIBERS that they should SCREEN FOR BIPOLAR SPECTRUM disorders, in order to avoid creating hypomania or worse (mania) in patients who might have bipolar disorders is negligent in my mind.

I WISH you all a very happy Canadian Thanksgiving.

I give thanks for so many things in my life right now: Health, Home, Homies, and Happiness.

Reuters Health - Oct. 03, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eli Lilly and Co made misleading claims about its Cymbalta drug in a promotion to doctors about its use in treating nerve-related pain, U.S. regulators said in a letter released on Tuesday.

The promotion "is false or misleading in that it overstates the efficacy of Cymbalta and omits some of the most serious and important risk information associated with its use," the Food and Drug Administration said in a letter to the company.

The FDA asked Lilly to immediately stop using the material or any similar promotions, adding that the company made similar claims for the drug in other promotions.

A Lilly representative could not immediately be reached for comment.

Cymbalta, known generically as duloxetine, is approved for treating depression, neuropathic pain and anxiety.

The FDA said the Lilly promotion, which it called a "professional mailer," recommended Cymbalta only for the use of managing pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The material overstated the drug's effectiveness by suggesting that patients who took it experienced significantly less pain interference with overall functioning, the FDA said.

"This has not been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience," said the agency's letter, which was dated September 21 and posted on the FDA Web site on Tuesday.

The FDA also said Lilly's promotion left out some important risk information, including reports of sometimes-fatal reactions if drugs such as Cymbalta are combined with medicines known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine)

Under Pressure- Here is Where I am Right Now

2007-09-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

I listened to this randomly after a very bad day at work. The words seem to say everything I was not able to express. I hope we all can follow the message and give love one more chance. "Lets change the way we are caring about ourselves." This is ourselves under pressure.

It is hard to act your best Under Pressure.

The Good Doctor - Robbie Williams - I don't feel proper

2007-09-06T13:39:00.001-07:00

Does this remind you of psychiatry? I think the pill giving is totally out of control. What do you think?

Would this Means of Traffic Control Work in the U.S.?

2007-09-03T23:21:00.001-07:00

via videosift.com

A Wish for Zed - Happy Labour Day to a "Friend"

2007-09-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

I hope you die - The Bloodhound Gang.

Sometimes I think - Heaven NO! Hell YEAH! - Ode from The Bloodhound Gang

2007-09-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

If I were God....

Happy Birthday Albert - Rest in Peace

2007-09-03T08:18:00.001-07:00

My Dad died 2 summers ago. It was a good death, it gave him back some quality in his existance. His birthday was September 3rd. Since my Dad was sketchy to say the least, this is a fitting tribute. Enjoy. Notice the dancing.. its very cool.

Tribute to one of my FAVORITE 70's Bands - The Spinners

2007-09-03T06:37:00.001-07:00

Please enjoy an explanation of The Spinners and a medley of their popular songs. Watching this, I can understand why I was so attracted to these guys. Their songs are classic, simplistic and stay with you. I remember standing in my place through out whole performances moving my body to these songs. I have to admit, in the days of the 70's, they were performed more passionately and a little more up tempo :)

I Will Be There - The Spinners

2007-09-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is absolutely true. I love The Spinners. I went to about 20 of their performances in and around Los Angeles. I took many friends and family members to see my favorite vocal group of this kind. I searched high and low for a video of them performing this, my favorite of their songs.

Unfortunately there isn't one that I can find, so this one has the words.

This is a shout out to those who ARE in fact, there for me in real ways. Thank you.

Happy Labor Day - CLois-Paranoid Clark

2007-09-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

I hope this song helps someone understand something. Enjoy your Labor Day.

The Placebo Effect - Baby, Did U Forget to Take Your Meds?

2007-09-03T05:46:00.000-07:00

This song hits really close to home for me. Perhaps, that is why it was given to me by a friend. Thank you for this song. It took a while for me to adopt it cognitively, but now I own up to it and I hope you don't hold it against me.

I Do Believe There IS Something More Than This

2007-09-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy Peter Gabriel performing this classic piece which usually rips at my soul. I move often between two countries. The lyric which talks about being alone, yet connected really describes my life right now. I am intimately connected to people and lives in TWO cities.

Lately, I have felt very connected in one city, and not at all connected to life in the other. This posting is in hoping that when I travel back to my city numero uno, I will feel a fraction as connected as I do right now, in my new dwelling, and with my new friends.

I know you can not be a guru in your own yard, but the difference in the way I am treated, my interactions with people, and my emotional state is so orthogonal in the two dwellings. It is my most sincere intention to meld the two places into one cool loving environment for my heart and soul to dwell, for the time being, anyway. Cheers!

Integral - This Shows What Happens When Data Goes Crazy

2007-08-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this U.K. Protest Anthem against the standardization of our human database.

We are all Mammals, so lets do it - The Bloodhound Gang

2007-08-31T14:18:00.001-07:00

This is a great Bloodhound Gang Song, called "The Bad Touch." I think the lyrics are very intelligent.

You and me baby we ain't nothing but mammals, so lets do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.

Music IS the Victim of this Administration TOO - Scissor Sisters

2007-08-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

I love this Live Berlin performance. Enjoy!

RUN - Snow Patrol - Final Fantasy

2007-08-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

This song was given to me on a CD by a friend that was giving me some of her favorite music. After I listened to this song, it reminded me of DML so much, that I feel it could represent a movement of people. Let me know what you think.

"Light UP as if you have a choice. Even if you can not hear my voice, I'll will be right beside you, Dear."

Sanofi- Adventis SUED for Gender Bias

2007-08-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

U.S. sales workers sue Sanofi for gender bias

Reuters Health - Aug. 30, 2007
By Martha Graybow

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four women sales workers in the United States have sued drugmakerSanofi-Aventis for $300 million, contending they were denied promotions and paid less than their male counterparts.

An earlier version of the gender discrimination lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan in March by one woman. A revised complaint was filed on Wednesday that includes new claims by three more plaintiffs.

The women are current or former employees of the French pharmaceutical company's U.S. unit, which is based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Sanofi, the world's third-largest drug maker, markets medicines, including sleeping pill Ambien and blood thinner Plavix.

The suit, which seeks class-action status, names the parent company and the U.S. unit as defendants. A lawyer for the women said the potential class of plaintiffs could total 6,000 to 7,000 current and former female sales employees.

"The essential allegations are that women are not paid the same amount as men and that women are not promoted at the same rate as men," said the women's attorney, David Sanford.

A spokesman for Sanofi's U.S. unit, Marc Greene, said that the company is "confident that the suit lacks merit and that all of our employees are treated fairly and in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws."

Sanford's firm, Sanford Wittels & Heisler, also represents female plaintiffs in a discrimination case against a U.S. unit of drug company Novartis AG. A federal judge in Manhattan earlier this month ruled the lawsuit, which seeks $200 million in damages, can proceed as a class-action.

According to the Sanofi complaint, the women plaintiffs lost out on promotions for which they were well qualified, while men on their teams were quickly promoted. The women also contend they were subjected to sexually hostile work environments.

The complaint contends that one woman, the only female on a team of eight sales representatives, was the target of misogynistic slurs, including lewd comments about her breasts. The woman's manager never reprimanded any of the men on her team about the remarks, the lawsuit says.

Another woman, according to allegations in the complaint, said that during a sales meeting, her manager took the men on their sales team to a strip club. On another trip, the woman contends, her manager announced a male team member wanted to see one of his women colleagues in a bikini sometime during the trip.

These Are MY Friends - Criminal Police Behavior

2007-08-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Neil, the gray-haired man being violently assaulted by the police in Ontario is my friend. So is the man that he was hugging. There was NO NEED for this type of action against peacefully gathered citizens. Canada is turning into a police state, trying to copy its big brother to the South. Poor Canadians.

I don't know who the articulate, calm and cool, heroic woman in the film is, but I will find out soon and let you all know about her. I don't think I could have behaved as well as they did. I love the guy they were trying to arrest. I spent an evening chatting with him, and he is the owner of a local head shop and he is a cannabis activist. He is also very gentle, intelligent and giving. So unlike the reaction and personalities of the arresting officers. It is so surprising that it took 3 officers to take down an old guy. What a shame! This is only one of the new police offensive (or old and long running one) that now tries to discourage the people from coming to rallies supporting legalization of Cannabis. If you look further, you will see videos of FAKE arrests of COPS dressing like activists, and then having their fellow cops take them DOWN, to make the activists look, violent?
Wow, which marketing expert thought that one up?

Can't forget this one.
Famous rodney king beating
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aH-nal6PkQo

Police beat down an old man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6BsZUuZmr4

LAPD beating (hi-res)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9hS0ZhpFPA

Man Gets Wacked Repeatedly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2F8B2qSzhs&NR

MET Police Beat up man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_PmSDA1HNc

If you are outraged, please send email to Neil and his crew, I am sure he would LOVE to hear from any of you. Neil is on a Freedom Tour across Canada, and he fights for YOUR right to personal freedoms. Please see www.freedomtour.ca for more information about the assault or the tour.

FDA Approves Risperdal for Two Psychiatric Conditions in Children and Adolescents

2007-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Evidence to support this approval was collected through studies the FDA requested as part of its pediatric drug development initiatives.

The efficacy of Risperdal in the treatment of schizophrenia in adolescents was demonstrated in two short-term (6 to 8 weeks), double-blind, controlled trials. All patients were experiencing an acute episode of schizophrenia at the time of enrollment. Treated patients generally had fewer symptoms, including a decrease in hallucinations, delusional thinking, and other symptoms of their illness.

The efficacy of Risperdal in the treatment of manic or mixed episodes in children or adolescents with bipolar I disorder was demonstrated in a three-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in patients who were experiencing a manic or mixed episode. Treated patients generally had fewer symptoms, including a decrease in their elevated mood and hyperactivity, and other symptoms of their illness.

Drowsiness, fatigue, increase in appetite, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, tremor, and rash were among the most common side effects reported.

Schizophrenia is a serious and disabling psychiatric disorder. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a serious psychiatric disorder that causes wide shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.

Risperdal is manufactured by Janssen, L.P. of Titusville, N.J.

For more information:

FDA Office of Pediatric Therapeutics
www.fda.gov/oc/opt/default.htm

National Institute of Mental Health—Schizophrenia
www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/schizophreniamenu.cfm

National Institute of Mental Health—Bipolar Disorder
www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/bipolarmenu.cfm

Is this a good thing, or another attempt to put our youth under the influence of synthetic molecules? It seems to me, that any child that is different will likely now be prescribed Risperidone.

This is not a good thing. IF and ONLY IF it is supervised with FDA oversight (which they can do by randomly interviewing children who have filled DSHS funded prescriptions) could this be a good thing, to treat children who suffer from schizophrenic symptoms. There is some evidence to show that the SOONER a child is treated for schizophrenic symptoms, the better the recovery is down the line in adulthood.

I hope Pharma Giles, Dr. Peter Rost, and Pharma Gossip are all doing well. I miss you guys so much. Thank you so much for all the support you have given me. I hope to see you all soon ON A NEW BLOG I WILL START SOON - ACADEMIC GILES/GOSSIP. Remember Gentlemen, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Sometimes humor makes the best of horrible life circumstances... Stay tuned.

House panel approves legal shield for bloggers

2007-08-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is very good news, I hope. I miss you all, and I hope I will be able to return to blogging in the near future. I wish to shout out Dr. Peter Rost, in his new position at BrandRx, as a columnist. Wow, are they smart to hire him, as no ONE blog can contain this man :)

I am well, however, I am very busy. I am also moving around often, and that disrupts my internet access for many days. I am still very interested in everything that is happening and am following it carefully.

When I finish a mirror site that I am working on, I will be back....

Love, Peace, and more protections for journalists of every type,

BK

The Information Highway - Porn on the Web: The Facts

2007-07-06T21:39:00.001-07:00

This video contains adult subject matter about the amount of porn on the web. Since my previous posts border on the fine line of porn, I decided to show you, that I am clearly in the majority. Don't be hypocritical, Porn is the most accessed information on the information highway :). I am bothered by Cuba, who bans Porn. I expect banning from Iran, but NOT Cuba. Oh well, they put AIDS victims in boats and/or prison, so I guess the culture is definitely NOT sex positive.

Via: VideoSift

If You Think This Is FICTION. - Think Again!

2007-07-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Kudos to Pharma Giles, the best humorous, yet very relevant PHARMA blog.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

2007-07-06T17:02:00.001-07:00

I hope you enjoy these photos I shot, and please take them with the love they generate. The Kanji on the lovely woman's arm means LONG LIFE. Awesome.

"Do You Take it in the ASS?" - ODE to Many MDs

2007-07-05T23:47:00.000-07:00

Contains Adult Language

Bush - You Drive Me Crazy!! Cheney Too!

2007-07-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

Please forgive my absence. I am preparing an article and have been very busy with my activism. I hope to return to blogging when I return to work *sigh*. I am SO proud of Dr. Peter Rost and what he has accomplished.

FDA Advisory Panel Says Controversial Cannabinnoid Blocker Not Safe For Human Consumption

2007-06-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to NORML for this. I apologize for yet ANOTHER take on this same story. This one however, is from a cannabinoid receptor antagonist perspective. When I first heard the academic medical talk on this nasty harmful synthetic molecule, it made me want to go running from the auditorium. I stayed to listen to the cute, young and earnest researcher present her data from a study using this antagonist for college students who wanted to "quit pot."

I asked her if she didn't think that smoking pot was a normal social part of the college experience, much like drinking at frat parties? She said," well yes."

I asked her how does she determine if an individual needs to consider this type of extreme treatment? There was obviously no thought given to this issue other than "meeting DSM-4R criteria for Marijuana Abuse or Dependence."

Give me a break and a toke... my golly gee whiz.

Rockville, MD: An independent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee determined on Wednesday that the controversial cannabinoid receptor antagonist Rimonabant (also known as Acomplia) is unsafe for human consumption in the United States. The drug's manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals, is seeking FDA approval to market the drug in the US as a dietary aid.

Members of the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drug advisory panel resolved 14-0 that the drug did not possess a "favorable risk-benefit profile" to warrant US regulatory approval. Panelists reported that patients prescribed Rimonabant experienced increased incidences of depression, nausea, vomiting, and suicidal tendencies. Adverse neurological symptoms, including multiple sclerosis, have also been documented in subjects who have taken Rimonabant.

European regulators previously approved the prescription use of Rimonabant, marketed under the trade name Acomplia, in 2006 but are now expected to review their decision. Rimonabant is the first cannabinoid antagonist ever to be approved for human consumption. More than 100,000 European patients have been prescribed Acomplia since its approval last year.

The FDA is expected to make a final ruling regarding whether to approve or reject the drug in July. The agency typically abides by the recommendations of its advisory panels, but it is not legally required to do so.

Rimonabant blocks the natural binding of endogenous cannabinoids (as well as exogenous cannabinoids such as THC) to the neuronal CB1 receptors, causing users to lose their appetites. However, because the endocannabinoid receptor system is intricately involved in the regulation of a broad range of primary biological functions – including appetite, body temperature, mood regulation, blood pressure, bone density, reproduction, learning capacity, and motor coordination – some experts are concerned that the long-term use of Rimonabant or similar drugs may contribute to a host of significant adverse health effects.

In preclinical trials, newborn mice injected with Rimonabant refuse feeding and often die days after birth. Mice genetically bred to lack the CB1 receptor also suffer from numerous health defects such as cognitive decline, hypoalgesia, decreased locomotor activity, and increased mortality compared to healthy controls.

At least one published case study reports that daily use of the drug may have triggered neurological symptoms of multiple sclerosis in a volunteer with no known history of the disease. Mental health side effects, such as depression, are also commonly reported among volunteers administered Rimonabant. FDA panelists reported that using Rimonabant nearly doubled the users risk of attempting suicide.

The FDA has previously rejected requests by Sanofi-Aventis to approve the drug as a smoking cessation agent.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at: paul@norml.org.

Kitty Sees that the FDA is Reading Up on ITS Decision - Gotta LUV IT!

2007-06-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

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Date	Time	WebPage
14th June 2007	12:37:54	blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=zimulti&ie=UTF8 The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Acomplia - New Weight Loss Pill is Dead in the Water
14th June 2007	12:37:54	blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=zimulti&ie=UTF8 The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Acomplia - New Weight Loss Pill is Dead in the Water
14th June 2007	12:38:35	gcic.blogspot.com/2007/06/acomplia-new-weight-loss-pill-is-dead.html The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Unanimous "No" to Rimonabant: Safety Not Demonstrated, FDA Advisory Panel Says
14th June 2007	12:38:35	gcic.blogspot.com/2007/06/acomplia-new-weight-loss-pill-is-dead.html The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Unanimous "No" to Rimonabant: Safety Not Demonstrated, FDA Advisory Panel Says
14th June 2007	12:41:08	blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=zimulti&ie=UTF8 The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Acomplia - New Weight Loss Pill is Dead in the Water
14th June 2007	12:41:08	blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&client=news&q=zimulti&ie=UTF8 The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Acomplia - New Weight Loss Pill is Dead in the Water

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Glaxo is Watching... Thank you :)

2007-06-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

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Referring Link http://peterrost.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-did-pfizer-hire-detectives-to-spy.html
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ISP Glaxo. Inc
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Date Time WebPage
14th June 2007 18:13:42 peterrost.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-did-pfizer-hire-detectives-to-spy.html
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way
14th June 2007 18:13:42 peterrost.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-did-pfizer-hire-detectives-to-spy.html
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way
14th June 2007 18:14:59 peterrost.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-did-pfizer-hire-detectives-to-spy.html
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way
14th June 2007 18:14:59 peterrost.blogspot.com/2007/06/why-did-pfizer-hire-detectives-to-spy.html
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way

"Mother Goose" - "I Set Her Loose and SHE was Screaming!"

2007-06-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

Good Bye Mother, YOU ARE SET FREE. I would scream too. This Kitty wished it was different, but since you are the BIG CAT, you NEED to be free of Black Scrappy Kitty :) Then maybe we can meet up on the THICK line of BIG LOVE rather than the thin line between Kitty Love and Kitty Hate. Its all the same, just a bundle of Kitty level emotions. That is what being in a parent-child relationship is about, basal animal feelings that defy rationality. Ask any parent of a teenager... they'll tell ya.

Love, Peace, and Positive Loving Mother LUV

Bungle in the Jungle - Good-Bye So CAL

2007-06-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Southern California can equal Florida for this Jethro Tull song, that allows embedding. I am very glad to leave. Although this place has great weather and nice palm trees, it lacks soul. It is police like in the oppression of free thought and speech. Living next to the largest West Coast Marine Base has its disadvantages. Seeing the poverty that is caused by the Bush Reign and wars is very sad to this Kitty. I visited with a wife of a soldier. This LOVELY lady has a new 3 month old and two kids. They all want their Daddy to come home FROM HIS THIRD TOUR IN IRAQ. When I met her a couple of years ago, she was very pro war. NOW, SHE IS ANTI-WAR. It is ironic that these very kind and sweet wives don't do ANYTHING to try to stop the war. Nothing. I guess given how repressed alternative thinking is in So. Orange.. its not surprising at all. Love, PEACE AND PEACE

Wind- Up by Jethro Tull

2007-06-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

When I was an adolescent, I used to go to all the Jethro Tull concerts I could. My friend DK was really into him, and I was sorta into him. Well, I was playing the Aqua Lung album the other day and heard this song again. I just loved it. I played it like 20 times in a row in order to clearly hear the words. I think they are meaningful in light of my current belief system.

One of the most positive memories I have of my brother is when he was playing his drum kit to Aqua Lung.. the song. Those were the days... I guess. Enjoy.

Unanimous "No" to Rimonabant: Safety Not Demonstrated, FDA Advisory Panel Says

2007-06-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

I apologize for not letting go of this story. But since you all know I am a pudgy Kitty, it is very relevant to my life, and the life of my pals. I think the continual search for the billion dollar anti-obesity PILL is a tragic story that in the end will just serve as a type of genocide against fat people. Who cares about fat people anyway? They are just lazy and don't care about themselves. They incur huge medical costs and they develop chronic conditions. In fact, obese individuals, and WOMEN in particular are discounted and marginalized by society. This is a fact that needs no support. If you are a fat woman, it doesn't matter who you are as a person, or what you have done, you are a fat chick.. period. You will reminded of it, by everyone, often.

I request that all of you normal weight people give us fat folks the benefit of doubt, and take us as we are. Please stop trying to find more and more extreme ways to kill us off... bariatric surgery, mouth wiring, starvation diets, harmful synthetics and social ostracism are just a few of the barbaric methods that society have deemed "acceptable" in the domain of treatment for obesity.

Speaking for my self only, ALL THE SYNTHETIC medications to help with weight loss, have been VERY DETRIMENTAL to humans. If you have a different take, pleases comment, I welcome alternative view points. It is my contention that weight loss is a very personal journey and it revolves totally around calories in and calories out and understanding your body and the effects of the environment on your health and metabolism.

Please, don't take any weight loss synthetic medications. Try walking around a bit, and find things to do that are not passive like watching things and reading.

Peace, Love and Liking your Body

Shelley Wood

from Heartwire — a professional news service of WebMD

June 13, 2007 (updated June 14, 2007)Silver Spring, MD - In a blow to the drug maker and millions of overweight and obese Americans hoping for a new weight-loss medication, the FDA's Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee unanimously told Sanofi-Aventis to gather more detailed safety information about rimonabant over the long term, in larger patient numbers. All 14 members of the advisory committee agreed that rimonabant did not demonstrate the risk/benefit profile that would enable it to be approved for the indication sought: weight management in individuals with a body-mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/m² or in individuals with a BMI of >27 kg/m² when accompanied by at least one comorbid condition. Their concerns centered on a "clear" signal of increased risk of neurological and psychiatric side effects—seizures, depression, anxiety, insomnia, aggressiveness, and suicidal thoughts among patients randomized to rimonabant.
Indeed, new analyses of the randomized controlled trials of rimonabant suggest that "suicidality"—ranging from suicidal thoughts to successful suicides—was 30% higher among subjects taking rimonabant.

"We don't have enough patients who are on this for a long enough period of time to know what's going to happen down the road, and we have enough concerns," panel member Dr Paul D Woolf (Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA) summarized. "If the drug were going to cause a 30% weight loss we'd all be jumping up and down and throwing our hands in the air and saying this is marvelous, and we wouldn't be overly worried about the safety concerns. But . . . this drug seems to have the same efficacy as the other two approved [weight-loss] drugs."
No way of managing unknown risks
Experts presenting data on behalf of the company recapped data from the RIO series of trials, previously reported by heartwire, showing that roughly one quarter of obese subjects randomized to rimonabant lost 10% of their body weight after one year, while half of subjects lost about 5% of their original body weight. These losses were significantly greater than those among placebo-treated patients. They also acknowledged some of the side effects of the drug but emphasized that the neurological and psychiatric effects were seen predominantly in people with a history of depressive or neurological disorders. This risk, they argued, could be managed by making these conditions contraindications to getting the drug and by the creation of a novel "risk management plan" for physicians. They also stated their intention to refrain from marketing the drug directly to consumers for the first year, so that physicians could have a chance to better understand the drug before being pestered about it by patients who might not be ideal candidates.

But panelists and speakers punched holes in the sponsor's testimony and plans. During the open public-hearing session, Lynn McAfee, director of the Medical Advocacy Project of the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, suggested that the sponsor had to be more realistic about the environment a new weight-loss drug would be entering. "People are desperate," she said. "People will take on an enormous amount of risk; it's amazing what people will do, and we have a system in which the unscrupulous can prey on us and cause us harm. . . . I will tell you right now that if this gets out in the public, people will figure out a way to get the drug; it's not laser brain surgery."

Members of the panel, while praising the sponsor's attempts to come up with novel ways of managing use of the drug, suggested the degree of benefit was insufficient given the unknown risks.

"You're going to tell a 220-lb woman that she has a one in four chance that she'll get down to 200 lbs if she sticks with the program? Well, that's not going to make anyone very happy," Dr Jules Hirsch (Rockefeller University, New York) pointed out. "On the other side, what are the dangers? At least everyone will agree that we have to learn a little more and watch this whole affair carefully before we lunge into massive use of the drug."
Long-term data needed
Others pointed out that the popularity of the drug would vastly amplify the signal of adverse events that were seen in the study. "I have made some rough calculations based upon the psychiatric and neurological adverse effects, recognizing that some might be kind of trivial," Dr Robert Kreisberg (University of South Alabama, Birmingham) stated. "The absolute increase in risk is such that the number you'd need to treat to harm is about six and the number you'd have to treat for a benefit of 5% weight loss is about four and for a 10% weight loss is about six. So it looks to me like the number needed to harm and number needed to treat are pretty much balanced."

The panel was universally discomfited by the lack of long-term data in large numbers of patients. In all, only 441 patients stayed on the dose of 20-mg rimonabant over two years; the dropout rate during the first year of the RIO studies ranged from 32% to 49%. The trials were designed to carry over last reported events to the end of the trial rather than follow the large number of patients who discontinued their trial drug, many for adverse events, a design feature that did not sit well with panel members. In fact, patients who required treatment for depression were automatically taken out of the trial yet were not followed to the trial's conclusion. "I think the real implication here is that you've lost data on adverse effects and you've lost serious data on depression and anxiety," Dr Domenic A Ciraulo (Boston Medical Center, MA) suggested.

Several committee members acknowledged the clear need for a new weight-loss medication and suggested that certain subgroups might ultimately benefit from a selective CB1 endocannabinoid receptor antagonist such as rimonabant, but that the sponsor may not be chasing the right group.

Dr Philip S Wang (National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD) pointed out that the apparent doubling of neurological and psychiatric side effects with rimonabant also occurred in people with no history of these types of problems. Better candidates might be those with "extreme obesity," with BMIs over 40, he suggested.

"There's some preferential efficacy in this group, and according to my back-of-the-envelope calculation, it looks like you actually have lower risks of these psychiatric events in that group. . . . But this is all going to take more data."
Starting from scratch?
Indeed, more data was the unanimous recommendation of panel members.

Dr Katherine M Flegal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) called the sponsor's evaluation of adverse effects "a post hoc collection of adverse events and symptoms that really have not been adequately investigated enough in detail and that weren't identified in advance."

Dr Sid Gilman (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), likewise, questioned why the sponsor had not "drilled down" into reported side effects like "dizziness" or "tremors" and performed the sorts of tests and imaging studies that would have better characterized these events.

"In this case," said acting chair Dr Clifford Rosen (St Joseph Hospital, Bangor, ME), "it's the adverse events and not the serious adverse events that tell the story, and we don't have enough information. . . . I would go back and ask the question, Why weren't these more detailed at the beginning of these big trials, when we knew that this is a central nervous system acting agent that's going to have these kind of effects?"

Even the ongoing CRESCENDO trial may not provide the answers the FDA would need, several members suggested, since it was not appropriately designed to clarify the types of adverse events occurring in people taking the drug.

"I personally don't think there is much you can do with the trials that are already under way," Kreisberg said. "They are what they are, and they probably all suffer from this lack of specificity about definitions. So I think it's going to be hard to mine that information" in the existing data set, he concluded.

The FDA had issued an "approvable letter" to Sanofi-Aventis back in February of 2006, but the panel's opinions Wednesday suggest that an antiobesity indication for rimonabant won't be coming any time soon.
The complete contents of Heartwire, a professional news service of WebMD, can be found at www.theheart.org, a Web site for cardiovascular healthcare professionals.

Shelley Wood is a journalist for Medscape. She joined theheart.org, part of the WebMD Professional Network, in 2000 and specializes in interventional cardiology. She studied literature at McGill University and the University of Cape Town and received her graduate degree in journalism from the University of British Columbia, specializing in health reporting. She can be reached at SMWood@webmd.net.

Heartwire 2007. © 2007 Medscape

Aventis Pharmaceuticals Reading

2007-06-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

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Did Marie Antoinette really say "let them eat cake"?

2007-06-14T10:24:00.000-07:00

24-Oct-1986

Dear Cecil:

Did the French queen, Marie Antoinette, ever actually utter the phrase, "Let them eat cake"? I have a friend who claims that Crazy Marie actually said something in French that, in phonetic spelling, merely sounded like "Let them eat cake." Is the line in a class with Humphrey Bogart's "Play it again, Sam"--i.e., bogus? --Willie H., Chicago

Dear Willie:

I have a dream that someday one of these alleged facts of history is actually going to pan out. However, today is not the day. While Marie Antoinette was certainly enough of a bubblehead to have said the phrase in question, there is no evidence that she actually did so, and in any case she did not originate it. The peasants-have-no-bread story was in common currency at least since the 1760s as an illustration of the decadence of the aristocracy. The political philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau mentions it in his Confessions in connection with an incident that occurred in 1740. (He stole wine while working as a tutor in Lyons and then had problems trying to scrounge up something to eat along with it.) He concludes thusly: "Finally I remembered the way out suggested by a great princess when told that the peasants had no bread: 'Well, let them eat cake.'"

Now, J.-J. may have been embroidering this yarn with a line he had really heard many years later. But even so, at the time he was writing--early 1766--Marie Antoinette was only ten years old and still four years away from her marriage to the future Louis XVI. Writer Alphonse Karr in 1843 claimed that the line originated with a certain Duchess of Tuscany in 1760 or earlier, and that it was attributed to Marie Antoinette in 1789 by radical agitators who were trying to turn the populace against her.

As for your friend's suggestion, I suppose it's possible that one day, while under the influence of powerful hallucinogens, Marie said Le theme est quete ("The theme is quest"), and was overheard by an English-speaking tourist--thus giving rise, as your friend suggests, to the "Let them eat cake" legend. But frankly I doubt it.

LET THEM EAT POT SCRAPINGS

Dear Cecil:

Thank you for so nobly coming to the defense of the much-maligned Marie Antoinette, just as you did a few years ago with the equally vilified Catherine the Great. And now, as Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story ...

At the time that whoever-she-was uttered the infamous quotation "let them eat cake," the word "cake" did not refer to the familiar dessert item that the modern-day French call le gateau. The operative term was brioche, a flour-and-water paste that was "caked" onto the interiors of the ovens and baking pans of the professional boulangers of the era. (The modern equivalent is the oil-and-flour mixture applied to non-Teflon cake pans.) At the end of the day, the baker would scrape the leavings from his pans and ovens and set them outside the door for the benefit of beggars and scavengers. Thus, the lady in question was simply giving practical, if somewhat flippant, advice to her poor subjects: If one cannot afford the bourgeois bread, he can avail himself of the poor man's "cake."

However, by the time Marie Antoinette ascended the throne, brioche had acquired its current meaning--a fancy pastry item which, like le gateau, was priced far beyond the means of any but the wealthiest classes. The anti-Marie propagandists were well aware that their compatriots, most of whom were uneducated in either history or semantics, would swallow the story whole, so to speak, and not get the joke. Bon appetit! --N.D.G., Chicago

Dear N.:

That's very interesting, N., but wrong. Brioche is a sort of crusty bun, typically containing milk, flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and whatnot. It's considered a delicacy, and as far as I can determine (which is pretty far) has been since the Middle Ages. According to one cooking historian, brioche originally contained brie cheese, whence the name. Nicolas Bonnefons, writing in Delices de la campagne in 1679, gives a recipe for brioche that calls for butter and soft cheese, plus a glaze containing beaten eggs and (if desired) honey. Sounds pretty tasty, and in any case certainly not something bakers would line pots with.

--CECIL ADAMS

eBay yanks ads from Google AdWords network

2007-06-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

The article below is directly related to my earlier posting about GOOGLE's incessant invasion of private citizen Email with their KEYWORD searches. As I have ranted about before, GOOGLE scans all your communications (email, chat, documents) that you have not unchecked the boxes for on your options. Then they turn those KEYWORDS over to advertising, which then uses that private conversation data to send you tailored advertising in your side bars. Test it out as I described in a previous post, if you think I am wrong.

Reuters
Published on ZDNet News: June 13, 2007, 7:00 PM PT

Online auctioneer eBay has pulled its advertising from search company Google's AdWords network in the United States, an eBay spokesman said on Wednesday.

"This is part of an ongoing experiment to look at how we market across all media channels," said eBay spokesman Hani Durzy.

AdWords is Google's advertising system that shows ads based on words in Web searches and is the source of virtually all of Google's revenues.

Technology trade publication Computerworld, which originally reported the move, cited a source as saying it was in response to Google's decision to hold a party starting at the same time as an eBay conference for merchants who sell on its site.

The Google event, called the Checkout Freedom Party, is part of an effort to lobby eBay to accept its online payment system, known as Checkout, which competes with eBay's PayPal.

Durzy acknowledged that eBay was disappointed about the Google event. "We don't view that kind of activity as an appropriate activity for one partner to do to another."

The Thin Line Between Black Kitty LOVE and Black Kitty HATE

2007-06-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

If you see, the Kitties have BIG LOVE and then in a minute...BIG BATTLE.. then LOVE again. If you start the song underneath first, then watch the kitties, you will get my vision for this posting. Sorry about the bad singing, but I could not find a copy of this song that would let me embed it. Cheers!

Here is the background Music for My Feelings About Pharmacological Medications. More in a later posting

Acomplia - New Weight Loss Pill is Dead in the Water

2007-06-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

FDA Panel Rejects Acomplia Fat Pill
June 13th, 2007 4:43 pm By Ed Silverman - Thank you Pharmalot

The advisory committee unanimously voted against recommending the diet drug after hearing evidence that Acomplia increases the risk of suicidal behavior. Sanofi-Aventis didn’t help its cause by failing to convince the panel that the pill is safe. This is obviously a blow to the drugmaker, which already sells the diet pill in other countries, but was counting on the huge US market to make Acomplia a blockbuster.

“There is a reasonable suspicion we better learn some more and watch this affair more closely before we launch into massive use of this drug,” said panelist Dr. Jules Hirsch of Rockfeller University.

Given the microscope the FDA is under these days, it’s questionable whether the agency will approve Acomplia, especially since FDA officials usually follow the recommendations of its advisory panels. However, a final thumbs down may well create a black market for Acomplia, since many Americans are already reported to be crossing the border and buying the pill in Mexico.

Ironically, Sanofi-Aventis was going to call its pill Zimulti in the US, because the FDA thought Acomplia sounds too much like accomplished, which may be too suggestive for desperate dieters. So far, though, the drugmaker itself hasn’t accomplished anything. The FDA already declined to approve the pill to help smokers kick the habit.

In studies, patients given the once-daily tablet reported twice as many psychiatric side effects, including depression, anxiety and sleep problems, than those who received a placebo, Amy Egan, a FDA medical officer told the panel. “The numbers of events are small, but in aggregate they are worrisome,” she said.

Sanofi-Aventis execs suggested that patients be screened for depression before they are prescribed the drug, and also advised that patients visit their doctors five times during the first year of treatment to be reassessed to curtail any potential problems.

“Who is the right patient to receive rimonabant? Not everybody,” Richard Gural, the drugmaker’s vp of scientific affairs, told the panel The drug is not appropriate for anyone with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or who has been diagnosed with depression or is taking antidepressant medication, he conceded.

The FDA is to make a final decision on the drug by July 27.

The litany of mental problems associated with the drug clearly gave the panelists pause. “I think this is a drug that needs further understanding with respect to what it does to people’s psyche,” said panelist Sid Gilman, a University of Michigan neurologist.

Even if the FDA does approve the Acomplia the findings make it highly likely it would bear stern warnings. Company officials embraced the idea of such warnings, which could exclude FDA-approved use in some patients.

When used in conjunction with a modest-calorie diet and physical exercise, the drug significantly decreases body weight and waist circumference in overweight or obese patients, according to Sanofi-Aventis. In yearlong studies, patients on the drug lost roughly 14 pounds. Those given dummy pills lost only about 4 pounds. Patients regained weight when treatment was stopped after a year, the company said.

FDA reviewers didn’t question whether Zimulti works but remained worried the drug’s effect on the body could lead to an array of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders and depression.

The company believes those increased cases were associated with depression or other disorders and weren’t directly caused by its drug. Egan, however, said they were. “We strongly believe that it is causal,” Egan said. She noted 88 percent of those reporting psychiatric problems while on the drug had no prior history of depression.

Furthermore, patients in the studies were carefully screened and monitored, suggesting the problems would be more common should the drug enter broad use, Egan added.

The screenings proposed by the company won’t keep the depressed and obese from Zimulti, warned Lynn McAfee, head of medical advocacy for the Council on Size & Weight Discrimination, a fat acceptance group. “If this gets out to be a real big deal in the public, you can figure out how to answer those questions to get the drug. It’s not going to stop anyone.”

The potential market for the drug is huge, as obesity rates have exploded in the past two decades. Today, nearly one in three American adults age 20 or older is obese, according to government data.

Sid Wolfe of Public Citizen said the obese are more likely to be depressed, and that many of them likely would take Zimulti along with the antidepressants they already use - with unknown consequences.

Rimonabant blocks the same pleasure centers in the body activated when pot smokers get the munchies. Blocking the receptors leads to patients eating less and losing weight. Sanofi-Aventis also believes the drug decreases fat storage.

The FDA previously told the French company it would not approve the drug to help smokers quit.

Sanofi-Aventis seeks to sell 20-milligram Zimulti tablets to the obese and to those who are overweight and have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or other conditions that put them at risk of cardiovascular disease.

There currently are two FDA-approved prescription drugs for the long-term treatment of obesity: Meridia, an appetite suppressant, and Xenical, which limits the amount of fat the body can absorb. Sales of Alli, a lower-dose version of Xenical that won’t require a prescription, start this week.

Source: Associated Press

"Power Point can Suck the Life Out of You" - Thanks PharmaGossip

2007-06-12T20:23:00.001-07:00

This is hilarious to people like me, who live and breathe MS Powerpoint. I saw so many bad talks with horrible slides given by MDs that this comedian's spin actually does a good job of pointing out common errors. Research Girl would love this, as she has fixed many of my PPTs and I think she could add several new punch lines to this routine. Enjoy.

Who Really Believes that Only AZ are Greedy Captialists?

2007-06-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

"AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers, Johnson & Johnson and Schering-Plough are defendants in a suit in Massachussetts and the litigation has revealed that they encouraged cancer docs to prescribe their drugs based on price rather than diagnosis."

Please read this post courtesy of NRx. It shows and links to other posts that Johnson and Johnson and several of the other BIG PHARMA companies show blatant disrespect for the economic well being of their U.S. consumer base. They show that they are looking at MDs as pure MARKETING AGENTS FOR THEIR OWN PROFITS (caps for emphasis only) and not PARTNERS in providing the safest and most efficacious health care for their consumers.

This is SO DAMN Funny

2007-06-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Pfizer's First Female Whistle Blower Is Grilled by Lawyers and is set to MARINATE!

2007-06-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Question Authority with Dr. Peter Rost: PFIZER CATCHES MARAVIROC WHISTLEBLOWER

In a previous posting
I re-posted and commented upon a story by Dr. Rost about the illegal marketing of an HIV/AIDS medication. I thought it was horrible what was being done, and I was so DAMN proud of Jane Roe. Well, now I am even MORE proud of her. WAY TO GO JANE!! For being cool and representing well. Your comments and statements were rational and articulate. Thank you so much for all your efforts, really for all of us.

Pfizer screws UP!: 17,000 employee names and SS numbers copied by Thieves

2007-06-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

According to Pfizer, "the breach occurred when the spouse of a Pfizer employee loaded unauthorized software on the employee's Pfizer laptop. The software allowed outsiders access to a number of files, that included the names and SSNs of the affected Pfizer employees."Pfizer also writes that 15,700 employees "had their data accessed and copied."

Am I the only one in the Whole WORLD that thinks this is a very important commentary of the arrogance of Pfizer towards the protection of THEIR EMPLOYEE'S PERSONAL DATA?

The fact that this data was taken by thieves, insures those who may become the sad victims of identity theft, hassles for months to come.

I think that Pfizer is a big ship going down. Lots of great people have worked and do work for Pfizer and I wish them all well. However, this latest disregard for the quality of life, welfare and privacy of their employees is only a symptom of the cancer that lies in the bowels of this company.

read more | digg story

"What I Really Want to Say, My Baby" - Understanding My Big Love For Bradley

2007-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Warning - These Videos contain language not appropriate for young children.

Since this Kitty is sunning herself in Sunny SoCAL - SUBLIME and Brad invaded my thoughts for the last couple of days. I have followed this band since its inception in Long Beach CA... Being a SoCAL grrl, I have BIG LOVE for Brad. Its not rational, rather it is animal based, hard, lusty and deeply loyal. These kinds of feelings for someone you never met personally, and will never have the opportunity to meet.. are interesting to say the least. I have spent years in therapy trying to understand why I would care about a man like Brad and his life. The plain fact is that I do. This kind of love is not actualized. My intentions are NOT to actualize it. In fact, if Brad was alive today, I would still feel very strongly about him, but it would be actualized by watching his videos, buying his albums and supporting his trade label.

Saw Red featuring Gwen Stefani Is a Classic

2007-06-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

I figured I would give you one more of my favorite Sublime songs. This one features Gwen when she was part of No Doubt. I love it!

"If it wasn't for date rape, I would never get laid" - Very Sad

2007-06-10T21:18:00.001-07:00

I think this was based on a true story. Date Rape is no fun, and it happens all the time. This Kitty hisses at the concept, but unfortunately has been a victim. In this song, the rapist gets it in the behind.. and that makes me happy :)

What I Got - Sublime

2007-06-10T21:15:00.001-07:00

This Song always moved me and makes me feel love and want love. Who knows why? Its an awesome song. I just wish that he would have taken his own advice and lived. Try to hear the words if you can.

The WRONG Way - Sublime

2007-06-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

I love the way Bradley faced real world problems. He was obsessed with the sexual abuse of his gal by her daddy. If you listen carefully, it is in both of these songs. When I saw George Carlin a couple of weeks ago, his act revolved around dissing child sexual abuse and incest. The audience was a bit baffled by this, but I wasn't. Carlin Rocks SO HARD.

Okay, So This Is One of My Favorite Songs and I Miss It

2007-06-10T21:07:00.001-07:00

Santaria - Sublime - Shout out to Bradley, who I adored, and whose death really affected me. Stay off the Synthetics Baby!!!!

Michal Moore - Letter from Cannes to his Fans

2007-06-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

Michael Moore is a one of my heroes. He stands up for what he believes in, and even though I don't always agree with him (supporting Nader), I do always respect his movies, which are excellent, and the best mainstream documentaries we have in the U.S.

Moore is asking US the public to send him videos at youtube.com of any medical problems we care to film about. He will put his mouth where his commitment is, and he said he show them to congress. WAY TO GO MICHAEL! I wish I had the time to document (and I could) the deaths in my family that were direct results of poor medical practice at Kaiser Permanente of California. I have the Uniform Plan, and I could go on for hours about the incompetence and the leeching of money from State workers that is resultant from this type of pay for service insurance.

My Uncle Bill sent me this letter. He is 82 or so. Its cool that he is a MM fan like me. I think its very ironic that this movie bothered Canadians.

A Letter from Michael Moore: 'Sicko' is Socko in Cannes!

May 23rd, 2007

Friends,

Well, as you may have read by now, our premiere of "Sicko" at the Cannes Film Festival has been an overwhelming success. The 2,000 people inside the Lumiere Theater were alternately in tears and laughing during the two-hour film -- and when it was over, they gave it a standing ovation that seemed to go on for nearly 15 minutes! Many came up to me and said (and critics seem to agree) that this is my best film yet. I don't know about that, and it seems weird to compare any of these movies in the first place. But I do feel safe in saying that I am very, very happy with this film and I can't wait to show it to you when it opens on June 29th.

Cannes is a crazy place. There are film lovers here from nearly every country in the world. And then there are the people in "show business." These dark forces have virtually ruined this art form (invented by the French and nurtured to brilliance by the country I call home). There are so many bad, awful films now and less and less people are going to the movies. Many who run Hollywood believe that the American people are too stupid to enjoy a film that respects their intelligence.

At the press screening for "Sicko," the Wall Street Journal reported that hardened reporters and critics wept. Even those who have been harsh to me in the past, or who have not agreed with my politics, were moved. Aside from my stated desire that "Sicko" ignite a fire for free, universal health care (and a larger wish that we, as Americans, do a better job of treating each other with a true sense of solidarity and respect), I continue to hope that I can make a contribution to the art of cinema and give people a good reason to get out of the house for a few hours.

At my festival press conference, the only negative word came from the Canadians. Two critics didn't like all the nice things I said about their health care system. Yes, Canadian health care has its flaws, but when I asked the two critics if they would exchange their health care cards for mine, they said "No!" Of course they wouldn't. Canadians live longer than we do and their infant mortality is not as high as ours. Their system is underfunded because their leaders have been trying to push for more American-style health care.

The rest of the week has been good and I am now on my way back to the U.S. The New York Post reported Sunday that the Bush administration, in addition to going after me for filming scenes in or near Cuba, may now go after the 9/11 rescue workers I took with me to get the medical care they were denied by our own government. I couldn't make up irony like this if I wanted to, and I will do whatever is necessary to defend the human right of these true American heroes to receive the medical attention they deserve.

We've also received word that the HMO and pharmaceutical industries are gearing up to fight "Sicko." We received so many great whistleblower letters while we were making the movie from employees of these companies. We'd like to hear from you again! Send us the internal memos and any other plans you run across at the company copying machine or internet server. It will help to stay ahead of whatever they are up to, and it will also give us a chance for a bit of fun at the industry's expense.

I will soon have a special section of my website devoted to "Sicko." Until then, we'll move forward toward our June 29th release date. Hope to see you all there that weekend!

Yours,
Michael Moore
michael@michaelmoore.com
MichaelMoore.com

Never Poke a Big Kitty With a Stick

2007-06-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thoughts On a Kitty's Day Today

2007-06-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

My Southern California:

My East VAN:

My Head:

GOOGLE Rated Worst on Invasion of Privacy - TOLD You So - Validated After Ranting for a Year

2007-06-09T21:24:00.001-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO — Google Inc.'s privacy practices are the worst among the Internet's top destinations, according to a watchdog group seeking to intensify the recent focus on how the online search leader handles personal information about its users.

In a report released Saturday, London-based Privacy International assigned Google its lowest possible grade. The category is reserved for companies with "comprehensive consumer surveillance and entrenched hostility to privacy."

None of the 22 other surveyed companies _ a group that included Yahoo Inc., Microsoft Corp. and AOL _ sunk to that level, according to Privacy International.

I just LOVE this article! I rant and rave to anyone who will listen about the SERIOUS global implications (think genocide) of the GOOGLE search machine's invasion of personal citizen rights to privacy in email, chatting and all web based communications. When will the Populous wake up to the fact, that unless you are a computer genius, you can not possibly avoid un-checking all the boxes and refusing all the options that allow GOOGLE to strip you of your personal data, give it to advertisers by reading all your email and other communications?

IF you think I am wrong, then try it yourself. If you have given GOOGLE permission to search your emails and communications, you can easily see for yourself what I mean. Send someone a letter containing a given key word that is good for advertising. For example, flowers or Plasma television sets or even medical illnesses. Then you will see a ad sense bar to the right of your email screen. That will have ads that are in response to your keywords. So if you write about flowers, all sorts of flower sites come up, or if you write about diabetes you get TONS OF PHARMA ADS.

Is this an invasion of personal privacy? Does anyone agree with me? Am I yelling into the wind as always?

While a number of other Internet companies have troubling policies, none comes as close to Google to "achieving status as an endemic threat to privacy," Privacy International said in an explanation of its findings.

The health care implications are enormous. If GOOGLE is allowed to search your private PC and your are a health care provider, then where is HIPAA? Can your child accidentally bring up and read your patient records when searching for something in GOOGLE?

Here is the GOOGLE Response:

In a statement from one of its lawyers, Google said it aggressively protects its users' privacy and stands behind its track record. In its most conspicuous defense of user privacy, Google last year successfully fought a U.S. Justice Department subpoena demanding to review millions of search requests.

"We are disappointed with Privacy International's report, which is based on numerous inaccuracies and misunderstandings about our services," said Nicole Wong, Google's deputy general counsel.

"It's a shame that Privacy International decided to publish its report before we had an opportunity to discuss our privacy practices with them......

Hoping to placate its critics, Google has pledged to begin erasing the information about users' search requests within 18 to 24 months.
The company says its stockpiles data to help its search engine better understand its users so it can deliver more relevant results and advertisements.

As Google becomes more knowledgeable about the people relying on its search engine and other free services, management hopes to develop more tools that recommend activities and other pursuits that might appeal to individual users.

Here is Privacy Internationals':

Privacy International contacted Google earlier this month, but didn't receive a response, said Simon Davies, the group's director.
The scathing report is just the latest strike aimed at Google's privacy practices.

An independent European panel recently opened an inquiry into whether Google's policies abide by Europe's privacy rules.......

Privacy International is particularly troubled by Google's ability to match data gathered by its search engine with information collected from other services such as e-mail, instant messaging and maps.

"Under the microscope, it turns out that Google is doing much more with our data than we ever imagined," Davies said.

Founded in 1990, Privacy International said it reached its preliminary findings after spending the past six months reviewing Internet privacy practices with the help of about 30 professors, mostly in the United States and United Kingdom. The group plans to update the report in September.

Seven of the Internet companies and Web sites included in Privacy International's analysis received the second lowest grade of "substantial and comprehensive privacy threats." This group included: Time Warner Inc.'s AOL, Apple Inc., Facebook.com, Hi5.com, Reunion.com, Microsoft's Windows Live Space and Yahoo.

None of the companies or sites received Privacy International's top grade, but five rated as "generally privacy-aware." They were: BBC, eBay Inc., Last.fm, LiveJournal.com, and Wikipedia.com.

Of course, everyone can not take up every issue, BUT this issue has such broad implications, much like bad PHARMA practices, that SOMEONE in POWER needs to speak up. I think perhaps, that the government might step in, although I don't think this is the correct approach to this problem.

The U.S. Gov Response:

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is looking into antitrust concerns raised by the DoubleClick deal, but has not indicated if privacy issues will be part of the inquiry.

Black Kitty's Response:

IBM was to the Holocaust AS GOOGLE is to ______________?

I wish I did not know this answer. Maybe you have a better one for me.

Peace, Love and End to Searching Private Citizen Email for Keywords by ANYONE.

Thank-You OPA and Everyone At H.S.

2007-06-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning in my Mother's quiet house, and I felt rested and peaceful. I meditated on the past week. All that came into my mind was this song. Thanks again for really being "all good."

Thank-You, Christine Truelove for Acknowledging me as a Health Care Blogger

2007-06-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much, Christine for the quote below, that I received in your weekly summary of the PHARMA blogosphere.

Here is the quote, that totally made my day! This is especially cool, because I am on vacation in sunny So. California, and I showed my MOM what a NICE quote of mine you used. She is very proud of me, thanks you you!

" Fortune-ate Rost
Dr. Rost's spread in Fortune received a fairly favorable review from pharmaceutical bloggers. Dr. Rost has gathered all the comments and polls here.

Mr. Silverman notes here, "One mistake Fortune made in its article — in discussing Rost and the AstraZeneca scandal, the magazine asserts the mainstream press followed the trail. In fact, except for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Delaware News-Journal, the mainstream press missed the boat. The blogs, Rost and just a few others, including this one, forced big pharma to come to grips with this new medium."

At BrandweekNRx, Mr. Edwards wonders, "Can Pfizer get over its anger and utilize the leverage it has with Rost?".

Mr. Edwards bets that Dr. Rost won't stop being a pain in the collective side of the pharmaceutical industry anytime soon, but says Pfizer's lawyers "actually have a fantastic opportunity in front of them that no other drug company has: The ability to tie Rost up in a legal settlement that would prevent him from blogging about Pfizer ever again.

"If Pfizer is ever able to swallow its pride and offer Rost a decent settlement, it is highly likely that they would require that he never say a public word again about the company," Mr. Edwards says. "And given the scale of pharma settlements, it is highly likely, IMHO, that Rost would feel duty bound to accept those terms. He has a house, wife and kids to provide for after all, and blogging and publishing don't make people rich."

At the PharmaBlogosphere, Mr. Mack says arguing Mr. Edwards point is difficult. "God knows, I would accept being rich in return for silence," Mr. Mack says. "Everyone has his/her price. Don't forget: Rost was 'rich' with an annual salary of about $750,000, which he had to give up to blow the whistle. Not many people would have given that up to be righteous."

Health-care blogger The Black Kitty hopes that Dr. Rost won't cave in. "I know you need money," Black Kitty says. "Honestly, I wish you everything you need. But honestly, if you stop blogging about ANY ONE COMPANY then you might as well not blog about any of them."

Here we go again.. Some People are Just Fun to Watch

2007-06-08T02:54:00.000-07:00

Number of Entries:
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Returning Visits:
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New Jersey, Morris Plains, United States
ns13.pfizer.com (204.114.196.11)
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related:
Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related:
Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way
in.f78.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?MsgId=8
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I Will Never Survive Unless I Get A Little Crazy

2007-06-07T21:03:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you enough about the power of a little crazy. It has been my driving force for the last few days, as I have been crazy busy, and trying to keep up with my very crazy busy friends. The irony, I believe, is that it is the craziness of a busy life, and its drama that IS making me crazy.

I notice that as I become more crazy, to quote Marc "I attract crazy people to me." I think this was an astute observation. Marc went on to say, "perhaps crazy people are the only ones who can tolerate YOUR craziness?" That was correct, and I cried silently. That was the answer to the burning question, that a crazy person like me, genuinely had been empirically researching for years (ask me for the citations :)). WHY WAS I A CRAZY PERSON MAGNET or a freak magnet as the literature so kindly puts it???

I believe the answer is many fold, but I am very tolerant of mental illness and substance use symptomatology because my whole family was ill at one time or another, most of my friends have had bouts of illness, i sure have, and most of all, I am in academic psychiatry. Every soul I meet is intrinsically interesting to me psychologically. That is just who I AM.

All my life, I have befriended people with severe mental illness, that rarely are given an opportunity to have a friend (albeit a little crazy) like myself. I have taken people who suffer from thought disorders to movies, out to eat, to clubs, and generally to have fun, and to experience even for a day.. .good quality of life (QOL)! That is what it is ALL about BABY... High QOL!

I am off to Californica (sp). I will be back in a couple of weeks, if I survive. I might have to get a little crazy.

Love, Peace and Personal Freedom to be a little crazy!

Here is One for the Other Beautiful Kat

2007-06-06T23:27:00.001-07:00

A Battle With Depression and Suicidal Tendencies

By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: June 3, 2007

Susan Endersbe, a schizophrenic who lived in Minneapolis, battled depression all her life. When her illness worsened, she usually checked into a hospital, which she did for the last time on May 7, 1994. On that occasion, doctors gave her an antidepressant, and three weeks later she said she felt ready to leave soon, according to nurses’ notes.

The next day, she was referred to Dr. Faruk Abuzzahab and agreed to participate in a drug study he was being paid to conduct, although her suicidal tendencies should have excluded her. Dr. Abuzzahab stopped giving her the antidepressant, and she was forced to wait nearly two weeks before receiving either an experimental drug or a placebo.

Throughout those weeks, Dr. Abuzzahab recorded Ms. Endersbe’s adverse effects as “0,” but nurses documented a steady decline. Ms. Endersbe expressed reservations about being part of a study. “I guess I didn’t understand that I would be going off all my other medications,” she told a hospital worker, according to records.

She spoke repeatedly of killing herself, even telling a nurse in a late-night talk on June 8 that she planned to jump off the Franklin Avenue Bridge, “but says she is safe in the hospital,” a hospital worker wrote.

On June 10, Dr. Abuzzahab wrote in her chart that Ms. Endersbe was “medically improving.” He gave her permission to visit her apartment alone, although leaving the hospital violated the study’s rules and she had spoken of suicide only the night before.

Saying she wanted “to water my plants and pick up my mail,” Ms. Endersbe, 40, left at 10:45 the next morning. She walked the five blocks to her apartment, retrieved a St. Francis of Assisi medallion given by her mother, locked up, slid her keys under the door and walked to the Franklin Avenue Bridge where, at noon, she jumped to her death.

Dr. Abuzzahab would not comment on particular cases but said the state medical board’s disciplinary action against him was “without heft.”

Ed Endersbe, Susan’s brother, said the authorities called him about his sister’s death at his daughter’s birthday party.

“My mother was battling cancer and I had to go and tell her that Susan was gone,” Mr. Endersbe said. “I literally watched my mother’s heart break, and she died three months and a day after that.”

Mr. Endersbe said he was stunned to learn years later from The New York Times that Dr. Abuzzahab was still overseeing clinical trials.

“He should not be allowed to harm anyone else,” he said.

As a Kitty that works with little cats that are constantly running into the street or falling out of trees, my only advice is... be friendly and nice. LISTEN to what your acquaintances are telling you about their will to live. Share with them if they want. I wish you all the best, Kat and want you to know that I think you are one of the most beautiful, stylish, kind and talented young women I met. My positive intention is my hope you get everything you want, and that you find friends and partners who give you the love and attention you deserve. You also GO GRRL!

I Don't Like Mondays - Geldof's Gallant Message to HS about Smelly Cat

2007-06-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the fictional fable about me (black kitty) and her pal, a smelly cat named Stinky. Now Stinky was one crazed female feline. She had been abused since she was a wee kitten, she is a physically unable to do much. In addition to being sickly, smelly, synthetic using and skittish, this was also one extremely jealous cat. And Stinky didn't like Black Kitty having too much fun or joy. This was because Stinky cat, was very unhappy all the time, had absolutely no joy or kitty fun in her life, and lived in a very scary world full of many big bad dogs and other enemies of cat land. When Black Kitty figured that Stinky wanted more than was possible for me to give, she got very angry. I am hoping that Stinky will forget about Black Kitty.

This song came to mind, because it is essentially the same fictional tale, about a child who takes her father's gun and shoots up the playground across the street from her apartment. This WAS a true story. I lived very close to where this actually happened. The song came from the event, and the attempt to explain such unexplainable behavior.

"And the lesson today is... how to die" This is scary. He can see no reasons cause there are NO reasons. And the silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload. No one is gonna go to the school today, she is gonna make them stay at home..."

Wembley Stadium, London - Boomtown Rats, LIVE AID

This has been a long time favorite song of mine, since I had to import the vinyl for this directly from the U.K., when I was a baby Kitty. Please enjoy, how I felt totally about today. I sometimes feel like I am stuck in a horror movie like this song.

"What reasons do you need for craziness?"
"I just want to shoot the whole day down, shoot it all down."

"And the lesson today is... how to die"

Top 10 Signs of Studying Too Long

2007-06-06T21:49:00.001-07:00

NewannaAnna Burkhead -- I have now finished week two of about five weeks studying for the USMLE Step 1. If you’re counting, that means I’m not quite halfway through the study period. In some ways, that is a blessing, because I feel like I have a long way to go! But on the other hand, I am going stir-crazy.

To ease my own pain and to honor all of the other students in the world studying for exams, here are my “Top 10 Signs You’ve Been Studying Too Long”… in no particular order…

1. You get excited about switching pen colors.

2. Your roommate comes home from a weekend away and says, “Surprise, you’re still sitting there! Have you changed clothes at least?”

3. Your mom calls and after talking for a few minutes says, “I’ll call back tomorrow and maybe you’ll be in a better mood.”

4. Unless you turn off your internet connection, you check email/cnn/gossip site/website of choice every 5 minutes.

5. It’s summer and 85 degrees outside but your bathing suit is still in winter hibernation.

6. Your middle finger starts to get that weird indentation on it from writing too much.

7. You can tell what time it is by hearing the squeaky school bus brakes outside the window (7:40am and 3:35pm).

8. Every single coffee mug is dirty in the dishwasher.

9. Your apartment is either really clean (because study break = manic tidying session) or looks like a tornado ran through it.

10. You sit still so long that reading about decubitus ulcers and DVTs becomes a little more relevant.

Any of these sound familiar? Did I leave anything out? Good luck to everyone out there taking exams right now. It’s one mile marker closer to your destination!

Its Not Really About Borat. Its about Dr. Simon Baron Cohen - Autism Expert and SuperStar Professor

2007-06-06T21:45:00.001-07:00

"Borat Week at Cambridge Medical School

NewaaronAaron Singh -- Jagshemash! For those of you who haven’t seen the cultural phenomenon that is the film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, that’s what naïve Kazakhstani reporter Borat uses as a greeting. (It’s not really Kazakhstani, it’s Polish, as I found out when I gamely yelled it at two bemused young Kazakh girls who are now on my List of People Who Will Stare Intently At Their Own Navels When I Pass By. But that’s, um, a story for another day.)

Anyway, stay with me; I actually do have a point. What has Borat got to do with medical school, you ask? Am I, with my unique ability to utterly waste 10 minutes of my readers’ lives as they read the drivel I spew out, about to spout tasteless jokes about Kazakhstani doctors screwing up surgeries and accidentally murdering patients in the most comedic ways possible? (No, we’ve got the British health authorities for that. Bada-bing!)

Last week was christened Borat Week by Cambridge medical students doing Experimental Psychology. This is because, in addition to having weird senses of humour, we had lectures by the world-famous psychopathologist Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, who in addition to being one of the world’s foremost experts on autism, is also the cousin of Sacha Baron-Cohen, the comedian behind Borat.

And so I stepped into the lecture with this great man with a sense of trepidation, partly expecting to see an insanely-grinning Kazakhstani reporter dressed in a white coat speaking in broken English and telling bad jokes about autistic children. But boy, was I surprised. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen turned out to be almost the polar opposite of his more famous cousin; he was quiet, articulate, and had the same soft-spokenness I’ve noticed in good doctors who work with children. What’s more, to receive a lecture on autism from the man who practically wrote the textbook was inspiring in a way I consider myself lucky to have experienced.

In my last post I talked about heroes. Professor Simon Baron-Cohen is definitely one of them. Every year he is invited to give talks to the general student population, and they are always hugely popular. Students not doing Psychology sneak into his lectures just to hear him speak. Part of his appeal is of course his academic star quality, which he has achieved without any help from his cousin, but part of it is also that he is, very simply, a good teacher. He doesn’t have any airs and will readily answer any question, even from a starstruck medic who went up to him after the lecture and asked a random question simply to get near to him, and then started giggling like a schoolgirl when he replied. (Not that I’d know anything about that. Cough.)

I guess I’m lucky to be part of a profession where heroes are readily available and can be found on the frontlines, diligently working away for the betterment of humanity. Every university has its own academic stars; the ones who inspire you in the best way possible: through example. I’d love to hear about yours. I need all the inspiration I can get to resist the urge to go jump off the nearest bridge… OHMIGOSHEXAMSAREINTWODAYS!"

May 25, 2007 in Aaron Singh |

What I find

Take a Day OFF of GOOGLE - Can You Go COLD GOOGLE?

2007-06-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting article. "Has Google become so ingrained in our lives that we can’t live without it? There’s only one way to find out: Stop using Google for a few weeks." Could I go COLD GOOGLE? It seems very unlikely. Larry Dignan figures there's only one way to find out: Stop using Google for a few weeks. He's swearing off Google to try other search engines.

Michael Moore's SICKO Previews on OPRAH - You Go GrrL!

2007-06-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

Part 1:

Part 2:

This Is Really Good - Please Have Faith In World Peace

2007-06-06T18:17:00.001-07:00

Be patient for the credits, it does take too long, but it looks like they put much effort in.
Thanks. This means I am feeling better now. If all these incredible and horrible things can occur, then there must be a plan? Right?

Whistle Blowing Explained Articulately for the Masses

2007-06-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

I find it interesting that this blog reposted my Jane Roe Whistleblower Posting. I was very honored by that. This posting can tell you all who walked in after the movie started, what Rost really did, and what I can only aspire to.

This One is For the Hot Chicks at the River Rock - Shout Out to MOSHing 50 GRRLS!!!!

2007-06-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

Message to HS.. This one is for all of you... viva loca

2007-06-06T13:59:00.001-07:00

Dr. Peter Rost Gives it to Pfizer in a Long Dark Way

2007-06-06T13:48:00.001-07:00

You all need to read the original because it is too complex for me to summarize. I would like to start with the LAST QUOTE FROM THE POSTING:

"Pfizer is simply acting like any minor dictatorship when it comes to suppressing dissidents."

"So not only was it not enough to simply fire me; to make sure I never got another job again Pfizer labeled me a criminal and a parasite. No one should be surprised if Pfizer hires detectives to throw mud at people. Pfizer's head of security is a former FBI agent. After all, FBI J. Edgar Hoover, had surveillance, even of Presidents, down to an art."

read more | digg story

I am Such a BAD Kitty

2007-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really even make MYSELF wonder :)

Question Authority with Dr. Peter Rost: Wow.

2007-06-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Question Authority with Dr. Peter Rost: Wow.

I told you Dudes HE IS a Gentle Person. He said Thank You for the SHOUT OUT. You are totally welcome, Peter. You ARE a ROCK STAR in my mind! Rock on! Can you tell I am in vacation mode... ONE MONTH OFF WORK RULEZ!!!

Dr. Peter Rost - Question Authority Blog - Alpha Wolf Leads the Pack!

2007-06-06T01:43:00.000-07:00

Tokyo Show DOAX2 girls trailer: Is this Real? What New PHARMA Product Is Being Introduced? Happy Belated Birthday.

This SHOUT OUT is to Dr. Peter Rost. I love his books, his ethics, his blog and his reporting. He has MUCHO empathy and I honestly believe he is earnest in his obsession with truth and social justice in health care. In any moment of time, I would be so honored and grateful to work under his leadership.

The Rational Questioning of SANITY here is, WHY?
I have thought long and hard about this. I have to diametrically oppose the statement made by John Mack about how I link to Peter and other blogs to improve my counts. John, for the record, I write for a very small number of consistant people, around 30 of them. They are the only people who matter to me. Therefore, if I repost other stories, it is because I either have something to say, I think they are important, or I just feel like it.

Its my blog and I can post when I want to :)

So, Peter, I pray what they are saying in BrandRx and other blogs is NOT TRUE. I am PRAYING that it is NOT true. I know you need money. Honestly, I wish you everything you need. But honestly, if you stop blogging about ANY ONE COMPANY then you might as well not blog about any of them.

YOU PERSONALLY have started a BRUSH FIRE OF HEALTH CARE EMPIRICALLY BASED, FACT DRIVEN, and here I am sure if anyone read this blog, I would be crucified for writing this, but, OBJECTIVE presentations. When I am cleared legally, I hope to emulate you. What is wrong with that? We need thousands of people to speak up guys!!! Its GREAT that we are all caching the same content. IT MEANS THE CONTENT IS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE.

This timely and very salient health care content, combined with humor and blatently FUN sensuality and black humor makes all these volunteer efforts worth it for me.
Reading Rost each day, gives me something to look forward to in very trying and tiring times.

If it was this Kitty's purrrfect world, I would make Dr. Rost form an oversight committee for the pharmaceutical industry that would be formed from many different stake holder groups that would be arrived at by consensus. This group would be international and maybe be hosted by a NEUTRAL country like Sweden or Switzerland. This oversight agency would have as its mission, the protection of humanity, the earth and all its wonderful life forms against out of control pharmacological and other big business interests that directly effect quality of life through health and health care utilization.

I really gave Peter a hard time about all the porno links on his page when he returned from his self imposed 2 week hiatus from blogging. Peter was scratched hard by a bitchy old kitty and I bet she is a sorry Kitty now. She is not the ONLY sorry person, and not the only sorry PHARMA company. It is important to note that Peter cleaned out the porn, and listened to honest feedback about how it detracted from the seriousness of his reporting.

Rost is NOT anti-PHARMA. He IS a whistle blower, and someone who worked very hard for the re-importation of DRUGS to America from Canada. WHY DID HE NEED TO DO THIS? This crusade was fundamentally AGAINST his own self interests and the interests of his family. The type of lifestyle that Rost had as a VP of huge PHARMA companies must have come to a grinding halt. I PERSONALLY know how painful that can be. In my own opinion, he was screwed over by the U.S. government when I believe they lent implicit agreement to support his legislative efforts. I know I will be killed for this statement IF anyone actually read this blog :)

But what I admire MOST about Peter, is that in SPITE of how TERRIBLE he was treated by the U.S. government and his past employers, Pfizer, Wyeth, Pharmacia, etc., he always acted and continues to act like a gentle person and a scientist. He never resorted/s to name petty personality attacks, rather he fought/fights back with empirical evidence, rationality, and empathy for the victims of the crimes caused by his past employers.

I wish I could say the same for SOME of the other blogs I read that are BLATANTLY apologetic for the crimes against humanity perpetrated by big businesses of all types. Especially ones that give BIG PERKS AND MEDIA ATTENTION to bloggers that pander to the givers of trips and perks.

I don't want anyone to think that this is a love letter, or trivialize my posting by critiquing my personal Kitty feelings for Peter. They have no bearing on what he has done in his life, ON THE RECORD, and my personal interpretation of these factual events.

I am just SO HAPPY to be able to watch this BIG ALPHA WOLF go at it. This kind of behavior is sensual by nature in its power, it collects people to a mission, and it has been the SPARK that lead this health care blogging, dare I say.... no... well okay... REVOLUTION.

Can Dr. Peter Rost Rock Any Harder??? WORD

2007-06-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Dr. Peter Rost, MD, Health Care Hitman, Whistle Blower, Top Health Blogger, now breaks out the tunes, dude. Rost, or the BIG PR as I like to call him, has released his first "disco" PHARMA hit. It is so cool, you dudes gotta go download. I think its like sick trance.. but hey, what does this Kitty Know? She KNOWS a KOOL KAT when she sees one.

Dance on (ABBA??) Peter!

Oh, JM, if you think I am parroting again, please don't. I only post what interests me and my readers.

Question Authority's Disco Hit: Harvey, the Moaning Sales Rep.

This is for those of you who have already enjoyed AstraZeneca's Arimidex sales training featuring "Harvey the sales rep," in my prior post, AztraZenca rep: "I'm not pouting."

I now have a SPECIAL TREAT from the AstraZeneca "Fab 7":

The "Here's Harvey" Disco Hit!

THIS IS A REMIX of the sigh that Harvey gives before his first question and his memorable comment "I'm not pouting,"

There are instant classics, such as, "I don't think you answered his question," "Uhhh," "Or whatever," "Blow it off," "Yes or no," "I'm not pouting," "I'm back," "Yadiyada," "Or whatever."

Enjoy the Harvey Remix disco hit here!

IPODS are NOT GOOD THINGS - Buy Creative ZEN Instead

2007-06-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

This IS amazing! I have been ranting about APPLE and its slow imitation of GOOGLE LIKE stealing of our personal private citizen freedoms. Here again, if you want to use a nice little "harmless" IPOD with the newest of WWW programs, then guess what, they are databasing you, and you pay for the privilege.
This is the part that bothers me. I am cheap, and most people don't have extra cash to burn, now songs will be more costly, that sucks!

Cheers!

Tunes Plus: DRM-Free, But Invades Your Privacy

Posted by Eric Zeman, Jun 4, 2007 10:07 AM

This one hurts. Last week, Apple launched its iTunes Plus music store, selling higher quality audio tracks from EMI for $1.29 without digital rights management. Aside from the extra $0.30, there's another, higher cost that isn't mentioned. Each song purchased from iTunes and iTunes Plus is permanently tagged with the purchaser's name and email address. Users are outraged, and I don't blame them.
Before iTunes Plus was announced, it didn't really matter. All songs downloaded from the iTunes Music Store are tagged with user info. The tracks that have digital rights management, however, can't be shared, so it isn't a real issue (even if it's still a bit creepy). Since you cant' share those songs, no one else has access to your information.
The songs from iTunes Plus are also tagged. But because they are free of DRM, they can be shared...along with your name, iTunes account information and email address. That means if you choose to share a song with a friend, who in turn shares that song with another friend (and so on and so on), your full account information will be spread with the song. That's a bit unnerving.

This almost feels like a dare of some sort. Apple is asking iTunes users to take a chance with their privacy. Who's really willing to take that risk?

Apple hasn't said anything about the song tagging.

Trailer for a Should Not Miss Movie: The Union

2007-06-04T01:55:00.000-07:00

THE UNION - This movie is well worth seeing. It really doesn't matter if you personally use or have used marijuana in the past, or, you just love someone who does, this movie will scare you to death! How the United States can call an outright WAR on users of God's own plants, the ones that serve living things (think humans) with their organic purely natural by-products and medicinal properties.

I strongly believe that PHARMA, U.S. Foreign Policy and Government agencies (CIA, FBI, etc.), BIG OIL Companies, Alcohol and Tobacco Companies (oh no... they are Pharma.. how silly of me!),and the WAR MACHINE SUPPORTING THE WAR ON DRUG USERS AND DRUG TREATMENT are responsible for PROHIBITION of MEDICINAL HERBS IN THE UNITED STATES.

I also believe if a fair vote was taken, GLOBALLY, the WORLD would decide that this virtually free medicine could help millions if not billions of people, and save the world economy. I know this sounds grandiose, but this is what I believe.. and I will stick to my story :)

I simply don't understand how the U.S. can call Marijuana a dangerous drug, equating it with Cocaine, Meth-amphetamines or Cocaine when as the documentary states - "there has not been ONE death directly attributable to Marijuana Usage. What other substance can make that claim? Nicotine Delivery Systems? PHARMA? Alcohol?

As long as the Neo-conservatives can attack personal freedoms such as the right to medicate with a natural herb, then their cronies can continue to reap BILLIONS of dollars selling other synthetic hard drugs in support of their political ambitions. Remember, W Srub Bush, was/is an alcoholic and a cocaine addict. The Regan's supported their war with cocaine. Afganistan is NOW, thanks to the U.S., one of the largest poppy growing countries in the world. Their entire economy is essentially based on opiates. South America... Stimulants.... Why not North America = Herbals....

Can any thinking person REALLY BELIEVE that W BUSH DID NOT SMOKE POT TOO? Of course he did, as did Bill, Hillary, and probably 80% of those who DO or DID work in the White House. Why don't they just tell the U.S. Citizens the REAL reason why>???? Money.. its all Money Honey...

Six Part YouTube Anti-PHARMA Series All in ONE Place - Thanks PharmaGossip

2007-06-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

I think that this posting will piss off those who HATE re-postings, because it is SO long. However, since I have to spend hours tied to my sweat drenched computer, I might as well have some kind of satisfaction....

Here is MY kind of satisfaction. Anything that is more than 80% accurate in content AND contains vetted sources AND most importantly is ANTI-PHARMA, is word.

Here you go, six different anti-pharma youtube.com postings.

Hog Washed - Its all Pork Anyway - Thx PG

2007-06-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

I love PG and PG. Both PHARMA GOSSIP and PHARMA GILES are simply the best for a fun, not full of text or meaty world angst whistle blowing trauma.

Since they be pimpin'... I am gonna shout of Big P-GOSSIP and Big P-GILES. Thanks for all the support and corrections and cheer!

Very Sad Day - Its Deadly to Be Whiskey the Wild Dog

2007-06-03T21:12:00.000-07:00

Click To Play

This film made me feel very sad. I am posting it, to show how even in the face of TOTAL extinction and adversity, somehow, I have TOTAL FAITH that the Pack WILL survive! Every pack needs a strong leader. It is hard to rally the health care bloggers together in a single unified voice. I think Dr. Peter Rost IS trying, and so are several of the other INCLUSIVE bloggers. However, many of the bloggers are more concerned with themselves and their image, employment and consultant perks than they are forwarding the mission of parity in health care for all global consumers.

I hope that the message at the end of the poignant film, that the "pack will survive" extends to the INCREDIBLE CURRENT CONTRIBUTIONS of the health care blogger pack. I would especially like to thank those in the U.K., because I like their humor the best... rock on PG and PG!

QAD andThe NEW Bipolar Disorder: Furious Seasons Archive of Interesting Discussion

2007-06-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

This is great reading for anyone who is interested in the EXPANDED indications for psycho-active medications. Phillip rationally questions whether we are getting TOO FAR afield from helping people with SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS with indications for personality, distress and general non-conformity to societal expectations.

In this regard, I previously posted (see HERE) a definition of Questioning Authority Disorder or QAD (named for my HERO and ROLE MODEL - Dr. Peter Rost :)) which I submitted to Furious Seasons Blog, for consideration for the "contest" for the best "NEW" disorder. Unfortunately, life caught up with blogging, and I missed the posting where FS picked the winner. I am proud of my tongue in cheek response, so I am linking to it again. I think I definitely suffer from QAD and its sub-disorder - ECD or excessive connections disorder.

I hope that FS is not upset with me. I thought we were beginning to form a blogger to blogger relationship, and then it stopped abruptly. I was really sick, so perhaps I did something to offend. I apologize, and it was never my intention to cause an iota of additional stress in your life.

This song is for you, Phillip.

Dr. Peter Rost Blows Whistles in India and Shows Pfizer for the Mob It Is

2007-06-02T01:49:00.001-07:00

Perhaps one day Pfizer's auditors, KPMG, will be able to tell us more about Pfizer India's shady dealings with S.V. Phene, Lele and the others. Next week Rost will give you a clue to what may have set off Pfizer's spy operation against Dr. Lele. Includes link to other Pfizer whistle-blower stories:

read more | digg story

This IS SO FUNNY - This is MY Kind of Kitty Fight

2007-06-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

Some Kitties Like Spankings

2007-06-01T00:55:00.001-07:00

Pharma Giles: An "Unfavourable Bias...?"

2007-06-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

Pharma Giles: An "Unfavourable Bias...?"

Pharma Giles leaves us with a very heart felt editorial about his perspective on his classification as unfavorable to PHARMA, with the pack of the other ALPHA WOLVES. Notice, not ONE woman's blog.

I hope he has a great holiday.

Opposite of Ahedonia: Everything Will Be Alright - I Promise

2007-05-31T10:29:00.001-07:00

Please stop worrying. I am beginning to hear what people who care are saying. You all, its gonna take some time. I was told I don't like anything that I USED to like. SO, because I AGREE that I don't like many things that used to amuse me, I am trying to look at the guilty pleasures that I used to enjoy and determine IF they still mean anything to me at all.

Here is the list of things that I used to enjoy, that now I really don't care for.

1. TV - I was a total tv addict most of my life. I have TIVO, WMC * 3, JOOST, ZEN VISION and many other ways to continually watch TV. I used to LOVE the O.C. (above with my message to my loved ones). I watched this video and it evoked many emotions. I did feel for those folks, I did love to watch that show. Now, I do have feelings, but I have no interest in watching that or any of "my shows" anymore. I hope this is okay. My family doesn't watch much TV, it was all me.

2. MOVIES - my family sees just about every movie. Most of my life, WE had OSCAR parties and loved seeing every single nominated movie. We used to go to 3 or 4 movies in a day!!!! Now, honestly, and if this is sick... okay... The only movie I can imagine going to see is SICKO. Because I UNCONDITIONALLY support MICHAEL MOORE.

3. MY HOME TOWN - It just does nothing for me. I try to recall its original attractions and why I loved it so much. It boils down to GREEN. I love the PCness (but not too much), the GREEN, the nature, all the big tall trees, and most of all I love my yard and my own redwood tree.

4. ARGUING - I just can't stand to argue anymore, but it seems like that is my normal discourse with most people. In my wack kat mind, when I sincerely believe that I am correct, I don't back down.

5. North American LAWS - I keep questioning our laws, our war, our invasion of countries, our prison rates, our insane drug war, and all of the rest of the BUSH reigning disaster.

I am also including some more versions of this song... well.. cause I can....

Peace, Love, and trying to remember why I liked Evening Soaps

Although this one has Tom Cruise, who I refuse to watch in any form, given his anti-psychiatry funding, I love the VAMPIRES... they rock.. I STILL love ANNE RICE in all forms... and incarnations

This show, ONE TREE HILL was another favorite of mine. I don't know why they call it NALEY when HER name was HALEY.. but I guess it is an inside joke. I watched every episode of OTH, like the OC, and Anne Rice....enjoy

SeaGull Pfizer Watches Black Kitty From Balcony - I AM SO HONORED

2007-05-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

VISITOR ANALYSIS
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ISP Pfizer Inc
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Date Time WebPage
30th May 2007 13:45:23 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Alan Levin
30th May 2007 13:45:23 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Alan Levin
30th May 2007 13:58:36 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Alan Levin
30th May 2007 13:58:37 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Alan Levin
30th May 2007 14:03:22 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
The Black Kitty - All Things Health Care Related: Alan Levin
30th May 2007 14:03:22 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
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30th May 2007 14:13:21 www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Alan Levin Pfizer&btnG=Search
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BAYER - EVIL Part II - More Evidence for the Skeptical

2007-05-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

PharmaGiles commented very thoughfully (thank you!) about the weak link in my BAYER Posting below.

Because this was one story, where I was very hesitant to write what I was feeling, and because I didn't feel I had enough HARD PROOF to back up my crazy kitty rant, I consulted with an EXPERT on the topic of BAYER and their CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

This expert, I will call Dr. EBR or (Evidence Based Rants) looked over my posting TWICE and said, that my grammer sucks... well I KNOW THAT :) My bads are what are endearing :)

Here are several other supporting materials for my contention that BAYER was directly responsible for many deaths, due to their a priori knowledge that their medication contained the HIV/AIDS virus. This company KNOWINGLY dumped a drug that cost many people their lives, and many families more torture and pain, than anyone should have to endure. Remember people, most people with hemophelia at that point were youngsters and young adults...

Please read and watch the support I provide If you still have questions, I would be SO grateful if you would comment, so I can feel justified into more research on this horrible but important topic.

Dr. EBR said to look here
and to look here
and HERE.

PharmaGossip: Describe Big Pharma in two words

2007-05-29T02:31:00.000-07:00

PharmaGossip: Describe Big Pharma in two words

Should PHARMA Have Their Own TV Station? PHARMA Central?

2007-05-29T02:26:00.000-07:00

It would be a JOKE to consider a PHARMA sponsored network, as anything more than another QBC or Marketing Channel. I don't believe that most consumers of PHARMA synthetics really believe that PHARMA will give them UNBIASED information about medications, nor do they believe that IN GENERAL, the PHARMA Industry is in it for anything but the bottom line.

It was very interesting, that PHARMAGOSSIP posted this, and the post that follows. The post below basically says what I was nagging about - most consumers think PHARMA IS SHADY, SKETCHY, GREEDY, BIASED, AND UNETHICAL.

This is a very serious breach of trust between patients and their medication providers.

I always say, you know the answer to your health care problem, its on the door. That is, if you go to a surgeon, then most likely you will get a surgical solution. If you go to the PCP you will get a pill and if you go to a physical therapist, you will get physical therapy.

So, if you go to a PHARMA company for information, you are going to get synthetics.

Cheers

Billy Idol Helps Me - What Set You Free? I need YOU HERE by ME!

2007-05-28T08:09:00.001-07:00

So think about it, YOU were born on this year. This is WHERE I WAS AT mentally, when you were born. Then I became a MOM... What a concept! Rebel Yell to Mommy in 38 weeks. Peace and Love, and GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.

Can I Change Your Mind? -Killers Help Me Thru the Hopeless Haze

2007-05-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

This has not been a good day. Someone who meant the most to me, doesn't know who I am anymore. I think the picture is a good representation of yesterday's interactions. I am so sorry.

BAYER CAUSES THE WORST TREATMENT DISASTER in the history of the British National Health System (NHS)!

2007-05-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

PharmaGossip: "The worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS"

“1,757 PEOPLE DIED and Many More Are Terminally Ill - Infection risk of imported blood 'known in 70s' – GUESS WHO is Responsible?

….. Following the scandal dubbed the "worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS" by Labour peer Lord Winston.”

“* 'Lost' documents emerge, public inquiry told
* Health department set to release more information

All material quoted from “Original Source and PharmaGossip”: Sarah Boseley, health editor Saturday May 26, 2007 The Guardian

"More details emerged last night of the way government advisers handled the haemophilia scandal which saw thousands of patients infected with imported blood. Yesterday the Guardian revealed that the Department of Health was warned of the HIV danger from US blood products in 1983, but its advisers on the Committee on the Safety of Medicines decided not to ban imported blood for fear the UK would not have sufficient supplies. Now, campaigners who have finally won the right to a public inquiry, say they have discovered evidence that the government also knew that there was a risk of patients contracting the potentially lethal virus hepatitis C in blood products imported from the US as early as the 1970s. Years after the government said documents relating to the safety of the UK's blood supply had been destroyed; a public inquiry conducted by Lord Archer of Sandwell has been told by the Department of Health that most have resurfaced. Among 5,000 documents being made available to the inquiry are papers relating to the dangers of hepatitis C in blood collected from paid US donors. One of the documents, summaries of which have been placed in the library of the Palace of Westminster, contains minutes of a meeting of the Medical Research Council on February 12 1979, which discussed the possible contamination of US blood products with a virus known only then as "non A, non B hepatitis" which is now identified as hepatitis C. "In agreeing that post-transfusion hepatitis was rare in the UK, concern was expressed about the continued use of commercial plasma products, many of which were produced in the US and carried a high risk of transmitting non A, non B hepatitis," it says. Haemophiliacs were at greatest risk of infection from the virus because of their need for regular blood transfusions. Carol Grayson, whose husband Peter Longstaff died in April 2005 after contracting both hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood products, is among those who have campaigned to get to the bottom of what the government knew and when. She says the government has never acknowledged that blood products from the US carried a higher risk of hepatitis C than those sourced from the UK. Yet blood products from the US were more dangerous, campaigners say, for several reasons - the system for paying donors and collecting blood from prisoners meant a higher risk of infections. The US also pooled huge numbers of blood donations which meant that large quantities of blood products could be infected from a few virus-carriers. Mrs. Grayson has unearthed a document suggesting the British authorities knew of the hepatitis danger as early as 1975. That year Dr J Garrott Allen, a surgeon from Stanford University in California, who had studied hepatitis in post-transfusion patients, wrote to the head of BPL, in charge of Britain's blood supply. The United States Department of Health said they were about to release 1,700 more documents to add to more than 5,000 they have already made available to the Archer inquiry. A spokeswoman said: "We are not trying to hide anything. HIV was not the problem then that we now know it is and hepatitis C didn't even have a name. It has to be seen in that context."
END QUOTE

BAYER COMMENTED on PHARMAGOSSIP IN RESPONSE TO ABOVE MEDIA RELEASE:

"Bayer complied with all regulations in force in the relevant countries based on the amount of scientific evidence available at that time. The decisions that the company made 20 years ago should not be judged by the same standards of scientific knowledge available now, the statement said." End quote.

I respond:

Bayer's explanation that their behavior was consistant with the scientific knowledge OF THE TIME, doesn't really hold water with reality, and social justice.

"Bayer complied with all regulations in force in the relevant countries based on the amount of scientific evidence available at that time." - 5-2007, Bayer Spokesperson.

Is this comment, also the empirical rationalization f or making the poison gas for the Nazi Concentration Camps during and preceding WWII? I guess that Nazi medical torture (experiments) would also fall under the following explanation: "Bayer complied with all regulations in force in the relevant countries based on the amount of scientific evidence available at that time." Jews as sub-humans? Yes, that was also the scientific evidence available in Nazi days.

Please see HERE for PROOF that "Bayer played a decisive role in human experiments with deadly outcomes during the Third Reich."
I disagree strongly with this comment made recently by Bayer.

I believe that society has to hold companies responsible for their BEHAVIOR NO MATTER WHAT were THE "SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS" OF THE TIME (Jews as Laboratory Rats?)

Black Kitty Sets out a Dare for Bayer... hey that rhymes... dare for bayer.... hahaha
BAYER COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE WHO READS HEALTH BLOGS FOR MONEY, PLEASE REPLY HERE in my BLOG COMMENTS a statement about your company's involvement with the Nazi's and their role in the Holocaust? And how you thought "that killing Jews and many other people were the standards of the time?" I guess it was the standard to use slave labor and kill your workforce!

I would also LIKE BAYER TO DEFEND THE FIRST, PRECEDENT SETTING USE OF LABOR SLAVES PRIOR TO WORLD WAR I. Bayer forced Jews and other Europeans to work at their companies for free and at the costs of employee health and life. I would LOVE to understand how that STANDARD maps into today's thinking at your company.

In this Black Kitty OPINION, Bayer HAS NO SOUL, and the company, even in its current incarnation does not care at all for life; rather they seem to care only about profit for their shareholders, and lets not kid ourselves, the gold lined pockets of the top leadership of Bayer.

Bayer certainly does not care for those individuals who are either Jewish, physically or mentally ill or just not those people we like. Bayer had a policy of slave labor like many other European companies during WWI and WW2.

It is ironic, that a company owned by Germans who caused so much evil and hurt to humans over time, is CONTINUING TO CAUSE DEATH?

Anyone who does NOT KNOW the connection between Bayer, Exxon and the Nazi Death Camps (BTW, Bayer MADE THE POISON FOR THE GAS CHAMBERS) should read up on it in a very seriously footnoted and documented history Magazine Potshotzine #19 . By Clicking you can order copies of the magazine (I highly recommend it) or just READ UP on Bayer’s role in Genocide and the World Wars (also Exxon's Role :)).

Thank you so much in advance for providing me and family WITH AN APOLOGY, for your role in the deaths of my family members, and the genocide.

"Keep tabs on YOUR rulers, cause they got tabs on you" – Happy Birthday OPA.

Pfizer readies consumer ads for its year-old anti-smoking pill

2007-05-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

If this guy doesn't make you quit smoking with his "sage" advice, then what will?

INSIDE HEALTH CARE
Pfizer readies consumer ads for its year-old anti-smoking pill

BY BRUCE JAPSEN
Published May 10, 2007

Although most Americans with health insurance are unlikely to get coverage for Pfizer Inc.'s smoking pill Chantix, the pharmaceutical giant says the pill is still much cheaper than a pack of cigarettes, which figures into its marketing plan.

Pfizer, which launched Chantix last summer, said it did not expect much health insurance coverage of the prescription, which costs about $3 a day, so it priced the pill below that of a package of cigarettes.

Cigarettes are expensive and can cost $8 to $10 a pack in Manhattan and some bars in Chicago, or $3 to $4 in rural America or certain areas where taxes on cigarettes are not as high, according to Pfizer and other sources.

"It's the difference between putting money into making yourself sick or putting money into making yourself healthy," said Terri O'Gorman, a Pfizer director of marketing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Chantix was the first new prescription aid to smoking cessation treatment to be approved in nearly a decade when the agency cleared the drug for marketing a year ago.

With more employers and health insurers pushing high-deductible health plans on consumers that require them to pay more out of pocket for drugs anyway, Pfizer is not expecting a huge boost in coverage for the pill. The New York-based drugmaker, citing government figures, said about one in four Americans with health insurance get coverage for smoking cessation treatments and programs, according to research it did before launching Chantix.

Chantix was approved to be taken for up to 12 weeks, according to its government-approved label. Upon consultation with their doctors, smokers can take Chantix for another 12 weeks if they have demonstrated they have quit, Pfizer said.

In the next stage of Pfizer's marketing blitz for Chantix the company this summer will begin branded consumer ads for the pill. Chantix sales were $162 million in the first quarter, with the bulk of sales coming from the U.S.

Since December Pfizer has been marketing the pill with unbranded ads through its campaign dubbed "My time to quit." The ad campaign includes a Web site ( www.mytimetoquit.com) and offers smokers a chance to calculate the amount of money they are spending on smoking. It does not, however, compare savings to the cost of the drug.

DEPENDENCY NETWORK: In a deal that will create a consolidated chemical dependency program with 19 sites in the Chicago area, Rush University Medical Center said it has sold the Rush Behavioral Health Network to Catholic hospital operator Resurrection Health Care for an undisclosed sum.

Rush Behavioral will essentially merge its operations, including its addiction services for professionals, into the Resurrection Behavioral network. More than 70 Rush Behavioral employees along with contracts, leases and other businesses will transfer to Resurrection, the parties involved said.

Dr. Daniel Angres, who is the founder and director of Rush Behavioral Health, will continue to oversee the program for professionals and becomes director of the newly formed Resurrection Addiction Services.

Rush, a large academic medical center on Chicago's West Side, sold the chemical dependency and substance abuse network to focus on its campus redevelopment and "core tertiary care, research and educational missions," a spokesman said. "We have consolidated or sold a number of programs over the years."
----------
Hear Bruce Japsen on WBBM-AM 780 at 6:21 p.m. and 10:22 p.m. Mondays and 11:20 a.m. Saturdays.

bjapsen@tribune.com

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

PharmaGossip: Distaval - dont forget history

2007-05-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

PharmaGossip: Distaval - dont forget history

Here is the review of a book that summarizes the Nazi link to Thalidomide! Please read the link above, then the book review for the back story. Thanks PharmaGossip for this link from bad medicine to Nazism. Sounds just about right to me.

Dark Remedy: The Impact of Thalidomide and Its Revival as a Vital Medicine
November 15, 2001

from Medscape General Medicine [TM]
Reviewed by: Richard J. Powell, DM, FRCP

With Dark Remedy: The Impact of Thalidomide and Its Revival as a Vital Medicine, American authors embryologist Trent Stephens and historian Rock Brynner have cleverly and meticulously crafted a chronicle of 40 years of thalidomide into a thoroughly readable and coherent story. They are to be commended on their detailed research into historical background and efforts to distil the more contemporaneous immunologic ramifications of thalidomide use for the nonspecialist reader. In fact, the book reads almost like a novel, although accuracy has been maintained throughout.

The drug, which was initially promoted as a sedative without side effects, became history's greatest medical tragedy as the development of irreversible nerve damage (neuropathy) and the reports of birth defects were ignored for the sake of monetary gain.

The story begins in Germany, chronicling the employment of ex-Nazi officers in the management of a production company and how their philosophies manifestly influenced subsequent marketing strategies. Thalidomide was "a drug in search of a disease." The authors note, "the only thing thalidomide seemed to have going for it was that researchers could not find a dose high enough to kill a lab rat."

The plot then moves to Israel in 1965, where thalidomide's beneficial effects in leprosy were discovered and subsequently confirmed in a large international World Health Organization study. These studies highlighted the need for the molecular definition of the anti-inflammatory/immunologic properties of thalidomide. It is, however, only in the last decade that some -- although not all -- of the answers have been forthcoming.

The book subsequently focuses on debates within the US Food and Drug Administration and describes the process that successfully prevented the drug from being licensed in the United States with compelling accounts from the individuals responsible for blocking approval.

Indeed, thalidomide beautifully exemplifies the issue of drug risk benefit ratios: as a sedative with a significant side effect profile, the drug was denied a licence, yet approximately 30 years later it has been given a special licence to allow its limited albeit appropriate use in life-threatening conditions when other drugs have been tried and failed. This special licence overcame the need for thalidomide to be illegally smuggled into the United States during the early and mid 1990s.

Especially noteworthy is the 12th chapter, "One Patient's Account," which graphically extols the benefit of thalidomide in an inflammatory condition and is almost worthy of the title "A twist in the tail." Woe betide the reviewer who discloses the secret disclosed therein.

This book is written by 2 worthy Americans and one must allow them a certain partisanship. However, to a British reviewer, the tributes to immunologist Gilla Kaplan, PhD, whose work on the capacity of thalidomide to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha in connection with AIDS research, seemed overstated. Similarly, there is no mention of the UK policy on thalidomide that has allowed its use on a "named patient" basis since 1968; the UK guideline on the use and prescribing of thalidomide in 1994 was largely imitated by the System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety (STEPS) program in America.

Finally, not surprisingly, the authors struggle to explain the complicated immunologic processes involved in the actions of thalidomide and end up producing a rather indigestible account of the science.

Despite these reservations, I recommend this book not only to those with a specific interest in thalidomide but also as a very informative read for general audiences.

Richard J. Powell, DM, FRCP, is a Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Immunology at University Hospital, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Medscape General Medicine 3(4), 2001. © 2001 Medscape Portals, Inc

PharmaGossip Has Great Clip on How Medications Lead to Heart Disease

2007-05-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

The New England Medical Journal bravely published an article showing : Thanks PG :)
"Oh dear!

It looks like a wheel has fallen off the "glitazone bandwagon"!

GlaxoSmithKline, Europe's biggest drug-maker, was last night racing to shore up confidence in one of its most important medicines after a study in a respected US journal suggested that it dramatically increased the risks of having a heart attack.

The drug in question, Avandia, is taken by millions of Americans and others around the world who suffer from diabetes.

It contributed £414m to GSK's sales in the first three months of this year.

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) yesterday analysed all the previously published data from studies of Avandia and calculated that taking the drug increases the chance of having a heart attack by 43 per cent.

The increase in the risk of having a fatal heart attack was even higher.

GSK immediately questioned the methodology of the study, which was conducted by Dr. Steven ("Drugslayer") Nissen, a cardiologist at the respected Cleveland Clinic in Ohio - but more than $10bn was wiped off the value of the company in afternoon trading in the US in the wake of the study.

Dr. David Nathan, chief of diabetes care at Massachusetts General Hospital, comments about the meta-analysis are most revealing:

"This analysis is just scratching the surface of what may be there. It needs to be taken seriously," said Nathan, who reviewed the paper for the medical journal and has no financial ties to any diabetes drugmakers.

The situation "reflects very badly on the FDA and on Glaxo," Nathan said. "It's the FDA's responsibility to be monitoring this stuff."

But wait! There's more:

The drug "represents a major failure of the drug-use and drug-approval processes in the United States," Drs. Bruce Psaty and Curt Furberg wrote in an editorial in the NEJM.

Psaty is with the University of Washington in Seattle and Furberg is with Wake Forest University.

When the drug was approved, evidence of its benefits were "at best mixed," wrote the two doctors. Both have been frequent critics of the FDA's failure to spot dangers in the drug approval process and its conduct involving Vioxx.

Sources: The Indy, Channel 7 Boston"

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
CAPS are for EMPHASIS ONLY

What bothers me about this, is that the populous continues to take these medications, which ARE NOT TESTED IN LARGE GENERALIZABLE SAMPLES and therefore when they are introduced in LARGE distribution, heart damage is a major side effect. This has been TRUE OF JUST ABOUT EVERY WEIGHT LOSS "MEDICATION."

My Kitty advice is to NOT TAKE ANY weight loss or NEW arthritis medications until AT LEAST A YEAR after their large scale introduction to America. This is similar to how I feel about buying a cool new car. I would never recommend anyone to buy the first year of a new line of cars. It always takes at least a year TO IRON OUT ALL THE BUGS. One of the major problems with the FDA process, is that IT IS STATIC instead of proactive and fluid.

As data comes in on a certain synthetic molecule, then all data should be aggregated and continually analyzed by a team of crack biostatisticans LEAD BY INDEPENDENT PRIMARY INVESTIGATORS. Side effects need to be flagged and spit out to proper officers if they occur at a certain a prior rate overall and for demographic strata, such as kids or older adults or those on other medications and those with chronic diseases.

All models (UNLIKE THE CURRENT FDA PHASE I AND PHASE II TRIALS) SHOULD include all relevant covariates and use adjusted rates of side effects. This has not been done, although I think now, they are starting to do this. Much more on this later... Love and Peace and NO NEW SYNTHETICS