Prescription For Change Blog

Hospitals take indebted patients to court--even if they also get charity payments for their care

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:16:45 -0500

This multi-part series in this week's Baltimore Sun is a must read for anyone who wonders whether health care is really a driving factor behind bankruptcy in America.

No end to economic mess without health reform

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:04:33 -0500

We can't get out of this economic crisis unless we also deal with healthcare, says new Obama budget chief.

You Score Higher Marks than Doctors

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:10:33 -0500

According to new FDA data, consumers like you make up the majority of drug adverse event reports submitted, replacing physicians.

What you should ask your doctor

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:44:51 -0500

Consumer Reports Health continues its AdWatch series, with this analysis of those ubiquitous Cialis ads.

Common sense shouldn�t take two years � unless it�s the FDA

Wed, 21 May 2008 11:31:37 -0500

Should it really take two years to study a common-sense proposal to make drug ads better for consumers? Not unless it�s the Food and Drug Administration, which has taken foot-dragging to new heights

What Vytorin/Zetia Ads Don't Tell You

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:57:39 -0500

Last Sunday a panel of cardiologists told more than 5,000 people that high cholesterol patients shouldn�t take Vytorin and Zetia except as a last resort. Made by Merck and Schering-Plough, these widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs are taken by about four million Americans.

FDA Gets Moving on TV Drug Ad Study - Thanks to You

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:22:29 -0500

Can one person take on the monolithic FDA and get it to actually do something about drug safety? You bet � especially when that person is backed by 56,000 voices.

Welcome to Pharmageddon, Where Pills Make Us Sicker

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:24:51 -0500

Across the Atlantic, the folks over at Social Audit cooked up a neat idea: they invited people to submit a 350-word argument on �Pharmageddon� and heard from both patients and professionals.

Some Hospitals Provide Rxs for Error, Dissatisfaction

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:48:45 -0500

You may remember Dennis Quaid from The Parent Trap but nowadays he�s speaking out against medical errors...

Antidepressant meta-study sheds light, or dark, depending

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:06:01 -0500

A really long time ago, Aristotle said, �Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.�

Contaminants in pig intestines? Who knew!

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:32:47 -0500

Update on the heparin recall. Heparin is a blood thinner derived from pig intestines.

Have an opinion on off-label drug use information? Take this survey!

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:03:08 -0500

Survey about whether drug companies should hand out off-label drug studies to doctors.

Heparin recall ordered

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:25:46 -0500

Late yesterday, Baxter International ordered a full-scale recall on the blood thinner Heparin.

100 vs 1

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:26:35 -0500

I don�t know how many times I�ve seen the commercial where a beaver is talking to Abe Lincoln at a bus stop about some guy in a suit not being able to sleep. Or Dr. Jarvik (or his double?) rowing in a beautiful lake while telling us how Lipitor is the greatest thing since the last few blockbuster statins.

3 minutes of your time could save your life

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:16:58 -0500

I needed an antidote. Too many drug ads�smiling people glowing with the pleasure of their successful medical treatments. But of course, they are actors.