The Generic Prescription

The chairs of the two Senate committees with jurisdiction over health care reform, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), have already signaled that healthcare reform will be a priority for them. Senator Kennedy plans on having reform legislation drafted by Inauguration Day (January 20), with staff engaging in discussions with diverse stakeholder groups. Senator Baucus released on November 12th a white paper outlining his vision for policy in on areas of coverage, costs and quality. Titled A Call to Action: Health Reform 2009, Senator Baucus’ paper is available here.

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has also expressed his commitment to comprehensive healthcare reform. In a statement released in mid November, he said, “I have been working on health care policy for more than 25 years, and I have never been more hopeful about the prospects for reform-nor more convinced about the overwhelming need for reform-than I am now.” As chairman of the Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, Senator Rockefeller is also a leader on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and has stated he sees SCHIP reauthorization as a step that would send an important message that healthcare is a top priority. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, have expressed sentiments on prevention and early intervention as needed approaches to healthcare reform.

In addition, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study best practices to reduce healthcare costs and improve quality. Specifically, they requested that GAO conduct a study that includes: 1) identification of best practices utilized by states, integrated delivery systems or other countries to reduce costs and improve quality; and 2) an examination of the extent to which these best practices can be applied on a system-wide basis in the U.S. To access the letter see here.

Source
http://www.democracyinaction.org

The Bazelon Center has prepared a series of seven issue briefs on critical areas affecting the integration of mental health services in healthcare reform. Each contains federal policy recommendations.

The issue briefs include a discussion on primary care, medical homes, public programs, public health, and quality assurance.

Feel free to use these ideas and recommendations in policy communications to your elected or appointed officials, including your comments on Change.Gov. All of the briefs can be downloaded, printed and disseminated at http://www.bazelon.org/issues/healthreform

Source
http://www.democracyinaction.org

Diamyd Medical AB (publ.) (Pink Sheets:DMYDY) (STO:DIAMB): A renowned research group at Lund University has filed an application with the Swedish Medical Products Agency to carry out a study of the diabetes vaccine Diamyd® for the prevention of type 1 diabetes in Swedish children. This is the second prevention study with the diabetes vaccine Diamyd® for which approval has been sought in a short period.

Several independent research groups plan prevention studies using the diabetes vaccine Diamyd® with the aim of vaccinating children at risk of developing type 1 diabetes, before disease onset. The company has previously announced that a Nordic prevention study is being planned. Today’s announcement concerns a Swedish prevention study that is being planned under the leadership of Dr. Helena Elding Larsson, pediatrician and researcher at Lund University.

“We are on the threshold of an eventful period, in which Diamyd Medical’s diabetes vaccine is evermore sought after for various studies”, says Elisabeth Lindner, President and CEO of Diamyd. “There is an optimistic aura about Diamyd. We end this year with two world news within the last ten days; the planned start of two independent prevention studies. We have also reached all of our goals for 2008″.

Type 1 diabetes, is a very serious life-long disease that normally strikes at an early age and is increasing rapidly among children. The only treatment that is currently available for those with the disease is daily insulin injections and a strict control of blood sugar levels. Patients with type 1 diabetes are often subject, unfortunately, to serious complications, despite receiving modern insulin treatment. A treatment that can prevent the disease would be extremely valuable not only for those at risk of developing the disease, but also for society.

“Type 1 diabetes is preceded by an often slow destruction of the insulin-producing cells. It has been shown that Diamyd® can protect the insulin producing cells from destruction in recent-onset patients. By giving Diamyd® before the breakdown process has advanced to the stage of disease outbreak, we now hope that the disease could be prevented or at least delayed”, says pediatrician Helena Elding Larsson.

The Diamyd® vaccine is already being tested in Europe and the US in the Company’s own Phase III studies of children and adolescents with recent-onset type 1 diabetes. It has been shown in a study published in the leading medical journal New England Journal of Medicine earlier this fall that Diamyd® has good efficacy in recent-onset children and adolescents. The first results from the ongoing Phase III studies, which should result in a market application for the Diamyd® diabetes vaccine, are expected to be available in the fall of 2010. At the same time, Diamyd Medical is developing additional diabetes-related products, including products for LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) and products for diabetes-related complications.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide not to purchase or consume more than 25 different products marketed for weight loss because they contain undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers’ health at risk.

The tainted weight loss products are:

Fatloss Slimming
2 Day Diet
3x Slimming Power
Japan Lingzhi 24 Hours Diet
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
3 Day Diet
7 Day Herbal Slim
8 Factor Diet
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
999 Fitness Essence
Extrim Plus
GMP
Imelda Perfect Slim
Lida DaiDaihua
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Perfect Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Phyto Shape
ProSlim Plus
Royal Slimming Formula
Slim 3 in 1
Slim Express 360
Slimtech
Somotrim
Superslim
TripleSlim
Zhen de Shou
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0

An FDA analysis found that the undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in some of these products include sibutramine (a controlled substance), rimonabant (a drug not approved for marketing in the United States), phenytoin (an anti-seizure medication), and phenolphthalein (a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer causing agent). Some of the amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients far exceeded the FDA-recommended levels, putting consumers’ health at risk.

These weight loss products, some of which are marketed as “dietary supplements,” are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain only “herbal” ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the product labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal and may be potentially harmful to unsuspecting consumers.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any of these products to stop taking them and consult their healthcare professional immediately. The FDA encourages consumers to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before purchasing weight loss products.

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed their maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain powerful drugs that could cause serious health consequences. Therefore FDA is taking this action to protect the health of the American public.”

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products, and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The health risks posed by these products can be serious; for example, sibutramine, which was found in many of the products, can cause high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia, palpitations, heart attack or stroke. This drug can also interact with other medications that patients may be taking and increase their risk of adverse drug events. The safety of sibutramine has also not been established in pregnant and lactating women, or in children younger than 16 years of age.

Rimonabant, another ingredient found in these products, was evaluated, but not approved by the FDA for marketing in the United States. The drug, which is approved in Europe, has been associated with increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and has been linked to five deaths and 720 adverse reactions in Europe over the last two years.

Before trying to draw out the differences between generics and brand-name drugs, we must first of all give a clear definition of a generic drug.

The active ingredient of “Generic” medication (for example, of “generic phentermine”, which is adipex) is chemically identical to the active ingredient of the correspondent medication. According to the FDA’s office Generic drugs “a generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use”.

Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are sold at substantial discounts from the branded price. According to reliable sources, generic drugs save consumers an estimated 8 to 10 billons USD a year at retail pharmacies. Even more billions are saved when hospitals use generic drugs. Because generic drugs are often much cheaper than their branded counterparts, many people choose generics whether buying drugs online or in traditional retail outlets and many insurance companies actually require that they be used.

However, it should be noted that current regulations permit a variation of approximately 20% either way in the bioavailability of the active ingredient. This does not necessary mean that buying generic drugs in preference to branded counterparts is a bad idea. In fact, in most cases, it’s probably still a very good idea.

Many people need comprehensive but affordable insurance (health care). They need plans that fit their need and budgets. That’s why health insurance quotes play a significant role here to help people find the coverage they need at just the right price.

To get free health insurance quotes click here

Fake online pharmacies may be harmful to many people due to counterfeit drugs, and may result in loss of money.
Here are some examples of blacklist online pharmacies of which people should avoid:

1. http://www.medspricedright.com/
2. http://www.crownpills.com/
3. http://easycanadianmeds.com/
4. http://avonpharmacy.com/
5. http://www.headstarpharmacy.com/
6. http://www.goldenmeds.com/
7. http://www.galacticpharm.com/
8. http://www.rx-pharmacy.cc/
9. http://www.mailpharma.com/
10. http://www.mix-pharm.com/
11. http://1pharmacy.us/
12. http://www.ajantapharma.com/
13. http://www.bestonlineforeignpharmacies.com/
14. http://www.bluepills-rx.com/

If you know of any other fake online pharmacies, please mention them here with a reason as to why. We are hoping to expand this list in the future.

A full 12 weeks of Chantix is recommended. This medication includes 1 Starting Month PAK and 2 Continuing Month PAKS. Within each one-month PAK are 4 Weekly doses of Chantix.

The first week:
• In the first week of Chantix, white pills are taken
• During days 1-3, take 1 white pill once daily.
• During days 4-7, take 1 white pill twice daily. One in the morning and one in the evening.

The remaining weeks:
• During weeks 2-12, take 1 blue pill twice daily. One in the morning and one in the evening.

Chantix is a prescription drug belong to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, works by blocking pleasurable effects of smoking in the brain so that helping you decrease the desire to keep smoking.

Chantix is prescribed for the treatment of smoking cessation.

Chantix comes in 2 dosages:
1. 0.5 mg tablet (white)
2. 1 mg tablet (blue)

Chantix must be taken as exactly as it was prescribed for you. Before using chantix, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or history of mental illness.

Chantix can be started one week before your planned quit date. Take this medicine with a full glass of water and take it after eating.

Chantix treatment lasts for 12 week. Your doctor may recommend a second 12-week course of Chantix to improve the chance that you will quit smoking long-term.

Chantix side effects include:
• Nausea
• Sleep problem
• Vomiting

Chantix is quite expensive but buying Chantix through online pharmacies can help. But not all Chantix sold on the net is genuine. You should be aware if the online pharmacy doesn’t ask for prescription and or is selling a so called generic Chantix that it could be potentially harmful.

Propecia is a prescription drug belong to 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

Propecia used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Propecia comes in 2 dosages:
1. 1 mg tabs
2. 5 mg tabs

Propecia must be taken exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Propecia should be taken regularly to get the most benefit. You may need to take propecia daily for three months or more before you see a benefit. Take each dose with a full glass of water and can be taken with or without food.

Propecia should never be taken by a woman or a child

Propecia side effects include:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Runny nose

Propecia is expensive but by buying Propecia through online pharmacies or taking the generic drug can help. Buying the generic drug called Finasteride will save you money (See next paragraph for calculation). Many online pharmacies sell Finasteride, but make sure that you choose one that requires a prescription in order to process your order. You should be aware if the online pharmacy doesn’t ask for prescription and or is selling a so called generic Propecia that it could be potentially harmful.

Propecia 1 mg – 30 tabs:

Saving = Brand Pricing – Generic Pricing
= $145 - $16.51
= $128.49

Source: Brand drug from Kwikmed
Generic drug from betterlifepharmacy