| Letter To The Editor - FDA Approved Drugs the Problem |

By: Shane Ellison, M.Sc.
Copyright © 2005, All Rights Reserved

As a medicinal chemist I have a hard time believing that "the most dramatic changes in U.S health care have occurred in the past 50 years, attributable to the incredible strides made in treating diseases through technology and new drugs." Clearly, this was made without considering the facts.

According to JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association), the fourth leading cause of death today in the USA is from reactions to FDA approved drugs. That is one individual dying every five minutes from "approved" drugs. This averages out to 300 people dying every day. These deaths are far greater than those caused by car accidents, AIDS, alcohol, illicit drug abuse, infectious diseases, diabetes, and murder. Is this what Ellen meant by "incredible strides?" Furthermore, USA Today reported that the fourth leading cause of hospital admissions is from adverse reactions to FDA approved drugs. It stated that 22 million Americans are so severely injured that they are either permanently disabled or required long hospital stays. And lastly, The Chicago Tribune reported that 103,000 Americans die every year from hospital-acquired infections. These atrocities have remained stable over the last 30 years!

Who needs health insurance with statistics like these?

In Colorado, the lawmakers feel that "Fortunately, state Rep. Mark Larson and state Sen. Jim Isgar both have been responsive and attuned to the importance of our health-care issues."

Please tell us how politicians have been responsive. I have seen nothing but complacency among so-called leaders with regards to health-care. Despite the aforementioned deadly statistics, there has been a 34% increase in prescription drugs over the last five years. Further, pharmaceutical companies spend more on marketing than on research. Yet, the FDA continually supports these aggressive endeavors by allowing the release of new drugs at record speeds without substantial research.

We need a war on FDA approved drugs. It's time to pass laws that advocate health freedom rather than health fascism. We need opinions from lawmakers that are derived from knowledge and research rather than fantasy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shane holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis. He understands that Americans want and deserve education rather than prescriptions. He is the author of the controversial and shocking book Health Myths Exposed. To learn more visit www.healthmyths.net. You can get his free eBook What You MUST know about Cholesterol Lowering Drugs at www.health-fx.net.