Wednesday, August 16, 2006

WE TOLD YOU SO

Back when the Senior Drug Benefit rip-off was being proposed as the largest ever corporate welfare program for those Bush "Pioneers" we warned you on our websitethat the only benficiaries in this deal would be Big Pharma. Now folks, you bit the apple and now you have it!

The Pharmaceutical Industry is overall the greatest contributor to the Bush WAR Chest, and that is literal and figurative.

Can you hear me now?

Where are the terrorists?

I will shortly post the risks of the drugs named in this article, because I am sure your doctor doesn't know!

AUGUST 15, 2006
CONTACT: Center for Economic and Policy Research
Lynn Erskine, 202-293-5380 x115

Drug Companies Making Billions in Excess Profits Under Medicare Plan

WASHINGTON - August 15 - Pharmaceutical companies are making billions in excess profits under the new Medicare drug benefit, according to a report by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. In the first year of the Medicare Part D program, Pfizer will make $1.2 billion in excess profits on Lipitor and $585 million on Zoloft; Wyeth will make nearly $1 billion on Protonix; and Merck will make $1.6 billion on Zocor.

The report, "The Origins of the Doughnut Hole: Excess Profits on Prescription Drugs," by economist Dean Baker, calculated the difference between the average cost of 20 common drugs used by seniors and the cost when obtained through the Veterans Administration. It found excess profits totaling more than $7 billion in the first year of the program. The study also calculated prices for prescription drugs such as Actonel, Aricept, Celebrex, Fosamax, Nexium, Norvasc, Plavix, Prevacid, Toprol XL, and Xalatan. To read the report, see: http://www.cepr.net/publications/part_d_drug_profits_2006_08.pdf

Thousands of drugs cost more than necessary under the Medicare drug plan because Congress prohibited Medicare from negotiating drug prices directly with the pharmaceutical industry, as is done by the Veterans Administration. In the case of many drugs, the prices paid by insurers participating in the plan are more than twice as high as the prices paid by the Veterans Administration.

Millions of seniors and disabled Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D drug plans are discovering the "doughnut hole" - the $2,850 gap placed into the plan in order to save the government money. The Center for Economic and Policy Research has pointed out that this gap was only necessary because the plan's overall design added significant costs and complexity.

"The excess profits from just a small number of drugs account for a very large portion of the doughnut hole," said Baker. "The excess profits for the drug industry as a whole will be close to $50 billion in the first full year of Medicare drug benefit program. This is more than twice the size of the doughnut hole."

Fosamax is another in long list of fluoride based drugs. Fluoride suppresses thyroid function by bloking iodine from being absorbed by the iodine (food of the thyroid)receptor sites. This impacts metabolism and immunity among other things physiologically. In addition Fosamax and related drugs such as Actonel et al, cause the interruption of the natural action of osteoclast cells.

"Waste Not, Want Not" Actonel is a 'bisphosphonate'. Proctor & Gamble reportedly state, in corporate confidential memos, that Actonel is manufactured from by-products of TIDE.

Fosamax: A drug with Many Unknowns News
August 14, 2006. By Heidi Turner

Although Merck, makers of Fosamax, claims that the drug is safe it seems that there is still a lot that is not known about Fosamax and a group of drugs known as bisphosphonates.

This is why bone specialists assembled a task force in July to investigate the link between Fosamax and osteonecrosis (rotting) of the jaw (also known as ONJ). Specifically, they want to know why osteonecrosis occurs in people taking Fosamax intravenously, how it occurs, and how to prevent and treat it.

Unfortunately, not a lot is known about the link between osteonecrosis of the jaw and Fosamax. The first case was reported in 2003. Since then, between 400 - 700 new cases of osteonecrosis have been reported. Why osteonecrosis occurs is unclear - although it generally appears after dental surgery or tooth extraction, in some cases it develops spontaneously.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw can be an incredibly painful problem. It often causes ulcers of the mouth and skin sores, infections, exposed bone, and disfigurement. In some cases it leads to a loss of function.

Included on the panel of specialists are experts in bone disease and dentistry. They were convened by the Bone and Mineral Research Society. Another group investigating the link between bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis is the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

There are some theories as to why osteonecrosis occurs in patients taking Fosamax. One theory is that bisphosphonates prevent the jaw from repairing itself after injury because of the suppression of chum.

Unfortunately, experts are not sure how to treat osteonecrosis once it has developed. One possibility is long-term antibiotics.

Fosamax is a type of drug known as a bisphosphonate. Bisphosphonates are regularly prescribed for patients suffering from osteoporosis. Cancer patients use drugs such as Fosamax to manage bone pain and control malignancies that have spread to the bones. In such cases, Fosamax is taken intravenously. It can also be taken orally to prevent painful fractures.

In April, 2006, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Merck alleging that the drug maker failed to warn patients about the risks associated with taking Fosamax.

Because Fosamax and bisphosphonates are relatively new drugs, it is not clear what the risks of long-term use are.

If you are taking bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, avoid having invasive dental work done if at all possible. Follow a careful oral hygienic plan. If you must have dental work, talk to your doctor. It is not yet clear whether ceasing to take the medication before dental procedures will prevent the development of osteonecrosis.

(Merck, the manufacturer of Fosamax, is currently involved in thousands of lawsuits involving its drug Vioxx which is no longer on the market. Vioxx was pulled after a study revealed that people taking the drug had an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.)

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