As of yesterday, September 5th, the FDA has finally posted a page at their website listing the top 20 potentially harmful drugs in compliance with a bill passed by Congress last year forcing them to report potentially unsafe drugs to consumers.
Problem is, the percentages of people affected are not listed. So you don't know how many people have reported a problem compared to how many people have taken the medicine without incident. The most the list can do for you is alert you to ask your doctor (or pharmacist) for further information if you see your medication on the list.
The list covers reports gathered during January, February, and March of 2008. I find it disturbing that it took a full 4 months after the end of the quarter for this report to get published.
Hmmm, let's see, the government requires quarterly payroll reports to be compiled and submitted by the end of the following month. Our state requires monthly sales tax reports to be filed and submitted by the 20th of the following month.
I guess the government can take their time reporting to us because we have no method of holding them accountable, or do we? YES. It's called ELECTION DAY.
Anyway, I digress - back to this list....
The list includes the name of the drug and the problems that have been reported.
Seems like the FDA is doing the least it can get away with to comply with the new rules.
References:
* Explanation of website
* FDA Drug List
Problem is, the percentages of people affected are not listed. So you don't know how many people have reported a problem compared to how many people have taken the medicine without incident. The most the list can do for you is alert you to ask your doctor (or pharmacist) for further information if you see your medication on the list.
The list covers reports gathered during January, February, and March of 2008. I find it disturbing that it took a full 4 months after the end of the quarter for this report to get published.
Hmmm, let's see, the government requires quarterly payroll reports to be compiled and submitted by the end of the following month. Our state requires monthly sales tax reports to be filed and submitted by the 20th of the following month.
I guess the government can take their time reporting to us because we have no method of holding them accountable, or do we? YES. It's called ELECTION DAY.
Anyway, I digress - back to this list....
The list includes the name of the drug and the problems that have been reported.
"My message to patients is this: Don't stop taking your medicine," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, who heads the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "If your doctor has prescribed a drug that appears on this list, you should continue taking it unless your doctor advises you differently."
Seems like the FDA is doing the least it can get away with to comply with the new rules.
References:
* Explanation of website
* FDA Drug List
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteElection day is just for a change. Just you've got some other people with same mentality :(