The Constant Gardener was a terrific film. However, its message was not entirely new to us. We at NIPPIES have long been very frightened by the power which the pharmaceutical companies have garnered over the past several decades.
Therefore, we at NIPPIES were not shocked the recent Big Pharma news: the FDA has ordered that two eczema prescription creams (Elidel cream - maker Novartis - and Protopic ointment) must now carry "black box" warnings of possible cancer risks. The action by the Food and Drug Administration was issued on Thursday, January 19, 2006. (Protopic ointment is manufactured by Astellas Pharma Inc., formed through the merger of Protopic maker Fujisawa Healthcare Inc. and Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co.)
According to the FDA, animal tests have shown an increase in cancer associated with the drugs. Both products are applied to the skin, and both work by suppressing the immune system. According to company estimates, about 10 million people have already used the drug.
Both companies have issued statements which appear to contest the need for the warnings.
Cancer Warnings
According to the wire story on Yahoo!, "a black box warning is the most serious type of warning in prescription drug labeling. The warning will be located lower on the labels of the two drugs than is typical, although a statement higher on the labels will refer to the risk."
Up until October 2005, the FDA had received reports of 78 cases of different cancers, including skin cancer and lymphoma, in patients using the two meications.
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Fed to trim budget: programs for the poor to suffer
House approves $39.7 bln spending cuts
Why are we at NIPPIES not surprised?? President Bush and the majority of his fellow Republicans have consistently displayed their favoritism toward the rich with little regard for the working poor in this country. The class divide grows and grows and the little guy struggles to pay for even the most necessary items in life: food, medicine, shelter.
Please read the following story to see what we mean..
In a story by Richard Cowan (Washington - Reuters) on Dec. 19, 2005, it is reported:
"The House of Representatives on Monday narrowly voted to cut $39.7 billion from federal spending over five years, including health care and other social welfare, as part of a conservative push to contain these growing programs."
The vote was 212-206, and occured during a rare overnight session. Democrats opposed the cuts.
"We have a plan to reform the government and achieve savings," said House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, an Iowa Republican.
The five year plan , criticized by Dems, will hurt those receiving aid via student loans, child care and other programs which help the poor.
Republican John Spratt complained about his own party's strategy of "negotiating last-minute deals to help medical equipment manufacturers and suppliers, while maintaining reductions in some programs for the poor."
Separate legislation was approved for a one percent cut in ALL federal programs except for the Veterans Administration. This will make for an additional $8 million in savings.
Rep. Chet Edwards (news, bio, voting record), a Texas Democrat, said, "This bill under the Republican leadership makes Scrooge look like a philanthropist."
The article goes on to say:
"A large chunk of the spending cuts, about $11.2 billion over five years, would come from Medicare and Medicaid, the health-care programs for the elderly and poor."
AND...
"The $39.7 billion in savings would be dwarfed, however, by an estimated $14 trillion the government is expected to spend over the next five years under a Republican budget plan approved last April.
Democrats argued that the spending cuts were falling disproportionately on the poor as Republicans also were pushing through Congress tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans."
Republicans in the House gave up on earlier attemptst to cut FOOD STAMP (which helps the poor to buy groceries) aid by $700 million.
Merry Christmas
Yes, it is currently politically incorrect to wish the general public a "Merry Christmas". But that is just what we want to wish you. It is that time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
May you and your family have a happy, holy Christmas and holiday season...no matter what holiday you celebrate.
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