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• Swine Flu: Important Advice from WorstPills.org (April 30, 2009)

  View the entire July 2009 issue in PDF format

• No More Free Drug Samples?
  (July 2009)
  The article discusses a variety of reasons why it is neither in the best interests of doctors to prescribe or patients to use free samples. The truism that "there is no such thing as a free lunch" rings true once again.
• Another Chapter in the Long History of Exposing the Dangers of the Most Popular Drug in America
  (July 2009)
  This article documents how long it has taken the FDA to fully implement a reccomendation from its own advisory committee 32 years ago stating that: "Do not exceed the recommended dosage [acetaminophen--as in Tylenol] because severe liver damage may occur." Other countries have done more.
• Muscle Damage from Interactions Between Statins and Other Commonly Prescribed Drugs
  (July 2009)
  The article lists 38 prescription drugs that can harmfully interact with statin drugs. The article also advises that No matter what statin you are taking and regardless of any interacting drugs, you should notify your prescriber immediately if you develop muscle pain, weakness or a darkening of your urine. .

  View the entire June 2009 issue in PDF format

• A Review of Lubiprostone (AMITIZA) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation
  (June 2009)
  Do not use lubiprostone. There are safer and equally or more effective treatments for both chronic constipation and for the constipation variety of irritable bowel syndrome. We have just asked the FDA to place a black box warning on this drug because it may cause abortions in women using it who are pregnant.
• Hypothyroidism: A Consumer’s Guide to Diagnosing and Treatment
  (June 2009)
  The article explains why it is not a good idea to start treatment with thyroid hormone replacement without confirmation with laboratory tests that you actually have hypothyroidism. It also discusses the kinds of symptoms that should lead you to have your thyroid level checked.
• The BOTOX Label Gets Ready for its Close-up
  (June 2009)
  Sixteen months after we petitioned the FDA to greatly increase warnings to doctors and patients about BOTOX, the agency has agreed to do so. The article discusses some of the life-threatening side effects of the drug such as swallowing and breathing problems and points out that much of its use is for conditions for which it has not been approved by the FDA.
• Alpha-Blockers for Prostate Enlargement: Some Important Drug Interactions
  (June 2009)
  Taking alpha-blockers in combination with drugs for erectile dysfunction and with other drugs can cause dizziness and fainting. In this article we will discuss alfuzosin (UROXATRAL), doxazosin (CARDURA), tamsulosin (FLOMAX) and terazosin (HYTRIN) and drugs with which they can have harmful interactions.

  View the entire May 2009 issue in PDF format

• People on Certain Beta Blockers Should Be Wary of Epinephrine
  (May 2009)
  Patients taking a non-selective beta blocker should make sure the provider is aware of this before they receive an injection of epinephrine, as your physician or other health care provider may not be aware that a systemic dose of epinephrine may produce a dangerous spike in blood pressure. The article lists the selective beta blockers that do not cause this problem because they do not interact with epinephrine.
• What Aspirin Dose Is Safest and Most Effective for Preventing Heart Disease?
  (May 2009)
  This article discusses the fairly narrow range of daily aspirin doses most safe and effective for preventing heart disease.
• Weight-Loss Supplements Illegally Spiked with Prescription Drugs
  (May 2009)
  The article lists 72 weight loss dietary supplements that have recently been found to have been spiked with one of nine different prescription drugs, often at dangerously high concentrations. If you have used any products containing these ingredients, you should stop taking them and consult your health care professional immediately.
• WARNING: MRI Scans May Burn Patients Wearing Transdermal Drug Patches
  (May 2009)
  On March 5, 2009, the FDA sent a public health warning to patients and doctors that transdermal drug patches containing metal may overheat during a MRI scan, causing skin burns. The article discusses several precautions you can take to prevent this from happening.

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• Vermont’s Pharmaceutical Laws Move Toward Fuller Disclosure
  (June 2009)
  A new Vermont law is the most extensive state law requiring the reporting of payments from drug and device companies to physicians.
• What is Comparative Effectiveness Research, and Why is it Being Badmouthed?
  (June 2009)
  Comparative effectiveness research permits comparisons between existing therapies to establish whether they are safer or more effective than one another. The pharmaceutical industry opposes these studies because it doesn't want you to know the truth about these therapies.

• Public Citizen's Response to FDA Draft Guidance on Conduct of Clincial Trials in Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HRG Publication #1886) (June 29, 2009)
  The Food and Drug Administration’s recent draft guidance on community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) is significant step forward from the previous draft guidance, issued in 1998. However, it includes recommendations that contradict established principles of rigorous clinical trial conduct, as defined in the International Conference on Harmonization documents E-9 and E-10, and a number of issues are left unaddressed.
• Testimony of Peter Lurie, M.D., M.P.H and Hillary Peabody, M.P.H before the FDA Transparency Task Force (HRG Publication #1883) (June 24, 2009)
  Dr. Lurie and Hillary Peabody testify that pre-approval documents should be made available to the public, the FDA’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processes should be made more efficient and consistent, and the FDA should expedite the production of standardized drug information for patients.
• Critique of New Antiarrhythmic Drug Dronedarone Published in the New England Journal of Medicine (HRG Publication #1878) (June 9, 2009)
  James Floyd M.D. criticizes the new antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone.
• Testimony of James Floyd, M.D. at Meeting of Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee on Cethromycin for the Treatment of Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (HRG Publication #1875) (June 2, 2009)
  James Floyd, M.D. testifies about the design flaws in the studies conducted on cethromycin for the Treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
• Letter Urging the FDA to Halt its Review of Prasugrel (HRG Publication #1876) (June 2, 2009)
  Dr. Serebruany, Dr. Floyd and Dr. Wolfe encourage the FDA to stop its review of prasugrel until a new Phrase 3 study can be conducted with appropriate lower doses of prasugrel and properly defined outcomes.
• Petition to the FDA Requesting Enhanced Warnings for Amitiza (lubiprostone) (HRG Publication #1871) (May 5, 2009)
  Public Citizen petitions the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add a black box warning regarding the risk of abortion to the Amitizia product label, change the drug's pregnancy category from C to X, contraindicate nursing while taking the drug, require the distribution of an FDA-approved Medication Guide for all patients, and mandate a “Dear Doctor” letter.
• Statement of Dr. Peter Lurie on FDA granting Public Citizen's Petition that Sought to Warn Patients and Doctors about the Dangers of Botulinum Toxin (HRG Publication #1870) (April 30, 2009)
  Statement of Peter Lurie, MD, MPH, Deputy Director, Health Research Group, Public Citizen.