Posted by Larry Hoover on February 28, 2007, at 13:29:04
In reply to Re: Drug manufacturing and quality control » Larry Hoover, posted by laima on February 27, 2007, at 15:52:17
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> Wow- I never heard that! Horrifying!Well, I debated for days, even mentioning it, for that reason. I really didn't want to stir the pot, but it's potentially very relevant to our discussion. Perhaps it's gone quiet while they investigage. Far better to have proof of due diligence up front, but that's not the way the system works.
I must frequently remind myself that the medical system was not like it is today, only a few decades ago. Different hospitals offered different treatments; there was no standardized care as we know it today. Different doctors offered different drugs for the same maladies, or did experiments on patients without any real oversight. Drug companies passed no muster before offering up a new treatment. Snake oil was literally available.
We're trying to forge an entirely new system of oversight, while still functioning with all kinds of unexamined remnants of the past. There are bound to be failures, whether due to fraud or simple human frailty. Anybody remember the "ulcer diet"? Who knew that a simple course of antibiotics would be the cure.
I've drifted off track, haven't I?
I think one of the problems with generic drugs is that there is so much money flowing into that area of manufacturing that there are bound to be start-up problems. Quality control can be measured in so many different ways, yet only the end consumers' experiences are really relevant. If we make our collective voices heard, maybe we'll make a difference? E.g., if nobody wants Barr's IM dexedrine, surely they're going to be affected by cash flow issues? Eventually? <hoping>
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:735309
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070224/msgs/737063.html