"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."Albert Camus
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Aromatherapy And Kids
Aromatherapy is a new approach to emotional well being and healing through the use of essential oils. Oils in aromatherapy have soothing effect on the body, mind and soul. A gentle hug, smile or a kiss are forms of connection, bonding between the parent ...
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Circulation problems and ischemic ulcerations of the foot and leg can be a complex and challenging problem. In many cases, ulcers are due to underlying systemic conditions such as poor venous circulation, diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. As a ...
When Your Back is Against the Wall
Is your back smack up against the wall? You can go no further and you're feeling trapped. You feel like there is no way out of your dilemma with no one to help you. You've tried everything within your power and now you're desperate. Whom can you turn to ...
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In June 2006, insurers and government agencies will have the opportunity to start using an inexpensive generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor instead of the more pricey Lipitor.
Pfizer, which makes Lipitor, plans to use marketing muscle to fight the change. They claim that Lipitor has unique benefits that make it worth the price.
Both Lipitor and Zocor are statin drugs, which are the nation's best-selling medications. Almost 150 million prescriptions will be filled this year, with a $16 billion price tag.
Insurers and some cardiologists say that, in many cases, patients who take the a common dosage of Lipitor, such as 10 milligrams daily, can reduce their cholesterol just as much with Zocor. Lipitor costs $2 or more a day, whereas generic Zocor will likely cost 35 cents or less.
The battle over which drug will be prescribed will involve many of the fundamental forces currently driving American health care. Prescription drug sales have increased from $40 billionfifteen years agoto almost $250 billion today. But while many complain about the cost of prescription drugs, patients are also frequently reluctant to accept generic medicines instead of more expensive brand-name medications that might be slightly better.
New York Times October 15, 2005 Registration RequiredThe (Lakeland, Fla.) Ledger October 15, 2005
Dr. Mercola's Comment:A few months ago I warned you about Merck's over-the-counter (OTC) statin drug under consideration by the FDA. It never happened in the US, although it did in the U.K. with Zocor.
I suspect Pfizer will have a hard time proving Lipitor is worth the higher price, based on a German study Iran last month that found it to be no better benefit-wise than other statins and that it may actually pose worse side effects for patients too. Please understand that Lipitor isn't the "best" statin drug -- simply the one with the best marketing program.
The fact is, all statins are a "cure" for a symptom, and do nothing to address the underlying causes of the problem. All they do is cost you money and put you at riskfor serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects. If you want to know the real truth about statins and their dangers, read my past article The Truth About Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs.
You don't need to be taking a statin drug -- a generic or patented toxic "Band-Aid" -- at all, if you make two basic lifestyle changes: - Reducing, with the plan of eliminating, grains and sugars from your diet.
- Starting a daily exercise program focusing on improving your cardiovascular system.
These two strategies, properly applied, will normalize cholesterol in will over 99% of those with "high" cholesterol, and it will achieve a normal cholesterol level without the use of potentially toxic and expensive medications or supplements.
About the author:
This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test" to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!
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EU Joins Widening Push to Find New AntibioticsWall Street JournalBy STEN STOVALL LONDON—The European Union Thursday pledged funds to find new antiobiotics, its first attempt to help drugmakers develop medicines to fight increasingly drug-resistant superbugs that are taking more lives every year and adding to rising ...and more » |
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Bill introduced to reform sales of scarce medicineBusinessWeekOther reasons include increased demand for some drugs, companies ending production of low-profit medicines, consolidation in the generic drug industry and limited supplies of some ingredients. A press release from Cummings, who is the ranking Democrat ...and more » |
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