FDA/Big Pharma/Tobacco scratchin' each others backs

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lmrasch

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Here's an excerpt from tobacco News Analysis and Commentary:

The rest of the story is that by virtue of its appointment of numerous members with financial conflicts of interest with Big Pharma, the FDA tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee has now become a literal extension of pharmaceutical company financial interests. These companies have been given the gift of a seat at the table (actually, four seats).

This means that 7 of the 12 seats on the panel are now industry seats:

Big tobacco: 3
Big Pharma: 4
Total Industry Seats: 7


The tobacco and pharmaceutical industries must be laughing all the way to the bank. There's nothing like sitting on the panel of the Agency that regulates your products or makes decisions about the regulation of the products of your chief competitors.

To read the rest of the story, follow the link:
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Four Members of FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee Have Received Pharmaceutical Money; Influence of Industry on FDA Grows
 
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LowThudd

Vaping Master
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Jul 2, 2010
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I am a GUY from L.A. not girl. lol
I'll repost what I put in the other thread:

I can't even begin to express how badly heads need to roll. This country has a long history of letting the wolves guard the hen house.

Next time there's a prescription pill commercial on, listen to the nightmarish list of side effects for medications that the FDA considers safe while youre forced to hide and vape. It's an obscenity.

What, like this?

Ambien
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien:
........; dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.
Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:
Dizziness; drowsiness (including daytime drowsiness); "drugged" feeling; dry mouth; headache; muscle aches; nausea; nose or throat irritation; sluggishness; stomach upset.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Ambien CR Extended-Release Tablets:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, legs, mouth, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thinking; behavior changes; chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory problems (eg, memory loss); mental or mood changes (eg, aggression, agitation, anxiety, depression); severe dizziness; shortness of breath; suicidal thoughts or actions; vision changes.
Top[/URL]

Ambien Side Effects - for the Professional
Ambien
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:
  • <LI itxtvisited="1">Serious anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)[/URL]] <LI itxtvisited="1">Abnormal thinking, behavior changes, and complex behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)[/URL]] <LI itxtvisited="1">Withdrawal effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)[/URL]]
  • CNS-depressant effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)[/URL]]
Clinical trials experience
Associated with discontinuation of treatment:
Approximately 4% of 1,701 patients who received zolpidem at all doses (1.25 to 90 mg) in U.S. premarketing clinical trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. Reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation from U.S. trials were daytime drowsiness (0.5%), dizziness (0.4%), headache (0.5%), nausea (0.6%), and vomiting (0.5%).
Approximately 4% of 1,959 patients who received zolpidem at all doses (1 to 50 mg) in similar foreign trials discontinued treatment because of an adverse reaction. Reactions most commonly associated with discontinuation from these trials were daytime drowsiness (1.1%), dizziness/vertigo (0.8%), amnesia (0.5%), nausea (0.5%), headache (0.4%), and falls (0.4%).
Data from a clinical study in which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-treated patients were given zolpidem revealed that four of the seven discontinuations during double-blind treatment with zolpidem (n=95) were associated with impaired concentration, continuing or aggravated depression, and manic reaction; one patient treated with placebo (n=97) was discontinued after an attempted suicide.
Most commonly observed adverse reactions in controlled trials:
During short-term treatment (up to 10 nights) with Ambien at doses up to 10 mg, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of zolpidem and seen at statistically significant differences from placebo treated patients were drowsiness (reported by 2% of zolpidem patients), dizziness (1%), and ........ (1%). During longer-term treatment (28 to 35 nights) with zolpidem at doses up to 10 mg, the most commonly observed adverse reactions associated with the use of zolpidem and seen at statistically significant differences from placebo treated patients were dizziness (5%) and drugged feelings (3%).
Adverse reactions observed at an incidence of ≥ 1% in controlled trials:
The following tables enumerate treatment-emergent adverse reactions frequencies that were observed at an incidence equal to 1% or greater among patients with insomnia who received zolpidem tartrate and at a greater incidence than placebo in U.S. placebo-controlled trials. Events reported by investigators were classified utilizing a modified World Health Organization (WHO) dictionary of preferred terms for the purpose of establishing event frequencies. The prescriber should be aware that these figures cannot be used to predict the incidence of side effects in the course of usual medical practice, in which patient characteristics and other factors differ from those that prevailed in these clinical trials. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigators involving related drug products and uses, since each group of drug trials is conducted under a different set of conditions. However, the cited figures provide the physician with a basis for estimating the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the incidence of side effects in the population studied.
The following table was derived from results of 11 placebo-controlled short-term U.S. efficacy trials involving zolpidem in doses ranging from 1.25 to 20 mg. The table is limited to data from doses up to and including 10 mg, the highest dose recommended for use.
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Experiences in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Lasting up to 10 Nights (Percentage of patients reporting)Body System/
Adverse Event*Zolpidem[/URL]
(≤10mg)
(N=685)Placebo
(N=473)*[/URL] Reactions reported by at least 1% of patients treated with Ambien and at a greater frequency than placebo. Central and Peripheral Nervous SystemHeadache76Drowsiness2_Dizziness1_Gastrointestinal SystemDiarrhea1-
The following table was derived from results of three placebo-controlled long-term efficacy trials involving Ambien (zolpidem tartrate). These trials involved patients with chronic insomnia who were treated for 28 to 35 nights with zolpidem at doses of 5, 10, or 15 mg. The table is limited to data from doses up to and including 10 mg, the highest dose recommended for use. The table includes only adverse events occurring at an incidence of at least 1% for zolpidem patients.
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Experiences in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Lasting up to 35 Nights (Percentage of patients reporting)Body System/
Adverse Event*Zolpidem[/URL]
(≤10mg)
(N=152)Placebo
(N=161)*[/URL] Reactions reported by at least 1% of patients treated with Ambien and at a greater frequency than placebo. Autonomic Nervous SystemDry mouth31Body as a WholeAllergy41Back Pain32Influenza-like symptoms2-Chest pain1-Cardiovascular SystemPalpitation2-Central and Peripheral Nervous SystemDrowsiness85Dizziness51Lethargy31Drugged feeling3-Lightheadedness21Depression21Abnormal dreams1-Amnesia1-Sleep disorder1-Gastrointestinal SystemDiarrhea32Abdominal pain22Constipation21Respiratory SystemSinusitis42Pharyngitis31Skin and AppendagesRash21
Dose relationship for adverse reactions:
There is evidence from dose comparison trials suggesting a dose relationship for many of the adverse reactions associated with zolpidem use, particularly for certain CNS and gastrointestinal adverse events.
Adverse event incidence across the entire preapproval database:
Ambien was administered to 3,660 subjects in clinical trials throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Treatment-emergent adverse events associated with clinical trial participation were recorded by clinical investigators using terminology of their own choosing. To provide a meaningful estimate of the proportion of individuals experiencing treatment-emergent adverse events, similar types of untoward events were grouped into a smaller number of standardized event categories and classified utilizing a modified World Health Organization (WHO) dictionary of preferred terms.
The frequencies presented, therefore, represent the proportions of the 3,660 individuals exposed to zolpidem, at all doses, who experienced an event of the type cited on at least one occasion while receiving zolpidem. All reported treatment-emergent adverse events are included, except those already listed in the table above of adverse events in placebo-controlled studies, those coding terms that are so general as to be uninformative, and those events where a drug cause was remote. It is important to emphasize that, although the events reported did occur during treatment with Ambien, they were not necessarily caused by it.
Adverse events are further classified within body system categories and enumerated in order of decreasing frequency using the following definitions: frequent adverse events are defined as those occurring in greater than 1/100 subjects; infrequent adverse events are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1,000 patients; rare events are those occurring in less than 1/1,000 patients.
Autonomic nervous system: Infrequent: increased sweating, pallor, postural hypotension, syncope. Rare: abnormal accommodation, altered saliva, flushing, glaucoma, hypotension, impotence, increased saliva, tenesmus.
Body as a whole: Frequent: asthenia. Infrequent: edema, falling, fatigue, fever, malaise, trauma. Rare: allergic reaction, allergy aggravated, anaphylactic shock, face edema, hot flashes, increased ESR, pain, restless legs, rigors, tolerance increased, weight decrease.
Cardiovascular system: Infrequent: cerebrovascular disorder, hypertension, tachycardia. Rare: angina pectoris, arrhythmia, arteritis, circulatory failure, extrasystoles, hypertension aggravated, myocardial infarction, phlebitis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary edema, varicose veins, ventricular tachycardia.
Central and peripheral nervous system: Frequent: ataxia, confusion, euphoria, headache, insomnia, vertigo. Infrequent: agitation, anxiety, decreased cognition, detached, difficulty concentrating, dysarthria, emotional lability, hallucination, hypoesthesia, illusion, leg cramps, migraine, nervousness, paresthesia, sleeping (after daytime dosing), speech disorder, stupor, tremor. Rare: abnormal gait, abnormal thinking, aggressive reaction, apathy, appetite increased, decreased libido, delusion, dementia, depersonalization, dysphasia, feeling strange, hypokinesia, hypotonia, hysteria, intoxicated feeling, manic reaction, neuralgia, neuritis, neuropathy, neurosis, panic attacks, paresis, personality disorder, somnambulism, suicide attempts, tetany, yawning.
Gastrointestinal system: Frequent: dyspepsia, hiccup, nausea. Infrequent: anorexia, constipation, dysphagia, flatulence, gastroenteritis, vomiting. Rare: enteritis, eructation, esophagospasm, gastritis, hemorrhoids, intestinal obstruction, rectal hemorrhage, tooth caries.
Hematologic and lymphatic system: Rare: anemia, hyperhemoglobinemia, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy, macrocytic anemia, purpura, thrombosis.
Immunologic system: Infrequent: infection. Rare: abscess herpes simplex herpes zoster, otitis externa, otitis media.
Liver and biliary system: Infrequent: abnormal hepatic function, increased SGPT. Rare: bilirubinemia, increased SGOT.
Metabolic and nutritional: Infrequent: hyperglycemia, thirst. Rare: gout, hypercholesteremia, hyperlipidemia, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased BUN, periorbital edema.
Musculoskeletal system: Frequent: arthralgia, myalgia. Infrequent: arthritis. Rare: arthrosis, muscle weakness, sciatica, tendinitis.
Reproductive system: Infrequent: menstrual disorder, vaginitis. Rare: breast fibroadenosis, breast neoplasm, breast pain.
Respiratory system: Frequent: upper respiratory infection. Infrequent: bronchitis, coughing, dyspnea, rhinitis. Rare: bronchospasm, epistaxis, hypoxia, laryngitis, pneumonia.
Skin and appendages: Infrequent: pruritus. Rare: acne, bullous eruption, dermatitis, furunculosis, injection-site inflammation, photosensitivity reaction, urticaria.
Special senses: Frequent: diplopia, vision abnormal. Infrequent: eye irritation, eye pain, scleritis, taste perversion, tinnitus. Rare: conjunctivitis, corneal ulceration, lacrimation abnormal, parosmia, photopsia.
Urogenital system: Frequent: urinary tract infection. Infrequent: cystitis, urinary incontinence. Rare: acute renal failure, dysuria, micturition frequency, nocturia, polyuria, pyelonephritis, renal pain, urinary retention.

Read more: Ambien Side Effects | Drugs.com

My doctors have actually recomended this, and have told me that a common "herbal" remedy is worse for me. I highly disagree. Fortunately I have found a legally prescribed remedy that, for now, is working OK.:?:
 

bassnut

Crumby Jokes
ECF Veteran
Apr 1, 2010
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Here's an excerpt from Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary:

The rest of the story is that by virtue of its appointment of numerous members with financial conflicts of interest with Big Pharma, the FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee has now become a literal extension of pharmaceutical company financial interests. These companies have been given the gift of a seat at the table (actually, four seats).

This means that 7 of the 12 seats on the panel are now industry seats:

Big Tobacco: 3
Big Pharma: 4
Total Industry Seats: 7

The tobacco and pharmaceutical industries must be laughing all the way to the bank. There's nothing like sitting on the panel of the Agency that regulates your products or makes decisions about the regulation of the products of your chief competitors.

To read the rest of the story, follow the link:
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Four Members of FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee Have Received Pharmaceutical Money; Influence of Industry on FDA Grows


Here's an old thread regarding this subject:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-panel-created-web-site-established-yuck.html

We have a man on the inside - Dr. Siegel. You have to read through several posts to get the full idea. It's a bit murky and somewhat old history as these things go.
Judging from what I've been seeing in these ubiquitous cookie-cutter "news" articles based on FDA disinformation, I'm not quite sure what effect he's having. A little maybe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Siegel View Post
I can assure everyone that I remain steadfast in my opinion that electronic cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoking and that they must remain legal. My participation on the FDA Shadow Panel in no way changes that. In fact, my participation on the panel simply gives me another avenue to share this important opinion with the Agency and with the scientific panel members who will be making these decisions. On top of that, it provides an opportunity for me to educate other anti-smoking advocates who may have a different opinion. I believe that a lot of minds can be changed simply by showing people how successful these products have been for so many people. The FDA Shadow Panel was covered by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the website received widespread attention. I think this can only help to educate policy makers about the electronic cigarette issue. I realize there are others on the panel who don't share my opinions. But I view this as an opportunity to educate them and perhaps change their minds.
 
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Vocalek

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ECF Veteran
I'll repost what I put in the other thread:



What, like this?



My doctors have actually recomended this, and have told me that a common "herbal" remedy is worse for me. I highly disagree. Fortunately I have found a legally prescribed remedy that, for now, is working OK.:?:

Ambien was prescribed for me (intead of letting me go back on estrogen) after severe hot flashes kept me from sleeping through the night for weeks on end. The next morning at the breakfast table I commented to my husband, "I can't tell you how good it feels to have gotten a full night's sleep."

"Yes, you can," he responded. "That's the third time you've said that."

:ohmy:

That was the last time I took Ambien. I have enough problems remembering things without getting full blown amnesia from a pill.

I solved my problem by taking care of the cause. I ordered my estrogen from a pharmacy in New Zealand until a US doctor with common sense agreed to prescribe it for me.
 

DaveP

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Ambien was prescribed for me (intead of letting me go back on estrogen) after severe hot flashes kept me from sleeping through the night for weeks on end. The next morning at the breakfast table I commented to my husband, "I can't tell you how good it feels to have gotten a full night's sleep."

"Yes, you can," he responded. "That's the third time you've said that."

:ohmy:

That was the last time I took Ambien. I have enough problems remembering things without getting full blown amnesia from a pill.

I solved my problem by taking care of the cause. I ordered my estrogen from a pharmacy in New Zealand until a US doctor with common sense agreed to prescribe it for me.

I have heard stories about Ambien. This one is a break area story from the wife of a Deputy. The sheriff's office received a call stating that a woman was wandering in the road in her nightgown. Deputies found her and noticed that she seemed confused. It was a cold night, they put her in the back seat of the patrol car, and talked to her while she warmed up. The lady had a small cut on her leg. She couldn't tell them her name or where she lived. After a few minutes, she recalled those bits of info.

They took her to her house. The front door was locked and they could see that the burglar alarm was armed through the window on the door. A deputy walked around to the back of the house and notice a bathroom window that was broken and there was blood on the window sill. He entered the house through the window and unlocked the front door.

She had apparently broken the window and crawled out, although she didn't remember doing it. They found the names of some relatives in the phone book and called them to stay with her the rest of the night.

Ambien can be weird stuff for some people.
 
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