In the News--Aren't new drugs better and safer?

Aren’t new drugs better and safer?  Not necessarily better.  Not necessarily safer.  With only limited track record, side effects of new drugs aren’t always recognized.  After drugs have been available for a few years, doctors and researchers identify the benefits and side effects of drugs.  

Researchers interviewed 2944 people about cholesterol drugs and heartburn drugs.  “One-quarter of participants believed that the FDA approves only drugs without serious side effects, and more than one-third mistakenly believed that the FDA approves only “extremely effective drugs.”   

A September 12, 2011 Science Daily report said it like this:  “Approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not necessarily ensure that a drug has a large or important benefit, or that all serious adverse effects of the drug are known…Uncertainties are greatest in the first few years after approval and for drugs approved solely on the basis of a surrogate outcome.”  (Sorry folks, I’m not sure what ‘surrogate outcome’ means but it’s part of the quote.) Science Daily, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110912164016.htm

In the News--Drugs whose patent will expire in 2012

Fox News reports that patents on several often-prescribed brand name drugs will expire in 2012.  Drugs such as Plavix (heart and blood clot medicine), Actos (diabetes), Enbrel (autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis), Lexapro (anti-depressant), Seroquel ( ) will have their patents expire.  Makers of generic drugs can begin making the generic versions and competition will result in lower prices.  

What is the difference in brand name drugs and generic drugs?  Brand name drugs are the newest drugs.  It takes years of research and large sums of money to develop drugs.  How much money you ask?  I’ve read $800,000 and I’ve also read estimates of closer to a billion dollars.  Large sums of money.  When a new drug is developed, the pharmaceutical company gets a patent which protects their research from competitors.  For the years of patent protection, no other company is allowed to make that drug and no competition exists.  In the years of patent protection, the company sets their prices hoping to make back their research and development investment and make a profit.  When the patent expires, competition begins as generic drug companies can produce competitive versions of brand name drugs.  Prices drop with generic drugs. 


 Those of you who use the drugs mentioned, talk with your doctor about whether he thinks generic is acceptable.   

Book Signing Report

Friday, March 2 I received a big gift when my book signing was hosted by Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, MO.  The Tuscan Sun Restaurant provided a wonderful location for my event.  Hor dourves of chicken wings, fried green beans, cheese tray, veggie tray and drinks were served.  A nice group of people attended; many friends and family attended to support my writing endeavors.  I enjoyed visiting and talking.  I sold 15 books at the book signing + several more due to recent publicity.  

My book, a Caregiver’s Guide:  Care for Yourself While You Care for Your Loved Ones, can be purchased at Amazon.com for $35.  If anyone wants an autographed copy, I will sign and mail it to you (I pay shipping costs--contact me at sharonehohler@gmail.com to order) or the book can be downloaded on Kindle at Amazon.com for $9.99.  

Thanks to the Saint Francis Medical Center leadership team for hosting my event, to Emily and Sarah in the Marketing Department for all your efforts in organizing and publicizing this event. 

Smart Phone technology for our health part 2

 More smart phone apps for our health include:

• "Brain Trainer" provides games developed by neuroscientists.  These game enhance memory, improve cognitive function and attention span and can boost the player’s mood.

• "ITriage" provides valuable information and medical information for symptoms.  Remember there is a danger in self-diagnosing.  While this can be a helpful tool, it is not a substitute for your own doctor/health car provider. 

• "5Star Urgent Response" can be used to access emergency medical care. 

• "Livestrong MyQuit Coach" helps a person who wants to stop smoking. 

The remaining apps, "Noom weight loss coach", and "Endomondo Sports Tracker" can be used to record exercise and weight loss.  Several of these apps are free while some have a fee involved.  For more information about these apps, what smartphone they can be used upon and how much they cost (if any), see  http://www.parade.com/health/2010/09/26-apps-to-keep-you-fit.html

Smartphone technology for our health

Do you own a smartphone?  If not, you may miss out on upcoming medical technology?  On January 21, I posted this information.  The next day the Parade magazine in our local newspaper shared ‘10 Apps that could save your life.’  Included in this list:  

• "IBreastcheck" teaches you how to perform breast self-exams and assess your risk for breast cancer. 

• "Pocket First Aid & CPR" from the American Heart Association which tutors a person on how to help someone who isn’t breathing, and first aid instructions to care for a person who is bleeding, bitten or burned.

• "Melapp" takes a photo and evaluates a skin lesion and guides a person on whether to see a doctor about skin lesion/cancers.

• "Restaurant Nutrition" gives information about calorie and nutrition on many fast-food restaurant’s food.   

 Several of these apps are free while some have a fee involved.  For more information about these apps, what smartphone they can be used upon and how much they cost (if any), see  http://www.parade.com/health/2010/09/26-apps-to-keep-you-fit.html  More Smartphone Apps for our health tomorrow

In the News--Missouri is one of "Stroke Belt" states.

How does my home state, Missouri compare to the nation?  http://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/chronic/heartandstroke/HeartStrokeBurden03-09Update.pdf

In the decade of 1995-2005, the number of deaths among Missouri residents was higher than many Americans.    In 1995, Missourians died at 8% higher rate due to strokes than the rest of the country.  In 2005, the number of Missourians who died from stroke was 6% higher than the rest of the nation. 

When looking at heart disease, Missouri again ranks higher than the nation as a whole.  While the number of deaths declined in the 1995-2005 decade, Missouri still ranks higher for heart disease and deaths than the nation as a whole.  In 1995 Missouri’s mortality rate from heart disease was 9% higher than the USA as a whole.  In 2005, Missouri’s mortality rate from heart disease was still 8.5% higher.  Missouri women die from heart disease at a higher rate than men (that is true for the nation as well). 

This report looked at risk factors which researchers called ‘pretty complex.’  We know that hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol ranked higher for Missouri residents than the rest of the country and researchers consider them both to be risk factors for heart disease.  When the researchers looked at diabetes as a risk factor, Missouri residents equaled (not exceeded) the rest of the nation for this risk factor.  

Missourians smoked more, were overweight or obese in larger numbers while we (I include myself) were less likely to exercise, and did not eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. 

While this headline does show significant risks for Missouri residents, we have recently discussed  several lifestyle behaviors we can add to our quest for a healthy lifestyle. (See February 29 blog post.)

Radio interview

Thursday February 16, I interviewed with Faune Riggin of 960KZIM Talk radio about my Caregiver’s Guide:  Care for Yourself While You Care for Your Loved Ones.  Taking David as my driver and trusty support person, I was nervous on the trip to the radio station.  (I had eaten a small breakfast so I knew I wouldn’t throw up but the butterflies were flapping in my belly.)

When we entered Faune’s studio, I was immediately fascinated.  She was standing surrounded on  three-sides with a bar-height desk with multiple pieces of broadcast equipment.  Faune was operating all that equipment by herself.  She was wearing a head set and talking into her microphone.   She greeted us, then switched to her broadcast and talked briefly during a commercial.  She was a successful multi-tasker as she read some news headline clips, then pushed a button for a commercial.  She gave a weather forecast and pushed a button for a music clip.  She was organized.  She educated me on the use of the microphone in front of me and then she introduced me.  We interviewed about my book.  (She had done her homework and read my book; she understood the topic well.)  

I forgot to be nervous; I was amazed at Faune’s composure and technical skills.  She had her act together.  Because of Faune’s kindness and skill during the interview, I found the radio interview painless.  I was pleased with my interview.  (Not bad for a gal (me) who failed her first speech and dropped speech class back in my college days.)