BUSH STILL PUSHING LIES IN REFUSING TO LOWER DRUG PRICES

[Ronnie Ruff]

President Bush continues to oppose allowing American seniors to purchase
lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.[1] His administration
has claimed those prescription drugs would be unsafe, and is working to
block a vote on bipartisan Senate legislation to make reimportation
legal.[2] But as a new drug industry whistleblower notes, the scare
tactics are dishonest and untrue.

Dr. Peter Rost, vice-president of marketing for the pharmaceutical
company Pfizer, recently came out and debunked the White House's
argument, saying reimportation "has been proven to be safe in Europe"
and that "The safety issue is a made-up story."[3] Rost's comments are
consistent with the Bush administration's own FDA officials who have
been unable to provide any evidence that medicines from Canada are
unsafe.[4]

President Bush's opposition to reimportation is backed by the drug
industry - the same special interest that has donated lavishly to the
GOP. According to the non-profit watchdog Public Campaign, the drug
industry has given Republican candidates more than $36 million since
1999. President Bush has raked in more than $418,000 from the
pharmaceutical industry, and lists many drug industry executives and
lobbyists as his top fundraisers.[5]

Sources:

1. "Big Pharma fears a Kerry win will lead to curbs on drug prices," The
Independent Portfolio, 9/22/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59520.
2. "Frist won't bring drug import legislation up for vote," The
Tennessean, 9/16/04, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59521.
3. "Surprise Support For Drug Importing," Washington Post, 9/14/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59522.
4. "FDA lacks examples of Canadian drugs harming Americans," Knight
Ridder, 11/26/03, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59523.
5. "Paybacks: Prescription Drugs," Public Campaign, 8/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59524.

[Guy]

Ronnie, I am not sure any candidate can solve our medical problems.
It looks like they are grabbing big increases now. That way if Bush
is not reelected they only have to go back a little and still be
ahead.

Ar least this election is giving health care some attention. The
increases have been large in the past four years. As the farmers say
"the horse has the bit in his teeth" To the non farmer it means he
(the horse) is out of control.

Come back and join in after the election.
Diabetes is dull but it does not
end
Guy

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 21:00:17 -0400, Ronnie Ruff

Post by Ronnie Ruff
President Bush continues to oppose allowing American seniors to purchase
lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.[1] His administration
has claimed those prescription drugs would be unsafe, and is working to
block a vote on bipartisan Senate legislation to make reimportation
legal.[2] But as a new drug industry whistleblower notes, the scare
tactics are dishonest and untrue.
Dr. Peter Rost, vice-president of marketing for the pharmaceutical
company Pfizer, recently came out and debunked the White House's
argument, saying reimportation "has been proven to be safe in Europe"
and that "The safety issue is a made-up story."[3] Rost's comments are
consistent with the Bush administration's own FDA officials who have
been unable to provide any evidence that medicines from Canada are
unsafe.[4]
President Bush's opposition to reimportation is backed by the drug
industry - the same special interest that has donated lavishly to the
GOP. According to the non-profit watchdog Public Campaign, the drug
industry has given Republican candidates more than $36 million since
1999. President Bush has raked in more than $418,000 from the
pharmaceutical industry, and lists many drug industry executives and
lobbyists as his top fundraisers.[5]
1. "Big Pharma fears a Kerry win will lead to curbs on drug prices," The
Independent Portfolio, 9/22/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59520.
2. "Frist won't bring drug import legislation up for vote," The
Tennessean, 9/16/04, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59521.
3. "Surprise Support For Drug Importing," Washington Post, 9/14/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59522.
4. "FDA lacks examples of Canadian drugs harming Americans," Knight
Ridder, 11/26/03, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59523.
5. "Paybacks: Prescription Drugs," Public Campaign, 8/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59524.

[M***@AOL.com]

Post by Guy
Ronnie, I am not sure any candidate can solve our medical problems.
It looks like they are grabbing big increases now. That way if Bush
is not reelected they only have to go back a little and still be
ahead.
Ar least this election is giving health care some attention. The
increases have been large in the past four years. As the farmers say
"the horse has the bit in his teeth" To the non farmer it means he
(the horse) is out of control.
Come back and join in after the election.
Diabetes is dull but it does not
end
Guy

More mindless dribble from the looney Bird.

[Bill]

Post by Ronnie Ruff
President Bush continues to oppose allowing American seniors to purchase
lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.[1] His administration has
claimed those prescription drugs would be unsafe, and is working to block a
vote on bipartisan Senate legislation to make reimportation legal.[2] But as
a new drug industry whistleblower notes, the scare tactics are dishonest and
untrue.
Dr. Peter Rost, vice-president of marketing for the pharmaceutical company
Pfizer, recently came out and debunked the White House's argument, saying
reimportation "has been proven to be safe in Europe" and that "The safety
issue is a made-up story."[3] Rost's comments are consistent with the Bush
administration's own FDA officials who have been unable to provide any
evidence that medicines from Canada are unsafe.[4]
President Bush's opposition to reimportation is backed by the drug
industry - the same special interest that has donated lavishly to the GOP.
According to the non-profit watchdog Public Campaign, the drug industry has
given Republican candidates more than $36 million since 1999. President Bush
has raked in more than $418,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, and lists
many drug industry executives and lobbyists as his top fundraisers.[5]
1. "Big Pharma fears a Kerry win will lead to curbs on drug prices," The
Independent Portfolio, 9/22/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59520.
2. "Frist won't bring drug import legislation up for vote," The Tennessean,
9/16/04, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59521.
3. "Surprise Support For Drug Importing," Washington Post, 9/14/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59522.
4. "FDA lacks examples of Canadian drugs harming Americans," Knight Ridder,
11/26/03, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59523.
5. "Paybacks: Prescription Drugs," Public Campaign, 8/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59524.
--
Ronnie Ruff
www.ronnieruff.org

It's unconscionable that Americans pay twice as much for many brand name
prescription drugs as those in any other developed country. And the
Republicans have made it part of the LAW that Americans can not choose, if
they wish, to import drugs from those countries and the govt. can not
negotiate to get low prices as other countries have done.

Does this make sense to anyone? Should not the govt. be doing the opposite -
raising hell because we pay so much more than others even though American tax
dollars have helped some drug companies.

Can anyone explain this other then by saying the Republicans are in the drug
companies pockets?

Bill

[URAQT2]

Post by Bill

Post by Ronnie Ruff
President Bush continues to oppose allowing American seniors to purchase
lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.[1] His administration has
claimed those prescription drugs would be unsafe, and is working to block a
vote on bipartisan Senate legislation to make reimportation legal.[2] But as
a new drug industry whistleblower notes, the scare tactics are dishonest and
untrue.
Dr. Peter Rost, vice-president of marketing for the pharmaceutical company
Pfizer, recently came out and debunked the White House's argument, saying
reimportation "has been proven to be safe in Europe" and that "The safety
issue is a made-up story."[3] Rost's comments are consistent with the Bush
administration's own FDA officials who have been unable to provide any
evidence that medicines from Canada are unsafe.[4]
President Bush's opposition to reimportation is backed by the drug
industry - the same special interest that has donated lavishly to the GOP.
According to the non-profit watchdog Public Campaign, the drug industry has
given Republican candidates more than $36 million since 1999. President Bush
has raked in more than $418,000 from the pharmaceutical industry, and lists
many drug industry executives and lobbyists as his top fundraisers.[5]
1. "Big Pharma fears a Kerry win will lead to curbs on drug prices," The
Independent Portfolio, 9/22/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59520.
2. "Frist won't bring drug import legislation up for vote," The Tennessean,
9/16/04, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59521.
3. "Surprise Support For Drug Importing," Washington Post, 9/14/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59522.
4. "FDA lacks examples of Canadian drugs harming Americans," Knight Ridder,
11/26/03, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59523.
5. "Paybacks: Prescription Drugs," Public Campaign, 8/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=2926689&l=59524.
--
Ronnie Ruff
www.ronnieruff.org

It's unconscionable that Americans pay twice as much for many brand name
prescription drugs as those in any other developed country. And the
Republicans have made it part of the LAW that Americans can not choose, if
they wish, to import drugs from those countries and the govt. can not
negotiate to get low prices as other countries have done.
Does this make sense to anyone? Should not the govt. be doing the opposite -
raising hell because we pay so much more than others even though American tax
dollars have helped some drug companies.
Can anyone explain this other then by saying the Republicans are in the drug
companies pockets?
Bill

Anyone besides me notice that the regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one? Maybe they figure if they ignore it the
thread will just go away?
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

(Don't forget that Rice is also very high in carbs.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to
evaporate."
- Albert Schweitzer

[Alan]

Post by URAQT2
Anyone besides me notice that the regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one? Maybe they figure if they ignore it the
thread will just go away?
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Hi Chuck

I'm not even an irregular Bush supporter. I suspect I'd write in Martin
Sheen (just watched the Redux Apocalypse Now). More seriously, Colin
Powell. But your final statement is quite accurate.

And they stayed away in droves from my OT on Oz health politics.

Amazing! What's wrong with these people!

Could it just be an acceptance that either:
they realise no-one's vote is going to be changed via a newsgroup
diatribe; or
the subject has been done to death; or
it's totally irrelevant to them, like mine was to you?

Cheers, Alan
--

[URAQT2]

Post by Alan

Post by URAQT2
Anyone besides me notice that the regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one? Maybe they figure if they ignore it the
thread will just go away?
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Hi Chuck
I'm not even an irregular Bush supporter. I suspect I'd write in Martin
Sheen (just watched the Redux Apocalypse Now). More seriously, Colin
Powell. But your final statement is quite accurate.
And they stayed away in droves from my OT on Oz health politics.
Amazing! What's wrong with these people!
they realise no-one's vote is going to be changed via a newsgroup
diatribe; or
the subject has been done to death; or
it's totally irrelevant to them, like mine was to you?
Cheers, Alan

LOL
Could be any one or all of the above.
It was simply an observation on my part about the highly vocal right
wing Bush supporters that we have seen so much from in ASD. Somehow
they don't seem to have any defense of the Bush administration
practices in this thread or others that show just how uncaring the
Bushites really are.
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

(Don't forget that Rice is also very high in carbs.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to
evaporate."
- Albert Schweitzer

[Wes Groleau]

Post by Alan

Post by URAQT2
Anyone besides me notice that the regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one? Maybe they figure if they ignore it the
thread will just go away?

they realise no-one's vote is going to be changed via a newsgroup
diatribe; or
the subject has been done to death; or
it's totally irrelevant to them, like mine was to you?

d. they saw a all-caps subject and thought it was a Jai Alai troll; or
e. all of the above

[Nan Eklund]

Post by URAQT2
regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one?

Dear Chuck - fellow diabetic - wise and helpful source of medical wisdom -
WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS YOU'RE THE PROVERBIAL STONE WALL. !
One who has achieved the pinnacle of elder status <g> knows when there's no
point......I'll cheer (quietly) on Nov. 3...
Nan, Type 2

[URAQT2]

Post by Nan Eklund

Post by URAQT2
regular Bush supporters stay silent
on threads like this one?

Dear Chuck - fellow diabetic - wise and helpful source of medical wisdom -
WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS YOU'RE THE PROVERBIAL STONE WALL. !
One who has achieved the pinnacle of elder status <g> knows when there's no
point......I'll cheer (quietly) on Nov. 3...
Nan, Type 2

How about defending the Bush administration's policy against importing
prescription drugs from Canada when they are the same exact
medication? Hmm? After all that is the subject of this thread.

Stone wall? When it comes to Bush, you are correct. I detest the
lowlife pond scum.

BTW if you are cheering on November 3rd I will offer my
congratulations respectfully. Will you do the same if our President
Elect is John Kerry?

However, do not expect me to suddenly become a Bush fan. I still will
believe he is the worst President this country has ever had and is
putting us and generations to come in real danger from terrorists,
both foreign and home grown. It may take generations to regain the
freedoms they have so carelessly thrown away in the name of false
security, or we may never get them back. It will also take years to
rebuild our friendships with our longtime allies and the treaties that
he chose to negate.

Know what Nan? I hope and pray that you are right and that he turns
out to be a good, trustworthy President if he has a second term. He
certainly has not in his first.
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

(Don't forget that Rice is also very high in carbs.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to
evaporate."
- Albert Schweitzer

[Nan Eklund]

Most recent news on drugs ordered on the internet is that many are
understrength and some are totally fake. I'd just as soon not risk any drugs
from an unknown source. With Canada's approval of the world, they could be
getting them from Timbuctoo.

But I was being facetious about the stone wall. And if on Nov 3rd, Kerry is
elected, I'll have a triple vodka to ease the pain. (How many carbs in vodka?)

Nan, Type 2

[URAQT2]

Post by Nan Eklund
Most recent news on drugs ordered on the internet is that many are
understrength and some are totally fake. I'd just as soon not risk any drugs
from an unknown source. With Canada's approval of the world, they could be
getting them from Timbuctoo.

Lady you have bought the Bush line hook line and sinker, haven't you.
Do you really believe that reputable drug store in Canada would sell
drugs from an unknown source. I certainly would not recommend buying
drugs from someone on the internet site without knowing who they are
and their reliability.

Post by Nan Eklund
But I was being facetious about the stone wall. And if on Nov 3rd, Kerry is
elected, I'll have a triple vodka to ease the pain. (How many carbs in vodka?)

If you are here in this are I will be happy to take you to your first
AA meeting just so you don't go down the long, lonely spiral. ;-)

We can discuss our mutual disease(s) on our drive and leave the
election behind us.

I'm off to dinner and a meeting tonight. Going to record the debate
and listen to it later. It will be interesting to see what the
political pundits have to say about it afterwards. They say these two
have completely different styles in debates, so it should be
interesting. Too bad they won't let them go head to head, but they are
both afraid of that.

Post by Nan Eklund
Nan, Type 2

--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

(Don't forget that Rice is also very high in carbs.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to
evaporate."
- Albert Schweitzer

[Guy]

Sorry gang,I will find something else to do besides watching any
debate. I will watch the next four years and if still around will base
my vote than on my needs. As usual it will not go my way.

I always had the wrong answers. Even in my childish mind thing are
not clear. Remember when kids could come up with clear answers since
they had been conditioned yet.
Guy

Post by URAQT2

Post by Nan Eklund
Most recent news on drugs ordered on the internet is that many are
understrength and some are totally fake. I'd just as soon not risk any drugs
from an unknown source. With Canada's approval of the world, they could be
getting them from Timbuctoo.

Lady you have bought the Bush line hook line and sinker, haven't you.
Do you really believe that reputable drug store in Canada would sell
drugs from an unknown source. I certainly would not recommend buying
drugs from someone on the internet site without knowing who they are
and their reliability.

Post by Nan Eklund
But I was being facetious about the stone wall. And if on Nov 3rd, Kerry is
elected, I'll have a triple vodka to ease the pain. (How many carbs in vodka?)

If you are here in this are I will be happy to take you to your first
AA meeting just so you don't go down the long, lonely spiral. ;-)
We can discuss our mutual disease(s) on our drive and leave the
election behind us.
I'm off to dinner and a meeting tonight. Going to record the debate
and listen to it later. It will be interesting to see what the
political pundits have to say about it afterwards. They say these two
have completely different styles in debates, so it should be
interesting. Too bad they won't let them go head to head, but they are
both afraid of that.

Post by Nan Eklund
Nan, Type 2

[Bill]

Post by Nan Eklund
Most recent news on drugs ordered on the internet is that many are
understrength and some are totally fake. I'd just as soon not risk any drugs
from an unknown source. With Canada's approval of the world, they could be
getting them from Timbuctoo.
But I was being facetious about the stone wall. And if on Nov 3rd, Kerry is
elected, I'll have a triple vodka to ease the pain. (How many carbs in vodka?)
Nan, Type 2

There have been no reports of people in Canada, France, England, etc. having
problems with brand name drugs any more than in the US. But they are 1/2 price
there. Why? And it is against the law for people to reimport drugs from those
countries at their choosing. Should not people have that choice? Why do the
Republicans want to have bureaucrats supposedly protect people from
themselves?

Bill

[Mack©®]

Post by Nan Eklund
Most recent news on drugs ordered on the internet is that many are
understrength and some are totally fake. I'd just as soon not risk any drugs
from an unknown source. With Canada's approval of the world, they could be
getting them from Timbuctoo.

There has not been one case of diluted or fake drugs from any Canadian
pharmacy online or via phone orders or through those crossing the
border to get it and bring it back themselves.

But U.S. pharmacies, quite a few in fact, have been busted for these
crimes as well as online pharmacies from the USA and asian sources.

If Bush is so set on protecting us from pharmacy scams why are our own
pharmacies committing these crimes?

Post by Nan Eklund
But I was being facetious about the stone wall. And if on Nov 3rd, Kerry is
elected, I'll have a triple vodka to ease the pain. (How many carbs in vodka?)

0 carbs.

Post by Nan Eklund
Nan, Type 2

Mâck©®
Type 1 since 1975
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.diabetic-talk.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org

In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the
President, or that we are to stand by the President
right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile,
but is morally treasonable to the American public."

...Theodore Roosevelt

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush
And Absolutely NO Rice!

[Nan Eklund]

Zero carbs for vodka? Lovely. I've never had a problem with alcohol (except
having to give up my favorites which were things like Almaretto, slo gin,
cherry brandy! ).

So late Nov 2, in LA which gets the news after Florida has finished by several
hours, I'll either toast Bush or drown my sorrows.

Nan, Type 2

[Alan]

Post by Nan Eklund
Zero carbs for vodka? Lovely. I've never had a problem with alcohol (except
having to give up my favorites which were things like Almaretto, slo gin,
cherry brandy! ).
So late Nov 2, in LA which gets the news after Florida has finished by several
hours, I'll either toast Bush or drown my sorrows.
Nan, Type 2

If you work on it carefully, you may develop a taste for good shiraz (or
syrah) by that time:-)

Cheers, Alan
--

[Nan Eklund]

What's shiraz (or syrah)?
I had an awful sweet tooth (consequently the taste for Almaretto and Cherry
Herring) but I've avoided the temptation and haven't looked at the labels for
carb/sugar content. In fact, I've forgotten whether or not liquor labels have
any information.....
Funny how diabetes changes habits in ways you never anticipated.

Nan, Type 2

[Alan]

Post by Nan Eklund
What's shiraz (or syrah)?
I had an awful sweet tooth (consequently the taste for Almaretto and Cherry
Herring) but I've avoided the temptation and haven't looked at the labels for
carb/sugar content. In fact, I've forgotten whether or not liquor labels have
any information.....
Funny how diabetes changes habits in ways you never anticipated.
Nan, Type 2

Hi Nan

I changed the subject. The old one was starting to annoy me:-)

One of life's great wonders (because it's also good for me) - red wine.
Shiraz and Syrah are different names for what is basically the same
grape, originally IIRC from the Shiraz district of Arabia. In Australia
and most of the rest of the world it's known as Shiraz, in California
it's Syrah.

I have no idea of the carb content, alcohol is usually 12-14% (about 1/4
or less than hard liquor, 3 or 4 times beer). I have never spiked or
hypoed on wine, unlike beer which spikes me, and the resveratrols in red
(as against white) are purportedly also good for cancer.

That's my rationalisation, and I'm sticking to it (Hic).

I do try and follow my "everything in moderation" credo for this one
though....


Cheers, Alan, T2 d&e, Australia.
Remove weight and carbs to email.

[Nan Eklund]

One of these days I'll try it.
Years ago my husband and I would stop in at a vineyard tasting room on a Sunday
afternoon and start with the white wines, as dry as possible, progress to
merlot and burgundy, then fruit wines and I'd finish with a taste of mead.
Thats something I really miss.
And maybe should try again with one of the adult kids (just in case one of us
samples too many).
Nan, Type 2

[URAQT2]

Post by Nan Eklund
Zero carbs for vodka? Lovely. I've never had a problem with alcohol (except
having to give up my favorites which were things like Almaretto, slo gin,
cherry brandy! ).
So late Nov 2, in LA which gets the news after Florida has finished by several
hours, I'll either toast Bush or drown my sorrows.
Nan, Type 2

And I will toast to you with a Diet Coke.
I hope I can rid myself of the first part of my sig line, but I will
toast you in either case.
--
Chuck
-ô¿ô-
~

Have you heard of the NO-CARB Diet for 2004?

NO C-heney
NO A-shcroft
NO R-umsfeld
NO B-ush

(Don't forget that Rice is also very high in carbs.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt,
kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to
evaporate."
- Albert Schweitzer

[Guy]

Post by URAQT2

Post by Nan Eklund
Zero carbs for vodka? Lovely. I've never had a problem with alcohol (except
having to give up my favorites which were things like Almaretto, slo gin,
cherry brandy! ).
So late Nov 2, in LA which gets the news after Florida has finished by several
hours, I'll either toast Bush or drown my sorrows.
Nan, Type 2

And I will toast to you with a Diet Coke.
I hope I can rid myself of the first part of my sig line, but I will
toast you in either case.

Not much will change in the upcoming election. The Peons
will still get the shaft. A lot of promises and no substance.

Certain factors in our system are on a roll now. When they
go too far a correction will come. The president will
be close to a figurehead. The real power is not out in the open.

It has always been that way.
Guy

[Jefferson]

Post by Bill
It's unconscionable that Americans pay twice as much for many brand name
prescription drugs as those in any other developed country. And the
Republicans have made it part of the LAW that Americans can not choose, if
they wish, to import drugs from those countries and the govt. can not
negotiate to get low prices as other countries have done.
Does this make sense to anyone? Should not the govt. be doing the opposite -
raising hell because we pay so much more than others even though American tax
dollars have helped some drug companies.
Can anyone explain this other then by saying the Republicans are in the drug
companies pockets?

Look at some of the following links and see how it works in the inner
circles of politics in the US. Some of the same people lobbied for the
drug companies for the Senior's Medicare related bill. The same sort of
activities apply to the oil and gas industry to in effect make the US
energy dependent.

Alexander Strategy Group
http://www.disinfopedia.org/wiki.phtml?title=Alexander_Strategy_Group&printable=yes
"The Alexander Strategy Group (ASG) is a Republican Party-associated
lobbying and political strategy firm with offices in Washington and Hong
Kong. ASG was founded by Ed Buckham, the former chief of staff to Texas
GOP Congressman and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, and Tony Rudy, a
lobbyist for pharmaceutical companies and also a former top aide to DeLay.

Christine DeLay, Tom's wife, also receives a salary from ASG.[1]
(http://www.corpwatch.org/news/PND.jsp?articleid=2188) Her approximately
$40,000 a year salary, though, is "for her job as chief executive
officer of Americans for a Republican Majority." According to Tom
DeLay's communications director, "DeLay's wife is paid through the
Alexander Strategy Group primarily as a bookkeeping arrangement... She
does not keep an office at the firm and often works out of the couple's
home."[2] (http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/2835510.htm?1c) But
Christine DeLay is not listed among the firm's 17 staff members on ASG's
website.[3] (http://www.alexanderstrategy.com/asg/buckham.asp)

According to its website: "Unlike traditional lobbying firms, Alexander
Strategy Group offers an integrated suite of advocacy services that
includes government affairs, strategic consulting, public relations,
grassroots development, creative media, international representation,
coalition building, business development and corporate/crisis
communications."[4] (http://www.alexanderstrategy.com/asg/company.asp)
And, from a press release: ASG has "worked extensively with the
Executive and Legislative branches of government, been involved in
numerous Presidential and Congressional campaigns, forged alliances with
numerous conservative advocacy groups and worked at the highest levels
of the international arena."[5]
(http://www.swidlaw.com/news.cfm?publication_id=267)

Enron was ASG's biggest client; they received at least $411,000 from
Enron between 1999 and 2001.[6]
(http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/2835510.htm?1c) Ed Buckham and ASG
were involved with a "secret 'grassroots' campaign -- spearheaded by
Enron -- to deregulate energy markets... An outline for the plan was
faxed to Tom DeLay's Washington office. It was printed on Alexander
Strategy letterhead complete with Ed Buckham's name in print. The only
problem was that Alexander Strategy's CEO was still in the employ of the
federal government at the time... Alexander Strategy Group was, as Enron
promised, awarded the $750,000 contract to drum up support for electric
power deregulation -- a goal that Enron believed would open the $300
billion a year electric markets to Enron. The stealth campaign would
operate out of an energy consortium dubbed, 'Americans for Affordable
Electricity' -- a name that Californians would find bitterly ironic just
three years later."[7] (http://www.alternet.org/print.html?StoryID=13104)

[Buckley]

Hey, come on, folks-- the drug companies are doing A PERFECTLY
FANTASTIC JOB at self-regulation! Every thing is peachy keen, see?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/09/30/vioxx.withdrawn.reut/index.html

Wasn't it nice of Merck to do these studies six years AFTER they began
saturating the markets with advertisements about how Vioxx was safer
than ibuprofen and naproxen? Isn't it too bad Merck had to pull the
drug after a multimillion dollar campaign to wine and dine doctors and
other health care professionals so that they would prescribe Vioxx
instead of Celebrex or its Pharmacia predecessor and ignore those "other
studies" that had been done *not* 18 months ago but in the late nineties
detailing the elevated risk of stroke and heart attacks associated with
Vioxx? Aren't you glad the FTC and the FDA refused to follow Australia
and Great Britain's lead in warning Merck about not publicizing these
risks? And I'm ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that Merck would've taken this
action even if we had a federal malpractice action and Merck's decision
has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the number of pending Vioxx suits
against it.

Bright & shiny,
Keith

p.s. Does anyone have a bridge in New York or some Florida beach front
property I can buy?

[Guy]

It is sad to get old and senile. In my deluded state
I could swear the my medical care is much more
expensive and the quality is less in the past four
years.

I even believe that my standard of living is
down. I see more con artists operating with
impunity

But I listen to the election things and
I must be wrong. But soon there
will be no funny farm for me. They
will close it down for defense spending.,

[BJ in Texas]

Post by Guy
It is sad to get old and senile. In my deluded state
I could swear the my medical care is much more
expensive and the quality is less in the past four
years.

Your right Guy, its probably senility... :-) BJ

[Hi_Therre]

On Wed, 29 Sep 2004 21:00:17 -0400, Ronnie Ruff

Post by Ronnie Ruff
President Bush continues to oppose allowing American seniors to purchase
lower-priced, FDA-approved medicines from Canada.[1] His administration
has claimed those prescription drugs would be unsafe, and is working to
block a vote on bipartisan Senate legislation to make reimportation
legal.[2] But as a new drug industry whistleblower notes, the scare
tactics are dishonest and untrue.
Dr. Peter Rost, vice-president of marketing for the pharmaceutical
company Pfizer, recently came out and debunked the White House's
argument, saying reimportation "has been proven to be safe in Europe"
and that "The safety issue is a made-up story."[3] Rost's comments are
consistent with the Bush administration's own FDA officials who have
been unable to provide any evidence that medicines from Canada are
unsafe.[4]

Last night Lou Dobbs did a spew on big pharma on out sourcing. Big
pharma and bio tech outfits are sending research, manufacturing, and
human trials of drugs to India and elsewhere. The cost savings is
huge over the US cost structure. Be prepared for more meds like Vioxx
to become real nightmares for the users. With everything being done
outside the US scope of authority, the companies can do all sorts of
stuff to maximize profits and keep a tight lid on the side effects of
the drugs.

The FDA is also outsourcing stuff. The FDA gave a $18 million
contract to some offshore outfit to make some vaccine. I have a hunch
that US companies wouldn't touch it.