Friday, February 17, 2006

Neurontin whistleblower

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2004-08-17-whistle_x.htm

This article describes whistleblowing by a former Warner-Lambert employee, David Franklin,wrt Warner-Lambert's illegal marketing of Neurontin for medical uses that it was not good for. The U.S. government has successfully prosecuted Warner Lambert for this, but it was just a slap on the wrist to the giant drugmaker.
see also
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/drugs/2004-08-16-neurontin-cover_x.htm


Despite Vow, Drug Makers Still Withhold Data

See www.nytimes.com archives for more info
May 31, 2005, Tuesday
Title of article is : 'Despite Vow, Drug Makers Still Withhold Data'

This article states that Merck and Pfizer, among other Pharma companies, are still withholding vital data about their scientific research from the public, in defiance of federal policy.

Scientific studies that show a link between neuroleptic drugs and violence

Scientific studies that show a link between taking neuroleptic drugs and increased violence :
M. Katherine Shear, "Suicide associated with Akathisia and Depot Flupenhenazine Treatment," Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 3 (1983): 235- 236

Jerome Schulte "Homicide and Suicide associated with Akathisia and Halpiderol," American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry 6 (1985):3-7

Ed Shaw, " A Case of Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation in a Double Blind Neuroleptic Crossover Study," Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 6 (1986):196-197

John Herrera, "High Potency Neuroleptics and Violence in Schizophrenia," Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 176 (1988): 558- 561

van Putten, "Behavioral Toxicity of Anti- Psychotic Drugs" and Igor Galynker, "Akathisia as Violence", Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 58 (1997): 31-32

Antipsychotic Drugs CriticizedFederal Study Finds No Benefit Over Older-Cheaper Drug

see www.washingpost.com archives for more info
New Antipsychotic Drugs Criticized -Study Finds No Benefit Over Older, Cheaper Drugs
Tuesday, September 20, 2005; A01

A Federal study found no great measureable benefit in newer classes of Antipsychotic Drugs as opposed to the older drugs like Thorazine and Haldol. This is totally the opposite of what my son's doctors told me just last year, that the newer drugs like Seroquel were 'light years ahead' of the older meds. Huh ?

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